In a recent interview posted on the America Magazine website, Jesuit Ethecist, James Keenan, in response to a question about Amoris Laetitia’s reception among Catholics since its promulgation in April 2016, had this to say:
“One of the things I’ve tried to do is look beyond the United States, because the way our bishops’ conference has received it is not terribly significant. If you look at what the German, Austrian, Italian and French bishops and cardinals have done, to say nothing of the Argentinians and South Africans, you see time and again how robustly these churches have received “Amoris Laetitia.” You see a lot of innovation and acknowledgement that the pope’s summons is challenging but necessary. In the U.S., we can see Cardinal Cupich speaking and writing on“Amoris Laetitia,” and Cardinals Farrell and Tobin as well, and Bishop McElroy has addressed it through his important local synod, but we need to see something more from our other bishops.
When you start looking at what Cardinal Vingt-Trois has to say about it in Paris, what Cardinals Marx and Schönborn and the German bishops conference have done, what the Argentine bishops have done, you are naturally hopeful to see a reception here in the same way.”
Father Keenan’s remarks certainly beg the question: where is the National Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States on the moral and Sacramental implications of Amoris Laetita?
It is clear that, for the most part, the American Bishops are MIA (Missing in Action) on this issue.
With few exceptions, most American Bishops and the Conference as a whole have been strangely silent. Why?
The Bishops have not shown reticence to be vocal about climate change, overindustrialization, immigration and other social issues which have little or nothing to do with the essential mission of the Church to sanctify the world. The Bishops are almost immediate in their responses to issues such as gun control, taxation, medical care as well as other politically charged agendas.
But, when it comes to a question regarding the availability of the Sacraments for couples who find themselves marginalized by their marital circumstances, the Bishops have collectively lost their voices.
Why?
Is it a fear that, in taking sides with Pope Francis, they may be siding with a Pontificate whose impact upon the Church will be short-lived? Are they afraid they may find themselves out of favor with the more traditionally minded hierarchs in the Vatican who may outlive Francis?
On the other hand, why haven’t the American Bishops collectively rejected Amoris Laetitia?
Is a fear that, by doing so, they will alienate those presently in positions of power within the Vatican? Are they fearful that American Catholics have already made up their minds about the issue and whatever the Bishops say will reveal just how irrelevant their moral voices have become?
The Lord Jesus did not mince words when it came to dealing with the Jewish authority and those who clung to positions of influence or power. He insisted that one either accept or reject His teachings. He forcefully condemned who were cleverly and slyly indifferent: “'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth."
There is no question but that, for a host of reasons ranging from the scandals of the sexual abuse of minors to their radical social and ecological agendas, the American Bishops have lost the moral ear of the Catholic faithful.
Their collective silence on the issue of providing Sacramental care to countless Catholics in irregular marital situations only adds another nail to their coffin.
Where are the voices and spirits of those American Bishops whose fearless insights and advocacy for a rapproachment of the Church with the world helped inspire the reforms of Vatican Council II?
Would that such bold leadership would return to the ranks of the American hierarchy for service to the Church and for the greater honor and glory to God!
No comments:
Post a Comment