"Wedge Issues" and the "Common Good"

Gary Soulsman tackles Biden's religious views and pro-choice stance on abortion for the Wilmington News Journal (Biden's faith strong, but abortion stance draws fire 8/31/08). He cites a Nancy Dallaville of the department of religious studies at Fairfield University, who claims that Biden's record is "representative of the broad mainstream" of American Catholicism:

In her view, most find abortion to be a serious sin but are not sure they want to criminalize women who seek one.

"And there is an ambivalence about obedience and authority," she said. "If we're told how to vote, we turn off pretty quickly."

Because Biden's faith is so important to him and because bishops may continue to criticize him, Dallaville says, Biden could benefit by giving a major speech on his faith, as Obama did when he severed ties with Jeremiah Wright.

"Joe Biden has a rich story to tell and maybe that would put him out in front of the criticism," she said.

Truth to tell, I would like to see Senator Biden give a speech on his Catholic faith and practice.

Perhaps he'll revisit his Meet The Press appeal to "debates about life, you know, from, from “Summa Theologica,” Aquinas, and 40 days to quickening and right to, you know, you know, Pious [sic] IX, animated fetus doctrine and so on" -- a strategy recently adopted by Nancy Pelosi to disasterous effects. At the very least, it may provide another "teachable moment."

The article also features Chris Korzen of the self-proclaimed "non-partisan" Catholics United [shortened from "Catholics United for the Common Good"] -- who praises Biden's interest in "social justice" and -- in another by now familiar tactic -- dismisses Catholic concern over adherence to Church teaching on abortion as politically-divisive:

[Korzen] also says some bishops will use abortion as a wedge issue and will do it in an acrimonious way, which he regrets.

"As Catholics, we should be thinking about how we treat each other when we talk about our faith," said Korzen, co-author of the book "A Nation for All: How the Catholic Vision of the Common Good Can Save America from the Politics of Division."

He's also encouraged that Democrats have been talking about wanting to reduce the number of abortions and hopes Republicans will broaden their anti-abortion concerns to include issuses such as health care, jobs and global warming.

"Abortion is not the only thing we care about," he said.

Cardinal George of Chicago may be one such bishop preoccupied with so-called "wedge issues". This week he released a forceful statement on the matter of abortion specifically in relation to the much-touted Catholic concern for "the common good":

The Catholic Church, from its first days, condemned the aborting of unborn children as gravely sinful. Not only Scripture’s teaching about God’s protection of life in the womb (consider the prophets and the psalms and the Gospel stories about John the Baptist and Jesus himself in Mary’s womb) but also the first century catechism (the Didache or Teaching of the Twelve Apostles) said: “You shall not slay the child by abortions. You shall not kill what is generated.” The teaching of the Church was clear in a Roman Empire that permitted abortion. This same teaching has been constantly reiterated in every place and time up to Vatican II, which condemned abortion as a “heinous crime.” This is true today and will be so tomorrow. Any other comments, by politicians, professors, pundits or the occasional priest, are erroneous and cannot be proposed in good faith.

This teaching has consequences for those charged with caring for the common good, those who hold public office. The unborn child, who is alive and is a member of the human family, cannot defend himself or herself. Good law defends the defenseless. Our present laws permit unborn children to be privately killed. Laws that place unborn children outside the protection of law destroy both the children killed and the common good, which is the controlling principle of Catholic social teaching. One cannot favor the legal status quo on abortion and also be working for the common good.

As Cardinal George reminds us, the Catholic Church does not endorse this or that political candidate. On the other hand, "she does teach the principles according to which Catholics should form their social consciences."

The News-Journal's article closes with a Delaware voter's praise of Senator Biden for his "consistent" adherence to his position on abortion. "She says his position is much the same today: He's personally opposed to abortion but supports a woman's right to choose." Consistently held, perhaps -- but intellectually and morally wanting.