Abortion Protests and a Bishop's Authority

[mrterryc]

I’ve tried posting my concern as part of two existing threads but haven’t received any responses. I’m hoping that starting a new thread might generate some (name removed by moderator)ut that I seriously need.

If all anyone can do for me is tell me how to find a canon lawyer with whom I can discuss my issue, I will be satisfied.

My issue is this: The Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Kevin Vann, has forbidden Catholic abortion protesters to carry signs with words or images of Our Lady of Guadalupe during their protests. All they are permitted to do is be present and pray the Rosary quietly.

These are my thoughts:

Abortion is a serious issue addressed seriously by the Church. It is, unfortunately, not just a Church issue but a civil one as well. Both the Vatican and the USCCB have made it clear that they are not supportive of the War in Iraq. Yet no one would try to claim that what the Vatican and the Bishops say on this issue is a matter of obedience for Catholics, i.e., Catholics must be “conscientious objectors” and “no more than non-combat participants” in this war.

I think the same can be said of this “civil issue” of abortion in response to Bishop Vann. He exceeds his authority as shepherd when he forbids civil protest of an issue that has religious dimensions. He is within his authority if he reminds us of Church teaching, such as the intrinsic evil of abortion or that violence is not permitted in response to violence. But forbidding the carrying of signs and images of Our Lady because it may be a “sensitive” issue with our non-Catholic Christian brothers and sisters is, to me, an extension of authority beyond its proper boundaries.

How one protests at an abortion clinic is a matter of strategy, not a matter of faith or morals. The Bishop’s thoughts should be welcome (name removed by moderator)ut to a matter of “prudential judgment.” But I don’t think the Bishop has the authority to bind one’s conscience on matters of strategy.

I’m not even personally involved (this issue was brought to my attention by someone who is) but, from the outside, it appears Bishop Vann is in the wrong. He may be entitled to obedience on this, but I would like to see where in Canon Law this kind of authority is spelled out.

If a Bishop does have this kind of authority, could he not forbid making the Sign of the Cross in public, as in a restaurant before giving thanks before a meal?

So, I’m asking, given no known facts that could make his direction prudent (such as violence at a particular clinic, etc.), is a Catholic bound to obey? If an activity is not explicitly Catholic in nature, but some people happen to be Catholics, is his authority operative here? (Of course, a Catholic cannot participate in activities that are contrary to the faith, but protesting outside an abortion clinic would seem to be consistent with the teachings of the Church.)

I am in all cases obedient to the Magisterium of the Church, and I consider obedience an important but sorely lacking virtue among many Catholics today. But this has created a dilemma for me like nothing else has. The Vicar General has told me that “the Bishop expects you to be obedient to your shepherd.”

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Terry Carroll
terry@mrterryc.com

 

[Alexius]

I’ve tried posting my concern as part of two existing threads but haven’t received any responses. I’m hoping that starting a new thread might generate some (name removed by moderator)ut that I seriously need.

If all anyone can do for me is tell me how to find a canon lawyer with whom I can discuss my issue, I will be satisfied.

My issue is this: The Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Kevin Vann, has forbidden Catholic abortion protesters to carry signs with words or images of Our Lady of Guadalupe during their protests. All they are permitted to do is be present and pray the Rosary quietly.

These are my thoughts:

Abortion is a serious issue addressed seriously by the Church. It is, unfortunately, not just a Church issue but a civil one as well. Both the Vatican and the USCCB have made it clear that they are not supportive of the War in Iraq. Yet no one would try to claim that what the Vatican and the Bishops say on this issue is a matter of obedience for Catholics, i.e., Catholics must be “conscientious objectors” and “no more than non-combat participants” in this war.

I think the same can be said of this “civil issue” of abortion in response to Bishop Vann. He exceeds his authority as shepherd when he forbids civil protest of an issue that has religious dimensions. He is within his authority if he reminds us of Church teaching, such as the intrinsic evil of abortion or that violence is not permitted in response to violence. But forbidding the carrying of signs and images of Our Lady because it may be a “sensitive” issue with our non-Catholic Christian brothers and sisters is, to me, an extension of authority beyond its proper boundaries.

How one protests at an abortion clinic is a matter of strategy, not a matter of faith or morals. The Bishop’s thoughts should be welcome (name removed by moderator)ut to a matter of “prudential judgment.” But I don’t think the Bishop has the authority to bind one’s conscience on matters of strategy.

I’m not even personally involved (this issue was brought to my attention by someone who is) but, from the outside, it appears Bishop Vann is in the wrong. He may be entitled to obedience on this, but I would like to see where in Canon Law this kind of authority is spelled out.

If a Bishop does have this kind of authority, could he not forbid making the Sign of the Cross in public, as in a restaurant before giving thanks before a meal?

So, I’m asking, given no known facts that could make his direction prudent (such as violence at a particular clinic, etc.), is a Catholic bound to obey? If an activity is not explicitly Catholic in nature, but some people happen to be Catholics, is his authority operative here? (Of course, a Catholic cannot participate in activities that are contrary to the faith, but protesting outside an abortion clinic would seem to be consistent with the teachings of the Church.)

I am in all cases obedient to the Magisterium of the Church, and I consider obedience an important but sorely lacking virtue among many Catholics today. But this has created a dilemma for me like nothing else has. The Vicar General has told me that “the Bishop expects you to be obedient to your shepherd.”

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Terry Carroll
terry@mrterryc.com

I’m not sure why no one has posted comments on here, but I will…I find it rediculous that anyone would permit the taking of innocent human life and on the same token condemn a war where most of the combatents have chosen to participate. I also find it ludicrous that anyone would think they have the right to have an abortion. There is no such right given in the US Constitution, let alone in Scripture. Scripture makes it clear that abortion is indeed a sin on par with murder. For some reason, many are more concerned about looking good than doing good. This Bishop, in my opinion, does not carry the authority to forbid this activity of those outside his jurisdiction. The Church has condemned abortion and it is the duty of those who care about human life to stand up for life. I will also add that I find the law very illogical when it comes to abortion. A mother has the right to abort the child (or as some say, “fetus” because it takes away the humanity of the child) as it is not a human being, yet if that same mother is killed and the baby also dies, then it is a double homicide…Either it is a human being, or it isn’t. The Church says it is. Despite what some may say, I am not a radical nut on this issue. I am a concerned Christian who wants to preserve the life of the individuals involved, both the spiritual life of the mother and the physical life of the child.

Prayers and petitions,
Alexius

 

[Ender]

So, I’m asking, given no known facts that could make his direction prudent (such as violence at a particular clinic, etc.), is a Catholic bound to obey? If an activity is not explicitly Catholic in nature, but some people happen to be Catholics, is his authority operative here?

I am in all cases obedient to the Magisterium of the Church, and I consider obedience an important but sorely lacking virtue among many Catholics today. But this has created a dilemma for me like nothing else has. The Vicar General has told me that “the Bishop expects you to be obedient to your shepherd.”

I am impressed with your question and can relate to your dilemma but I don’t think there is sufficient information to give a proper answer. If the bishop’s instructions are tactical - he thinks it would harm rather than advance your shared goal - then I think you can make a strong case that he has overstepped his authority If, however, he thinks this is an improper use of Church symbols then I believe he is certainly acting within his area of responsibility.

It is unfortunate that bishops have so often and egregiously wandered off the reservation that the faithful instinctively view their various pronouncements with suspicion. I think it might go a long way to answer your question if you knew why the bishop issued this instruction.

Ender

 

[grandfather]

I prayed for years outside an abortion center with a small group of Catholics. The place closed. We always had a large image of Our Lady of Guadalupe present. The local RC priests would not mention the vigil in their bulletins or from the pulpits. I am not a canon lawyer, so I do not know if the bishop is exceeding his authority. It seems so, but I do not know. Does the bishop encourage people to pray in these places? Most bishops give lip service to the pro life movement. In Argentina the bishop is leading people into the streets in protest. In this country bishops issue many documents and payoff lawsuits.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

My issue is this: The Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Kevin Vann, has forbidden Catholic abortion protesters to carry signs with words or images of Our Lady of Guadalupe during their protests. All they are permitted to do is be present and pray the Rosary quietly.

What were the reasons given for this? I am unable to find it in your post. Is it a matter of local sign ordinances? Something else?

 

[puzzleannie]

the objective of all our devotion, penances, and witnessing to our faith is humility, and that is founded on obedience. The protesters will be far better served, as will their cause, by presenting a united front in solidarity with their bishop even in an area that does not lend itself to an easy or obvious explanation. Fragmentation and dissent, especially if publicized will damage the cause, and in fact already has damaged it in many places where similar confrontations have occured.

 

[TDiGaetano]

In protesting I think there is a problem with waving signs making rude gestures and screaming and chanting. When people start getting worked up over an emotional issue such as abortion they can loose self-control and harm others. I haven’t seen a protest where people yelled and screamed at the entity being protested made a difference. I would say public prayer and public praying of the rosary in front of the abortion clinic or what ever would have a greater reaction in terms of power and control. To many times have I turned on the news and seen protests that may have started out as a peaceful rally turn into a riot where people could get hurt.

When using images of our Holy Mother, we have to make sure that those images won’t be used in a situation that may cause violence or other types of sin to manifest.

 

[childofmary1143]

I believe that the Bishop has overstepped his authority but I have one burning question in all of this:

How does the Bishop plan to enforce this?

Would he ban you from your church if he found out?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

In our area the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe has proven very effective in turning mothers, especially Hispanics, away from the abortion mills. I have been told that even if they don’t turn away, they get so nervous and tense that the procedure is not possible.