"Analysis: US bishops at odds over abortion and 'the Francis test'"

[pnewton]

That seems a rather cynical commentator. I will pass on his conjectures. Cardinals have no canonical function as local papal emissaries.

Think bigger than US party politics.

I am beginning to thing that this being portrayed as some divisive issue might be political though. I see it as an extension of the increased polarization of American politics creating a lens through which even the Church is viewed. That is, some see the wording as not clearly leading to the Republican Party enough; some don’t.

 

[Crusader13]

Sad to admit but I don’t trust Cupich or McElroy. Given the current financial and sexual abuse scandals and the lack of transparency that has surrounded them. This effort to really push social justice and care for the downtrodden just plays to our emotions and pulls at the heart strings.

We are told to support these various “catholic” charities, which in turn support all these different causes, but we are rarely told how the money is allocated and who gets the lion’s share of the proceeds.

Instead we are left to read about certain clergy and dioceses using money to payoff settlements of sexual abuse and money being donated to lgbtq organizations or we hear about funds that have simply gone missing.

Nope, when I hear Cupich going on and on about the church’s and the Pope’s “bigger” issues to deal with, I simply shake my head.

 

[Weserthy]

Yeah, I think Cardinal Cupich and Bishop McElroy are going to lose some respect and clout with the rest of the U.S. Bishops here because of what they did. They might keep getting the papal appointments and promotions but their grandstanding here to downplay abortion is going to cause them to lose influence in the USCCB.

 

[Emeraldlady]

Emeraldlady:

Think bigger than US party politics.

I am beginning to thing that this being portrayed as some divisive issue might be political though. I see it as an extension of the increased polarization of American politics creating a lens through which even the Church is viewed. That is, some see the wording as not clearly leading to the Republican Party enough; some don’t.

My feeling also. Catholicism in the US moreso seems to be very influenced by political poles rather than Scripture and Tradition which have always put “pre eminent” emphasis on the needs of the poor, sick, vulnerable and those seeking refuge. Of course abortion is a modern grave sin, but to abandon the Gospel force of other human dignity and rights issues is horribly unChristlike.

 

[Emeraldlady]

but their grandstanding here to downplay abortion

But that isn’t what they are doing. Pope Francis has already discerned a certain hypocrisy, and really it’s pretty evident to the objective observer, that abortion is not being regarded with an eye on the dignity of human beings by some. It is a mascot issue to give the appearance of being a human dignity platform while promoting and defending elitist and isolationist principles that are anything but humane.

 

[upant]

Pope Francis can see bigger than that.

big-picture thinking doesn’t fit every scenario. the abject poverty of some countries may need a higher priority but we have programs in place that address most of these issues.

our issue is abortion. the bishops have their fingers on the pulse and their first-hand knowledge should carry more weight in Rome than it does.

we will open the doors to anti-life policies if we let the left take control in this country. they are trying to take God out of the equation not just push abortion. their social programs are anti-religious by destroying the family unit.

 

[AlbMagno]

Who is talking about letting the left take control?

Why many Americans always equate social welfare = left and abortion?

Can’t right-wing, pro-life governments provide social security as well?

 

[Crocus]

Can’t right-wing, pro-life governments provide social security as well?

That would be awesome. But maybe they can’t. Maybe it’s not part of the program, or at least the far end of that program.

 

[upant]

Can’t right-wing, pro-life governments provide social security as well?

They do.

 

[AlbMagno]

Then there is no incompatibility between the pro-life movement and the welfare state model.

It’s not an either/or situation, I think bishops should stop arguing about these abstract delimitations. Life can be defended on the two fronts, simultaneously.

 

[upant]

Then there is no incompatibility between the pro-life movement and the welfare state model.

It’s not an either/or situation, I think bishops should stop arguing about these abstract delimitations. Life can be defended on the two fronts, simultaneously.

This is an issue because it may be used in their voting guidelines. This is important because some people believed in the past that the bishops put abortion on equal ground with everything else. Now we know that is not true. The pro-life party is seen as weak on social issues.

There is more than one way to take care of people and the difference between parties is that the democrat way leads to a breakdown in the family unit. Which starts with abortion.

 

[MiserereMeiDei]

Abortion follows contraception.

 

[Ender]

This is an issue because it may be used in their voting guidelines. This is important because some people believed in the past that the bishops put abortion on equal ground with everything else. Now we know that is not true. The pro-life party is seen as weak on social issues.

Yes, this is about influencing voters, which is why the pro-life party is portrayed as being weak on social issues. There has to be some argument to justify supporting those who support abortion.