JUSIPER

 
American church to pay lip service to human rights

Posted by Sini

So very impressive:

U.S. bishops will vote next month on a political roadmap for Roman Catholics headed into the 2008 presidential election that gives priority to the issue of abortion but also includes opposition to torture and killing noncombatants in war.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will publicly debate and vote on "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" at its fall meeting in Baltimore.

The president of the conference, Bishop William Skylstad, says the bishops are "very committed" to what he says will be "a very good teaching document."

So sometime in August, priests around the country can mention their opposition to torture, so that Catholics can feel good about the idealism their church used to stand for. And the pre-election sermon, particularly in predominantly white congregations, will be about abortion. That way the young priests formed by John Paul II and his successor can follow whatever it is that passes for their hearts.

5:05 AM |