Story from Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel of 1/10/04:
Lawmakers insist on independence of the church
By TOM HEINEN
theinen@journalsentinel.com Posted: Jan. 9, 2004
Treading where few Catholic bishops in the world have gone, La Crosse Bishop Raymond L. Burke has moved ahead of his American contemporaries and drawn strong praise and criticism from secular groups by publicly ordering priests in his diocese to refuse Communion to Catholic politicians who vote in favor of abortion or euthanasia.
Wisconsin
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Is Bishop Raymond L. Burke:
Truth is, the dark ages ended 500 years ago, and it is not a good idea for the American electorate to begin to be divided along religious lines.
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"This is certainly absolutely unprecedented action, and it's disturbing because elected officials have to represent constituents from hundreds of religious groups and non-believers, and not just give blind adherence to one religious demand, even if it is a demand from the bishop," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, a United Church of Christ minister and executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State in Washington, D.C.
"Truth is, the Dark Ages ended 500 years ago, and it is not a good idea for the American electorate to begin to be divided along religious lines. That is the inevitable consequence of clergy punishing church members for not following church doctrine in their voting pattern."
However, three groups opposing abortion commended Burke for holding politicians accountable, for "taking a historic step forward," and for being a "wise and caring shepherd."
Politicians know that they can be stripped of committee leadership positions and can have their own legislation held up if they go against their political party's positions, said Susan Armacost, legislative director of Wisconsin Right to Life, a non-sectarian group in Milwaukee. So, she asked, why is it horrible if the bishop of their denomination disciplines them for crossing a line?
"We're saying, 'What's the problem? Stop the whining and accept the consequences,' " Armacost said.
Also praising Burke were Judie Brown, president of the Virginia-based American Life League, and Peggy Hammill, state director of Pro-Life Wisconsin, a Christian group based in Brookfield.
Burke, who will be installed as archbishop of St. Louis on Jan. 26, attracted national attention last month when it became known that he had sent letters to three unnamed Wisconsin legislators in his diocese to warn them that their support of "anti-life" legislation was causing grave scandal and putting their spiritual well-being at risk.
He ratcheted that up Thursday when he published a pastoral letter "On the Dignity of Life and Civic Responsibility" and a "Notification" in The Catholic Times, his diocesan newspaper. The notice tells Catholic legislators there who support abortion or euthanasia not to attempt to receive Communion and orders priests not to give it to them.
Burke's action comes while a task force of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is developing a policy to guide U.S. bishops in handling Catholic legislators. The Vatican issued a doctrinal note on the participation of Catholics in political life about a year ago.
Father Thomas Reese, editor of the Jesuit magazine America, said Burke "pushed the envelope." Reese did not know of many bishops around the world who had taken similar action.
"I don't know of any Italian bishops who are denying Communion to Catholic politicians in Italy who are voting wrong on abortion," Reese said. "The real question is, is this the beginning of a trend or is this going to be simply an isolated story?"
Reese said the U.S. bishops have not decided how they want to handle the issue.
Burke, a canon lawyer, has followed canonical obligations and pastoral duty by trying to correct the politicians' behavior in various steps before taking more serious action.
Diocesan spokeswoman Rose Hammes said Friday that Burke was out of town and unavailable for comment.
The diocesan newspaper quoted Burke as saying that he took action because the three legislators had not accepted his invitation to meet with him and appeared unwilling to conform to church teaching.
State Sen. Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point), who has acknowledged being one of the three, released a statement Friday, saying, "When I was sworn into office, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution. My constituents have the right to expect that I will represent people of all faiths. Bishop Burke certainly has a right to voice his opinion, and I will give him the same respectful hearing I would give any other citizen.
"I hold Bishop Burke in high regard; however, I believe any effort to pressure legislators by threatening to deny them the sacraments is contrary to the principles of democracy."
U.S. Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.), whose home office is in the diocese, released a more pointed statement without indicating whether he had been contacted by Burke.
"Bishop Burke has a right to instruct me on matters of faith and morals in my private life and - like any other citizen - to try by persuasion, not dictation, to affect my vote on any public matter. But, when he attempts to use his ecclesiastical position to dictate to American public officials how the power of law should be brought to bear against Americans who do not necessarily share our religious beliefs, on abortion or any other public issue, he crosses the line into unacceptable territory.
"The U.S. Constitution, which I have taken a sacred oath to defend, is designed to protect American citizens from just such authoritarian demands."
The estimable Barry Lynn weighs in from the Twilight Zone, and Dave Obey, an ego similar in all ways to Ted Kennedy, resents the abominable treatment from his Bishop and Pastor.
At least the Catholic politicians here have been warned ahead of time. Although, I think there's only one who would have a problem. The only really prominant pro-choice, Catholic politician in town died in November.
If he has the intestinal fortitude to do this with the politicians, I can't wait to see what he does with St. Francis Xavier. Who knows, they might actually have to put an organ back in that church.
