The Synod Fathers on Catholic Politicians and the Eucharist

The issue threatened to become a national scandal in 2004. Thanks to Senator John Kerry's defeat in the last presidential election, the Bishops of the US evaded this travesty. However, the problem remains. And it's not just an American problem. A Canadian MP that voted in favor of a "gay marriage" bill, which became law, has been forbidden from receiving the Eucharist by his Bishop until he repents of his public dissent. This issue isn't going away. Therefore, many paid close attention to what the Synod would say on the subject.

Spero Forum Weblog has an excerpt of the relevent proposal here.

EUCHARISTIC COHERENCE OF CATHOLIC POLITICIANS AND LAWMAKERS (Proposition no. 46)

"Catholic politicians and lawmakers must feel their consciences particularly aroused ... by the heavy social responsibility of presenting and supporting iniquitous laws. There is no Eucharistic coherence when legislation is promoted that goes against the integral good of man, against justice and natural law. The private sphere and the public sphere cannot be separated, placing oneself in a position of contrast with the law of God and the teaching of the Church, and this must also be considered in Eucharistic terms. In applying this guidance, bishops should exercise the virtues of courage and wisdom, bearing in mind actual local situations."

The Synod Fathers have now spoken. They remind the Church of our obligation to be united with Christ when we come to receive him in the Eucharist. This goes for Catholic Politicians. They, like every other Catholic, ought to form their conscience on the truth witnessed by the Church. Therefore, they shouldn't present themselves for communion if they support policies at odds with Christ's commandments, as revealed in the Church's doctrine.

Unfortunately, the need for a Catholic photo-op may prove too tempting an opportunity for certain Catholic politicians. Others may not have received the adequate catechism they require to truly understand what they do. What is the Church to do, then, when Catholic politicians insist on, say, being "personally opposed, but..." and showing up at the communion rail?

Her Episcopals should exercise "courage and wisdom" in "applying this guidance." What does this mean?

It means whatever the Bishops of local Churches, or even a conference, say it means. They know their obligations; at least, Fools may hope that they do. Will they meet them?

That depends.

It depends on us. Yes, that's right. Us. We the people. We the laity. We, the presence of God's Church on the frontlines of the world. We participate in every sphere of society beyond the Church's door. We establish the culture in which we live; we determine the values that thrive within our shared life. We create the backdrop and contexts in which our Bishops live and operate. Yes, Foolable ecclesiacrats inhabit Chaunceries in every diocese of the Nation. Yes, Catechism and Liturgy have undergone such "Reform" that many Catholics in many parishes may wonder if they're even in the Roman Catholic Church. Yes, the laity do not govern the Church.

We govern the world. Literally. We decide what goes on in society. How many Bishops serve as CEOs of Fortune 500 advertizing and marketing companies? How many priests have directed academy award-winners? How many Deacons have served in Congress or the Senate?

Get my point yet? No? Let me make it clearer: we either manifest the Kingdom of God in the world, or we don't. Now, look around. How have we done, lately?

I thought so. Believe me, I've contributed my share to the decay all around. Every time I've chosesn to sit on my duff when I needed to act, I added to the decay. Every time I've lived as though only I stood at the center of the universe, I added to the decay. I know far too well how little I've helped bring about Christ's kingdom.

So say we all? I surely hope so. The world give us every reason to own up.

Which brings me back to the backdrop and context in which our Bishops live and operate. Who were our bishops before they were bishops? They were men of our society. Thus, they emerge from the cultural baggage that we helped to create. As Mark Shea says, we have the Bishops we want.

If we the people truly demand that our Bishops act as our Sheperds, then they'll do so. If we continue to demand that they affirm how Great We Are and then leave us alone, they'll do that. It's up to us. We rule the world, after all. Literally.

So what will we choose?