Bishop Morlino: Catholics for a Free Choice are NOT Catholic
On 17 January 2008, Bishop Robert C. Morlino, Diocese of Madison, sent a letter to members of the Wisconsin Legislature making it clear than any claims by Catholics for a Free Choice to represent a valid Catholic viewpoint is a lie.
Human Life International had to following to say about Bishop Morlino's brave stand in faithfully exercising his role as Chief Shepherd of the Madison Diocese:
FRONT ROYAL, VA — The Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, STL, president of Human Life International, (HLI) today applauded Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison, Wisconsin, for his letter to the Wisconsin Legislature pointing out the illegitimacy of the rogue group calling itself “Catholics for a Free Choice” (CFFC).
“Perhaps CFFC should call themselves ‘Catholics Against Conscience’ given the maneuver they are trying to pull in Wisconsin,” Father Euteneuer said. “CFFC is trying to block a conscience clause in a law regarding so-called ‘emergency contraception,’ which would protect health professionals in the state from being forced to dispense the abortion-causing drug, also known as ‘Plan B.’
“That would bring the cynical irony of their existence full circle,” Father Euteneuer said. “CFFC cites a false concept of conscience to support their claims that one can be ‘pro-choice’ and a Catholic in good standing. CFFC also issues a misnamed publication entitled Conscience.”
Father Euteneuer said, “I salute Bishop Morlino for reiterating what Human Life International and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have said all along: that no one can responsibly claim both to be Catholic and pro-choice.”
Bishop Morlino said, “CFFC is, practically speaking, an arm of the abortion lobby in the United States and throughout the world. It is an advocacy group dedicated to supporting abortion. It is funded by a number of powerful and wealthy private foundations, mostly American, to promote abortion as a method of population control. Thus, I reaffirm, ‘Catholics for a Free Choice’ is not, in fact, Catholic because its members don’t accept basic Catholic teaching. So, it comes as no surprise that when I teach basic Catholic doctrine, which they don’t recognize as such, they call it ‘political maneuvering’ – a claim that is as frivolous as their claim to be Catholic is irresponsible.” (Emphasis in the original.)
Father Euteneuer said, “Thank God for shepherds like Bishop Morlino. On this day when we commemorate the tragic Roe v. Wade decision—which has claimed nearly 50 million lives and damaged countless women over 35 years—his action reminds us there are still wolves in Catholic clothing ravaging God’s little ones.”
You can read the entire text of Bishop Morlino's letter here.
I want to add my commendation to that of HLI. In this day & age too many bishops wimp out & won't take a strong stand for life, if they even take a stand. An example is the recent statement by the Georgia Bishops opposing an amendment to the state Constitution that would ban abortion. An amendment that Planned Parenthood of Georgia clearly sees as doing just what the bishops claim it won't. If they are opposed to it & so are the Bishops, then the Bishops are on the same side as PP & have, IMHO, taken a stand in support of abortion as a result.
Bishop Morlino is no stranger to controversy. & has spoken out strongly in defense of life. At times he has even had to deal with priests in his diocese who have attempted to undermine Catholic teaching in this area. I suspect some of those priests support CFFC & will again attempt to undermine his efforts. He has made it clear in the past that he will not allow this & I suspect he may have to do so again. & he may also get some opposition from his fellow Wisconsin Bishops given he repudiates the Wisconsin Catholic Conference stand that gave CFFC the ammo the used in their letter. (Given the fact that he sent a copy of the letter to Jerome E. Listecki, Bishop of the Diocese of LaCrosse, he may have at least 1 bishop on his side.)
We need to pray that God bless Bishop Morlino for his efforts as well as strengthen & protect him from the attacks that WILL come.
I would also like to add this prayer by Judie Brown of American Life League for the American Bishops:
"Dear God in heaven, please grace each bishop with wisdom, fortitude, and pro-life integrity.
We ask this in Christ's name, Amen."
posted by Al @ 3:17 AM
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