SC diocesan administrator issues letter on Father Newman controversy

November 21, 2008

In a letter dated Tuesday and published yesterday, Msgr. Martin T. Laughlin, administrator of the Diocese of Charleston, has made additional comments following his repudiation of Father Jay Scott Newman’s November 9 parish bulletin remarks in which the latter said that voters who supported pro-abortion candidates must repent before receiving Holy Communion.

‘I urge you as pastors to instruct your congregations on how to form a good and true conscience, how to correct an erroneous conscience, and above all, what is conscience. I am sure you will consult with the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1776-1802), and good moral theologians. It is important that we teach according to the Magisterium and mind of the Church Universal,’ he said. Saying he had the obligation ‘to protect the church from any semblance of partisan politics and focus on the objective teachings of the church, though admittedly moral issues often have a political dimension,’ Msgr. Laughlin urged priests not to make ‘the recent furor over voting and communion an internal partisan issue will only result in the church being a less credible witness to Christ and the unity we profess.’

‘While I wish to acknowledge and thank the priests for their dedicated ministry in serving God’s people, I remind them that in order to do so, we must stand in communion with the faith,’ he added. ‘If we are divided, we cannot effectively fulfill our ministry. As we work to reconcile the people to God, we must do the same for each other.’

 

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Further information:

• Administrator urges priests to teach about conscience (Catholic Miscellany)
• South Carolina diocese repudiates priest's remarks; parishioners show support (CWN, Nov. 17)