You would never know these men were those who were called to continue the mission of Jesus Christ here on Earth. Yesterday’s virtual meeting of our bishops was mired in discussions of agendas, filibustering, and talk of the need for unity.
The word “unity” has been thrown around like a weapon. Some keep arguing for unity which essentially means doing nothing to defend Church teaching and doing nothing to stand up for human life.
There are some standouts, such as Archbishop Cordileone. But the certain trumpet he sounds can at times be drowned out by the yawn inducing parliamentary filibustering obfuscations of so many others.
National Catholic Register:
Ahead of this week’s meeting, a number of U.S. bishops had already spoken out about pro-abortion politicians’ reception of communion in light of President Biden’s continuing to receive communion despite his aggressive pro-abortion policies, prominently including San Francisco Archbishop Cordileone. He recently released a pastoral letter on the matter, asking public officials to “stop pretending that advocating for or practicing a grave moral evil — one that snuffs out an innocent human life, one that denies a fundamental human right — is somehow compatible with the Catholic faith. It is not. Please return home to the fullness of your Catholic faith.”
Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego, by contrast, wrote in America magazine that denying Communion was “weaponizing” the Eucharist for political ends and that denying someone Communion over their abortion stance represents “a theology of unworthiness and exclusion.”…
Cardinal Cupich — regarded by many observers as the leader of the campaign against commissioning the Eucharistic coherence document — argued that bishops must have “a full discussion” of the proposed statement because “the language within the draft does cause concern, particularly in view of articles and statements made by members of the hierarchy in the United States about demanding that, in fact, we move in this direction.” Implying that the bishops were proceeding in a manner contrary to Rome’s guidance, he said that an “extensive and serene” discussion has “not taken place” on the matter. And, Cardinal Cupich added, “we should also have a discussion with Catholic politicians who have positions that are in conflict with the teachings of the Church to find out why they have those positions. That, too, has not taken place.”
I sincerely pray that the bishops can sound a certain trumpet in defense of human life. I don’t believe they will. But I continue praying.
