Looking Catholic

In the run-up to a general election, odd things get reported and discussed. One of the lines of discussion concerns the Catholicism of Catholic politicians. The NY Times had apiece a while ago, although I have been following this on Mirror of Justice". The focus there is on Kerry’s pro-choice politics. Of course, the teaching of the Church is anti-choice. (I have not revisited the basis for the teaching for many years. Back then, and it was way back, the fundamental argument seemed to be that pre-quickening abortion ran an unacceptable risk of murder. A fetus is ensouled no later than quickening, but there was clear teaching on the moment. Maybe that has changed, and maybe I had it wrong then. Back to the point.) I think the Catholic faithful have a perfect right to be concerned about the integrity of office-holders purporting to share the faith. And perhaps it is appropriate for a diocese to deny communion to those who, while proclaiming adherence, fail to defend the teachings of the Church. I believe that issue is not quite clear cut, but that is another discussion. Today, my curiosity is piqued by the single-minded focus on abortion. The Church also, last I checked, condemns capital punishment, and divorce. I do not see how the Catholics concerned about whether Kerry should be permitted communion say nothing about the failure of many other politicians to oppose killing prisoners. Of course, Bush cannot take communion as he is not a member of the Church. But there are some Catholic politicians who do nothing in the face of executions, and that should matter to these commentators.

In the way of the petty political I note that the Church condemns divorce. Shouldn’t the devout be agitating for repeal of divorce statutes? Let that be the introduction to a more serious problem, which is not getting appropriate shrift in the discussions, even at Mirror of Justice. The selection of the terms of community is not nearly so transparent as the discussions assume. The heart of the faith of the Holy Roman Apostalic Church is not found in opposing abortion. It is not found in the teachings on abortion, or the teachings on death penalty. Those teachings flow from the core of the Church, but they are not that core. Which leads me to request a fuller exposition from the folks over at the gilded glass of the teachings of the Church on involvement in governmental and other social institutions which are engaged in activities contrary to the teachings of the Church.