Bishops address economic crisis, abortion, politics

Posted: 11.12.08

BALTIMORE | The U.S. bishops addressed two timely realities that were not originally on the agenda, although they have been on the minds of the bishops and many Americans these days.

The bishops approved Nov. 11 a statement to be issued in the name of the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, on “Solidarity at a Time of Economic Crisis.”

The bishops also authorized Cardinal George to write and release a statement on the present political situation, with extensive discussion on five points that would be included in the eventual text.

Because of procedural rules that preclude documents attributed to the bishops’ conference that have not gone through appropriate committees, the statements will be released in the name of only the president and not the conference.

The economy statement noted, “As pastors and bishops, we see the many human and moral consequences of this crisis.” It added, “We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We all are in this together. Hard times can isolate us or they can bring us together.”

The bishops pledged to reach out to those in need and assist those who are hurting, as well as work for policies that bring about greater justice. They pledged prayers for “a wounded nation and suffering world.”

“We pray that, working together, we can find the courage, wisdom and ways to build an economy of prosperity and greater justice for all,” the statement said.

At a news conference following acceptance of the solidarity statement, Bishop Leonard Blair of Toledo, Ohio, who had originated the idea for the statement, called it a very pastoral message of concern for people in distress.

He said it was an expression of “solidarity of neighbor for neighbor. People are hurting and the church has to be with them.”

Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco, chairman of the U.S. bishops’ committee on communications, said that historically when there is a time of depression or recession, there is a greater need for the charitable services the church and other organizations offer. In tough economic times, resources to serve those needs may dry up.

“It’s important to raise the consciousness of our people and our own consciousness,” he said. Whether in times of prosperity or distress, a discussion must include how resources are shared with those in need, but the need is even more acute now.

The economic concerns addressed by this statement have been present for a while, not just in the last three months, the archbishop said.

“It’s a matter of calling on people in time of crisis to help each other.”

The bishops also authorized Cardinal George to write and release a statement on the present political situation. The five bullet points discussed Nov. 11 will shape the eventual message, which Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of Palm Beach told the Florida Catholic was expected to be available for final approval the next day. That discussion would not be open to the public, since the bishops were to spend the last two days of their meeting Nov. 12 and 13 in executive session and private prayer and reflection.

A primary focus of the statement is to be on the plight of the unborn child and for those left unprotected by law in their mother’s womb.

Bishop Barbarito said the discussion on the political statement was substantive and that the Nov. 11 outline Cardinal George gave was helpful. The Palm Beach bishop said “Faithful Citizenship,” the U.S. bishops’ document to help inform Catholic consciences every four years on political issues and voting concerns, is still a proper framework. However, a lot of the information and guidance within that framework can be easily misinterpreted, especially by groups using the document to further their own goals.

“I think the cardinal’s statement will be a balanced statement but a strong statement,” Bishop Barbarito said. He also said that he and other bishops remain concerned that President–elect Barack Obama has already said he plans to use executive orders extensively, and that some of the early uses of those orders could be in the arena of abortion and embryonic stem–cell research.

“I think the life issue is something that, as we move ahead, is fundamental,” the bishop said, adding that one of the reasons issues such as abortion have remained in the public consciousness in the U.S., while they have not in other countries, is because the church has kept it that way. “The bishops are proactive, despite the criticism they take.”

Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando said that Cardinal George is one of the most brilliant men in the bishops’ conference, and that his presidential message, which will provide a basis for the new statement, was right on target. “To have him do another statement on the present situation is a good way to go.”

He noted that many bishops noted during the meeting that the election was not a referendum on the presidential candidates’ stands on abortion. In fact, exit polls indicate that many “values voters” who turned out to vote for Obama despite his stance on abortion also supported amendments supporting traditional marriage in Florida, California and Arizona.

“One of the things we have to celebrate is the victory of marriage amendments in Florida and California. We haven’t celebrated it adequately at this meeting because we’ve been focused on the Freedom of Choice Act and the economy,” Bishop Wenski said.

“Everybody wants this administration to succeed,” he said. A lot of good intentions are going into this administration, as expressed even by the opposing candidate, Sen. John McCain, Bishop Wenski noted. “It would be bad for Obama to spend his political capital (on a bill like FOCA) because he made a silly campaign promise to Planned Parenthood.”

Before the discussion on the statement on the political situation, Archbishop John C. Favalora of Miami told the Florida Catholic that things that have been said by the future president about possible executive orders “give us pause,” but that the president–elect has said he wants to hear from many groups. “I hope he wants to hear from us.”

The archbishop said he was heartened by the passage of the Marriage Amendment in Florida by more than the required 60 percent margin. “It confirmed what I believe: People do believe in the sanctity of marriage. I’m so grateful for the support of people across Florida.”

He especially commended the Florida Catholic Conference for helping the bishops make sure that their role as teachers was effectively articulated through the parishes. He also thanked the Knights of Columbus for their grassroots efforts on the issue, in Florida and across the country.

Other topics addressed at the meeting were the approval of some new liturgical texts and a psalter, as well as a Blessing for a Child Within the Womb in both English and Spanish. All those proposals received enough votes to pass, although some of the texts require Vatican approval and education before they can be implemented.

One of the items was a revision of a text that had been rejected at the bishops’ last meeting because of problems some bishops had with the language being too difficult to pray well.

Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, of Pensacola–Tallahassee said discussion and debate on liturgical items “always seems to be that which requires the most attention,” because liturgy is so important to the life of the church. He said what was taking place early in the meeting was “careful attention, deliberate attention and debate.”

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