Archbishop Dolan and Congressman Ryan: Catholic Social Doctrine, 2012 Campaign
Are we finally at a point when we can have a genuine discussion on the issues which matter most?
'This exchange of correspondence will be, I trust, but the beginning of an ongoing dialogue, in service, I pray, of the country we love and the religious convictions that have always inspired sound citizenship and generous public service.' This exchange between the Congressman and the Archbishop is an example of the proper application of the principles and truths offered by Catholic Social Doctrine to be used in policy initiatives.
Congressman Ryan and Archbishop Dolan
PrintWASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - While Republican Presidential candidates announced their candidacy and President Obama positioned himself for his re-election effort, the President of the US Bishops Conference, Archbishop Timothy Dolan and a Conservative Catholic Congressman named Paul Ryan exchanged letters which can help frame the issues of the upcoming presidential campaign.
The political wordsmiths are trying to lay claim to that field of moral theology referred to as "Catholic Social Doctrine" as the 2012 campaign for the US Presidency begins. Prior to 2004 the phrase "Social Teaching" of the Catholic Church referred to the teachings found in the Sacred Scriptures, expounded upon in the Christian tradition, developed in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, explained within a contemporary series of encyclical letters, apostolic letters and exhortations, and wonderfully summarized in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Sadly, many people had not read these sources. So, what claimed to be the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church was too often the "spin" of self styled "experts" with political agendas.
Then on April 2, 2004, the Memorial of Saint Francis of Paola, Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, President of the "Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace" released the "Compendium of the Social Doctrine of Church." It can be studied and read in full online here It can also be purchased here I recommend that every Catholic, indeed all Christians, other people of faith and all people of good will purchase this outstanding compendium. It is a tremendous resource.
This social doctrine of the Church confronts what Pope Benedict called the "Dictatorship of Relativism" and insists there are unchangeable truths such as the dignity of every human person at every age and stage which must form the foundation of any just society. To be Pro-Life is not about a "single issue", it is about a world view. It is this dignity of the human person which requires a respect for every human life whether that life be in the first home of the womb, a wheelchair, a jail cell, a hospital room, a hospice, a senior center or a soup kitchen.
Another truth is that marriage is between one man and one woman, intended for life, and ordered toward the bearing and raising of children in the family. Marriage is not some social construct which can be redefined by courts or legislatures. It is also one more example of a word we must not give up - for the sake of the true common good. It is the foundation for family and family is the first society, first church, first school, first economy, first government and first mediating institution. The first community which humanizes and civilizes all of us is the family.
Another truth is that all human persons created in the Image of God are created for relationship and called to human community. We can never fully experience human flourishing outside of social relationships. These relationships are perfective of our human person because we are by nature - and grace - made for these relationships. Catholic Social Thought does not begin with the individual but with the family.
The social doctrine rejects a notion of "freedom" which begins and ends with the isolated, atomistic, person as the measure of its application. Authentic human freedom must be exercised within a moral constitution. We will only experience freedom when we choose what is good and what is true. Otherwise "freedom" becomes a counterfeit and enslaves. The social doctrine also recognizes our obligation in solidarity to one another. We are our brother/sister's keeper.
The social doctrine offers principles to help us order our economies but does not propose any particular economic theory. Rather, it insists that every economic order be at the service of the human person, human freedom, human flourishing and the family. We are called to give a love of preference to the poor, recognizing our solidarity with them. However, this call to solidarity is to be applied through the application of the principle of subsidiarity, rejecting all forms of dehumanizing collectivism, either of the left or the right.
The market economy has been affirmed in recent social teaching as having a potential for promoting these goods - when properly understood and morally structured. However, the Catholic Church stood against the materialism of the atheistic Marxist system and cautions Nations which have adopted a form of liberal capitalism of the dangers of "economism" or materialism which promotes the use of persons as products and fails to recognize the value of being over ...
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It is important to note, that the congressman is only speaking for the great state of Wisconsin which is my birth state. He may be a Christian and may be a Catholic in name only and may be a Republican, but how is that important. I missed the reason for the article. The unions of his state will not be interested in anything he has to say.
Archbishop Dolan needs to not only take the congressman over his knee but needs to send him back to a class in continuing education on Matthew Chapter 5-7.
Congressman Ryan has much to learn. Christianity might be what the congressman needs to learn the most. Just my opinion because I do not live in Wisconsin and will not have the priviage to vote him out of office.
This is heinous. Has no one done research on Mr. Ryan? Are you aware that he is a fervent follower of Ayn Rand? Do you know anything about the philosophy she espouses, and he adheres to?
While Catholic Online might think a collusion between the Church and such a candidate are a good thing, I think it is an even better example of why the Church should appear to favor no candidate above the other, but speak directly to the positions they hold: a collusion, or the appearance of a collusion, can do much to bolster the candidacy of such men as Mr. Ryan, who's opinions on the poor and working class share absolutely nothing with the teachings of the Church.
In short; lie down with the dogs, get up with fleas.
Rob, I carefully read your post and thought about it for a moment. Then a proverbial light bulb came on and do you know who it sounds like what you want? !!!! Sarah Palin!!!
I'm looking for a leader. I don't want a media star (Obama, Palin) and I don't want party hacks who know the party lines and just repeat them over and over as if they said them enough times they will be true. I think I want a candidate that is going to puts the citizen first. I want to know that the interests of the people are put before the economy, defense and a whole host of other issues that we seem to bicker about but at the end of the day do nothing to help you and I. I want a candidate that not only tells the truth about our fiscal problems but is brave enough to tell the truth about how we got there and what it will take to get out. I want a candidate that isn't subservient to corporate interests but instead looks seriously at the problems of unemployement and brings our jobs home. I want a candidate that isn't afraid to call us out to pay for the government we've voted for. I want a candidate that inspires people to be better. I want a candidate that inspires people to serve their country because they believe in what it stands for and be willing to make whatever sacrifices are necessary. I want a candidate that all people, God fearing and not, can believe in and follow. Basically I want a candidate that unites this great nation and is able to rise about all the conservative/liberal nonsense and lead.
Rob, you always say that you did not vote for Obama and won't vote for him in 2012 but the line up of GOP candidates are not good. What is it you are looking for in a candidate?
And you think that is going to get better with the crop of candidates the GOP is running? Serioulsy? But to your post, I would think it would be you that's doing cart wheels. Your line of logic seems to imply that you are running full steam ahead to put the guys back in office that created this mess in the first place. Our fiscal situation today is the direct result of those terrible fiscal policies. Obama owns his record for sure and we can discuss whether or not his policies have curbed the disaster that preceded him and continues today. But folks like you vance want to hang all of this around his neck while blindly supporting those who continue to push policies that led to this disaster in the first place. Sorry vance, I'm not biting. I'm sorry, but the rhetoric is so deep that it lacks some basic common sense and refuses to look at the core and root of these problems. As I've said continually, I didn't vote for Obama the first time and will not vote for him this time. But I'm sure as heck not voting for the crop of GOP candidates they are pushing now. Sadly, I think I'm going to have to sit this next one out. Playing Russian Roulette doesn't interest me.
Ed and Rob, I hate to break into this Marxist Love Fest you guys are having ((BUT)) your Dear Leader's demolition derby is wreaking havoc on our nation. Like you guys, the Marxist Democrat Party is loving this. The New Unemployment numbers are WAY UP. 60% of 2010 college grads cannot find work. GNP is WAY DOWN, Sales on Durable Goods are WAY DOWN, Housing sales and starts are WAY DOWN, Now hold onto your seats because you guys will love this- Corporate Profits are WAY DOWN. Are you doing cartwheels?? I knew you'd love that.
Ed, but we can't forget that Clinton signed a majority of the GOP measures that led to this fiscal meltdown. Things were great during the Clinton years, but sadly it was the beginning of what we are experiencing today.
Eddie Monster wants grandma and grandpa to go to there kids for money heathcare. Guess what the kids don't have a job do to the GOP party for the years starting with Reagan. Clinton was the only one to balance the budget.
Dan, I don't disagree with you. I do not want to encourage class warfare at all. But given the impact that the rich have on our government these days, we aren't exactly playing on a level playing field when it comes to fiscal policy. Our chances at prosperity are continually being downgraded and further eroded while the rich as of late are held harmless. Trickle down and low tax rates for job creation isn't working. And when you look at corporate earnings going through the roof but a slow drip of hiring, it's no wonder things are still so bad. There is no incentive for anyone to create jobs, especially if our government is going to continue to assit them in pumping up their bottom lines. Tech, I agree, but the bailouts to cover up all the financial malfeaseance didn't help things at all. At some point we the people are just going to have to demand that our government pay for the programs that it desires and has promised. If it means more taxes so be it. If it means cutting defense, so be it. But something has to give and unfortunately the current trend suggest that they are going to do it on the backs of regular working people. I don't think you can call this socialism, but whatever it is, it should be illegal.