U. S. Bishops Remain a Conservative Bunch

 


According to those who follow the politics of U.S. Bishops, the elected officers continue to be anti (the late) Pope Francis. Embedded deeply this political wing is anti-abortion and anti-gay marriage. This even though Francis and now Pope Leo have moved on. These two Popes mostly have not discussed the two issues U.S. Bishops are obsessed with. In fact, Pope Francis canned an archbishop who made too much of anti-abortion.

One would hope the U.S. Bishops would lead the world in enlightened and factual postures. Instead, they lean more toward the parts of the world that are most invested in discrimination while European Bishops move forward into the modern world. Pope Leo is trying to hold together these very different factions. 

As time goes on, and the U. S. Bishops add more members appointed by Francis and Leo one would hope the entire enterprise would wise up, a least just a bit. Those in the pews will be unmoved for a long time but at the top we could see some progress. 

Pope Francis was successful in ruling that local clergy can decide whether divorced and remarried couples can be in good standing. This was not easy and is to be commended. Some among the U.S. Bishops complained about even this small improvement. 

Married priests, approved birth control, women in the clergy and silence on abortion would be give some hope that the Catholic denomination can continue. So far, U. S. Bishops have caused more harm than help. 

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