Letter from Cardinal Ratzinger to Cardinal McCarrick

Cardinal Ratzinger Says U.S. Bishops' Statement On Catholics In Political Life ‘Very Much In Harmony' With General Principles Sent By Congregation

WASHINGTON (July 12, 2004) -— Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, Chairman of the Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Catholic Politicians, received a July 9 letter from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, saying the U.S. Bishops' statement on Catholics in political life is "very much in harmony" with the general principles previously sent by the Congregation.

Cardinal Ratzinger's letter of July 9:

Your Eminence:

With your letter of June 21, 2004, transmitted via fax, you kindly sent a copy of the Statement "Catholics in Political Life," approved by the members of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at their June meeting.

The Congregation is grateful for this courtesy. The statement is very much in harmony with the general principles "Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion," sent as a fraternal service-to clarify the doctrine of the Church on this specific issue-in order to assist the American Bishops in their related discussion and determinations.

It is hoped that this dialogue can continue as the Task Force carries on its important work.

With fraternal regards and prayerful best wishes, I am,

Sincerely yours in Christ
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

USCCB Link...

*** Updated

A couple of thoughts here. Card. Ratzinger states that his initial letter was sent:
1. to clarify the doctrine of the Church, and
2. to assist the Bishops in their discussions and determinations.

My question, then, is why were the Bishops not allowed to see this letter before their discussions? What, in the first letter, was such a concern that it had to be kept private?

One last observation: While this letter, which was not deemed to remain private, states that the Bishops' statement was "much in harmony" with Card. Ratzinger's June letter, he also confirms his hope that the 'dialogue' can continue, presumably so that the Bishops will be completely in accord with the principles of the letter.

I may be wrong, but this seems to me to be his desire and a polite way of indicating that the Task Force (and Bishops) fulfill the wishes of the Holy See.