The debate over health care reform in the U.S. has been healthy, deserved and prolonged, if not overly discussed. The issue has essentially become partisan, divided along the Republican and Democratic lines with a few crossovers here and there. Proponents of each side have been vehement about making their points, garnering support and using all types of arguments to accuse the other side of being “uncaring” for a variety of reasons.
But perhaps the most startling of these opinions is that reserved by the Catholic Church. In a statement issued by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the council states that the bill should be opposed because it does not “retain … long-standing current policies against abortion funding or abortion coverage mandates … nor fully protects conscience rights in health care.” This memorandum was asked to be distributed by all local bishops and was disseminated through the Fort Worth parishes among many others.
Such a letter is not uncommon, and the bishops in a particular area will often ask for support in donating to particular charities or in fundraising efforts for a particular community, or even due to a national disaster or crisis. However, this statement has clearly crossed the figurative line of separation. The Church understands that it has a strong influence on its members and through the above opposition, clearly applies to the moral prerogative of its members. While the anti-abortion intentions are admirable, it clearly negates the other benefits that can be derived from the bill.
Roe v. Wade definitely allowed provisional abortion rights and guaranteed “a woman’s right to choose” nearly half a century ago. Many efforts to overturn this legislation have failed in the Supreme Court as justices have time and again declared that such previous decisions will be left standing so as not to negate the authority of the court. Furthermore, the actual appeal by the bishops leaves open a vague interpretation.
While the Church certainly has a right to an opinion, urging members of a parish to contact their congressmen and women to vote against the bill because of such a marginal aspect is clearly irresponsible. The separation of the church and state is denoted clearly in the Constitution and something that the citizens of the country have come to expect. This is not to say that moral imperative has led to political leanings in the voting booth, but it is certainly not something to be manipulated in this circumstance. The bill and its various proponents and opponents have a multitude of reasons for supporting or opposing the policy. However, this is due to, for the most part, careful consideration and discussion over the actual components of the legislation. Issuing a general condemnation of the bill for an irrelevant reason and a vague defamatory statement leads to an uninformed and misled group of citizens.
Certainly for Catholics, myself included, the issue of abortion is one to be considered and according to the Church, a policy to be opposed. However, more than one component of these bills and other political ideologies must be considered before a decision is made. In future conditions, the Church should indicate the various aspects of legislation, but should allow parish members a dialogue and their own careful consideration, before passing an authoritative judgment. The success of the United States has been based upon individual audacity and the cooperation of people, but never upon zeal of a large, controlling organization, which unfortunately is the persona the Catholic Church creates for itself in this situation.
Matt Boaz is a senior political science major from Edmond, Okla.
