NCR Report on "Statement on Catholics in Public Life"

The agenda of the fall meeting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said bishops would "debate and vote" on policies regarding Catholic politicians who support abortion.

From what I recall (without going back to review the tape), Cardinal McCarrick rose and asked that he be allowed to remove the "item" from the agenda, thereby tabling any discussion on the subject. This was one of the discussions I was eager to see and one of the reasons I taped and watched the meetings.

"I’m disappointed that it wasn’t discussed publicly, because it’s a great concern for all the people in our nation and for Catholics who are bound to give a very strong witness in this area," said St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke, who’s among a handful of bishops who have challenged pro-abortion politicians publicly.

Many other faithful Catholics were also disappointed that Cardinal McCarrick chose to abandon another teaching moment and another opportunity to demonstrate courage in the face of adversity.

Archbishop Burke said American culture seems poised for more definitive moral direction from Christian leaders, which U.S. bishops failed to provide by skirting the issue of pro-abortion politicians.

"We know from the elections that there’s a concern among the general population about moral issues, so I’m particularly disappointed that it wasn’t discussed openly at this conference," Archbishop Burke told the Register.

We must continue to pray that more bishops are given the grace to be courageous and to vigorously defend the Church's doctrines and disciplines.

"They (the American Life League) have been attacking me constantly," Cardinal McCarrick told the Register.

And with good reason it seems...

Cardinal McCarrick has been at the center of the debate about pro-abortion politicians who receive Communion because he chairs the committee charged with studying the issue. Furthermore, as archbishop of the nation’s capital, he oversees parishes that serve dozens of pro-abortion Catholic politicians.

Cardinal McCarrick said the bishops would develop a "Reader on Catholics in Public Life" and that their doctrine and pastoral-practices committees have agreed to take up the matter of Church teaching on when it is proper for Catholic politicians — and all Catholics — to receive Communion.

The cardinal said, "There will be continuing consultation on the complex theological and canonical aspects of these matters within our conference and with the Holy See."

More of same old banter...A politician rather than a Shepherd and Defendor of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The really good news is that he turns 75 on July 7, 2005 - about 7 months from now and will be required to submit his resignation to the Holy Father.

Source.