How Bishops Insert Their Feet In Their Mouths

Phil Lawler at Catholic Culture said it quite well.  On May 4th he congratulated the bishops for taking a strong stand regarding the HHS mandate.  However he rightly points out that the bishops since then have diluted their message by issuing similar statements on matters about which good Catholics can disagree, e.g., the federal budget, immigration, etc.

We know that when the bishops treat issues of intrinsic morality as just a few among a whole laundry list of "issues" that are, morally speaking, of less import, that dissident politicians can glom onto those latter issues to make themselves appear to be faithful.  Such is the case with the rabidly pro-abortion Vice President Joe Biden.  Because Rep Paul Ryan's budget proposal calls for social program cuts (along the lines of the principle of subsidiarity), many of the progressive-leaning bishops frown upon it.  Biden has decided to jump on that bandwagon, scolding Ryan for "violating Catholic social teaching".  Stop laughing!  Bishop Biden is very, very serious - don't you understand?  He says to Ryan that the budget is "contrary to the social doctrine my church teaches".   Quick!  Where's the ACLU when you need them to screech about "separation of church and state"?  Nah - I don't hear them, either!

"The social doctrine which his church teaches" states that the murder of babies is always intrinsically wrong.  No one can call himself a faithful Catholic who lends support to that evil, as Biden continues to do, to this day.  On the other hand, good Catholics can disagree as to how best to aid the poor.  The so-called "safety net" that the government offers is one of fatal entanglement.

Paul Ryan, whose voting record is pro-life, is stating his case quite plainly that his budget proposal is sound and moral.  Town Hall has a piece detailing that Ryan is not taking these insults sitting down;  he is challenging his opponents to stop measuring compassion by how much we spend. Read it and watch the video of Ryan.  If you cannot see the embedded video, click here.

Several Journalists Correct Themselves After Father Guarnizo's Statements

Apparently Phil Lawler had penned an earlier article regarding the February 25th incident.  On Thursday, he released this article on "The Betrayal of Father Guarnizo" in the wake of Father's statement.

Mark Judge of the Daily Caller likewise wrote an earlier article that espoused a dim view of Father Guarnizo.  Upon receiving Father's statement, he too had the grace and integrity to issue his correction.

Dare we hope for similar actions from Cardinal Wuerl and Bishop Knestout?  I do - but I'm not holding my breath!

The Pontifical Proclamation That Wasn't

Much of the liberal mass media is all atwitter with the "news" that "the Pope is calling for a world central bank"!  Well, not quite!  The document came from a Vatican office, meant as a study.  It bears no weight of authority whatsoever, let alone Magisterial authority.  Phil Lawler has a nice piece on it.  Today's Vortex also treats the topic well.  As you note the sayings, though, of Father Thomas Reese, SJ, recall that he was editor of America magazine, the left-wing "katholyc" rag.  One of the very first things that Pope Benedict XVI did when he assumed the papacy was to remove Father Reese from his editorial position.  Now Father skulks the halls of Georgetown University, where he undoubtedly feels quite at home.  Perhaps that might put Father's strange remarks in perspective.  Click here if you can't see embedded video.