Comments on Seeing the Church in Red and BlueTypePad2012-04-28T21:15:17ZRick Garnetthttps://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2012/04/seeing-the-church-in-red-and-blue/comments/atom.xml/Edward Dougherty commented on 'Seeing the Church in Red and Blue'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e20168eaf08f23970c2012-04-30T16:38:51Z2012-05-02T18:41:13ZEdward DoughertyHi Professor Breen, I didn't see this interview because I avoid cable news like I do the plague and I...<p>Hi Professor Breen,</p>
<p>I didn't see this interview because I avoid cable news like I do the plague and I also share your frustrations about CST being divided into easy categories of red versu blue. However, I do think that one could sometimes wonder if the USCCB does try to play favorites with the GOP and the best example I could give of this would be the recent presidential campaign of Rick Santorum. This "Catholic" candidate for president made clear that he supported the torture policies of the Bush Administration and would reinstitute them in his own administration. This would be in clear violation of the Cathecism's teachings on torture, which unambiguosly bans it and without any room for prudential judgement.</p>
<p>However, none of the bishops ever spoke out about this and, when I contacted the USCCB's International Justice and Peace department, I was told that the USCCB saw no reason to speak out on this because "everyone already knows that the Church opposes torture". As you can imagine, I found this response very unsatisfying.</p>
<p>I understand your point on which party is stronger on the abortion and marriage issues. However, these issues of pre-emptive war and torture are very important to me for my own reasons. And I know that the Church has spoken out on these issues before but it could and should have been much stronger regarding Senator Santorum.</p>JohnMcG commented on 'Seeing the Church in Red and Blue'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e20168eaefdd80970c2012-04-30T15:28:34Z2012-05-02T18:41:13ZJohnMcGhttp://profiles.google.com/JohnMcGFrom here, it looks like some people are enjoying their moment in the spotlight. For most of history, nuns have...<p>From here, it looks like some people are enjoying their moment in the spotlight.</p>
<p>For most of history, nuns have been generally looked down on and have been the butt of jokes.</p>
<p>Now, it turns out they are useful in drawing a contrast with the bishops to make the latter look bad, so all of a sudden people like Matthews see nuns as the true Church reflecting the heart of Jesus among the poor, as compared to the bishops who spend their days in elaborate vestments being shuttled in their Town Cars from civil leadership meetings to high-priced fundraisers.</p>
<p>There's a kernel of truth to this contrast, and the bishops need to ensure that their positions are informed by the perspective of those on the front lines such as these nuns (though there typically isn't much evidenced provided that they aren't other than they have not come to the preferred conclusions).</p>
<p>In any instance, this division has and will be a regular subject of my prayers.</p>Josh commented on 'Seeing the Church in Red and Blue'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e2016765e4c7e3970b2012-04-29T20:36:28Z2012-04-29T20:36:28ZJoshI just love Matthews; he sits there and talks about all this stuff, then jets off to his multi-million dollar...<p>I just love Matthews; he sits there and talks about all this stuff, then jets off to his multi-million dollar home on Nantucket where I'm sure he and his buddies discuss how best to identify with those "on the margins" over their evening cocktails.</p>Matt Bowman commented on 'Seeing the Church in Red and Blue'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d834515a9a69e20168eae66470970c2012-04-29T18:43:30Z2012-04-29T18:43:30ZMatt BowmanMother Teresa's order works on the margins of society and they aren't abortion sympathizers. Also true for so many other...<p>Mother Teresa's order works on the margins of society and they aren't abortion sympathizers. Also true for so many other congregations not affiliated with LCWR.</p>