Despite its name, "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" minimizes the formation of consciences. Time for the U.S. bishops to start over, argues columnist Michael Sean Winters.
Friendships have existed in the past between U.S. presidents and princes of the church. But it is rare, if not unprecedented, that the church's leadership would be co-opted to the degree seen in the case of Trump.
It is primarily through the votes of Catholic women and men, rooted in conscience and in faith that the Church enters into the just ordering of society and the state.
Distinctly Catholic: There are deeper problems with the "Faithful Citizenship" document, problems that demand the bishops start from scratch, and not just that the text does not reflect the papal magisterium.
The most intense discussion during the U.S. bishops' Nov. 11-13 meeting concerned whether opposition to abortion is the "preeminent" issue. Others called for attention to immigration and the environment.
Distinctly Catholic: The U.S. bishops are firm in their commitment to rhetorical mush, steadfast in the defense of compromise, decisive about their indecision, bold in their proclamation of the banal.
Barron's Word on Fire gave him experience to bring to chairing the U.S. bishops' evangelization committee — though some say the Los Angeles auxiliary bishop's approach is more about apologetics.
Distinctly Catholic: In the face pressing issues like Hispanic ministry, environment, immigration and emerging schism, the U.S. bishops' conference shows the lack of nimbleness we expect from a bureaucracy.
Eco Catholic: As Catholic Christians, we are called to value life "in all its stages." This means we are also called to value that which sustains life — including the environment.
