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* Cardinal George and the rest of the state’s Catholic bishops issued a press release this afternoon blasting Gov. Pat Quinn…
We have recently been made aware of Governor Quinn’s decision to present a Pro-Choice Leadership Award at an upcoming event for a political organization known as Personal PAC. This organization describes itself as a “political action committee (PAC) dedicated to electing pro-choice candidates to state and local office in Illinois.” Personal PAC has raised and spent millions of dollars in this effort and supports the lobbying efforts of Planned Parenthood in Springfield.
We deeply regret the Governor’s decision to present this award, which so closely associates him with a political action group whose purpose is contrary to the common good. With this action, Governor Quinn has gone beyond a political alignment with those supporting the legal right to kill children in their mother’s wombs to rewarding those deemed most successful in this terrible work.
They’re obviously very upset about this Personal PAC event. But check out the next two paragraphs…
Pope John Paul II asked in his Letter to Families (1994), “How can one morally accept laws that permit the killing of a human being not yet born, but already alive in the mother’s womb?” Governor Quinn not only accepts these laws, he promotes them and publicly presents awards to their advocates. This approach is irreconcilable with any honest profession of the Catholic faith. While we deeply regret and oppose his actions, we continue to pray for his conversion and the protection of unborn human life.
To our Catholic institutions statewide, we reaffirm our desire and policies that those acting in the manner of the Governor should not be given special recognition on Church property or at functions held in support of Church ministry. [Emphasis added.]
* Not being a Catholic myself, I asked the Catholic Conference for a clarification, including whether this somehow meant Gov. Quinn would be barred from receiving communion. A spokesperson responded…
The Catholic dioceses in the state have policies prohibiting any politician who has voted in favor of policies that go against the Church’s teaching from speaking at or receiving an award from a Catholic institution, like at a school.
The bishops have not banned Quinn from receiving Communion. An individual priest could make the decision not to give Quinn Communion.
The bishops’ statement further underscore existing policy, and expresses extreme disappointment in Quinn’s intention to give out the Personal PAC award.
It seems highly irregular for a sitting governor to give out an award on behalf of any Political Action Committee.
Quinn is also involved in a lawsuit over his administration’s refusal to allow Catholic Charities to continue doing adoption and foster care services as long as the institution won’t work with gay parents in civil unions. A major fight has been building for some time now.
* The AP talked to Personal PAC’s Terry Cosgrove…
Cosgrove says the bishops should not try to “enforce their religious dogma” on a woman’s private decision and asked them to join in efforts to promote contraception and sex education that would lower the number of unwanted pregnancies.
I’ll let you know if the governor’s office responds.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From the governor’s office…
The governor is scheduled to attend, but on the political side. [The event is] Not on state calendar.
Quinn is presenting an award to a victim of sexual assault who is also a rape victim advocate.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From Personal PAC…
A few minutes ago, the Catholic Conference of Illinois released a statement to the press attacking Personal PAC, Governor Quinn and the reproductive rights of all Illinois women. The Bishops’ objection stems from our support of Governor Quinn and all other candidates who stand on the side of women in believing that the profoundly personal decision to use birth control and seek a legal abortion should rest with women, and not politicians. The Bishops take issue with Governor Quinn attending our Annual Awards Luncheon on Thursday, November 17th. In their statement about our luncheon, the Bishops state “With this action, Governor Quinn has gone beyond a political alignment with those supporting the legal right to kill children in their mother’s wombs to rewarding those deemed most successful in this terrible work.”
While I don’t expect the Bishops to apologize for this inflammatory and outrageous language accusing women of killing children, I do hope that each of you, and everyone you know, will join us at the luncheon to demonstrate that we fully support elected officials who refuse to back down in the face of threats. The absolute best response we can have for the Bishops is to pack the Hilton Ballroom on November 17th and show them that we intend to protect the reproductive rights of EVERY woman in the State of Illinois.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 2:43 pm
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OK, glad to know the Catholic Church has a policy that “prohibit(s) any politician who has voted in favor of policies that go against the Church’s teaching from speaking at or receiving an award from a Catholic institution, like at a school.”
I’ll have to remember that next time a politician who voted against the DREAM Act, or similar pro-immigration reform legislation comes up. The US Catholic Conference of Bishops supports the DREAM Act, and we have a bunch of Illinois legislators who voted against it earlier this year. I can’t wait for the Church to enforce their policies on this issue.
I’m a Catholic. I once asked the lobbyist for the Chicago Archdiocese why it was that abortion was the subject, Catholics enjoyed a solid coalition with protestant evangelicals. But when immigration was the subject (or social justice), the protestant evangelicals were no where to be found.
At the end of the day, the Catholic Church is a membership organization. They have their rules, and they can do what they want. Quinn is hyper senstive to this, and it sucks for him, but he has to be Governor for everyone in Illinois, not just the Catholics.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 2:55 pm
Though I believe any group or individual may speak out about an issue that does not involve harm to others or threats I also take very seriously my right to religious liberty in the United States of America. My religion does not follow the Roman Catholic beliefs. Therefore in my opinion, let the bishops of this church and spokespersons of any creed or organization say what they will but please do not let them shape public policy, law, or inflict upon me beliefs or practices which are contrary to my way of life and faith. This statement today from the Catholic bishops sounds like something from the pre-1900’s.
Comment by IL USA Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 2:59 pm
Somebody should contact Quinn’s pastor and ask whether he’ll get communion. Remember when the pastor at Blessed Sacrament in Springfield said he wouldn’t give communion to Durbin? He couldn’t have made a bigger show out of it.
Comment by Coach Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:02 pm
Can’t blame Quinn for attending. Personal PAC practically handed him the election.
Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:05 pm
Science recognizes that the life within a pregant woman is human.
Politicizing it doesn’t change that fact. Legalizing abortions doesn’t change that fact.
As in capital punishment, we should set conditions for when human life is killed.
Why does a Pope get it, but not supposedly educated people?
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:17 pm
A PAC is being awarded? A Pro-Leadership Award? Is this a State Award? Presented by the Governor? Why isn’t it on his State calendar?
Which PAC will he be honoring next month?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:20 pm
Both sides talk past one another. Demanding that religion ignore what it is supposed to do in order to make politics happy is bad.
Religion has the edge here.
At least they know the science.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:23 pm
Louis, did you bother to read what I wrote?
Wait, obviously not or you wouldn’t have asked those questions. This is a campaign event, as noted above.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:23 pm
47th…
There is a difference between a law the Bishops support and the core belief of the church.
It’s their right and perhaps their responsibility as an organization to hold their members accountable to what they feel the core tenants of the group.
It is in that way much different that if he was a member of a anti-gun group and was giving out an award at a NRA event. Yes, I understand it is somewhat of a trivial comparison but I think the idea holds. If you are an organization with a set of beliefs that you consider non-negotiable and essential you have some responsibility to uphold them, otherwise why do you exist.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:27 pm
I side with OneMan. If Quinn had a union card, for instance, it probably would’ve been revoked by now.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:28 pm
Not to make light of this issue, but maybe quinn needs to hire epstein as a consultant on a part time basis?
Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:29 pm
Thanks OneMan, good point.
What about the death penalty then? Is that a core belief? Didn’t Quinn sign the abolition, and didn’t a lot of legislators vote to keep the death penalty? Will there be a press release calling out death penalty supporters?
Give unto Caesar and all that. Civil law is not Church law, nor should it be. I don’t think what the Church is doing is wrong necessarily, but I would welcome consistency on these very difficult issues.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:36 pm
47th, I suspect if he was going to give an award at a group that at it’s core it pro-death penalty then they might very well call him out on that as well.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:41 pm
Yes, but will the Church be consistent in its treatment of other Catholic elected officials not named Quinn or Durbin on core issues? I kind of doubt it. And it seems like abortion is the only issue that gets this level of official attention when the Church has many core issues like peace, poverty, etc. Why do pro-war Catholics get a pass but pro-abortion Catholics get hammered?
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 3:54 pm
It isn’t my church, but if they made one issue a bigger problem than another they would not be the first group to do so, now would they?
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 4:00 pm
I’d sure like it if the church were a little more consistent. Like, when will Antonin Scalia be censured for his support of the death penalty?
Comment by Lakeview Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 4:12 pm
==Therefore in my opinion, let the bishops of this church and spokespersons of any creed or organization say what they will but please do not let them shape public policy, law, or inflict upon me beliefs or practices which are contrary to my way of life and faith.==
So, only those who agree with your beliefs and way of life should be allowed to lobby for what they believe in. Gotcha.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 4:20 pm
For those of who slept through theology classes or avoided them entirely, there are significant distinctions between different positions of the Church. Some are Articles of Faith, dogma, doctrine or, in the case of immigration, social positions. Some are much more debatable within the Catholic community, some are pretty rigid.
If there was an organization that celebrated criminal executions and promoted it in the same way Personal PAC does abortion, I think many bishops would have serious problems with it.
The DREAM Act is does not amount to an Article of Faith or Church doctrine. It is the application of Church teaching to a social/political issue and is not seen as fundamental an issue as abortion.
Also, while the Church opposes many wars, it has specifically stated many times that all war is not immoral per se. Look up the “just war” theory for further explanation.
Over 2,000 years the Church has gotten complex and bureaucratic and its theology can appear to be overly confusing and sometimes contradictory, but that is the very nature of faith. It ain’t easy.
But in a practical sense, I understand that Quinn hasn’t darkened the doorstep of a Catholic Church as a worshiper for a looooooong time, so much of this is moot.
(I’d also like to see the reaction if these same snide, condescending misinformed remarks were applied to the Muslim faith.)
Comment by Adam Smith Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 4:43 pm
===I understand that Quinn hasn’t darkened the doorstep of a Catholic Churchas a worshiper for a looooooong time===
You might want to check your “understanding” of that Adam. But thanks for the theology lesson.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 4:49 pm
Is the Catholic Church consistent on upholding its standards?
What about all those Catholics that played a role advocating for invading Iraq? Is the Catholic Church calling them out?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 4:49 pm
The sexual assault victim they are honoring is the same young woman who appeared in the PersonalPac tv spot against Brady.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 4:50 pm
No I read it.
I’m pro-choice but can you imagine the shouting if he appeared at a pro-life PAC event and gave out an award?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 4:51 pm
Everyone is entitled to their opinion on an issue, but if the Bishops of the state are going to band together and issue a decree saying the elected Governor of their state should effectively be shunned if attending church has moved into the area of direct political engagement.
One could easily say this line was crossed long ago. Which is fine as far as it goes.
But the bottom line is it is time to start taking away the tax exemption for religious organizations that involve themselves in the political process. Period.
Comment by ILPundit Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 4:52 pm
A little factual knowledge on the Catholic Church would be nice to see. Those who are devout Catholics like myself know that protecting life is Church dogma which need to be followed. while issues relating to just war and social justice elements are up to the discretion of the individual Catholic. Read up on a faith before you bash it.
Comment by Blair Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 4:57 pm
== But the bottom line is it is time to start taking away the tax exemption for religious organizations that involve themselves in the political process. Period. ==
Really so the church can’t take positions on issues of the day or if it does it should lose it tax exempt status.
Ok, then lets do the same thing for every other tax exempt organization that ever has a public policy thought or expresses an opinion. You cool with that?
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 5:01 pm
Blair, I hope that was sarcasm.
Comment by ILPundit Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 5:02 pm
Adam, the Catholic Conference said it was their understanding that the governor is a regular church-goer.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 5:09 pm
Interesting HuffPo article today on the heavy duty lobbying by the Catholic Bishops in Congress to slap down everything relating to woman’s choice in healthcare act.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/01/the-men-behind-the-war-on_n_1069406.html?ref=politics
Looks a whole lot like politics and very little like religion!!
Comment by D.P. Gumby Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 5:13 pm
The Governor attends Mass regularly, usually with his mother.
Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 5:13 pm
==Ok, then lets do the same thing for every other tax exempt organization that ever has a public policy thought or expresses an opinion. You cool with that?==
I certainly am. Our country and state are broke, so the more taxpayers the better!
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 5:24 pm
==Read up on a faith before you bash it.==
I got to the part about “papal infallibility” and stopped reading…
Comment by Vote Quimby! Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 5:27 pm
The Roman Catholic Church is consistent. The problem is that people bring up stereotypical views that do not make logical sense. In fact, much of it is propaganda. There are Roman Catholics and then there are cafeteria Kennedy-Durbin Catholics-in-name-only. One day everyone will be confronted by the fact that, on any given Sunday, there are minsters of all denominations preaching contrary doctrine. It follows that they all cannot be right and that they are not all guided by the Holy Spirit. There can only be one truth. The Truth is not the problem, but, instead, it is man’s pride and ego. A lot of wars and blood have ensued over the centuries as a result. The meaning of life is quite simple: Getting to heaven. If you are wrong, then you lose and pay an eternal price. One would think that this would be the focus of everyone, yet it always gets put on the back burner. Power, greed, avarice and the like take over. It is not that I am trying to give a sermon, but, instead give some food for fodder. Not everyone goes to heaven like the marshmallow crowd would like to believe! Good luck if you simply want to wing it!
Comment by Buckley-Reagan Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 6:04 pm
apparently seperation of church and state is a one way street with the Bishops, but with us they have out of bounds since they started running the underground railroad for the perverts.
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 6:08 pm
if the RC church is consistent, then 47th Ward will be right and they will hit those pols who voted against the bill to end the death penalty. tick tock. but it is quite confusing as many of the policies of the RC church have changed through the ages. Papal infallibility? created in the 19th century. priests who can’t get married, created oh, around, what, the year 1000. things change in the church.
of course, it could be worse, like for folks down in a southern state who are facing a policy which could outlaw in vitro fertilization and leave a woman with a pregnancy in her fallopian tubes out of luck for help. too bad they don’t have Personal PAC down there.
also too bad the RC Church does not allow women to participate fully in the church. the words they wrote re Quinn makes one think the RC boys still see the science of reproduction as a medieval painting of Mary and the Annunciation….a teeny fully formed baby flying in on the cross. fiction.
Comment by amalia Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 6:24 pm
There are no single celled human beings. Amoebae, yes and Paramecium, yes, but humans not so much. A single cell does develop into a human over time, but the idea that a single cell meets the definition of humanity is purely religious rhetoric. If individual single cells were human a barber would be a mass murderer.
Comment by wishbone Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 6:54 pm
The bishops have apparently decided to cut off engaging with the government in any meaningful way for the next three years. Like that’s going to help Catholic Charities find a way thru the adoption mess. Or create a dialog for supporting abortion alternatives with some state participation. This was a very dumb move on the part of my faith’s leaders.
Comment by Gregor Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 7:52 pm
Well if they’re going to excommunicate him anyway can we have a casino in Chicago now?
Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 8:41 pm
Casino is o.k. as long as there is a papal bingo room:)
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 8:57 pm
“If there was an organization that celebrated criminal executions and promoted it in the same way Personal PAC does abortion, I think many bishops would have serious problems with it.”
That would be Texas.
Comment by BigTwich Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 9:28 pm
I think Blair left the room and I came in late, but I’m with ILPundit: was that sarcasm? Who’s bashing Catholicism? An honest discussion is taking place here! As VanillaMan noted, the sides are talking past each other, but there is a level of respect here so far that makes Blair’s comment stick out like a sore thumb. A couple Catholics have gotten their measuring sticks out to evaluate Governor Quinn’s “Catholicness” though. Nice.
There appear to be inconsistencies and logical fallacies in some of the positions of the Catholic Church that non (or former, like me) Catholics seek to have addressed in these types of fora. For example:
Why is abortion the be-all and end-all of sinful personal behavior? Why can the state kill people? Why is a war OK? Why shouldn’t every person seek every possible means and then some to avoid all killing if life is so precious? Why do we let people suffer in the name of the sanctity of life? Why is the fertilized egg lost in a woman’s monthly cycle not considered an abortion? Why isn’t the man punished when an abortion occurs? How can the Catholic Church speak of personal morality when its own conduct as an organization and as individuals is time and again demonstrated to be less than moral?
Comment by Lefty Lefty Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 11:01 pm
I think it is commendable that the USCCB attempts to hold Quinn accountable on one of their issues of morality. What about holding their diocesan staff accountable as well? Both laity and religious on a Diocese’s staff have frequently made specific statements opposing the Church’s views. At the same time, they post something else on their web site. ???
Comment by Diocesan staff member Wednesday, Nov 2, 11 @ 11:55 pm
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
—What is the foundation of these rights? What is the essence of Human? When does it begin?
Comment by Anon III Thursday, Nov 3, 11 @ 12:04 am
again with this. God help us.
Look, it IS possible to be a good Catholic AND to believe in choice. We should tell a woman with an unwanted pregnancy that she has OPTIONS and inform her of those options. Adoption. Teach that abortion is wrong.
However, in the final analysis, the choice is left to the woman, her doctor, any religious authority she consults, and her God. That is a much more conservative view, by the way. NO Govt. interference.
THIS is the best way to fight abortion. The goal is the same. Tactics are different, and I would submit that these tactics get better results than the constant marches, communion denial, etc. etc.
I dont know if that is Quinn’s view on the matter, but I suspect it is similar. And I do hope we won’t go down the denial of communion road. If it is, then to be consistent, the church will have to deny eucharist to Catholic pols who support the death penalty, vote against health insurance for the poor, workers rights, etc. -> ALL of which is CONTRARY to church teaching!
Comment by CatholicDem Thursday, Nov 3, 11 @ 10:31 am
CatholicDem said what I believe better then I could.
I followed this question yesterday afternoon. I went to the 5;15 pm mass at the Cathedral here in Springfield. As it was the Feast of All Souls Day the Bishop was in vestments of a pre-Vatican II style. There was the extra kneeling and bowing on the alter customary with a mass the Bishop presides.
It just struck, for better or worse, the world of the church leadership in Illinois has become completely black or white.
In many ways just like state government too many lawyers nick picking over words which may not mean much in the end.
Comment by Anon3 Thursday, Nov 3, 11 @ 1:58 pm