March 26, 2010
Bishop Gettelfinger disappointed, asks for prayers
Following is a statement from Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger, in regard to the Health Care Reform legislation and the process leading up to its passage.
In the days leading up to the Health Care vote, statements were issued by the Catholic Health Association and Network, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, with signatures from many leaders of religioius women’s communities.
You need to know that the public statements of Network and the Catholic Health Association in support of the Health Care Bill before the vote were not in unity with the United States Catholic of Catholic Bishops. This raises the question for politicians: “Who speaks for the Catholic Church?”
Network and the Catholic Health Association are legitimate organizations within the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. They, however, do not hold the teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Congressman Brad Ellsworth knows that!
It is clear that when there is apparent division within the Church by recognized and legitimate groups within the Church, those who do not fully understand may be easily confused.
The statements of Network and the Catholic Health Association were divisive. They either beclouded “skitterish” pro-life politicians or gave them a cloud to hide under. Those pro-life politicians, including our own Congressman Ellsworth, were able to digress and absolve themselves from the constant position of the bishops of this country of which I am one!
In recent months I have worked very closely and personally with Congressman Ellsworth. However, he has not been in touch with me even after my effort to encourage him to “stay the course” with the USCCB on this last vote.
I am personally and greatly disappointed in Congressman Ellsworth in the published report that he, instead, “hung his apology” on the published positions of Network and the Catholic Health Association. In doing so, Congressman Ellsworth excused himself by sidestepping the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops who have worked exceedingly hard with him on these very critical moral matters.
In any case, let us pray for Congressman Ellsworth and all in the political arena elected on our behalf to protect the life of the unborn and the poor!
- Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
March 23, 2010
(Related: U.S. bishops urge vigilance to keep abortion funding out of health reform)