Document challenges Catholic politicians

MILWAUKEE -- A new Vatican document reminds Catholic politicians of their "grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life." But the document's impact may hinge on whether church leaders can effectively articulate this message to lawmakers, said one Catholic political observer.

Issued Jan. 16 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the 18-page "Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life" was approved by Pope John Paul II.

John Huebscher, executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, said adherence to the document will rest partly on "how it's articulated and the extent to which politicians are made aware of it and reflect upon it."

Huebscher observed that bishops have rarely publicly chastised individual Catholic politicians. Rather, bishops generally seem to discuss sensitive issues privately. He recalled that in 1998, the U.S. bishops issued a statement, "Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics," in which they challenged all Catholics to be accountable in battling abortion, infanticide and euthanasia.

That statement, prepared by the bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities, was specifically aimed at Catholics in public office. While the statement stopped short of suggesting Catholic officeholders be sanctioned by the church for supporting laws and policies that "depart from church teaching on the inviolability of human life,'' it said that bishops, "as chief teachers in the church,'' must "explain, persuade, correct and admonish and do whatever else may be pastorally required in regard to elected leaders who contradict the Gospel of life through their actions and policies.''

"The U.S. bishops used (Living the Gospel of Life) to speak as a group regarding their expectations," Huebscher said. "But when the statement was released, Cardinal (Bernard) Law (then-chairman of the pro-life committee) indicated that he would deal with any individual politician in a pastoral way. My impression is that's how it's been done."

Huebscher added that the latest Vatican statement is "a continuation of a long discussion the church has had in the role of faith in a modern democratic society."

"Opinions that have a religious foundation have the same legitimacy as any other opinion in a democratic debate," said Huebscher. "You don't disqualify an argument because it has a religious basis."

State Rep. Jeff Plale (D-South Milwaukee) agrees.

"I think it's fine that the Vatican communicates to elected leaders, whether in this country or wherever," he said. "I tend to agree with their position on issues such as abortion and the death penalty, even though I'm a Democrat."

Plale admitted that "when I vote on issues that are important (such as abortion, euthanasia or the death penalty), I tend to follow my faith."

"Occasionally there are positions that I hold that I know are not necessarily of my party or my constituents, but as long as you're up front and honest with people and explain why you vote the way you do, even though people may not agree with you, they accept that," said Plale, a member of St. Roman Parish, Milwaukee. "Because at the end of the day there's only one person I have to look at in the mirror and that's me."

Leaders forced to balance concerns

Milwaukee Alderman Jeffrey Pawlinski said elected leaders are forced "to balance the concerns of your district with what your religious convictions are." While his role as alderman has never put him in a position to vote on an issue such as abortion, he stated that "I'm a person who's pro-choice, which I know is in conflict with my Catholic faith."

He said he sees his views on abortion "in terms of what the general population believes -- that abortion should be made available to women, but in limited circumstances."

"I'm not a person who is pro-choice across the board with no questions asked," said Pawlinski. "There are certain circumstances that would warrant a person considering that option for themselves. That's my situation. As an alderman, I'm almost never called on to take that position."

One issue that may call Pawlinski to vote against church teaching on abortion is the proposed lease of space in the Northwest Medical Clinic -- a Milwaukee Health Department facility -- to Planned Parenthood. (See editorial, Page 6 [print edition only].)

Pawlinski said that the lease arrangement would allow Planned Parenthood to provide counseling services "strictly as it relates to birth control, which again goes against the teaching of the Catholic Church. That issue has not come up yet, and it may not reach the floor." He said he hasn't studied the proposal enough to say whether or not he would support it.

"I can tell you in all sincerity that I do consider my faith and my responsibilities as a person of Catholic upbringing on matters as it relates to a lot of things that I vote on," added Pawlinski. "It's a question that I continue to ask myself. I also recognize that I'm not the only Catholic politician that is in conflict with the church on several issues."

Politicians rely on conscience, free will

Margaret Farrow, former lieutenant governor and member of St. Mary Parish in Elm Grove, said Catholic politicians rely on their conscience "and the old concept of free will" in choosing to follow church pronouncements. While some church pronouncements "are more advisory" in nature, such as those on economics, she said, statements regarding the right to life "go to the core of what the church has always taught us."

The latest statement from Rome "is something the pope felt had to be said as an ongoing reminder or lesson," added Farrow. "To me, life is life. I think having a statement about supporting life certainly should be synonymous with saying you're Catholic.... But it comes down to the individual."

As for other Catholic politicians, said Farrow, "what people have to do is question their legislators. If they separate themselves from a certain part of church teaching they have to ask their legislators why."

Published just six days before abortion opponents in the United States held a March for Life in Washington, the document was well received by Pro-Life Wisconsin director Peggy Hamill.

"The statement really reconfirms the Pro-Life Wisconsin stance and the defense of human life ... without exception," said Hamill, who is in Washington this week for the March for Life. "It will help us to further convince politicians, especially those who are Catholic, that they need to tow the line to protect all persons without exception."

A 'note,' not 'declaration'

Huebscher observed that the new document is referred to as a doctrinal "note."

"In the past they've done things like declarations or directives that implied a certain amount of authority," he said. "This form of a note is relatively new."

Barbara Anne Cusack, chancellor of the Milwaukee Archdiocese, was also unfamiliar with the document's label.

"'Note' is not a category of curial documents that I have ever encountered," she said. "It does not appear to be a new teaching, but rather a summary and a reminder of what the church's teaching on this topic has been." Upon reading the document that is posted on the Vatican's Web site, Cusack added that the note "retains the authority of the original source from which it is drawn."