When's the election?

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | May 26, 2004

Catholic doctrines and moral teachings must change, writes Marney Rich Keenan in a Detroit News op-ed, "Because the church can't afford to lose people like me."

Well now. That's a matter of opinion, isn't it? From a different perspective, you might even ask whether the Church can afford to keep people like her.

But the most striking thing about the Keenan column is the title (which, in all fairness, she might not have chosen herself): "When church plays politics, it risks losing many voters."

Voters? The Church isn't looking for votes, but for souls. And if you gain the whole world, but lose your soul... That's the message some Church leaders are now trying to drive home to prominent politicians. And not-so-prominent columnists.