Becky Garrison (who writes for The Revealer sometimes) looks at the outspokenness of a Wisconsin Catholic Bishop regarding the rights of workers there. She writes at The Guardian:
While the US Catholic church traditionally sides with Republican interests in promoting a pro-life agenda, the archdiocese of Milwaukee threw its support behind the unions in the ongoing Wisconsin-based protests against the erosion of workers’ bargaining rights.
Reflecting on the significance of the Catholic church backing a cause that’s historically been a linchpin of the Democrat party platform, Daniel Schultz, author and pastor of a United Church of Christ congregation in rural Wisconsin, said: “This shift means that Wisconsin Catholics are not going to retreat into social conservatism and let the Republican governor enact legislation that is not in sync with the will of the people.”
Putting aside Schultz’s (and Garrison’s) faith in Wisconsin’s Catholics (they’re purer of faith than I am, I’ll admit), there is something to be said for what passing observers would call the two minds displayed by Church leadership. Think immigration. When you’re sitting on centuries of theological exposition, perhaps the boundaries of two contemporary U.S. political parties don’t seem so very significant. But then again, neither does the will of the people depending on which issues you’re discussing.
5 comments
Becky Garrison says:
Feb 23, 2011
I agree that we don’t know what the U.S. Catholic Church’s long-term policy will be in WI or how they will react should people in other states engage in similar populist pro-union tactics. I just found it interesting given the hyper conservatism that has pervaded the RC church since Pope Benedict came to power that a diocese would (at least for this moment) side with labor.
ann says:
Feb 23, 2011
I’m with you, Becky. And Dan. Watching the RCC take stands on something other than abortion can feel novel. Particularly when it puts them on a side that is other than their typical social conservative, Republican home.
The RCC’s long progressive history is forgotten in recent decades. It would be nice to see them fighting for the born and not just the “pre-born” for a change.
Widsom Fish says:
Feb 24, 2011
Based on the Catholic Church’s history this is no surprise. With the Catholics support of Liberation Theology; which is so closely tied to communism, they assisted in ravaging South America socially, politically and spiritually. One would expect them to support these socialist unions and do the same in Wisconsin.
Jim Bowman says:
Feb 28, 2011
Oh my, the dichotomy goes back decades, especially in the U.S., where bishops recognized the Knights of Labor 100-plus years ago and have always been on the side of unions. It’s an immigrant church, for one thing. Same with their being on side of basically open boarders, never complaining about illegals, always on their side. In 1920s, 30s, Msgr. John Ryan anticipated and supported the New Deal. Cardinal Mundelein of Chicago (came from Brooklyn) was on FDR’s side all the way. It’s a church at socio-economically has always been Democratic-party-oriented. Not in sexual morality or in defense of life in general, condemning abortion and capital punishment both, etc.
Jim Bowman says:
Feb 28, 2011
On re-reading: Open boarders, no; open borders, si. Sorry. And it’s a church that, not at, socio-economically, etc. As for being on Dems’ side, it’s taken some amazing twisting of minds and verbiage to stay there at least since Roe v. Wade, but bishops and theologians are a resourceful lot, and anyhow it’s tribal in lots of places, especially big Northern cities like Chicago: my father was a dimmycrat, etc.