Rep. Henry J. Hyde: Bishops' failures, a major disappointment

CHICAGO-Recognized by many as probably the most influential U. S. House member after the Speaker, Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R-Il), reflecting for The Wanderer readers on his 30-year congressional career, cited as a major disappointment the failure of most Catholic bishops to enforce sanctions on pro-abortion Catholic lawmakers. His stinging indictment of them is likely to jolt a hierarchy that is frightened of making waves, seeks to pacify liberals, is tremulous at making enemies and eagerly wants to court political dissidents.

“I am greatly disappointed with the failure of much of the Church hierarchy to take an unequivocal stand on abortion.”

A watered-down stand on pro-abort pols receiving the Eucharist coupled with “the treatment given prominent political figures who try to manipulate themselves between two stools-that of Catholicism and pro-abortion-is inexplicable, he said.

“The other day Cardinal [Theodore] McCarrick indicated, when asked if he would refuse Communion to pro-abortion officials, that he did not want a confrontation at the altar. Where better to have a confrontation?” asked the 15-term Congressman. “If the Church doesn’t come out strong and condemn those who want to receive Holy Communion while not in the state of sanctifying grace, then the Church has lost its moral authority and that is tragic.”

Article here.