The following comes from a Feb. 18 story in the Milwaukee Catholic Herald by Archbishop Jerome Listecki.
A couple of weeks ago, the state of New York passed legislation that allowed the extinction of a human life up until the moment of birth. As some have explained, even if the attempted abortion is botched and the baby born alive, there would be a right under the law to “euthanize” the baby. Is this the witness to Christianity and its teaching that our forefathers envisioned for our nation?
….What steps do we take to stem this ugly trend? Some would advocate the imposition of canonical sanctions (excommunication) upon the political leaders who support and promote this activity. Excommunication should be both a punishment but also medicinal. Many are Catholic in name only; any true Catholic would never think the taking of an innocent life would be tolerated by our faith. Others would desire that communion be denied these public figures and enforced by the local authorities, but many ignore Church authorities and I wonder how many are attending Church on a regular basis. Do you think these politicians are going to confession? Many call themselves Catholic but do they really understand the teachings of the Church? But the real problem lies with our Catholic community that justifies the voting for candidates who would support anti-life actions. Therefore, it begins with us making our voices heard as politicians vie for our votes and refusing to accept the rationalization that we can make these heinous actions rare and limited. Human life demands our respect, protection, and nothing less.
First of all– all Catholics have to be TAUGHT their Catholic Faith and Morals! And required to LIVE by Catholic teaching! The Church– since Vatican II– has been very lax with catechesis and morality! And voting is only part of the problem– why does the question of abortion even exist, in our country– and in our Church?? Unthinkable! When I was young, that question did not even exit! You had to obey God! You had to learn the Catholic Faith– and live by it! No question! Most Americans used to believe, in every place of worship –“Only God can make a life, and only God can take a life!” And all doctors took the Hippocratic Oath! Motherhood was SACRED!!
” But the real problem lies with our Catholic community that justifies the voting for candidates who would support anti-life actions.” With all due respect, Excellency, the flock is only following the leadership of the shepherds. In the Los Angeles Archdiocese, I have never, ever heard a thundering denunciation of pro-abort politicians from the pulpit in 41 years of listening. The closest would be in the prayers, where we are now and again pray for leaders to respect life from womb to tomb. That’s not leadership, Excellency.
I was formed in the 50ʻs and 60ʻs with clear Scripture and Tradition. Before retirement as pastor, I guided my flock from children in school, catechesis, to adults in RCIA, homilies at Mass, teaching in the Sunday bulletin, Sunday night formation sessions with the scripture and tradition of the church. I would like to be guided by the same with clear, unambiguous, non invented, teaching from bishops. This is not my experience in most cases with parsed words, studied ambiguities, and so forth, new interpretations of conscience and morals. One cannot teach what one does not pray, live. The laity in the past 50 years have not received good formation, so they do what they feel, not what Jesus teaches.
Not certain what B. Listecki intended. Yes, certainly Catholics need to be informed, to know the Faith, and to act on that knowledge and belief. However you, Excellency, and other bishops, also need to know and to act. You need to start by excommunicating those who (1) enable legislation such as the truly awful law in NY, and (2) generally enable, through their official governmental position, the “right” to abortion to be facilitated, by funding, by legislative supports and the like. Stand up and shout out the True Faith, then act on centuries of Catholic teaching and the scriptures.