The following comes from a column written on August 16 by Bishop Robert Morlino in the diocesan paper of Madison, Wisconsin.
Dear friends,
It was no shock at all for me to learn that our diocesan native son, Paul Ryan, had been chosen to be a candidate for the Vice Presidency of the United States. I am proud of his accomplishments as a native son, and a brother in the faith, and my prayers go with him and especially with his family as they endure the unbelievable demands of a presidential campaign here in the United States. It is not for the bishop or priests to endorse particular candidates or political parties. Any efforts on the part of any bishop or priest to do so should be set aside. And you can be assured that no priest who promotes a partisan agenda is acting in union with me or with the Universal Church.
It is the role of bishops and priests to teach principles of our faith, such that those who seek elected offices, if they are Catholics, are to form their consciences according to these principles about particular policy issues.
However, the formation of conscience regarding particular policy issues is different depending on how fundamental to the ecology of human nature or the Catholic faith a particular issue is. Some of the most fundamental issues for the formation of a Catholic conscience are as follows: sacredness of human life from conception to natural death, marriage, religious freedom and freedom of conscience, and a right to private property.
Violations of the above involve intrinsic evil — that is, an evil which cannot be justified by any circumstances whatsoever. These evils are examples of direct pollution of the ecology of human nature and can be discerned as such by human reason alone. Thus, all people of good will who wish to follow human reason should deplore any and all violations in the above areas, without exception. The violations would be: abortion, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, same-sex marriage, government-coerced secularism, and socialism.
Where intrinsic evil is not involved
In these most fundamental matters, a well-formed Catholic conscience, or the well-formed conscience of a person of good will, simply follows the conclusions demanded by the ecology of human nature and the reasoning process. A Catholic conscience can never take exception to the prohibition of actions which are intrinsically evil. Nor may a conscience well-formed by reason or the Catholic faith ever choose to vote for someone who clearly, consistently, persistently promotes that which is intrinsically evil.
However, a conscience well-formed according to reason or the Catholic faith, must also make choices where intrinsic evil is not involved. How best to care for the poor is probably the finest current example of this, though another would be how best to create jobs at a time when so many are suffering from the ravages of unemployment. In matters such as these, where intrinsic evil is not involved, the rational principles of solidarity and subsidiarity come into play. The principle of solidarity, simply stated, means that every human being on the face of the earth is my brother and my sister, my “neighbor” in the biblical sense. At the same time, the time-tested best way for assisting our neighbors throughout the world should follow the principle of subsidiarity. That means the problem at hand should be addressed at the lowest level possible — that is, the level closest to the people in need. That again, is simply the law of human reason.
We can disagree on application
As one looks at issues such as the two mentioned above and seeks to apply the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, Catholics and others of good will can arrive at different conclusions. These are conclusions about the best means to promote the preferential option for the poor, or the best means to reach a lower percentage of unemployment throughout our country. No one is contesting here anyone’s right to the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, etc. Nor is anyone contesting someone’s right to work and so provide for self and family. However there can be difference according to how best to follow the principles which the Church offers.
Making decisions as to the best political strategies, the best policy means, to achieve a goal, is the mission of lay people, not bishops or priests. As Pope Benedict himself has said, a just society and a just state is the achievement of politics, not the Church. And therefore Catholic laymen and women who are familiar with the principles dictated by human reason and the ecology of human nature, or non-Catholics who are also bound by these same principles, are in a position to arrive at differing conclusions as to what the best means are for the implementation of these principles — that is, “lay mission” for Catholics.
Thus, it is not up to me or any bishop or priest to approve of Congressman Ryan’s specific budget prescription to address the best means we spoke of. Where intrinsic evils are not involved, specific policy choices and political strategies are the province of Catholic lay mission. But, as I’ve said, Vice Presidential Candidate Ryan is aware of Catholic Social Teaching and is very careful to fashion and form his conclusions in accord with the principles mentioned above. Of that I have no doubt. (I mention this matter in obedience to Church Law regarding one’s right to a good reputation.)
Peace and reconciliation in coming months
I obviously didn’t choose the date for the announcement of Paul Ryan’s Vice Presidential Candidacy and as I express my pride in him and in what he has accomplished, I thought it best to move to discussion of the above matters sooner rather than later. No doubt it will be necessary to comment again on these principles in the days ahead for the sake of further clarification, and be assured that I will be eager to do so.
Above all, let us beg the Lord that divisions in our electorate will not be deepened so as to have a negative impact on pre-existing divisions within the Church during this electoral season. Let there be the peace and reconciliation that flow from charity on the part of all. Thank you for reading this. God Bless each one of you! Praised be Jesus Christ!
To read original column click here.
The USCCB should base its voter guide on Bishop Morlino’s column, which is superb.
This is obviously a “puff piece” intended to pump up the Catholic vote for the Romney-Ryan ticket.
SMC: opposed to a “huff ‘n puff” piece like obama trying to destroy the Catholic Church in this country?
I certainly hope that the result is lots of Catholic support for the Romney-Ryan ticket.
We cannot vote for a man (obama) who espouses intrinsic evils: gay marriage, euthanasia, abortion (even late term) and the termination of conscience rights and freedom to practice religion.
One cannot be Catholic and vote for such a man.
Once the Church gets into bed with Caesar She is compromised as the USSB found when it endorsed Obamacare.Government is NOT the solution to poverty-jobs and changing entrenched entitled leftist attitudes are.Government is a tool to serve us not vice versa.
The Cardinal is being too clever by half by speaking in cide and not coming out and saying what he means.
“But, as I’ve said, Vice Presidential Candidate Ryan is aware of Catholic Social Teaching and is very careful to fashion and form his conclusions in accord with the principles mentioned above. Of that I have no doubt. (I mention this matter in obedience to Church Law regarding one’s right to a good reputation.)”
One would have to be a Canon lawyer to figure that one out but I know what it speaks to me.I think Ayn Rand was a rotten,horrible woman but SOME of her ideas are spot on.As St Paul says,those who are CAPABLE should work for their bread or not eat.
Dump the Church tax exemption. All it does is put a price on each unborn baby’s head.
God bless you, Your Excellency! I wish more bishops had your insight and courage.
Wonderful proactive commentary. I would have every bishop, who is responsible for his flock in some way, be as quick and clear so as to avoid misunderstandings that will happen (humans, afterall, have inquiring minds). God bless this man. There is already discussion and dissention within my family about Ryan as the VP pick, and of course, the secular media is spreading it on really thick, that Ryan is some kind of “radical”. I have made attempts to clarify what I understand is his policy, and how he has based his policies in Church teaching. But this explanation helps so much. Thank you, bishop, and let us hope and pray for Ryan as he moves thru the gambit of this election cycle. He needs all the help we can give him.
Alice: I did not state in my post that anyone should vote for the incumbent President. Rather, I was merely observing that the good Bishop appears to be violating one of the very principles espoused by his fellow Bishops and presumably himself: namely, Priests, Bishops, Cardinals and Popes do not endorse political candidates or political parties. The article above appears to give an imprimatur to Rep. Ryan’s Catholic authenticity and, thus, an endorsement of the Romney-Ryan ticket.
No SMC, Bishop Morlino is trying to correct the FALSE information perpetrated by a few other Bishops who sit on the USCCB Social Justice Committee.
Those other Bishops slandered Paul Ryan.
Who?
k,
Bishops Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, California, and Richard E. Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, chairmen of the Committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development and International Justice and Peace,
Never once did they mention Commutative justice (CCC 2410, 2411) paying the Countries debts and getting rid of government waste and excessive spending – – – – and they are interferring in the role of lay people.
Bishop Blare stated: Ryan’s budget “fails a basic moral test“.
The Interference by some USCCB Committees drives many thinking people from the Church.
“Thus, it is not up to me or any bishop or priest to approve of Congressman Ryan’s specific budget prescription to address the best means we spoke of. Where intrinsic evils are not involved, specific policy choices and political strategies are the province of Catholic lay mission. “ – Bishop Morlino
When Bishops get involved in the role of the Laity where no intrinsic evil persists, they drive poorly catechised Catholics from the Church, and make it more difficult to evangelize others.
They promote their own opinions under the guise of the Church.
It is doubly wrong when they do not take ALL the Church teachings into consideration, and causes additional Scandal when used by the evil Obama campaign to further his re-election goals.
See CCC 2245 & 2246.
Bishops, Priests and Nuns (since they represent the Church in the USA) are not to be involved in politics unless the fundamental rights of all men or the salvation of Souls require it – and then only in accord with the Gospel and welfare of ALL men.
ANNE. Thanks for your answer. This new format makes it hard to find things so it took me a while to see it. I appreciate your answer.
The Bishops’ USCCB Social Justice Committee leaves out SUBSIDIARITY # CCC – 1883, 1885, 1894, & 2209, and COMMUTATIVE JUSTICE ‘…without which no other form of justice is possible’ 2410, 2411 all together, which violates Catholic Church teaching (CCC pg 11)
In addition they never discuss: Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s goods, or envy.
Bishop Morlino got it right !
Bishops need to keep their nose out of budget issues. And all other issues that can rightly have a difference of opinion.
He said it best –
“Thus, it is not up to me or any bishop or priest to approve of Congressman Ryan’s specific budget prescription to address the best means we spoke of. Where intrinsic evils are not involved, specific policy choices and political strategies are the province of Catholic lay mission. “
The USCCB Social Justice Committee needs to tell the President and Congress to pay the Federal bills, and cut waste and excessive expenses.
This is in accord with the CCC 2409, 2410, and 2411.
When was the last time you heard this Church teaching from any USCCB Committee?
Well, it looks like the Bishop’s “Golden Boy” Paul Ryan, is running on a platform which is now allowing abortion for rape, incest as well as when the life of the mother is in danger. Maybe the Bishop should try to pull back his “endorsement” of Paul Ryan. The Bishop got sucked up into the GOP vortex. Too bad.
So, Frank, you post some hearsay and hype about Ryan and then conclude that it is sufficient to vote for Obama. Those who intentionally fool others especially leading them into the evil of abortion, sodomy and hell will be at the front of the herd as it falls into the abyss.
Do you agree that child molestation is intrinsic evil?
I’d like Ryan better if he didn’t use fictional numbers and ridiculous projections in his economic plan. In the Ryan plan, he projects an inflation rate of 2% and a prime rate 4% over the 27 years it will take to balance the budget. He also projects a record low unemployed rate of 2.8%. Ok, how are we going to have a 2% inflation rate with a 4% prime rate when the fed has pumped ludicr ously high amounts of liquidity into the system beginning in 2007? If the fed does nothing, that liquidity will eventually lead to inflation. If the fed uses its traditional method of removing liquidity, that means interest rates will shoot up. How, exactly, is fabricating financial projections consistent with Catholic moral values? Admittedly, BOTH sides are lying about their numbers (much like Obama’s ludicrously fictional numbers and tricks used to make Obamacare score revenue nuetral by the CBO.
So, JonJ, you don’t like Ryan 100% or even at all, and this is your rationale for holding Obama up as the savior of the world once again?