While this is good news, this language will not do much to change the hearts and minds of Catholics who will vote in ways contrary to the teaching of their shepherds.
Still, there is an importance to this action today. First, it is a gauge of how much influence "Team Francis" has on the conference. The answer would be, "not much." Second, the lack of response from Cardinal Cupich or one of his proxies is a sign of what is already presumed, that Team Francis is focused on appointing archbishops and not on the USCCB.
Not to generate controversy, but there's a part of me that wonders if this was a bad-faith move to sneak it in at the end and hope certain bishops wouldn't notice. Or maybe it was one of the things discussed in the executive session last night and it was hammered out in private. Just feels weird that something previously controversial is just snuck in at the end with no apparent discussion.
I would suggest this came from a mutual understanding that, while there is disagreement within the conference on the matter, they already know which side has the votes. Past debates on the matter have only increased acrimony without changing votes, and this year was not going to be any different. So, they might as well just vote on it and get on with the proceedings.
I will state here what I have long stated elsewhere. The best advice the bishops or anyone else could give to lay Catholics about making American politics better is not guidance on issues or prioritization on public policies but to encourage Catholic witness. In most parts of the country all you have to do is to show up and you can be on a Republican or Democratic Party ward or precinct committee. They are desperate for volunteers as are the candidate campaigns. Volunteer and as you come to meet and know people, be a witness that you are there BECAUSE of x, y, and z and DESPITE a, b and c.
Frankly, it doesn't matter if you join the Republicans or the Democrats, so long as you present a Catholic social witness.
In light of RDB’s comment - I don’t believe that anything was truly “snuck” in. All the bishops are aware of the issue, proposed texts and the rules of engagement. Thus the fact that the change was made with relatively little controversy is, I believe, further evidence of the fact that the bishops who disagree with the priority of life (and therefore ending abortion in this case) are intent upon their “long game” which is to pack the Vatican with people who are in agreement with them.
While this is good news, this language will not do much to change the hearts and minds of Catholics who will vote in ways contrary to the teaching of their shepherds.
Still, there is an importance to this action today. First, it is a gauge of how much influence "Team Francis" has on the conference. The answer would be, "not much." Second, the lack of response from Cardinal Cupich or one of his proxies is a sign of what is already presumed, that Team Francis is focused on appointing archbishops and not on the USCCB.
Yep. Good call.
Not to generate controversy, but there's a part of me that wonders if this was a bad-faith move to sneak it in at the end and hope certain bishops wouldn't notice. Or maybe it was one of the things discussed in the executive session last night and it was hammered out in private. Just feels weird that something previously controversial is just snuck in at the end with no apparent discussion.
I would suggest this came from a mutual understanding that, while there is disagreement within the conference on the matter, they already know which side has the votes. Past debates on the matter have only increased acrimony without changing votes, and this year was not going to be any different. So, they might as well just vote on it and get on with the proceedings.
I wonder about the names of those opposed.
Well, great! I can keep voting straight-ticket American Solidarity Party in each election.
I'd love to know names of bishops who voted against this and the seven who abstained.
I will state here what I have long stated elsewhere. The best advice the bishops or anyone else could give to lay Catholics about making American politics better is not guidance on issues or prioritization on public policies but to encourage Catholic witness. In most parts of the country all you have to do is to show up and you can be on a Republican or Democratic Party ward or precinct committee. They are desperate for volunteers as are the candidate campaigns. Volunteer and as you come to meet and know people, be a witness that you are there BECAUSE of x, y, and z and DESPITE a, b and c.
Frankly, it doesn't matter if you join the Republicans or the Democrats, so long as you present a Catholic social witness.
In light of RDB’s comment - I don’t believe that anything was truly “snuck” in. All the bishops are aware of the issue, proposed texts and the rules of engagement. Thus the fact that the change was made with relatively little controversy is, I believe, further evidence of the fact that the bishops who disagree with the priority of life (and therefore ending abortion in this case) are intent upon their “long game” which is to pack the Vatican with people who are in agreement with them.