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Catholic Bishops Must Not Give Up Values To Government
By TED MEEHAN, For The Bulletin
Recently, America’s Catholic bishops had taken a stand in favor of the Obama Administration’s efforts at bringing about universal health care. More than one Catholic organization sent out memos – for several months – to its members telling them to call their Congressman or Senator to urge support for universal health care. Yet, the bills, which were being pushed through Congress, had objectionable provisions relating to end of life care for the elderly, and for abortions – among others.
Only after all of the discussions had ceased, and the bad provisions remained in the bills, were grassroots Catholics notified by the bishops to send messages to their legislators in opposition to the bills. Of course, by then, it was too late. My own parish received the handout information the day after the House vote.
The Catholic Church is one of the pillars of our society, and it should project morality and spirituality into the public consciousness. It should vocally oppose evil, and support goodness. It should motivate its members to become involved, and to be the arms and legs of Christ in the mission of helping the poor, protecting the weak and defenseless, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, healing the sick, and educating the ignorant. These are mandates given to us by Jesus himself. They represent God’s work.
Jesus also ordered us to “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
By ceding God’s work to the government, the church leaders undermine – and even eliminate – any blessing which could be derived from the work itself. There is hardly any grace earned from paying one’s taxes at the point of a gun. The seizure by the government of charitable works, commissioned by Jesus, separates us from those works themselves. We expect that the government should be doing the job it is paid to do. And, we can then blissfully ignore the suffering and need of our neighbors.
Worse, by assigning these charitable works to government, we separate these important acts from authentic Christian love. We allow government bureaucrats to make life-and-death care decisions based upon cost-effectiveness. And, we authorize government to tax our neighbors to pay for these services.
If I reach onto my own wallet to feed a hungry person, that is charity. If I cause the government to reach into my neighbor’s wallet to feed the same hungry person, that is socialism.
Christianity has been the civilizing influence of Western civilization for 2,000 years. It has given us selfless saints, and inspiring heroic compassion, and service to others. It has promoted the Golden Rule. But, authentic Christianity must come voluntarily and privately. It is a mistake for the Catholic bishops to cede to the government responsibilities, which are properly, and more effectively handled by charitable organizations.
Only after all of the discussions had ceased, and the bad provisions remained in the bills, were grassroots Catholics notified by the bishops to send messages to their legislators in opposition to the bills. Of course, by then, it was too late. My own parish received the handout information the day after the House vote.
The Catholic Church is one of the pillars of our society, and it should project morality and spirituality into the public consciousness. It should vocally oppose evil, and support goodness. It should motivate its members to become involved, and to be the arms and legs of Christ in the mission of helping the poor, protecting the weak and defenseless, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, healing the sick, and educating the ignorant. These are mandates given to us by Jesus himself. They represent God’s work.
Jesus also ordered us to “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
By ceding God’s work to the government, the church leaders undermine – and even eliminate – any blessing which could be derived from the work itself. There is hardly any grace earned from paying one’s taxes at the point of a gun. The seizure by the government of charitable works, commissioned by Jesus, separates us from those works themselves. We expect that the government should be doing the job it is paid to do. And, we can then blissfully ignore the suffering and need of our neighbors.
Worse, by assigning these charitable works to government, we separate these important acts from authentic Christian love. We allow government bureaucrats to make life-and-death care decisions based upon cost-effectiveness. And, we authorize government to tax our neighbors to pay for these services.
If I reach onto my own wallet to feed a hungry person, that is charity. If I cause the government to reach into my neighbor’s wallet to feed the same hungry person, that is socialism.
Christianity has been the civilizing influence of Western civilization for 2,000 years. It has given us selfless saints, and inspiring heroic compassion, and service to others. It has promoted the Golden Rule. But, authentic Christianity must come voluntarily and privately. It is a mistake for the Catholic bishops to cede to the government responsibilities, which are properly, and more effectively handled by charitable organizations.
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