‘America’ magazine decries US bishops’ stand on religious freedom
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An editorial in the Jesuit magazine “America” has scolded the US bishops for their continued opposition to President Obama’s contraceptive mandate.
Rapping the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) for showing “wonkish precision” in some detailed critiques of the Obama mandate, the America editors claim that the basic thrust of the bishops’ argument is misplaced. “Such exaggerated protests,” the editors say, “likewise show disrespect for the freedom Catholics have enjoyed in the United States, which is a model for the world—and for the church.”
The America editorial charges that the USCCB has been motivated by differences with the White House about policy, rather than principle. The editors argue that the Obama administration has answered all reasonable objections to the policy, and that the “compromise” offered on February 10 “fundamentally did what Catholic social teaching expects government to do—coordinate contending rights for the good of all.”
The editorial argues that the American bishops have wielded their influence most effectively in pastoral letters written in the 1980s on two clearly political topics: nuclear weaponry and economic policies. Yet the editors follow up that point by arguing: “The American public is uncomfortable with an overt exercise of political muscle by the hierarchy.”
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6 Comments
What a mealy mouthed bunch of unchatecized wimps you men are! Try learning your religion before you make your idiotic, simple minded rhetoric answers.
SMH!
Baloney to Michael s insulting and intemperate words!
Allow the elected Government of the people to make laws for all the people. The President is trying to be inclusive of all and no religious groups. Religious liberty does not give any religious group the right to DEMAND its way as the only right way when it comes to legislation for the whole people. Beware of extremist clerics of any religious group, including their blind followers! Listen to the whole people of good will and uprightness – of all and no religious faith. Let the Spirit move gently to provide compassionate care for all Americans, especially women and children.
Baloney! The Bishops are defending the right to religious freedom as stated in our consitution. If we give an inch, the government will forcefully take a mile. The Roman Catholic Bishops in America have become an easy target for criticism in this country, especially by so called catholics who want to be popular by speaking against the Bishops. How about speaking out against Obama and his “ObamaCare” which will pay for more children to be killed by abortion. Obama said the Trayvon could have been his son. We’ll, why doesn’t he also speak out against the other Trayvon’s who were killed through abortion. Ah!! the narrow way. As for America magazine, the only use that I have for it is in my bathroom, when I run out of toilet paper.
This isn’t about abortion, Michael, as much as you’d like it to be. Nor is it even about religious liberty. It is about power and influence over the culture. The problem is that we need to be careful about what we seek. There are Christian groups who oppose all forms of surgery. Should they be allowed to deny surgical treatment to their employees’ families? Perhaps. There are other religious groups who believe in smoking dope in their worship. Should they be granted the religious freedom to pass a joint to an eight-year-old? What about those who seek to handle venomous snakes in their churches? Total freedom of religion on that one? Hmmm…this isn’t an easy slam-dunk issue.
Praise the Lord, a prophetic voice from the Catholic community has dared to speak out in the name of justice and peace.
finally! a bit of fresh air on this entire question. the bishops certainly have shown themselves to be blind to american catholic history as well as biased on this issue.