Abp Chaput: The Time for...Diplomacy with Politicians Is Over

WASHINGTON (AP) - Three years after a few outspoken U.S. Roman Catholic bishops tied together presidential politics, abortion and the communion rail, leaders of the largest U.S. denomination are starting to speak out again.

Only this time, the political climate is much different.

The climate might have changed slightly, but the issues are still the same.

As most of the country's 268 active Catholic bishops met for a private retreat this week in New Mexico, questions were building about how prominent their voices will be in the 2008 race.
. . .
Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput said in an interview that official Catholic involvement depends on which candidates and issues emerge from the primary season. A vocal proponent of calling on Catholic politicians and voters to follow church teachings, Chaput also made it clear he thinks the time for behind-the-scenes diplomacy with politicians is over. [my emphasis]

How many years must pass while anti-life, anti-family politicians get a pass (and tacit approval to commit sacrilege and scandal)? We've endured almost 40 years of a general failure by bishops and priests to catechize Catholics and the world about the grave immorality of contraception, And this failure has resulted in the chaos we witness today, namely, abortion, homosexuality, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, and human cloning.

And who was one of the first bishops to speak out in the last election? Archbishop Raymond Burke!

In 2004, scrutiny fell on Democrat John Kerry, a Catholic who supports abortion rights. Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis did name names, saying he would deny communion to Kerry. Several other bishops, Chaput included, stressed that politicians should refrain from the sacrament if they support abortion rights, which they consider a “foundational” issue.

Of course, Kerry had no qualms or second thoughts about receiving "communion" when he attended protestant churches during his campaign.

Some bishops, Chaput said, felt pressured to take a stand after Burke's comments and proposed that no one speak out on important issues without consulting the bishops as a group.

These bishops, fearful and timid, lack the courage to speak the truth and defend the faith when confronted by rogue "Catholic" politicians and others. Many are like the hireling who, seeing wolves scrutinizing and preparing to attack the flock, run away to safety.

“I think a lot of folks just don't want the pressure to explain themselves,” Chaput said.

Many would say that they are weak, and possibly unfit for the positions they occupy.

John Allen Jr., a senior correspondent for the independent National Catholic Reporter, said U.S. bishops who want to withhold communion from Catholic politicians can find support in Pope Benedict's comments - made to reporters en route to Brazil this year - that essentially endorsed the idea that Mexican legislators who voted to legalize abortion have separated themselves from the church.

We can hope and pray that more and more bishops will be given the grace and courage to teach, sanctify and govern - in effect to be ready to become martyrs, figuratively speaking, for the Truth - which is Christ, the Lord.

We must not forget that it is our grave obligation to pray for our bishops and priests - to offer our daily sacrifices and hardships for them so that, if our acts of reparation be pleasing to God, He will shower his shepherds with abundant blessings. As they are made stronger and more courageous, so will be the faithful.