I have just returned from the spring assembly of bishops. It was a rewarding week for our bishops’ conference, most especially because we reflected together on a wide range of theological and pastoral issues in a relaxed, fraternal setting. I have learned a great deal from my brother bishops. We share the same Catholic faith and the responsibility to proclaim it in our dioceses.
Of particular interest this year was our discussion about how Catholic politicians live their faith in public life, an extremely important issue we bishops take seriously. One issue that has taken on special prominence in recent months is whether Catholic politicians who support abortion legislation should be denied holy Communion.
In late 2002, the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a “Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life.” This excellent document is addressed to Catholics who live in democracies, where those in public life have a unique opportunity and responsibility to put Christian moral principles to work for the common good. It is important to note that just as the doctrinal note was not addressed to this country alone but to all democracies, so was it not written in order to coincide with the elections of any particular country. It is intended as guidance to Catholic public officials now and into the future.
Not long after the doctrinal note was issued by the Vatican, we bishops created a committee to study its application in this country. Last week, the committee gave an interim report to bishops that reflected the substantial time they have taken to study Catholic teaching, consult others, and communicate with Vatican officials. It has always been our intention that the final report would not be made until our next meeting scheduled for this fall, which will occur after the U.S. presidential election.
Near the end of our meeting last week, we issued an interim statement about the role of Catholics in public life particularly as it relates to abortion. The statement is printed in its entirety in this week’s Arkansas Catholic, and I urge you to read it. It makes clear our unequivocal opposition to abortion. No one should doubt the constant, strong and very public pro-life stance the bishops of this country have taken.
The Church’s unfailing opposition to abortion and euthanasia springs from our commitment to uphold the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. This teaching is the foundation on which the rest of our moral and social teaching stands. To be clear, I want to say that without a commitment to the dignity of human life, and without a commitment to work to end abortion in our country, the integrity of our commitment to all God’s children (including the poor, the elderly, immigrants and children) is diminished. Catholic teaching about life is a “seamless garment.”
Again, however, I want to be clear: a Catholic cannot say he or she upholds the dignity of human life while promoting laws which permit abortion. We bishops recognize our grave responsibility to promote Catholic teaching in this area and to help Catholics understand it. In the months ahead I plan to write about a variety of issues related to the Church’s teaching about life, conscience, sin and the holy Eucharist.
This year, the question of whether Catholic politicians who support abortion legislation should be denied holy Communion has received particular attention in the media. Frequently the issue has been presented without real understanding of what the Church teaches. I have been saddened that this issue has been highlighted in the popular media in an attempt to show that Catholics are polarized, or even in an attempt to polarize us.
The bishops’ statement is an accurate reflection of Church teaching and law in this regard. May a bishop deny holy Communion to a Catholic politician who publicly persists in support of laws which promote abortion even though he or she knows the Church’s clear teaching in this regard? Yes, he may; but he is not required to. This is an extremely delicate matter, and Church law carefully lays out the process which must be undertaken before such a decision can be reached. The local bishop is the one responsible for deciding if it is necessary to undertake this process, which entails conversations with the politician out of pastoral concern for educating him or her about Catholic teaching and helping him or her form a right conscience.
As your bishop, I am responsible for ensuring that you learn what the Church teaches regarding matters of faith and morals. I also have a responsibility to promote the dignity of human life at every stage and on every level by a variety of pastoral programs and by communicating with elected and appointed government officials, legislators, candidates for public office, and other persons in positions of responsibility.
Finally, I also have a responsibility to call the Catholics of Arkansas to take seriously their responsibility as citizens. We are privileged to live in a democracy which by constitution gives us freedom of religion. We must never forget that Catholic teaching about life is not just “our opinion” but the fruit of God’s revealed truth. It is a call to live the truth. Catholic moral teaching enriches our democracy in many ways, particularly because it promotes the common good and respect for the rights of all, including the unborn. It is one of our greatest contributions to our great country.
In the months ahead, I will reflect with you about some of the ramifications of this teaching. I believe it with all my heart, and I believe you do, too. However, it must not just remain in our hearts. Every Catholic is called to faith-filled citizenship.