Fr. Thomas Reese, SJ: Is there a political plan B for the bishops?

[UrbScotty]

Like all Americans, the bishops have a constitutional right to participate in the political process. They can debate the issues, criticize candidates and publicly express their views. They can even endorse candidates as long as they don’t do it on church property and don’t use church funds in supporting a candidate or party. In fact, they can even run for president as did Rev. Pat Robertson and Rev. Jesse Jackson. The U.S. Constitution does not forbid this; Roman Catholic canon law forbids it.

But what is constitutional is not always effective or prudent. Clearly the political strategy of the bishops is not working. A majority of Catholics voted for Obama and gay activists won every referendum. The Missouri and Indiana Republican senatorial candidates, who took the toughest positions on abortion, were also defeated when the Republicans were expected to win these races.

So where do the bishops go from here? Some of the bishops will blame Catholic pro-choice politicians and urge excluding them from Communion. The nuns, priests and theologians who urged voters to consider a wide range of justice issues will also be blamed. These bishops will see no need for a change in political strategy. “The bishops need to be tougher; dissidents need to be punished; full speed ahead!”

Many bishops, who stayed quite during the election, are tired of the notoriety that the political bishops invite. They prefer that their parishes be free of partisan politics. But since the media has trouble covering silence, the political bishops get all the ink and airtime. This makes it look like these bishops are speaking for all the bishops.

http://ncronline.org/node/39111

[zwyziec]

1. THANK YOU FOR THIS!

I met Fr. Reese several years ago and followed him when he was editor of America and afterwards. He was "fired" from his post at America by the Vatican because of his views on women in the clergy and married priests.

This article says exactly what I have been telling and writing people about the RCC and expresses my views entirely.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

2. As I said to my own bishop on Sunday

Bishops should stop thinking that they can order their congregations to think and act in certain ways. King Canute ordering the tide not to come in didn't work so well, either.

I also told him that my gay brother is going to get married, and has asked me to be one of his groomsmen. I accepted with pleasure.

[Kingofalldems]

3. I wonder how many bishops are with Opus Dei?