Vatican Calls Catholic Politicians Into Line

Reuters ^ | 16 January 2003 | Reuters

[Petronski]

Vatican Calls Catholic Politicians Into Line Thu January 16, 2003 09:18 AM ET

By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican told Catholic politicians on Thursday they must oppose laws on abortion, euthanasia and gay marriages and can not accept compromises on Church teachings when formulating policy or legislation.

The instructions were contained in new guidelines, which the Vatican said it was publishing now because recent "unsettling" scientific advances, such as embryo research, and social changes had made it necessary to clarify the Church's position again.

The document, called "Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life," also turned the screws on Catholic publications, saying they could not put forward different views for the sake of pluralism.

The guidelines, which reaffirm traditional Church teachings, said Catholic politicians had to be reminded of them because of confusion that developed over Catholic doctrine.

The 17-page document said Catholics in political life "cannot compromise" in the name of tolerance, pluralism or freedom of choice when making or supporting legislation.

"Democracy must be based on the true and solid foundation of non-negotiable ethical principles, which are the underpinning of life in society," said the document by the Vatican's doctrinal department, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

"Those who are directly involved in lawmaking bodies have a grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life. For them, as for every Catholic, it is impossible to promote such laws or to vote for them," it said.

NO RECOGNITION FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

The document, specifically approved by Pope John Paul, called for laws protecting the family, which it said had to be "based on monogamous marriage between a man and a woman, and protected in its unity and stability...

"In no way can other forms of cohabitation be placed on the same level as marriage, nor can they receive legal recognition as such," it added.

The Vatican is firmly opposed to recent moves aimed at legally recognizing same-sex marriages in several European countries and in North America.

The Netherlands has recognized registered gay partnerships since 1998 and it passed laws allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children in December 2000.

Several other European countries have given gays rights just short of those enjoyed by heterosexual married couples.

Asserting that fundamental moral laws were at stake, the document restated the Church's opposition to abortion and euthanasia and urged respect for the rights of the human embryo.

In an apparent reference to the dangers of cloning -- which the Church rejects along with stem-cell embryo research -- the document warned of potential laws that are "heedless of the consequences for the existence and future of human beings (and) attack the very inviolability of human life."

It also criticized Catholic organizations and publications in some countries for taking "ambiguous or incorrect" stands. Such bodies could not support political forces or movements with positions contrary to the teaching of the Church on ethical questions, the document said.

[Petronski]

Is this already posted? I searched for it but could not find.

[Desdemona]

Religion forum, but I think it's a different article.

[JohnnyZ]

Some bishops have been on the ball in the US: Archbishop Chaput in Denver was pretty clear in 2002 about pro-life candidates and whatnot, but the New Mexico folks backed down from saying Bill Richardson was pro-abortion.

[LiteKeeper]

I am sure this is going to straighten up Teddy. </sarcasm>

[APBaer]

"The Vatican told Catholic politicians on Thursday they must oppose laws on abortion, euthanasia and gay marriages and can not accept compromises"

So what's next?
The Seventh Day Adventists Church told their politicians on Thursday they must oppose blood banks and transfusions and can not accept compromises?

The Christian Scientist Mother Church told their politicians on Thursday they must oppose laws giving access to medical care because only prayer was appropriate and it can not accept compromises?

And late news from Rome,
"The Vatican told Catholic politicians on Thursday that war with Iraq was wrong and they must give Saddam a big wet kiss and can not accept compromises"?

[Republican Red]

That conservative Catholic herself, Nancy Pelosi, must be shaking in her heels

[kellynla]

About time...30 years coming but it is way overdue...the Left Angeles Times buried the story on page four but there was no mention of anything other than the abortion issue...no same sex marriage or euthanasia...

[valkyrieanne]

As a non-Catholic, my question is, what parts of "official Vatican pronouncements" are Catholics allowed to ignore? The Vatican's opposition to war in Iraq has already been noted. Are American Catholics free to follow their consciences on abortion but obey the Vatican on Iraq? Are they to follow their consciences on Iraq but avoid abortion?

[Centurion2000]

The Vatican told Catholic politicians on Thursday they must oppose laws on abortion, euthanasia and gay marriages and can not accept compromises on Church teachings when formulating policy or legislation.

Hmmm .. Kennedy is about to be in a pickle perhaps ? Nahh ...

[Desdemona]

As a non-Catholic, my question is, what parts of "official Vatican pronouncements" are Catholics allowed to ignore?

We're not. The Iraq question is more a matter of the Vatican not being convinced completely there is a case for war and a request that all other avenues be exhausted before actually going to war.

The problem with this statement is that it lacks teeth. At the very least, public refusal to administer Communion to these politicians would have been a good idea.

[Steve_Seattle]

In theory, Catholics are supposed to heed all Vatican pronouncements on moral issues, although not all of these pronouncements - such as the pope's views on Iraq - have the force of official doctrine. In practice, people can pretty much do what they want. "Excommunication" is very rare and is usually reserved for individuals who either (1) are members of the clery, or who hold a teaching position in a Catholic educational institution, and (2) who publically and persistently disagree with a basic church doctrine or moral teaching. Church teaching on abortion is unambiguous, whereas the pope's views on Iraq would be evaluated in terms of the church's "just war" teaching, and there is a lot more wiggle room there. It is extremely unlikely that any Catholic would be excommunicated over disagreement with the pope over America's Iraq policy.

[mike_9958]

This is GREAT....

Now if all priests would take the same hard position and relay in the sermon that same doctrine we may actually start to turn things around.

[TexanAmerican]

My only concern is; doesn't the Catholic Church also oppose the Death Penalty? Will Liberal clergy use this same doctrine to go after conservative Catholics?

[Arthur McGowan]

Of course, this probably will make it much tougher for Catholic politicians to get elected in this country, with the spectre of "divided loyalties" hanging over them like a sword of Damocles.

Yeah, the Catholic Church (and the unborn) have gained so MUCH from the election of Daschle, Kennedy (any Kennedy), Cuomo, Moynihan, Kerry, Markey, Mikulski, Morella, and all those hundreds of other great Catholics.

[winin2000]

I'd lay a hefty bet right now you couldn't find one currently pro-abortion elected official of either party in the heavily Catholic yet heavily pro-choice Northeast who would obey Church teaching if it threatened their power.

They'd choose excommunication and wallow in would surely be the laudits of their pro-abortion constituents for standing up to the "intolerant" Church.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Teddy! Calling Teddy Kennedy! Come in Teddy!

[nickcarraway]

ping

[Claire Voyant]

These pro-choice politicians have already ex-comminicated themselves.