Abortion Politics (4th in a series of Church related articles)

I did not intend to write another article on abortion. It is so difficult to write about this topic since no one wants to talk about abortion. Most people interested in this subject simply want and expect everyone to act and think the way they do. I have had many Catholic progressives tell me that I can talk about almost anything, as long as I don't even get close to the topic of abortion. Unfortunately, it seems to me that abortion turns out to be the whole ball of wax. If there can be no discussion on this topic, then we have already ceded the operation of the Church to the more and more conservative American heirarchy. We are saying that they can call the shots. We are deferring to their authority which was in fact the subject of my last blog entry.

I am also forced to broach this topic at this time because of the Bishop's current involvement in the struggle over health care. I have heard many progressives agonize over the involvement of the bishops. These honest souls wonder if they are being hypocritical by wanting the Church involved in social justice issues and issues of war and peace, but are uncomfortable with church involvement on this issue. Let me explain my position as clearly as I know how to both progressives and the conservative bishops.

Catholic theology has always been known for its ability to make distinctions. Scholastic philosophy as espoused by Thomas Aquinas carefully makes important distinctions in its understanding of moral and dogmatic issues. Our Bishops are ignoring that heritage and plowing ahead, obfuscating issues as it suits their purpose. Perhaps they are just plain ignorant of Catholic theology, or perhaps they are just determined to have their way even if it represents faulty thinking. They are advocating for their position, but they are misrepresenting Catholic teaching. Let's explore the distinction between doctrine and politics or legislation.

Current Catholic teaching on abortion is quite clear and has not changed during my lifetime. Some like to point out that church teaching on abortion has not always been what it is now. That is interesting, but I don't think it is that relevant to the situation today. The Church clearly teaches that abortion is always wrong, even to save the life of the mother. That's pretty unequivocal and leaves essentially no wiggle room.

The politics and the legislative issues involved in the abortion debate, however, are another matter altogether. Let's just start with the obvious. No bill that I know of that is part of the bishop's political agenda bans abortion even if the life of the mother is in danger. Just on that one point we see that there is wiggle room in the legislative area. If that is so, can one say for example, that if you believe that legislation should also have an exception for the health of the mother, that you can be denied communion? The Bishops are treading on very thin ground when the issue is politics and legislation. While the Church can state what it believes about faith and moral issues and expect assent, it is another matter to say what legislation in these areas should look like. That is and should be the role of politicians and the consensus of the community.

Yet, it is precisely the legislative arena where the battle of abortion is being fought. The current amendment the American Bishops are demanding be included in the health care bill includes exceptions for rape and incest as well as to save the life of the mother. That does not represent Catholic moral teaching that we have just enunciated. Clearly, moral teaching and legislation are two different things. Bishops can insist on moral teaching, they cannot demand adherence to a specific legislative approach.

You might say that the Church and Church leaders have every right to engage in the political arena, and I would basically agree with that position. Those Catholics who recall Church involvement in Civil Rights and other social justice issues are instinctively correct when they are uncomfortable with saying the Church should stay out of politics. The problem, however, is that if you are going to play politics in this country you have to play by certain rules. The Church has every right to lobby for its position as does every other person and group in this country. They must recognize, however, that once they enter that realm they are functioning as any other group. They have a right to be heard, but they have no right to impose their will on the community, or leverage their power to get what they want. Their legislative position represents just one possible approach to dealing with a complex problem. Do they need to be reminded that everyone in this country is not Catholic and does not accept or need to accept whatever position the Church puts forward? To expect every Catholic legislator to adopt the Church's legislative position in every instance negates entirely the role of legislator. People make such decisions for various reasons, and religious beliefs is only one of those reasons.

The notion that Church leaders can blackmail Catholics or Catholic politicians to fall in line with their political agenda bespeaks the old ways of Catholic Europe. In Ireland or Italy or other such countries the Church may have been able to force its will on the politicians, but this is not Europe. Even in Europe their power is waning. No one can prevent a bishop from denying communion to a politician or telling his flock that they will be guilty of serious sin if they support particular legislation. Bishops may be able to do that. But they will also be wrong. Legislation goes through a process of compromise and determining what is possible. It represents the recognition of all points of view within a pluralistic society. Politicians have to develop legislation that meets the needs of all peoples.

Again the Church can push for any legislation it deems appropriate, but politicians, Catholic or not, must exercise their consiences and their political skills to craft legislation for all. No bishop can or should attempt to compell a politician to take the bishop's legislative lead. In doing so the Bishops seek to kill the whole idea of a marketplace of ideas for forging consensus. This is a democracy, so I say to the bishops, back off. Even if you win any temporary victories, over time you will have done harm to yourselves and the Church. You will have further damaged your credibility and lessened any meaningful influence you might have on the community at large.