Bishops bring message on politics to Catholics in their own dioceses

Published: 2004-07-09

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- As a follow-up to their June 18 conference statement on Catholics in political life, several bishops around the country are reiterating the message to those in their own dioceses and beginning what they hope will be a continuing dialogue with politicians and Catholics in the pew. Bishop Anthony M. Pilla of Cleveland urged Catholic politicians to "view their elected position in the light of their faith and not in spite of it." Bishop Michael A. Saltarelli of Wilmington, Del., said all Catholics "must examine their consciences about their worthiness to receive Communion, including with regard to 'fidelity to the moral teaching of the church in personal and public life.'" "It is time that we recognize that morality and ethics determine what we believe and not our political party," Bishop Bernard J. Harrington of Winona, Minn., said in his column for the July 2004 issue of The Courier, Winona's diocesan newspaper. "Are we Catholics first or are we adherents to a political party and then Catholic?" All three bishops rejected the argument of some Catholic politicians that while they are personally opposed to abortion they are obliged as officeholders to uphold the law which permits abortion.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .