HOW LONG, O LORD?

In my own neck of the woods, Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger attracted national attention recently when he suggested “canonical penalties” for Catholics involved in separating children from families at the border.

At the spring meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Weisenburger suggested punishments under Church law, such as denying Communion, to Catholics who carry out that portion of the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy for border enforcement.

Under the law, executed by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Border Patrol Officers, children and parents who cross the border illegally, as well as some seeking asylum, may be separated from each other.

The practice was denounced by many of the Bishops, many of whom stood curiously on the sidelines and silent when the very same practice was initiated and continued throughout the years of the Obama Administration.

Another indication that the USCCB is more Democratic in its leanings than Catholic.

“Even though what I am saying may be risky or dangerous, I think it’s important to point out that canonical penalties are there in place to heal — first and foremost to heal,” the Bishop said. “And therefore for the salvation of these people’s souls, maybe it’s time for us to look at canonical penalties.”

Well, Bishop Weisenburger, your statements are neither risky nor dangerous, they are politically partisan, and as often the case when it comes to debates within the USCCB, clueless and hypocritical.

You are readily prepared, anxious almost, to canonically sanction Border Patrol Officers duly carrying out their sworn obligations,  you and your Confrers are eager to deprive them of the Sacraments of the Church, but for years have avoided even the slightest mention of such penalties for politicians who support and legislate a permanent separation of a child from its mother permanently through the gruesome and horrific act of abortion.

Where has your moral outrage been all these years when it comes to sanctioning those who would seek to legally undermine the protection of children and life itself.

Sanction Border Patrol Officers, but do nothing to the politicians and advocates who permit the unjust taking of innocent life within the womb!

Ludicrous.

Good grief, Bishop Weisenburger’s own Episcopal Vicar for Hispanic Affairs, the Reverend Paul Trevizo, speaking on behalf of the Bishop and the Diocese of Tucson, stated: “The relationship between mother and child is sacred to us.  If you destroy that and that doesn’t mean anything, what does?”

What will history record about this time within the Church?

As expected, following his remarks to the USCCB, Bishop Weisenburger was nowhere to be found.

It is upsetting and a bit depressing to witness how such Bishops and the USCCB repeatedly embarrass themselves and the Church in their hypocrisy, arrogance and unabashedly partisan politics.

How long, O Lord?