TO THE EDITOR:
If the Catholic Church is going to be actively involved in the political process as they have become in regards to the issues of reproductive rights, I hope the Catholic Church will give their considerable clout to the seven themes of Catholic social teachings.
I would like to see the rigorous defense of the important principles raised in each of them.
In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition...instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.”
Does this not call for speaking out against an unjust tax system and drastic cuts to social programs?
What about our “pursuit of justice and peace?”
Can we countenance continuous warfare, costing thousands and thousands of lives and billions of dollars, and not stand up and speak out against it with the same hue and cry we make about the rights of the unborn?
In recognizing “The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers” should we not be doing more to promote the concept that “the economy must serve people, not the other way around,” and should we not be lobbying loudly to protect the basic rights of workers, including the right to organize and join unions?
And finally, should not one of our main rallying cries be the respect for the Creator as shown through our stewardship of creation?
The document states that care for the earth is a “requirement of our faith,” but I recall few homilies that have ever dealt with that call to protect the planet and even fewer rallies on the Statehouse steps when issues concerning the environment are center stage.
Being a “one-issue” religion seems counterproductive if as a result we elect those who court Catholics by focusing on that issue.
We need a more balanced approach to choosing our elected officials, and not doing so goes against what we supposedly stand for. We all need to keep in mind that it is actions, not words that will ultimately define us as Catholics.
Marilyn DeMoranville
North Kingstown
