Pelvic Theology Meets Pelvic Politics

Yes, I'll admit I was exasperated that U.S. Catholic Bishops decided it would be OK to monitor, and punish, politicians who stray too far from church teachings. Linda Campbell, an editorial writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram explained the uneasiness best in a syndicated column we ran today on our opinion page. See article.

I think ithe decision showed an old-style arrogance and old-fashioned meddling and punishing and I can't believe it will play well with sophisticated Catholics. And the timing is terrible. The hierarchy has so many issues with cleaning up their own houses re: the sex abuse scandal. Why are they focusing on the political Houses?

As reported by Catholic World News, one bishop was brave enough to express concern when the issue was discussed at the bishops meeting this fall. "Any statement that tells people how to vote will be ill-received by Catholic and non-Catholic alike," said Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany, New York. "If a Catholic officeholder changes his position on life issues of abortion or the death penalty ... he or she could well be accused by political opponents of caving in to the dictates of the church, a tool of the bishops," Bishop Hubbard said. "We should trust people ... to cast their votes."

Amen.