a definite maybe

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Jun 16, 2006

After months of intensive study, the "McCarrick committee" has delivered a final report to the US bishops.

Back during the 2004 election campaign, the American bishops were troubled by disagreements regarding whether or not pro-abortion Catholic politicians should be denied Communion. The McCarrick committee was asked to devise a policy that could be adopted uniformly by diocesan bishops, thus averting the potential for division and confusion.

So now the committee suggests that each diocesan bishop should decide for himself. Uncle Ted explains that there is "no substitute for the local bishop's pastoral judgment and his vital relationships with Catholic public officials in his own diocese." We're right back where we started.

The McCarrick committee has now been disbanded. Their work will be sorely missed, and their achievement loudly praised, by anyone who recognizes how difficult it is to scratch your head for two years, then finally decide: "Gee, I dunno."