Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the United States hierarchy, the
National Conference of Catholic Bishops met in Baltimore to deal with abortion,
AIDS, the Middle East and priestless parishes.
Archbishop John L. May of St. Louis, president of the conference, called
on Americans to "remember the baby" in the debate over abortion. Desiring
to take advantage of the Supreme Court's Webster decision upholding some
laws limiting abortions, the bishops unanimously approved a resolution
describing their goal as legal protection of human life to the extent possible.
While still adhering to the consistent ethic of life, the bishops accepted
an amendment from Cardinal John O'Connor of New York stating, "For us abortion
is of overriding concern because it negates two of our most fundamental
moral imperatives: respect for innocent life, and preferential concern
for the weak and defenseless." Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago, the
author of the consistent ethic of life, agreed with Cardinal O'Connor who
was elected chair of the pro-life committee.
In addition, the bishops objected to the media perception that pro-life
forces are losing ground. The tendency of some of the media to label the
bishops as anti-abortion rather than pro-life while labeling their opponents
pro-choice rather than pro-abortion also came under fire.
The bishops were also concerned about politicians, both Catholic and
non-Catholic, who say they are personally opposed to abortion but support
the funding of abortions. Although Archbishop May ruled out excommunication
as counterproductive, but the bishops' resolution says "No Catholic can
responsibly take a `pro-choice' stand when the `choice' in question involves
the taking of innocent human life."
Because of the French abortion pill, the bishops' political strategy
may soon become irrelevant as government involvement in abortion declines.
Government funding or regulation of abortion will no longer be a political
issue if an abortion pill is available at every drug store. The contest
will then be for the minds and hearts of the American people.
The bishops also easily approved a HIV-AIDS statement calling for compassion
and nondiscrimination towards AIDS victims. Two years ago the administrative
board's statement was criticized by some bishops because it spoke of the
possibility in education programs of having "accurate information about
prophylactic devices" without advocating their use. The new statement is
silent on this but like the original statement says that the only safe
and moral approach is abstinence or sex in marriage. Archbishop Roger Mahony
of Los Angeles, chair of the drafting committee, said that there was no
disagreement or contradiction between the two documents. As a result, both
statements can be used by Catholics although the conference document has
greater authority since it was approved by all the bishops.
The bishops also approved a statement on the Middle East that recognized
Israel's right to live in peace with secure boundaries but also called
for a sovereign homeland for the Palestinians.
Archbishop Mahony, who chaired the committees drafting the Middle East
and the HIV-AIDS statements, received much praise for his handling of these
controversial documents, but he came in second to Archbishop William H.
Keeler of Baltimore for vice president of the conference. Archbishop Daniel
E. Pilarczyk of Cincinnati, formerly vice president, was elected president
as expected.
Also approved was an "Order for Sunday Celebration in the Absence of
a Priest." Over 50 dioceses already have such services and 91 more foresee
the need in five to 10 years because of a shortage of priests. Another
report indicated college seminary enrollment has dropped to 2,247 from
4,355 in the last 10 years.
By Thomas J. Reese, S.J., senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center
America, November 25, 1989
Copyright © 1989 by America
Press
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