U.S. bishops use unusual process to deliver strong pro-life message

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Baltimore, Md., Nov 12, 2008 / 06:18 pm (CNA).- Countering predictions that they would try to find “common ground” with President-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic Party on the abortion issue, the U.S. Bishops went clearly out of their way to deliver a strong message that the right to life of the unborn is a non-negotiable issue.

In fact, according to the bylaws of the conference, the body of bishops cannot write and approve a statement that is not submitted through the conference’s Administrative Committee. But the tight agenda of the three-day Fall meeting did not give sufficient time to follow the process to issue a statement.

Red tape was not enough to prevent the majority of bishops from pushing for a document that would make very clear to the upcoming administration that abortion is a non negotiable issue.

In lieu of the normal process, the bishops asked the President of the USCCB, Cardinal Francis George, to write a “letter” to be published “with the bishops’ approval.” Thus, while it would formally remain a statement of the President, it would not have to wend its way through the Administrative Committee and still retain the public force of a document issued by the U.S. episcopate as a whole.

For that purpose, the document is peppered with constant references to the collective nature of the text. “On this issue, the legal protection of the unborn, the bishops are of one mind with Catholics and others of good will,” the text says, for example.

According to John Allen Jr. reporting from the Baltimore’s meeting, “‘No retreat, no surrender’ is perhaps the best way to sum up the spirit of the U.S. bishops’ discussion of abortion and politics.”

In fact, by finding a way to issue a strong statement, the U.S. Bishops rejected “predictions” and even formal requests from Catholic commentators such a Fr. Thomas Reese S.J. and Peter Steinfels to use a “smooth” language and avoid the abortion issue in order to secure a good relationship with the Obama administration.

Dr. Patrick Whelan, President of the group “Catholic Democrats,” had also warned on Tuesday that “angry statements” –meaning strong pro-life language- “from church leaders were counterproductive and would only alienate Catholics.” “We're calling on the bishops to move away from the more vicious language,” Whelan said.

But on Wednesday, the bishops decided not to follow his recommendations.

Comments: 22

Subscriber comments:

Published by: James Stagg
Atmore, Al, USA 11/17/2008 12:31 PM EST

For those "Catholics" who disagree with their shepherds, and who feel so strongly that they will leave the Church over this issue, here's a thought: you have already separated yourself from the Church by your support of an admitted abortion advocate.

Published by: Tom
Glenview, Il. 11/15/2008 11:13 AM EST

Question: Where have the Bishops been these past two years?

Published by: Ethel
Bismarrck ND 11/13/2008 03:48 PM EST

God bless our Bishops!! This is what we've been asking for. This is what we've been praying for!!God bless them abundantly!!
Now if our parish priests will find thier voice we might have half a chance !!!

Published by: Patti
Phoenix, AZ, USA 11/13/2008 03:20 PM EST

God bless the Bishops! I am evangelical, but I say it again: GOD BLESS THE BISHOPS! Would that all churches naming the Name of Jesus Christ stand up to the death merchants the way the Bishops have done! Thank you for speaking up for those who have no voice!

Published by: Mary VanDyke
Evansville, IN, USA 11/13/2008 02:55 PM EST

Faithful and faith filled Bishops stay strong! If strong pro-life language alienates Catholics, then they are not faithful Catholics. You cannot be Catholic and pro-choice. Faithful Catholics support the sanctity of all human life from natural conception to natural death.

Published by: Nancy Heise
Parkland, FL, USA 11/13/2008 02:02 PM EST

I am very proud of the Bishops. It is their job to tell our country if it is sinning. It is my job (and all believers) to pray for those who maybe don't even realize how grave and mortal their sin of supporting abortion really is. Hopefully with the Bishop's persistent message and our persistent prayers, a conversion of heart could occur in those who really are blind to their sin of abortion support.

Published by: Greg Dodd
Dallas, Texas, USA 11/13/2008 01:45 PM EST

The last sentence of that article implies that you also think Cardinal George's language is "angry" and/or "viscious". It is not.

Published by: FJ
Jackson, NJ 11/13/2008 12:25 PM EST

Thank God the bishops did not listen to those who wanted a 'smooth' language - this was the stand they needed to take as shepherds.

Published by: Kapaya Nkula Kaoma
Lusaka Zambia 11/13/2008 03:21 AM EST

Defence of human life and its sanctity cannot be expressed in diplomatic language;it has to be strong and direct.To all those US catholic bishops who are for the strong language,you are worthy pastors of the flock in your dioceses and beyond.

Published by: Edwin Cooper, MD
Kinston, NC, USA 11/12/2008 09:23 PM EST

I am Episcopalian--butIunderstand the Catholic Church's position on abortion very well.

Each human conception is an echo of the Incarnation. In each mass, the Real Presence of the Lord in Communion is the continuation of the Incarnation.

Each human embryo is created in the Image of God.

Abortion destroys the human preborn child and violates the Image of God.

The social ills of the USA cannot be cured without first righting the wrongs of silencing 48 million lives in the last 35 years.

Semper Fideles.

Edwin Cooper, MD

Published by: Walter Pruchnik Jr
Windber, PA USA 11/12/2008 09:06 PM EST

I am very pleased to see that the USCCB is taking a strong stance on the abortion issue. If Catholics use "smooth" language on this matter then there is little if any hope of succeeding in ending abortions upon demand.

Published by: Stephany Wiley
Weslaco, TX USA 11/12/2008 08:43 PM EST

Why should the good and faithful Bishops follow the recommendations of the apostates? It would be comical if it weren't so disgusting to hear those who have handed their souls to a new leader who tolerates infantacide, now lecture, give advice, and "warn" faithful catholics so as not to allianate the "Catholic Democrats".

Has the election empowered them with some new wisdom that has eluded the rest of us?

Sorry, but I still follow my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and personally I am delighted that the Bishops have found their collective voice on this. I will stand with them.

If Dr. Whelan plans to be alienated by the truth, perhaps he should examine himself to determine whether he's following the right leader.

Opposition probably scares them, as they more than likely are expected to work at drawing catholics into line with them. Their protest sounds like strategy to me. Don't buy that snake oil.

Published by: meedith
texas 11/12/2008 08:22 PM EST

I am very proud of the Bishops. I am a Catholic and pray that their stand will be even stronger as the time goes on.... I am prayerfully happy that they did not follow those recommendations. They are not here to please. Jesus did not do that. If it made people uncomfortable then they were not going to be following Him. The Catholic Bishops need to make a strong statement to get all Catholics to know what is important and what this administration approves of. What kind of person would vote in favor of letting a baby die on a table without help from a doctor after the abortion failed? That does not respect life at all and that has nothing to do with religion. These people need to forget about whether they like what they hear. The truth is the truth.....

Published by: Rebecca
Mount Vernon/OH/USA 11/12/2008 08:01 PM EST

Dr. Patrick Whelan is worried that the strong language of the bishops would alienate Catholics. To the contrary, Catholics who look to their bishops for guidance whould be confused if they DIDN'T speak as strongly about this issue as our Holy Father himself does, I would feel lost and confused. God has blessed us with these shepherds!

Published by: Manny
United States of America 11/12/2008 07:50 PM EST

Stand up Bishops, stand up and fight for the week, the innocent, the defenseless, the little ones who as yet don't have a right to vote and on whose life the politicians prey in order to entertain the vote of those strong, powerful, lascivious liberals that will certainly take our Country to moral bankruptcy.

Published by: Curly
Sherman TX USA 11/12/2008 07:44 PM EST

The catholic voters knew Obama's stand on abortion and infanside before they voted for him. Now they have what they voted for. The U.S. bishops need to clean out form under their own door step before cleaning someone else's.

Published by: Kathy
Buffalo, NY 11/12/2008 07:35 PM EST

I am a Catholic and so is my family.

After reading this article and listening to the radical and archaic views of the Bishops, I've decided to leave the Catholic Church for good!

Support Abortion & womens right to choose!

Published by: rita
pasadena, texas, usa 11/12/2008 07:33 PM EST

I pray the bishops will have the courage to strongly defend Christ's Church. Should they weaken in their resolve they will do well to remember a saint who was known for his way with words--

"The floor of Hell is paved with the skulls of rotten bishops." St. John Chrysostom

Published by: Jeff Johnson
Collegeville, Mn 11/12/2008 07:30 PM EST

We can see that the Holy Spirit descended on this room. Dr. Patrick Whelan worries about "vicious language alienating Catholics."

What is vicious, is cutting up an unborn child with bloody stainless steel instruments; to defend them, the 1.7 million or so that die each year, words and action can't be radical enough.

And Catholic democrats have alienated themselves by falling out of communion with the great Catholic Church.

What good would Jesus see in a Church that bent to the will of the world--he didn't, not once.

Real Catholics know it is the other way around, that the world must conform to the truth of Christ's sacrifice and love...any other destination is doom.

Published by: Ron Pichlik
Battle Creek, MI USA 11/12/2008 07:26 PM EST

Thank God that the Bishops have chosen to disregard the "milktoast" approach recommended by others. We've had far too much of that, and frankly it hasn't gotten us anywhere. If anything it has permitted too many Catholics to vote for pro-abortion politicians and policies. We need straightforward, direct language making it clear and beyond debate that the Church calls abortion intrinsically evil and we are called to not cooperate with evil. The Bishops, to a man, need to speak the truth forcefully and directly, and not concern themselves with making friends with an administration that will most certainly never be a friend of the teachings of the Church. The Bishops and all Catholics need to speak the truth at all times with charity; and, most importantly, make our lives living examples of the Gospel.

Published by: Ed Marsom
Blanchard, OK. USA 11/12/2008 07:25 PM EST

God bless and protect our Bishops! We so need their strong stand on abortion. I think their statement leaves NO question that it is not a choice.

Published by: Pamela Williams
TN 11/12/2008 06:54 PM EST

Dr. Patrick Whelan must have a high and distorted opinion of his authority if he thinks he can 'call' on the bishops to do something that is opposed to their duty. I for one am thankful they are finally speaking loudly and clearly. It should have been done long ago. Also, the only 'Catholics' that are likely to be alienated by strong pro-life statements are heretics who have already alienated themselves from the Truth. God bless the bishops and give them strength.

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