March 22, 2010

Florida bishops share thoughts on assembly topics

Posted: 11.17.08

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved statements on the economy and politics during its annual fall assembly in Baltimore Nov. 10-13. 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. Florida Catholic Associate Publisher Christopher Gunty caught up with some of Florida’s bishops Nov. 10-11, the days the meeting was open to the media.

BISHOP BARBARITO

The statement on the present political situation was shaped through extensive discussion among the bishops. Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of Palm Beach said the discussion was substantive. 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, he said, 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.

Bishop Barbarito also said he and other bishops remain concerned that President-elect 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 WENSKI

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 provided a basis for the new statement on the political situation, 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.”

ARCHBISHOP FAVALORA

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.

BISHOP RICARD

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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