Chronicle of the Damned, part 6

Catholic DEMOCRATS in U.S. House of Representatives assert "primacy of conscience" over Church teaching

Washington, Mar. 01 (CWNews.com) - A group of Catholic members of the US House of Representatives has issued a "Statement of Principles" in which they claim a "commitment to the basic principles at the heart of Catholic social teaching," but refuse to accept the Church's opposition to legal abortion.

Interesting. But it seems to me that the sanctity of human life and protection of life at its most defenseless stages is the heart of Catholic social teaching.

The "Statement of Principles" was released on February 28, and signed by 55 of the 72 Catholic Democrats in the House. The group professes its commitment to carrying out Catholic social teaching in many ways: "reducing the rising rates of poverty; increasing access to education for all; pressing for increased access to health care; and taking seriously the decision to go to war."

Ok, now I get it. Translation: Catholic social teaching is a useful tool to justify leveraging more and more money from the taxpayers to pay for fiscally irresponsible entitlement spending. (Quick question for the valiant 55: what good is health care, education, subsistence, and just war if YOU'RE DEAD BECAUSE YOU WERE MURDERED BY ABORTION?)

The "Statement of Principle" does not mention other controversial issues on which Democratic lawmakers have often clashed with Church teachings, such as euthanasia, embryonic research, and government recognition of same-sex unions.

Hmmm. They usually claim conservative Catholics cherry-pick social teaching for selective issues. It proves the old political adage that the Left never accuses anyone of doing anything they haven't yet done themselves.

The Democratic group goes on to acknowledge "the undesirability of abortion-- we do not celebrate its practice."

So they're basically saying "We know abortion is wrong but we will give it legal sanction (and federal funding)." Translation: we're pandering to our wacko political base.

Here's the kicker: But the statement says that although they recognize the Church's teaching authority the lawmakers "believe also in the primacy of conscience."

So they recognize the Church's teaching authority as handed down by Christ but they oppose what that authority says? Am I missing something here?? Catholic teaching on conscience and the formation of conscience is paramount, yes, but it's also clear as the grain alcohol Ted Kennedy is so fond of: "The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings. One may never do evil so that good may result from it" (source: Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1783 & 1789).


Their chief offense is causing grave scandal to the Faith by giving the outward impression that active dissent and heresy can be staples of the virtuous life. Thus their home will be very near the bottom, Circle Eight, where falsifiers and corrupt politicians dwell. They will also be found in Circle Six amongst the heretics. Poenitentiam agite!