Church plans for mass mailing on abortion bill are ill-advised

[question everything]

StarTribune.com
Church plans for mass mailing on abortion bill are ill-advised

By MICHAEL TEGEDER

December 22, 2008

When I signed up 35 years ago to be a priest, little did I realize that postcards would be an essential tool of ministry in the Catholic Church. It began a few years ago, when the Catholic bishops of Minnesota, led by then-Bishop John Nienstedt, pushed a postcard campaign in all Minnesota Catholic parishes that promoted a constitutional amendment to limit marriage to one man and one woman. Preprinted postcards were to be signed and sent to legislators. We never got a report from the bishops on what was accomplished. To someone who did not see this as necessary, it seemed a waste of time and money. It also generated some unnecessary ill will.

Now the bishops of the United States are conducting a national postcard campaign to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). This is to take place in all Catholic parishes the weekend of Jan. 24-25, which happens to be during the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and just a few days after the historic inauguration of the first African-American president, Barack Obama. This should indeed be a time to focus on what unites us. Our nation and new president will be challenged by ongoing wars, an economy in severe recession, ballooning deficits, high unemployment and an environment and health care system in crisis. Yet at this very moment the Catholic bishops have declared that they have this more pressing need.

(snip)

A Catholic journalist, David Gibson, has a good perspective for Catholics concerned about abortion: "The problem of course is that these straw men and red herrings divert us all from the hard work to be done on this issue both within the church and in the public square. Opposition to FOCA should be part of that, to keep pressure on and pols honest. But using a phantom FOCA as a single-issue means of demonizing one's political opponents does no good to one's cause, or the wider society." We can do many positive things. Indeed, Obama has stated that he wants to reduce the number of abortions. We should work with him on doing this.

In the Christmas spirit, may I offer this suggestion to my fellow Catholics: With your Christmas offering, include a note saying that we do not need to send FOCA postcards. During this season of goodwill, let us offer our new president some and hold back on the confrontation. And to the bishops: Your Graces, remember grace.

Michael Tegeder is a priest in Bloomington.

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/36598499.html

[babylonsister]

1. Wow. "Your Graces, remember grace." Thanks. nt

[Warpy]

2. Dear Michael

while you're certainly taking a step in the right direction and while you're almost certain to be rewarded for it by a transfer to a very poor rural parish, the real point is that the Church has absolutely no business trying to force its dogma as civil law.

Continuing to do so that blatantly will indeed generate a backlash, the kind that will see Mother Church beholden to the tax man.

Chew on that and mention it to your fellow churchmen. This is not a threat.

It is a promise.

[pnwmom]

4. Why lash out at someone who is obviously on our side?

I guess if the real enemy isn't handy, it's just easier to snap at whoever is available.

[Warpy]

6. Is he?

I don't think so.

[williesgirl]

3. Churches can use their tax-free money for this bullshit? Lose those exemptions NOW. rec'd

[Fearless]

5. In the words of George Carlin: "TAX THE MOTHERFUCKERS!"

[silverojo]

7. This is why I'm no longer a Catholic

They just started getting too RW political for me. Bad enough that women can't become priests, but this abortion bullshit was the last straw.

[nichomachus]

8. By tomorrow you will need to edit this

to say "Michael Tegeder is a former priest in Bloomington."

Remember the priest who opposed Prop H8 in CA -- he was sacked the following day.

You do not oppose these fascists without paying a price.

Well, they succeeded with Prop H8. So, they'll be coming after you next. You can fight them now -- or fight them later.

[MadMaddie]

9. So they got money to send a jillion postcards then they have

money to pay taxes....that's all. They are not using the church to help those in need or suffering, this is all political.

[AngryOldDem]

10. I just wish those Catholics who buy into this would channel their moral outrage...

...into more productive pursuits. Like also working for economic justice. Like mentoring poor kids and families. Like working at shelters, especially with homeless families. Like getting involved in transitional housing programs to help the homeless become independent.

In other words, faith without works is dead. It's easy to slap a stamp on a postcard and mail it. The hard work comes with actually trying to do something to solve the issues that have you so much in an uproar.

Fr. Michael will be criticized, condemned, and then forced from the priesthood for his opinions. Count on it.

And please, can anyone explain to me the logic that is making the rounds in some Catholic circles that FOCA trumps EVEN economic issues? If you can't take care of your kids because you have no means to do so, doesn't the economy become just as much a "pro-life" issue as abortion?