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TAMPA, Fla. — “Our different faiths come together in the same moral creed,” Paul Ryan said in his acceptance speech as Republican vice-presidential nominee in Tampa, Fla., Aug. 29. Ryan, a Wisconsin congressman who is House Budget Committee chairman, is a Catholic well-versed in Catholic social teaching, having engaged in public conversation on these grounds, most famously in a letter exchange with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
In carving out the common values he and Mitt Romney, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, share, Ryan was underscoring a key message of the Republican convention and presidential ticket. The “Believe” of the Romney campaign is a departure from the first Obama campaign’s “we are the ones we have been waiting for”; instead of a “hope and change” focused on self, it’s a liberation to truly believe in a greater hope than any one president or vote or person. It’s a vote to renew age-old values that sustain family life and the most fundamental liberty, religious liberty, as goods for our national life.
The creed of which he speaks has its roots in almighty God, of course. Rather than a public theological seminar, though, Ryan, along with Romney, speaks to an understanding of ordered liberty in which freedom is to be protected as a gift from God and religious freedom in a particular way. Throughout the week, both candidates and surrogates spoke to the primacy of this freedom and its Divine source.
“Mitt and I also go to different churches,” Ryan said. “But in any church, the best kind of preaching is done by example,” he added. “And I’ve been watching that example. The man who will accept your nomination tomorrow is prayerful and faithful and honorable. Not only a defender of marriage, he offers an example of marriage at its best. Not only a fine businessman, he’s a fine man, worthy of leading this optimistic and good-hearted country.”
“We believe that in every life there is goodness; for every person, there is hope,” Ryan said. “Each one of us was made for a reason, bearing the image and likeness of the Lord of Life.”
If elected, Romney and Ryan would be sworn into office just days before the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision.
Ryan emphasized our moral obligation to the most defenseless: “We have responsibilities, one to another — we do not each face the world alone. And the greatest of all responsibilities is that of the strong to protect the weak. The truest measure of any society is how it treats those who cannot defend or care for themselves.”
Ryan’s speech reached a crescendo when he said: “The founding generation secured those rights for us, and in every generation since, the best among us have defended our freedoms. They are protecting us right now. We honor them and all our veterans, and we thank them.”
“The right that makes all the difference now is the right to choose our own leaders. And you are entitled to the clearest possible choice, because the time for choosing is drawing near.”
In providing contrast between the two presidential tickets, the Republican presidential candidate sought to speak not just to those already inclined to vote for him, but those who voted for Barack Obama four years ago: “I know that many Americans felt a fresh excitement about the possibilities of a new president,” Romney said the following night. He spoke about the optimistic, immigrant spirit of America. “We are a nation of immigrants. We are the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the ones who wanted a better life; the driven ones, the ones who woke up at night hearing that voice telling them that life in that place called America could be better.”
“They came not just in pursuit of the riches of this world, but for the richness of this life,” Romney said. Those included: religious freedom, free speech and politics that would support family life and entrepreneurism.
In his Romney nominating speech, freshman Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida hit on this immigrant theme with an even sharper contrast with Obama. He warned of the current administration's advocacy of “ideas that people come to America to get away from … that threaten to make America more like the rest of the world, instead of helping the world become more like America,” focusing on government policies increasing dependence on the federal government, instead of freeing people from the crippling nature of regulation.
The Obama administration’s current posture toward religious liberty, whereby it is seeking merely to accommodate it, and as mere “freedom of worship,” represents a radical departure from these common values immigrants to this nation have long sought, often escaping theirs.
In an exclusive interview with National Review Online, Cardinal Timothy Dolan told me that he was pleased to hear some of these themes while he was backstage waiting to lead the convention in closing prayer, at the invitation of the Romney campaign.
“I heard a lot of themes that certainly resonated with me as an American, as a Catholic, particularly their nod to freedom of choice in education, freedom of religion, the sanctity of life, a concern for helping the economy — which is the best way to help the poor, who are always a concern for us.” He was appreciative to both Rubio and Romney for acknowledging the importance of immigration to the United States. “I was happy to hear Senator Rubio; I was very moved by his talk,” Cardinal Dolan told me. “His is the immigrant story. That, too, is very close to the heart of Catholics in America.”
Other speakers throughout the condensed three-day convention (on account of Hurricane Isaac, which threatened to hit Tampa), including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, spoke specifically of religious freedom. And in the former Baptist preacher’s remarks, there may have been some political healing.
Back when they were both running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, in a comment and a commercial, Huckabee seemed to use Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith against him. But Huckabee was unapologetic in his defense of his advocacy of Romney and welcoming him as a man of religious faith.
About the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services abortion-inducing drug, sterilization, contraception mandate, Huckabee said: “This isn’t a battle about contraceptives and Catholics, but of conscience and the Creator.”
“The attack on my Catholic brothers and sisters is an attack on me,” he continued.
The HHS mandate is expected to be heralded in primetime by Democratic surrogates, including Georgetown Law activist and “reproductive rights” rock star Sandra Fluke and Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards.
The vast majority of the primetime speeches at the Republican Party assembly were not made to rally the base, but left a door open for those who may share some of the values and sentiments expressed, perhaps most especially disappointment. Some were designed to provide better biographical introduction to Mitt Romney and his family, including to people in the room, who heard compelling, emotional testimony of his service as a lay bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The talk of the convention, the surprise appearance of Clint Eastwood in an ad-libbed comedy routine of sorts, was definitely aimed more at an independent or disappointed Obama voter than anyone in the Republican convention room (though, from my view on the floor, it appeared to be largely warmly received there).
The challenge Romney and Ryan face in the remaining weeks before Election Day is to continue to demonstrate the relative spirit of optimism that permeated the convention week in Tampa on the campaign trail, including in commercials and debates, while making clear contrasts.
As for Catholics and Cardinal Dolan’s prayerful presence, providing the closing prayer at both conventions, he tells me: “Please don’t be confused. Please know that simply to pray with somebody, simply to have a meal with somebody, simply to be friendly to somebody doesn’t mean that we are endorsing them or agreeing with them.”
It seems hard to be confused when the Archdiocese of New York, which the cardinal shepherds, is suing the president’s administration over the HHS mandate, a policy that includes mandatory coverage and participation in the intrinsic evil of abortion. Applying the prayerful test the cardinal applies to decisions like whether or not to pray at the conventions is an aid to the discerning voter: “My prayer is very pragmatic. I have one single thing in mind, and that is: the honor and glory of God, the service of Jesus in his Church, the salvation of souls. Everything I do, I ask: Is this or is this not going to advance the Kingdom? Is this or is this not going to bring people closer to God? Is this or is this not going to serve the cause of Jesus in his Church? That’s my only drive. And that’s the only rule that I have in trying to make these decisions.”
Kathryn Jean Lopez is editor-at-large of National Review Online.
She blogs at K-Lo at Large at Patheos.com.
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What a whole lot of nice words ... yet empty of truth! This article shows the gullibility of the Catholics who do not truly understand the process and the corruption that runs deep in both these parties. This nation will know no peace and prosperity until all of its citizens are being treated with dignity and truth. That will not be the case under Romney nor Obama. The two parties are two faces of the same evil. People need to wake up, smell the sulfur, and start working for a renewal of this great nation that was founded by its Founding Fathers who ran away from such tyranny!
Learn some history folks, and you’ll see why and where we are headed.
George Washington cautioned against political parties because of how corrupt they can get and because they can end up usurping power and eventually NOT representing the people of the nation:
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Farewell Address, Sep. 17, 1796
However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.
Here’s my question, as much as I love Christ’s Church, I do not remember Jesus ever helping the disciples make political decisions and here lies the crux of it all - EWTN’s own newspaper, the Catholic Register is endorsing the Romney/Ryan ticket. I wonder why. Stop supporting and making people think they’re doing the right thing if they vote the way you tell them to because people have their own mind to make this personal and difficult decision.
Ron Paul’s delegates who represented the majority of Iowans, Nevadans, Minnesotans .. and others (to list a few) were sabotaged ... and silenced on the floor of the RNC. Of course that was edited out of the video you all were watching. Mitt Romney cheated his way through and silenced his powerful opponent who brings fear to most, because he represents what is true and good - and that is Dr. Ron Paul. Shame on all of Catholics, including P. Ryan for selling out to the establishment and continuing sailing this ship deeper and deeper into hell. What will our children think of us when they inherit life in hell? What will the Catholic authorities tell them then?
@RestoreAmerica
Dear sir or madam, yes, you are perfectly correct that political parties have the potential to become corrupt. You are correct that George Washington himself did not advocate the creation of political parties. But as it is, here and now, we do have two major political parties whether we like it or not. And whether we like it or not, it is now between Obama/Biden and Romney/Ryan. I personally cannot vote (I am a Junior in high school), but I assure you that if I could I would be voting against Obama and for Romney.
This is not a difficult decision. We currently have a president who is destroying free enterprise, supporting socialism, and undermining the traditional values of the sanctity of all human life and marriage. On the other hand, we have a candidate who promises to protect these traditional values and restore the American dream. A promise without a guarantee, sure, but it will be better than another four years with a president who is weakening and destroying our country. Whether or not Ron Paul “should” have been the nominee, what is, is.
I also do not believe that Ryan “sold out to the establishment” as you say. If you’ll look at Catholic doctrine, it can be seen that the laity are encouraged, nay, obligated to live the Gospel in the public sphere. To be “salt and light” as it were. I understand your frustration; Romney would not have been my first choice either. But right now, we need to focus on what we can do in the here and now to better this country, and right now, a vote for a third-party candidate is tantamount to voting for another four years of assaults on the God-given rights of all people, under President Obama.
Paul Ryan does not appear to be living the Catholic faith he proclaims. His Republican National Convention speech was loaded with one lie after another, so apparently he has no regard for the 7th Commandment, prohibiting lying.
I too grow weary of the Church (Catholic and Protestant) telling their members how to vote…implicitly or explicitly.
“Our different faiths come together in the same moral creed,” Paul Ryan said. That’s fine but who’s morals? I wonder if Christ would favor tax breaks for the rich?
Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
James 5:1-6 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.
Matthew 19:21-26 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
you call yourself ‘restore America’ and then go on to distort the truth. No true Catholic can vote for Obama because he is advocating for the ongoing extermination of human babies in the wombs of their mothers AND after birth. No human being and no political party is perfect so we have to weigh the choices carefully. No one is telling another who to vote for but, according to the teachings of the Catholic Church, one may not vote for someone who stands against the teachings of the Church on abortion or homosexual marriage. Obama and his people will do all they can, with the help of their chosen dissident ‘Catholics’ like Pelosi, Biden, Sebelius, etc, to destroy our freedoms, starting with freedom of religion. That is the platform of the Democratic party only they call it ‘freedom of choice’ - how noble that sounds but what it means is that a woman gets to choose whether her unborn baby has the right to live or die. What about the baby’s choice? We have exterminated generations of human beings and we will go on exterminating more if Obama and his people get 4 more years. I worked with Mother Teresa in India and she always said that a nation that kills its young will not, cannot survive and added: “If we kill the baby in the womb, what will we not do?” We can survive a bad economy and decisions about whether or not we must provide contraceptives to women but we will not survive this ongoing slaughter of human babies - and if anyone believes that having her unborn baby’s life terminated is good for the mother, they are tragically mistaken. It certainly is not good for the baby who tries to pull back from the abortionist’s knife as it comes near to dismember its tiny body and suck the pieces out of the mother’s womb. This has been shown on video…so everyone is free to vote for their choice but please make sure you are fully informed before going into the voting booth. Some issues can wait but once a baby’s life is terminated, there is no hope. I pray that all will understand this and make the choice to let the baby live and to stop the killing.
@RestoreAmerica
Sorry, your candidate did not win. I know this makes you sad and rude and blame others and make up conspiracy theories and call the winner names and call the bishops names and call Catholics names.
The fact is your guy didn’t get the votes - period. He wasn’t even close.
So now, insult as many people as possible rather than take some of that personal responsibility you talk about.
Dear Restore America, I have questionable doubts regarding people who write under a pseudonym, if you believe as you say you do…shouldn’t you be courageous enough to use your “given” name? Next question: are you a Catholic or just another person who wants to put forth their own “spin” on what a Catholic believes?
I understand your angst regarding Ron Paul not receiving the delegates he fought for…however I do remember him saying that “they weren’t his delegates to give to someone, that was up to the individuals, he didn’t “own” them”. Besides he would not have had enough to win the nomination in either case, but if it makes you feel better to say differently, you are entitled to do so.
I do not feel any “shame” in supporting a RomneyRyan ticket…far from it! I believe that we need to end the error that occurred at the last election. I also feel quite good about supporting someone who believes in “traditional” marriage (and practices the same!)and the sanctity of life (big difference from the current President!).
I believe that your tirade (which is exactly what it was) was truly inappropriate in this particular venue. But there again it is America and we All have the right under the Constitution to freedom of speech.
I’ll be praying for you and everyone during this election, our country needs our prayers!
My only comment here will be directed toward Restore America’s last paragraph. I live in Iowa, and Ron Paul did not receive the majority of votes in the Iowa caucus. It is a bold face lie to say that the delegates at the RNC represented the majority of Iowans. Ron Paul’s delegates took over the individual conventions to stack the delegates at the RNC convention in his favor. If you want to talk about truth, then tell this truth as well. Ron Paul supporters play politics as much as any other candidate, if not more so in this case.
RestoreAmerica reminds us that the Know-Nothing Party is still a piece of the political party spectrum. I shake in my boots to understand that this party is where we are clearly heading based on the prophetic words of RestoreAmerica. I was not truly aware that R. Paul is a Know-Nothingness?
Restore America’s whole lot of unhelpful words is no improvement. His/her words are neither nice nor helpful. Their purpose clearly seems to be suppression of voting, which is of course in violation of Section 2240 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Is the writer in effect promoting Ron Paul who should be supporting Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan or is it the writer’s snarky effort to prompt and facilitate Obama’s reelection? For shame. Romney has better “Catholic” creds than the writer.
Catholics and all people of good will have an obligation to discern and then vote for those who will do the least harm.
Another obvious observation. All are sinners. Original Sin affects all. In his push to sacrifice the good/better/best to a hopeless quest for the perfect plays into the Devil’s hands. “Restore America” should change his handle to something more fitting - Weltschmerz, perhaps? Consider how fitting this is, especially the last word of the quote from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weltschmerz: “The modern meaning of Weltschmerz in the German language is the psychological pain caused by sadness that can occur when realizing that someone’s own weaknesses are caused by the inappropriateness and cruelty of the world and (physical and social) circumstances. Weltschmerz in this meaning can cause depression, resignation and escapism, and can become a mental problem (compare to Hikikomori). The modern meaning should also be compared with the concept of anomie, or a kind of alienation, that Émile Durkheim wrote about in his sociological treatise Suicide.”
Restore America seems to prefer apathetic suicide to healing and living.
Catholic hospitals and other Catholic organizations will have to either close or become secular as a result Obamacare’s requirement that they pay for abortifacients and other things that are against Catholic teaching.
Paul Ryan was rated 100% by the National Right-To-Life Committee, and he’s pro-traditional marriage. Romney’s much better than Obama and Biden on these 2 important Catholic social issues, as well.
It’s utterly false to claim that Paul Ryan is “well-versed in Catholic social teaching”. Most famously, his budget proposal, which Ryan claimed was based in his understanding of Catholic doctrine, was deemed immoral by the USCCB. Ryan, through his actions, has proven to be ignorant of Catholic social teaching as well as his own party’s desire to take $700 million from Medicare while decrying the same plan by Obama, his opposition to the SImpson-Bowles plan while decrying the same opposition from Obama, and his own marathon times.
Obama’s hostility to human dignity and to religious freedom are well-known and make him kryptonite for Catholic voters. But, that should not be mistaken for a consistency between Republican doctrine and Catholic doctrine.
The Republican candidates for President and Vice President are the lesser of two evils. That’s not the same as good. We need to hold Republican office-seekers as responsible to respect human dignity as we hold Democrat office-seekrs.
Only twice in 85 years have I worried about whether the nation our founders willed to us could remain a viable entity. The first was when Obama was elected to fulfill two prophecies. After losing the election in 1936, Norman Thomas said that socialists would take over our nation without firing a shot. The Stigmatic Padre Pio said our nation would be taken over, but that it would only be for a short time. I pray to God that he meant only four years, If he is reelected religious freedom and the First Amendment will be lost, and our nation will wind up on the scrap heaps of history, and the American dream will have been only a nightmare. God help us if that happens.
Gsburch. For your information and opportunity to speak through your actions instead of mere words co-opting Matthew 19:21-26 to your partisan political ends, please go out right away, sell all you have, give the proceeds to the poor. When you’ve done that, come on back and slander Paul Ryan and the GOP.
Senior Moment. Perhaps you could give evidence to prove your assertion that Paul Ryan lied at the convention. For each alleged lie, state the lie and then the proof that it was a lie. One truth for sure is that the Democrats in power are experts at accusing others of doing that which they themselves have perfected. Lying is but one example of that.
Those with any sense and sincere love for God and country need to pray for our Church and our country asking God to protect them from all enemies, within and without. As for your liberal/socialistic heroes, ponder the following:
Todd Akin running for election in Missouri used un-artful words to distinguish a belated claim of “I was raped!” by referring to an act of genuine rape as “legitimate rape.” Akin wasn’t in any way saying that the crime of rape is ever “legitimate.”
In the Illinois Senate, Barack Obama used plain clear language “Aye,” when he voted in favor of legalizing the killing of a baby who survives an abortion. Obama was in effect saying that killing such a child is “legitimate murder.”
The left and the media crucify and slander Akin’s un-artful words while supporting Obama’s unambiguous “Yes” to killing innocent children.
Rather than Democrat ads falsely accusing Paul Ryan of pushing grandma over a cliff, there should be ads showing Obama pushing the scissors into the skull of a baby who survives an abortion.
Another ad could show 15 bureaucrats appointed to administer Obamacare refusing medical treatment for grandma, thus pushing her over the cliff.
How about an ad about Obama taking $718,000,000,000.00 out of Medicare to fund Obamacare? As Obama is pictured shoving grandma over the cliff, he says, “Sorry grandma, but my ‘legacy’ is more precious than your life.”
Romey and Ryan and two strong men, with strong family values that hold deep respect for America and it’s freedom. They are worthy of the White House and will be there after these elections. R&R for the WIN!!!!
Karl LaFong might have some credibility if he were to actually read the encyclicals instead of simply drinking the “social justice” Kool Aid served up by Democrat liberals/socialists and their USCCB lap dogs.
There is a stark difference between the “parallel magisterium” of the USCCB and faithful Catholics like Rep. Ryan. Bishop Blaire, the USCCB and its bureaucrats subordinate Church teaching to their left-wing political ideology. Paul Ryan accepts and applies Church teaching with humble assent, subordinating his ideology to the enduring truths of Church teaching.
For a faithful balanced explanation of Catholic social justice teaching read Father Robert A. Sirico’s article, “Catholicism’s Developing Social Teaching” at http://www.lewissociety.org/teaching.php which also reveals how in the early 1900’s the “USCCB” became a willing collaborator/dupe of America’s “progressive”/socialist movement embodied in the Democrat Patty. They still are.
With stubborn persistence, the adherents of the ongoing prideful heresy of Americanism ignore, spin and misapply Magisterial teachings to advance their big government agenda, while hypocritically judging the work of orthodox Catholics like Ryan to be “unjust and immoral”
In 1984 Cardinal Ratzinger discussed the potential dangers in the rise of national bishops’ conferences, warning that they were vulnerable to manipulation through their “democratic” processes, too easily commandeered by factions with limited sociopolitical and/or flawed ecclesiological agendas.
Sirico’s conclusion: “Both Rerum Novarum and Centesimus Annus are worthy of celebration by those who believe that individual liberty offers the best hope for the common good; and they are worthy of study by religious collectivists who mistakenly believe that religion in general, and Christianity in particular, ought to opt for socialism.” For example, read Rerum Novarum #8, Centesimus Annus #48 plus CCC #1885.
Centesimus Annus agrees with Rep. Ryan as it expresses repeated concern for observing the principle of subsidiarity and warns against the effects of intervention on both the economic prosperity of a nation and the dignity and rights of each person.
“The enemy of freedom is not always foreign and external.”
IMPOSSIBLE,
As a Catholic I’m offended by your characterization of my church’s leaders as “lapdogs”.
Your notion of Ryan’s humble application of Catholic teaching and subordination of his own half-baked ideology is completely false.
As the bishops noted, Ryan’s budget is immoral and is the opposite of Catholic teaching. For example, Ryan’s budget addresses subsidiarity by cutting block grant programs which are actually consistent with the principle of subsidiarity. And Ryan’s proposal completely fails to conform to the balancing Catholic principle of solidarity.
Sept. 5th: Karl La Fong….please tell the whole truth which is that SOME Catholic Bishops noted that Ryan’s budget is immoral…others replied that those Bishops were wrong…Ryan does not believe that people are helped by keeping them permanently on welfare…the human person, according to Pope John Paul and Catholic teaching, needs to develop his potential through work and study and prayer and understanding of Catholic teaching, through the Sacraments, etc…we are to help each other not depend on the Government…the Government can step in if it is essential but should not be the prime provider…SOME Bishops noted that there is perhaps nothing wrong with same sex marriage, SOME Bishops do not take a strong stand in defense of the unborn and their mothers - SOME Bishops sent know child abuser Priests to go to other parishes…don’t pick and choose what you want to hear…Paul Ryan - unlike Joe Biden - is a faithful Catholic who meets with his Pastor often to talk things over…Biden is a rabid pro-abortion guy and is for same-sex marriage - please pray for the gift of understanding and discernment…
IMPOSSIBLE, I’ve told no lies. Figures you’d switch from name-calling to false accusations. The bishops who wrote the letters spoke on behalf of the entire USCCB. No bishops have contested the USCCB’s conclusion that Ryan’s budget is immoral. There’s no argument from the USCCB that that people are helped by keeping them permanently on welfare – that’s a strawman of your creation. I don’t know the quality of Paul Ryan’s faith. That is solely a matter between he and his confessor. I do know the leaders of my church have deemed his proposal immoral and contrary to Catholic doctrine on several counts.
Karl LeFong. Ryan’s Bishop disagrees with you and with the USCCB. Read the following and then copy us on your letter to Bishop Morlino if you choose to instruct him and call him a liar too.
Subsidiarity, Solidarity, and the Lay Mission
by Bishop Robert C. Morlino
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=10026
IMPOSSIBLE, Again with the false charges. I’ve called no one a liar. I leave the name-calling and glass house stone throwing exclusively to you. Your notes here are every bit as mean-spirited and contrary to Catholic belief as Ryan’s budget proposal. Ryan’s bishop does disagree with the USCCB on the role of bishops. I leave that to Ryan’s bishop and his national organization to sort out. I will continue to be guided by the USCCB absent a higher authority in the Catholic church instructing otherwise. Interesting that, while Ryan’s bishop makes a blanket defense of Ryan’s work as informed by Catholic values he does so not on the merits but as he is forced to do so: “But, as I’ve said, Vice Presidential Candidate Ryan is aware of Catholic Social Teaching and is very careful to fashion and form his conclusions in accord with the principles mentioned above. Of that I have no doubt. (I mention this matter in obedience to Church Law regarding one’s right to a good reputation.)”
Mr. LeFong. Here are some other bishops who disagree with the USCCB’s treatment of Ryan and his budget: Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing criticized the committee’s opposition to the budget plan put forward by Congressman Paul Ryan. “There have been some concerns raised by lay Catholics, especially some Catholic economists, about what was perceived as a partisan action against Congressman Ryan and the budget he had proposed,” Bishop Boyea said in reference to the USCCB committee’s opposition to the House budget plan. “We need to be articulate only in principles, and let the laity make these applications … It was perceived as partisan, and thus didn’t really further dialogue in our deeply divided country.”
[NB:] “I’m not sure that we have the humility yet not to stray into areas where we lack competence, and where we need to let the laity take the lead,” he added. “We need to learn far more than we need to teach in this area. We need to listen more than we need to speak. We already have an excellent, fine Compendium [on the Social Doctrine of the Church].”
Following his remarks, Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit called upon the committee to place greater emphasis on the “disintegration of the family” as a factor in the breakdown of the economy. Echoing Bishop Boyea’s comments, Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City said that the committee is “at times perceived as partisan” and needs to consider the principle of subsidiarity, which has been “neglected in past documents.” Archbishop Naumann added that solutions that place emphasis in enrolling people in government programs have been “tried for decades” and failed. “We need to talk about the debt and the real seriousness of that debt,” he continued. “Sometimes we’re perceived as just encouraging the government to spend more money with no realistic way of how we’re going to afford to do this.”
SOURCE: Bp. Boyea (D. Lansing) skeptical about need for USCCB document on U.S. economy
Posted on 14 June 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2012/06/bp-boyea-d-lansing-skeptical-about-need-for-usccb-document-on-u-s-economy/
Strength and the fact that they are a “better choice” than the current state of affairs isn’t the point here. We are still settling for the “lesser evil” which in the end is evil. That was my initial point when I commented. To all who think that I am not a pro-life Catholic, I must disappoint you - I am against both Obama and Romney because they are NOT 100% pro-life!
See this latest article:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/mitt-romney-holds-fundraiser-with-manufacturer-of-the-morning-after-pill
This should make people think carefully before the settle .. if all of the American Catholics were truly conscientious, they would stand up to the current bi-partisan establishment and let them know exactly how tired we are of their constant power-grabbing games and charades. It is destroying our country. Just study some world history and see how the fall of great nations and empires came about ... and you’ll know what we’re dealing with here and right now.
IMPOSSIBLE, You’re just spinning your wheels. My point stands - No bishops have contested the USCCB’s conclusion that Ryan’s budget is immoral.
Karl LaFong…you need help, serious help.
IMPOSSIBLE, Now you switch to the ad hominem fallacy. Not surprising. The fact that I certainly do need help, serious help, has no bearing on the veracity of my comments. The bishops you cite have their differences with the USCCB. But none of those bishops have taken issue with the substance of the USCCB’s determination that Ryan’s budget proposal is immoral.
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