Episcopal Spine or Business as Usual? A Blow-up at Amy Welborn's

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Amy Welborn posted this quote by Bishop Wuerl:

Anytime a local bishop denies Communion to a politician because of his stand on abortion, the decision can have "national ramifications," Bishop Donald W. Wuerl of Pittsburgh said in a statement exploring ways the U.S. bishops could reach a more united approach to such decisions.

"There must be some way in which the bishops can establish a process, mechanism or procedure" for appropriate national consistency, he said.

[snip]

He proposed two possible ways for the bishops' conference to find "a practical pastoral manner to express the collegial spirit that is to be the hallmark of episcopal pastoral ministry."

"One such approach would be an actual mechanism of the conference to facilitate some consensus and unified pastoral practice," he said. "Another approach, which would be less formal but perhaps more effective, would be the commitment on the part of all the bishops to discuss beforehand, through some conference structure, decisions that will impact all of the bishops and the church as a whole."

He said a formal mechanism of review by the conference before barring a politician from Communion would require either a two-thirds vote of the bishops and a mandate from the Vatican or a completely unanimous decision by the bishops.

The less formal approach would require all bishops to agree not to make such decisions without prior consultation through procedures agreed by the conference. "The advantage of the second option is found in its ability both to recognize the responsibility of the individual bishop within his diocese and also to provide a context for the communal exercise of that episcopal responsibility," Bishop Wuerl wrote.

The storm broke soon after. A slew of commentors took it upon themselves to denounce Bishop Wuerl, with sentences such as:

"Sound like the comments from a politician who is too entrenched in the sytem to really get things done."

"Weasel Words."

"What happened to the infamous "Blue Ribbon Committee" or a "Task Force" approach to doing nothing and avoiding all responsibility? They are expert at that."

"If Bishop Wuerl thinks that a Bishop should not be able to withold communion from a pro-abort until some committee or vote of the national bishops takes place (that seems to be the case) then bishop Wuerl shows a great dificiency in his understanding of the office of Bishop. The fact that he holds that office, only makes his statements more scandalous."

"Dittos to those who understand the role of the Bishop--and those who suspect that Bp. Wuerl is smoking a la-la-land substance with his "peace and harmony" appeal."

"The Holy Spirit giveth us Wuerl, the Holy Spirit can jolly well giveth him backbone or taketh him away again."

"Don't they realize we call them "father' for a reason? Ugh."

Fantastic displays of Christian Charity, by the way. Glad I'm not in your courts, muchachos! Doubt I'd survive. Wonder if you're that just on yourselves, hmmm?

Granted, the behavior of more than a few Episcopals leaves a lot to be desired. Cardinal Law and Archbishop Olmstead certainly disgraced their respective offices, to name two. However, does this brush fit them all? More to the point, where are these ComBox justices' reference to relevent Church teaching and law? Oh, that's right. It's not listed. How convenient.

With a quick Catechism and Canon Law search, I found some relevent citations. I mentioned them in this comment:

First, this reference from the Catechism notes that Bishops act as the head of the Church entrusted to their care, but together with all bishops (including the Bishop of Rome) exercise authority for the Church as a whole:

1560 As Christ's vicar, each bishop has the pastoral care of the particular Church entrusted to him, but at the same time he bears collegially with all his brothers in the episcopacy the solicitude for all the Churches: "Though each bishop is the lawful pastor only of the portion of the flock entrusted to his care, as a legitimate successor of the apostles he is, by divine institution and precept, responsible with the other bishops for the apostolic mission of the Church."41 (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Next, Diocesan Bishops exercise authority in their assigned diocese. However, they are to exercise this authority according to all Ecclesial laws with a view toward the Universal Church:

Can. 391 ß1 The diocesan Bishop governs the particular Church entrusted to him with legislative, executive and judicial power, in accordance with the law.

ß2 The Bishop exercises legislative power himself. He exercises executive power either personally or through Vicars general or episcopal Vicars, in accordance with the law. He exercises judicial power either personally or through a judicial Vicar and judges, in accordance with the law.

Can. 392 ß1 Since the Bishop must defend the unity of the universal Church, he is bound to foster the discipline which is common to the whole Church, and so press for the observance of all ecclesiastical laws. (Code of Canon Law (1983))

Bishop Wuerl's proposals should be considered in light of these points of doctrine and Canon Law.

If we're to criticize the statements or actions of Bishops, let's do so in context of the teaching and law of the Church. Blowing out toxic opinions lets off steam but it stinks up cyberspace. It accomplishes nothing constructive.

It helps to remember we're all members of the People of God, the Church. That means we all live according to the law given us through the Church by our Master. Maybe we ought to consider it before we pick up stones? Just a thought.