Divisive U.S. Conservative Catholics: A Loud Minority
Posted by Cesar Baldelomar on September 25, 2009
As a struggling Catholic, the uproar and division caused by conservative US Catholic groups, with the blessing and help of conservative bishops, has not helped me on my journey to attempt to follow Jesus’ teachings within the Catholic tradition. The motive of these groups and individuals, it seems, is to force their understanding of Catholicism on others.
Conservative Catholics seem to share several common beliefs, such as:
• the current free market is the best economic system
• the death penalty is morally acceptable
• Catholicism should exclude individuals and groups who disagree with any one of the pope’s “infallible” teachings
• sexual morality (i.e., use of contraception and marriage) is a crucial factor in determining one’s orthodoxy
• abortion trumps all other issues, including war, environmental destruction, and poverty. (I never understood this assumption. After all, all one has to do is consider the following simple equation: No Earth – due to environmental destruction or nuclear annihilation – equals no humans, which in turn negates caring about abortion or any other issue).
As a result of these conservative ideals, many conservative US Catholics identify themselves strongly with the Republican Party. This is not a problem. The issue is when these conservative US Catholics force all others to align themselves with neo-liberal economic policies and conservative social stances under the umbrella of orthodox Catholicism. Jesus did not advocate war, or lassie-faire economics that disregard the plight of the poor, or exclusion of any group, be they prostitutes, slaves and criminals.
Yet, this does not keep militantly conservative US Catholics from continuing to be vociferous in advocating and forcing upon others their vision of orthodox Catholicism. And, unfortunately, since the public tends to heed those who are loud and dramatic, many may mistakenly assume that these individuals represent Jesus and Catholic social teaching. Catholicism and Catholic social teaching, however, are far richer and deeper than identification with any political party or ideology.
Three examples of US conservative Catholic groups causing chasms are: 1) the Obama/Notre Dame controversy; 2) conservative commentator and John Paul II biographer George Weigel’s hubristic response to Pope Benedict XVI’s latest social encyclical; and 3) the response by some to late Senator Kennedy’s Catholic funeral.
Earlier in the year, the University of Notre Dame invited President Obama to be its commence-ment speaker and honorary degree recipient – continuing its tradition of inviting US presidents. As soon as the news broke, however, conservative Catholic groups (such as the Cardinal New-man Society) and bishops (like Archbishop John Nienstedt) all throughout the US called for Notre Dame to rescind its invitation, citing Obama’s pro-abortion stance as morally contrary to Catholic teaching. This reaction was the climax of a smear campaign of Obama begun by several US bishops and Catholic organizations after his resounding November victory. Several US Catholic bishops voiced their preference for McCain during the campaign, and several went as far as saying that an Obama supporter’s soul is in danger. Since the majority of US Catholic voters favored Obama during the presidential election, the majority also supported Notre Dame’s decision to invite the president.
Then, in July, following the release of Pope Benedict’s social encyclical Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth), conservative US Catholic commentator George Weigel released an essay titled “Caritas in Veritate in Gold and Red: The revenge of Justice and Peace (or so they may think)”, wherein he accuses Benedict of crafting an incoherent encyclical that Weigel claims contradicts the conservative John Paul II’s stance on economic justice. He suggests, as the title demonstrates, that one could read the encyclical and cross out with a red pen the parts crafted by the Catholic church’s Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace while highlighting in gold those parts written by Benedict. Essentially, according to Weigel, one should disregard those parts advocating economic justice for the poor and oppressed as Justice and Peace fodder. Shocking even some US conservative Catholics was Weigel’s arrogant conclusion that “Benedict XVI, a truly gentle soul, may have thought it necessary to include in his encyclical these multiple [economic justice] off-notes, in order to maintain the peace within the curial household.” Pope Benedict’s criticism of capitalism shocks many conservatives, so Weigel was simply articulating the fears of many US conservative Catholics that their beloved institution may not approve of their economic ideology.
Finally, in August Sen. Edward Kennedy’s Catholic funeral brought condemnation from several conservative US Catholic groups. For instance, C.J. Doyle of Catholic Action League of Massachusetts accused the US Catholic Church of succumbing to cultural pressures for giving Kennedy a broadcasted Catholic funeral. Doyle argued that Sen. Kennedy’s support of abortion and gay marriage made him a false and bad Catholic. Again, hear we see the conservative focus on sexual morality in determining one’s orthodoxy or relationship to God. Cardinal Sean O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston passionately defended his decision to participate in Kennedy’s funeral mass. Further, he warned that being divisive will “do irreparable damage to the communion of the Church.”
Fortunately, these militant conservative groups represent a minority – albeit a vocal minority – in the US Catholic Church and certainly in the worldwide Catholic Church, which mainly consists of Latin Americans, Asians, and Africans. These divisive groups only alienate those of us who do not understand the Catholic church to be a pawn of the Republican party and its ideals. Maybe they should ask themselves an important question, namely “What would Jesus do?”
César J. Baldelomar is a graduate student at Harvard Divinity School. He is also the executive director of Pax Romana Center for International Study of Catholic Social Teaching. You can visit Cesar at his website (www.cesarjb.org) and read his blogs at www.holisticthoughts.com
T. Ambrose Nazianzus said
I don’t think you make a clear distinction between “conservative” Catholics, and “Republican Conservative Catholics.” I do find RCC’s tedious. However, you seem to lump both of them together into the same boat, which strikes me as unfair, especially in regards to George Weigel’s incoherent commentary on Deus Caritas Est. I consider myself a “conservative” Catholic (what does that mean, btw, when its not attached to the Republicanism you speak against here?) and I found Weigel’s remarks to be nonsensical (as did many other “conservative” Catholics).
I think half the problem with the extreme right, and the extreme left, is that both sides construct characterizations of the other side in their own head, and write their blog posts, or whatnot, against this characterization (regardless as to whether that characterization exists, or whether we fail to notice that we are turning our subjective experience into a object form). But, that is off topic.
avelino4 said
First we need to distinguish Conservative Catholics from extreme right-wing Catholics. The extreme right-wing Catholics (often hold racist, Nazi, and other heretical views) are fall as far outside Orthodoxy as the progressive Catholics.
Conservative/Orthodox Catholics are actually full of love and actually have similar goals to progressive Catholics. I’ll use myself as an example. Just like progressive Catholics, I also want to feed the hungry, end poverty, give medical care to all. However, I truly feel the way Progressive Catholics try to reach these goals is counterproductive and actually harmful. Progressives want to simply “clean the outside of the bowl”, I want to “Clean the inside of the bowl so that the outside may also be clean.”
The simple truth is that if you want to know what a Conservative Catholic believes you can find it in the Catechism. It is the Progressives and extreme right-wing Catholics that fall outside the norm.
You believe “Conservative Catholics seem to share several common beliefs”. Let’s look at each example you give and I will explain why I disagree.
• You claim that Conservative Catholics believe the current free market is the best economic system.
The truth is that it is the best available and needs to be improved. Perhaps one day there will be a better system. Even Karl Marx believed that in order to get to his Utopian ideal of Communism, Capitalism had to run its course. In the mean time, we have no other choice, as communism, socialism, and Nazism, are proven failures.
• You claim that Conservative Catholics believe the death penalty is morally acceptable
This is just simply untrue. Check the Catechism.
• You claim that Conservative Catholics believe Catholicism should exclude individuals and groups who disagree with any one of the pope’s “infallible” teachings.
Here you are wrong again. A Catholic who embraces a position that contradicts any infallible Church teaching excommunicates themselves under canon 1364. In other words, they exclude themselves. We just don’t want people who have excommunicated themselves to act as if they are in full communion with the Church. This is harmful to themselves as well as to others. By the way, excommunication is not for punishment, but rather to help the person become a better Christian.
• You claim that Conservative Catholics believe sexual morality (i.e., use of contraception and marriage) is a crucial factor in determining one’s orthodoxy
Here you are partially correct. What you fail to understand is sexual morality violates the two “Greatest Commandments.” If you can’t understand this principle, then of course it will seem silly. We all fall short of the goal but we should never openly promote a sin as if it were acceptable behavior.
• You claim that Conservative Catholics believe abortion trumps all other issues, etc.
We do believe the other issues are also important. However, we have certain non-negotiable issues. If a political candidate is pro-abortion, racist, anti-religion or communist (for example), I am not interested in anything else he has to say.
You say: “Jesus did not advocate war, or lassie-faire economics that disregard the plight of the poor, or exclusion of any group, be they prostitutes, slaves and criminals.”
Me: Jesus did not advocate war but he did say that we would have wars. As for “lassie-faire economics that disregard the plight of the poor, or exclusion of any group, be they prostitutes, slaves and criminals” well this is an absurd argument for the simple reason that nobody wants lassie-faire economics and I am surprised you do not know this. Lassie-faire economics does not work. What is necessary is as little gov’t intervention as possible. Furthermore, nobody Conservative Catholic wants policies that “disregard the plight of the poor, or exclusion of any group, be they prostitutes, slaves and criminals.” In fact, our big problem with progressives is that they unwittingly promote policies that perpetuate the plight of these groups.
While I disagree with your opinions, I would never accuse you of wishing harm to others. I can tell you are sincere about helping others. However, I wish you would extend me the same courtesy. While my views may be different than yours, my motivation is also the well being of all people from all walks of life.
onemorething08 said
I was going to point out your characture of “conservative Catholics,” but find that I have nothing to add to the previous comments. Well said.
mrissman said
Do all Catholics have a right to speak up or only liberal Catholics?
mrissman said
Most conservative Catholics are simply holding on to the orthodoxy that has existed for 2000 years. Only in the last 50 years have Catholics decided that they would flow with the world and go against the beliefs and traditions that have stood for 2000 years. It is progressive and liberal Catholics who have moved away from what was commonly believed and trusted.
The truth is and always has been that the church grows as long as it is faithful (remember the story of Israel?) It will dissipate or be overrun as it conforms to the world and continues down an unfaithful path.
If there is no power in the church, then the church has forgotten the power in Jesus Christ. Where Jesus Christ is proclaimed, the power grows and the body of Christ flourishes.
Many say that there are now more Christians in communist China than in the U.S.. This is happening in the midst of persecution. Just in the small country of Mozambique there have been 5000 churches planted. How many churches are being planted in Europe and the U.S. and especially telling, how many are Catholic churches?
Lacey Louwagie said
I can understand the defensiveness that comes with singling out “conservative Catholics,” but I also feel your frustration, Cesar. Essentially, regardless of what’s really happening amongst Catholics, it’s the most conservative and extreme voices that get the megaphone again and again. I read nothing but commentary against Notre Dame’s decision for *months* in my local diocesan newspaper. Obviously, those who made the decision (and stood by it) at Notre Dame were also Catholics — and yet, there was the implication again and again that something about their Catholicism was somehow “wrong.” Obama was very respectful of the pro-life position, and while I don’t expect all Catholics to agree with Obama’s stance on abortion, I think he should be afforded the same respect.
optimusmastro said
Ummm,..most curious. Isn’t Catholicism an objective faith? If it is, then why do we end up with labels, such as ‘conservative’ or ‘liberal.’ I’m just Catholic period. If I disagree with a church teaching, I am free to leave, not hang around and attempt to reform it into something it is not.
http://www.prime1-marco.blogspot.com
Cesar Baldelomar said
The contradiction in your sentence is clear: “objective faith.” What is objective does not require faith. And, it is possible to reform Church teaching. It has happened before, and it will happen again! The Church is subject to time, just like all institutions.