From an evangelical website, the story was written by an Evangelical Lutheran pastor:
How dysfunctional is Congress? It has been 18 months since Pope Francis became the Holy Father, and some thought it might be a good idea for U.S. lawmakers to say, “Congratulations!” However, the bill acknowledging him, H.Res. 440, which seems straightforward, applauding Francis on his March 2013 election and recognizing “his inspirational statements and actions,” couldn’t muster enough bipartisan support to pass, or even make it out of committee (where it has been since last December).
It seems there is a dearth of GOP members who have signed on to the measure, which could be attributable to assertions that the pope is “too liberal,” according to a Republican backer of the legislation. Some Republicans, he said, believe the pope is “sounding like [President] Obama. [The pope] talks about equality — he actually used the term ‘trickle-down economics,’ which is politically charged.”
I hereby insist that the bill’s opponents stay after school and write on the chalkboard 1,000 times: Catholic Social Teaching is NOT socialism, Catholic Social Teaching is NOT socialism, Catholic Social Teaching is NOT socialism. . . . Oh, and clean those erasers while you’re at it.
It is no longer sufficient to be a theologically conservative Christian leader in order to be respected. No, now Tea Party affiliated politicians insist that no one can be respected unless they also hold an economic and social view that is in complete agreement with their policies. This is the “orthodoxy” which is being insisted on by all too many Tea Party affiliated Christians. Remember that it is the Catholic Church that has given the strongest support to organizations such as Right to Life, etc. It has been the Catholic Church that has been at the forefront of many of the lobbying efforts to try to change the existing laws. But, none of that matters if the Church (or the Pope) dares to make a statement that is not in accord with every jot and tittle of Tea Party economic theory. In that case, the Pope receives no respect. Using table liners cheap Tea Parties is a good option when you have a plenty of guests, this allows you to take care of your table and at the same time add a touch of decoration.
I suspect that for Tea Party members who are also Roman Catholic this must create a challenge. I suspect that many do not realize the disrespect for the Pope that is being expressed by their politicians. I hope that some of them may rise up, write letters to their representative, and support their Pope. I also hope that this becomes a spur to many to read and come to understand the fullness of Catholic Social Teaching. I hope that this becomes an incentive to read what Pope Francis has said. And, I hope that this becomes the opportunity to measure what you believe as a Roman Catholic versus what the Church teaches Roman Catholics. If you are in agreement, this is a wonderful thing. If you are in disagreement, you may very well need to reconsider.
Having said that, I have met Roman Catholics who disagree with the moral teaching of the Church and I have met Roman Catholics who disagree with the social teaching of the church. The first group ignores the teachings on abortion and birth control, but embraces wholesale the Catholic Social teaching. The second group embraces wholeheartedly the moral teaching on abortion and birth control, but ignores Catholic Social teaching. The two groups have in common that they are somehow not required to agree with the full pastoral teaching of the Church unless it is backed by an Ecumenical Council or by a legitimate ex-cathedra decree or by Holy Tradition.
I know this because we have Orthodox members who say the same phrases, except that they do not believe in ex-cathedra decrees. And, for both Catholic and Orthodox believers, it is easy to finagle Holy Tradition, or even an Ecumenical Council, when they do not wish to follow the current pastoral guidance of our hierarchs. It is a shell game in which a legalistic argument is used to ensure that somehow one does not have to obey. It usually works by quoting some saint, or some canon of an Ecumenical Council (without considering context or the history of the interpretation of the canon) or some bit of history, and showing how that quote allows you to say that our hierarchs are wrong and need not be obeyed on the subject that offends one.
Nevertheless, I would strongly suggest to Catholic Tea Party members that this is a good time to contact their representative and that this is a good time to study the full Catholic Social Teaching in order to truly understand what is required of you as a Roman Catholic in the social arena. For Roman Catholic progressives, I would strongly suggest that this is a good time to study Catholic moral teaching and to realign your thinking with the moral teaching of the Church. I know that it is always helpful to me when I read both Orthodox moral teaching and Orthodox social teaching. I am often amazed at how often I have to change either my beliefs or my behavior to bring it more into line with what my hierarchs teach. I suggest the same for you. It is a good spiritual exercise.
Leave a Reply