U. S. Bishops

The Leadership of the U.S. Bishops

John R. Connolly

Once again, there seems to be some reluctance on the part of the U. S. bishops to fully endorse a directive of Pope Francis. So far, the responses to Francis’ motu proprio, Traditionist Custodes, have been subdued and less than enthusiastic, to say the least. In a statement issued on July 16, Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, encouraged his brother bishops “to work with care, patience, justice, and charity” as these new norms are implemented… and as together we foster a eucharistic renewal of our nation.” In a July 19 statement, Baltimore William E. Lori said that further study of the norms by individual bishops and the USCCB “will help determine how these norms apply here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. In the meantime, the current practice will continue and going forward every effort will be made to meet the pastoral needs of those who frequent Holy Mass in the extraordinary form.” Responding to a request for a comment San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone said, “The Mass is a miracle in any form: Christ comes to us in the flesh under the appearance of bread and wine. Unity in Christ is what matters. Therefore, the traditional Latin Mass will continue to be available here in the Archdiocese of San Francisco and provided to the legitimate needs and desires of the faithful.”

Some bishops are responding to Traditionis Custodes as if they think it gives them carte blanche authority to continue the Pre-Vatican II Latin Mass indefinitely. But this is clearly not the case. Pope Francis specifically states that it is the responsibility of the bishops to lead the faithful who celebrate the Pre-Vatican II Latin Mass to a state of mind and soul where they can move to accept the celebration of the Reformed Vatican II Mass. It is quite clear that Pope Francis’ ultimate goal is the unification of the Latin Rite Church through the universal acceptance of the Vatican II Reformed Mass.

This is not the first time in recent years that the U.S. bishops have been reluctant to accept and follow the leadership of Pope Francis. In their 2020 voting guide document the U.S.
bishops dissented from Pope Francis’ “equally sacred” teaching on abortion and made their own view of the “preeminent priority” of abortion the normative teaching in their document. They also refused to follow the advice of Pope Francis, communicated to them through Cardinal Ladaria’s letter, May 7, 2021, that they slow down their abortion-communion deliberations and consider its disunifying effects. Instead, the majority of the U.S. bishops, with strong opposition from a sizeable minority, voted to continue to pursue their abortion-communion agenda. They rejected the suggestion that they discuss the issues among themselves and try to come to a consensus on the doctrinal issues. The letter also suggested that the U.S. bishops should consider further reflection on their teaching on the “preeminent priority” of abortion by not giving “the impression that abortion and euthanasia alone constitute the only grave matters of Catholic social teaching that demand the fullest accountability on the part of Catholics.”

If some of the leading bishops in the United States can so openly and blatantly disregard the teachings and directives of Pope Francis, the Head of the Catholic Church, the rightful successor of Peter, and the Vicar of Christ on earth, how can they expect that their teachings and directives will have any credibility with Catholics in the United States? A bishop, as the custodian of tradition, is expected to exercise his authority in unity with the pope, and this means walking in the direction outlined by Francis.

August 15, 2021

Church Teaching Supports Nondiscrimination For LGBTQ People

by John Connolly

On August 9, 2021 New Ways Ministry released a document, entitled “A Home for All: A Catholic Call for LGBTQ Non-Discrimination,” that maintains that nondiscrimination for LGBTQ persons is supported by the teaching of the Catholic Church. The document states, “We affirm that Catholic teaching should not be used to further oppress LGBTQ people by denying rights rooted in their inherent human dignity and in the church’s call for social equality.”

Francis De Bernardo, executive director of New Ways Ministry stated, “Our reading of Catholic doctrine says Catholics should be supporting nondiscrimination, and it just seems so clear in all of the documents in the church about human dignity and equality and respect and social justice.” He added that the Catholic position on nondiscrimination includes everyone and, therefore, LGBTQ persons are included. You cannot pick and choose.

The present policy of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has been to lobby against all legislation that protects the personal, civil, legal, and health care rights of LGBTQ people. Strange as it might seem, this is being done in the name of religious freedom.

August 23, 2021