Strong Moral Leadership is not always Popular

y Raymond L. Flynn

When the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops held its annual meeting in Washington, D.C. recently, one of the important issues discussed was what to do about Catholic elected officials who consistently vote against their Church on fundamental moral and political issues. This is especially embarrassing to Church leaders who preach one thing, then see that Catholic politicians often vote the opposite. The bishops discussed what measures, if any, they should take to help make these Catholic political leaders more accountable and understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church.

Whether it is the issue of abortion, homosexual marriages or school vouchers, these issues cause confusion and division between Catholic teachings and Catholic politicians. This same division also exists between Church doctrine and the practice of lay Catholics. The big difference, however, is that the former is usually played out in the political arena, whereas the latter is confined to the inner conscience of the individual.

This nearly three-decade-long controversy recently surfaced again with President George W. Bush's nominations to the federal judiciary. President Bush appointed highly qualified and well-regarded legal scholars who publicly acknowledged at their confirmation hearings that they were committed to the principles and values of the Catholic faith. These comments, though, were interpreted by some liberal U.S. Senators to mean that these candidates did not support "the doctrine of separation of church and state." But the real reason why their confirmation is being blocked in the Senate is because they won't support the liberal - feminist's litmus test of being pro-choice on the abortion issue. Apparently, it is not good enough anymore for a candidate to the federal bench to say that they will merely interpret the laws. These lawmakers want perspective judges to promise that they will only vote the way the liberal "elite" wants them to. It's amazing how less tolerant and full-circle the U.S. Senate has become in 30 short years. Abortion and now homosexual marriages have polarized American politics and threaten our democracy.

To make matters worse, our Church leaders have lost much of their political clout since the clergy sex abuse crisis. Some of these Church leaders, when they do speak out, suffer a media backlash by saying, "What credibility does the Catholic Church have telling us what's morally right?" Too many Catholic politicians now quickly say, "I'm personally opposed, but I don't want to impose my moral opinion on others." As if they didn't make moral judgments on issues, every time they vote! This "personally opposed" line is an obvious cop-out, but unfortunately has become a safe political haven in this current, ever-changing, politically correct culture. How long this attack on Church teaching lasts will depend on the courage and determination of faithful Catholics. It says nothing while our society is changing right before our eyes. Only if Catholics get involved politically, they might have a chance to slow it down. But with the "greatest generation" dying off, and the rest of us with our collective head in the sand and afraid to speak out, our Church is increasingly vulnerable, and sometimes even reluctant, to take a firm stand. Certainly they will issue an occasional press statement, but it usually gets ignored or ridiculed in the media.

The bishops could take an immediate small step. Don't allow any Catholic politicians who vote against Church teachings to publicly manipulate Catholic officials at media and civic events. In this current environment, Catholic leaders are either quiet and popular or outspoken and uncompromising.

My strongest advice for Catholic leaders is, take the challenge head on, and don't assume someone will solve this public perception problem for you. Providing strong moral leadership is not always popular.

This weekend Massachusetts Catholic bishops had a letter read in all the Masses calling the effort to legalize homosexual marriages, "a national tragedy," and called on all Catholics to contact the governor and members of the state legislature to support a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. I applaud the bishop's letter and feel it was necessary and appropriate. The next step is up to us. Contact the governor and your state legislatures today and let us know their response.

I would also urge all those who are concerned about the sanctity and dignity of marriage, to support the efforts of Alliance for Marriage in their attempt to enact a U.S. Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

St. Benedict Door Hang 15% off

____________________________

Raymond L. Flynn is National President of Your Catholic Voice.
www.yourcatholicvoice.org
Ray Flynn is the former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican and Mayor of Boston.

He is also Author of The Accidental Pope and Pope John Paul II: A Personal Portrait of The Pope and The Man.

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