Bishop’s message is divisive, newspaper editorial argues
October 05, 2012
An Illinois newspaper editorial scolds Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield for his statement on the moral responsibilities of Catholic voters. The State Journal-Register disagrees with the bishop’s conclusions, believes that many other Catholics also disagree, and therefore concludes that he must not be speaking with authority:
Poll after poll has shown that lay Catholics nationwide reject their church’s teachings on certain issues, particularly the prohibition against using birth control and gay marriage. Statements like Paprocki’s will only serve to increase that divide.
The logic of the editorial suggests that a Catholic bishop should confine himself to reaffirming majority opinions.
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Further information:
- Our Opinion: Bishop Paprocki's election message will divide (State Journal-Register)
- Bishop Paprocki: voting for candidate who supports intrinsic evils jeopardizes one’s salvation (CWN, 9/28)
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Posted by: -
Oct. 06, 2012 1:40 PM ET USA
"Statements like Paprocki’s will only serve to increase that divide." Bishop Paprocki, continue that great divide. "Catholics" who don't agree can go to the Protestant church down the street.
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
Oct. 06, 2012 1:12 PM ET USA
@Dr. Jazz--I think there's some work in that area, too.
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Oct. 05, 2012 6:01 PM ET USA
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the world. No, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. I came to set sons against their fathers, daughters against their mothers, daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law; your worst enemies will be the members of your own family." Mathew 10:34-36 Christ's Truth is the sword that divides. Bishop Paprocki stands on the side of Truth. May God bless him.
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Oct. 05, 2012 6:00 PM ET USA
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the world. No, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. I came to set sons against their fathers, daughters against their mothers, daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law; your worst enemies will be the members of your own family." Mathew 10:34-36 Christ's Truth is the sword what divides. Bishop Paprocki stands on the side of Truth. May God bless him.
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Posted by: -
Oct. 05, 2012 5:10 PM ET USA
The State Journal-Register has it backwards. The reason poll after poll show many Catholics who reject Church teaching is because the Bishops for too long have NOT been speaking out to Catholics. We need more Bishops speaking out as Bishop Paprocki is now doing, not less. Also besides talk, we need more action from the Bishops, especially against the many high profile Catholics who by their public anti Catholic pronouncements and actions are leading regular Catholics astray. For example a Catholic politician who publically endorses or votes for abortion in defiance of the Church should be publically warned and then denied holy communion if they persist in their pro-abortion actions.
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Posted by: filioque -
Oct. 05, 2012 4:16 PM ET USA
How come it's never the Catholics who dissent from the constant teaching of the Church since the Apostles who are "divisive"?
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Posted by: hrott4832 -
Oct. 05, 2012 3:52 PM ET USA
I went to the Springfield paper and found Bishop Paprocki's reply to what was a derisive letter to the editor. You can find the reply here: http://www.sj-r.com/opinions/x1784777635/Bishop-Paprocki-State-Journal-Register-editorial-twisted-my-words His answer to the accusation is eloquent and charitable and entirely appropriate!
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Posted by: nanajessey2119 -
Oct. 05, 2012 3:09 PM ET USA
God Bless Bishop Paprocki. He is following Christ. I pray for all of the Bishops in this horrible time. Most of them are terrific.
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Posted by: samuel.doucette1787 -
Oct. 05, 2012 2:49 PM ET USA
Bishop Paprocki is just separating the sheep from the goats.
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Posted by: DrJazz -
Oct. 05, 2012 7:56 AM ET USA
Isn't it "divisive" to have more than one candidate on a ballot? Maybe we should avoid that, too.
