time for an intervention

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Mar 09, 2006

Congressman Jim McGovern is a Massachusetts Democrat who, like every other Catholic in the state's delegation, signed the recent "Statement of Principles" in which Catholic lawmakers explained why they couldn't follow certain unpopular Church teachings.

In a chat with the Worcester Telegram the Congressman announced: “We are committed to making real the basic principles that are at the heart of Catholic social teaching..."

Can he get away with that? Can he (and other Catholic lawmakers) claim that support for the "basic principles" of Catholic social teaching is compatible with support for abortion, same-sex marriage, and fetal experimentation?

Yes, he can, if no one in authority contradicts him.

The Telegram story reports:

Mr. McGovern said he supports abortion rights and the right of same-gender couples to marry. He said he has encountered no local opposition from Catholic officials...

McGovern's district stretches across three different Catholic dioceses. So if it's true that his defiance of Church teaching has prompted "no local opposition," perhaps he should hear from:

Archbishop Sean O'Malley
Archdiocese of Boston
2121 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02135

Bishop George Coleman
Diocese of Fall River
47 Underwood Street, P.O. Box 2577
Fall River, MA 02722

Bishop Robert McManus
Diocese of Worcester
49 Elm Street
Worcester, MA 01609