The absence of “Yes, but…” in our national discourse…
First, let me say that this post is directed to Catholics. Even if you’re a rabid anti-abortionist, you need read no further if you’re not Catholic.
You see, just for once, all the screams of protest from a number of pro-life conservative Catholics are unjustified because they are going up against the Vatican. A fairly large group of Catholic priests participated in the Kennedy rites and the ex-Archbishop of Washington, D. C., read an official letter from the Vatican addressed to Senator Kennedy. It seemed to be all right with these paragons of Catholic virtue to be present in these events and I doubt that the two letters were read without the Vatican’s OK.
And, for once, I’m in agreement with the Vatican. For this one time, at least, they were able to get past Senator Kennedy’s pro-choice voting record and recognize all the other good he did.
It seems pro-lifers in this country, especially conservative Catholics, have their minds wired in binary. Either you’re pro-life, or you’re not, and, if you’re not, you’re my enemy and I’ll…(do something – like kill abortion doctors?). This binary logic is also present in Church politics: it’s called dogma. But the Church hierarchy can at least see the gray, instead of just black and white, when it comes to a man’s legislative output over half a century. One issue does not disqualify you from last rites.
I see most issues as gray. In their complexity and their relationships to other issues, it must be so. The person that sees them as either black or white is a fanatic. Binary logic does not allow for debate. Instead, it breeds hatred and violence, as we have seen in the abortion issue.
The Church’s stance on abortion is clear. With its dogma it opens the door to fanaticism, as almost every religion does. But to the Vatican and Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley’s credit, they participated in the outpouring of sentiment lamenting the loss of America’s greatest legislator. With all his shortcomings and human foibles, Senator Kennedy achieved greatness by helping people. If the Church appreciates this, why can’t the fanatics?
Fanaticism doesn’t allow for any “yes, buts….” The pro-life mantra is that Kennedy was pro-choice, period. Not Kennedy was pro-choice; “yes, but….” In his case, what follows the “yes, but…” overwhelms the one issue of abortion. Only small-minded individuals are restricted to a single issue and see it in such a binary fashion.
I personally think there are instances when an abortion should not take place. That’s just an opinion and I’m willing to negotiate my position. I mostly come from the point of view of protecting the mother but when that baby has developed to a certain point (beyond the first trimester, say) we ought to think about protecting the baby too. On the other hand, I also think that using a rusty coat hanger to rip a baby out of the mother’s womb in some back alley hell hole is not right. That’s not protecting the mother and certainly not the baby. You see, ethical choices are not binary either.
And I can even argue for short-term abortions (the morning-after pill). The Church as a long history of exploiting the suffering masses of poor people. By bringing another unwanted child into this world, into poverty and suffering, another poor Catholic soul has been added to the teeming millions. It is to those millions that the Church owes its power and perpetuates this historical swindle: Give up your time and your tithes to the Church hierarchy and you will have your reward in the hereafter.
Many years ago I had an interesting trip to Quito. I was struck by the poverty of Ecuador. Noble suffering etched the faces of the beggars in front of the Cathedral. Inside, the altar was adorned with gold leaf. I immediately thought, “This is wrong!” It’s not only wrong historically (the Cathedral is old); it’s wrong today. The Church has turned its back on St. Francis. And they wonder why the poor and suffering are turning their backs on the Church?
I think it is not morally correct to condemn that unwanted and impoverished child to a hell on Earth. How dare the Church barter in souls this way with its absolutist dogma and rigid totalitarianism! How dare it think that it has a monopoly on salvation and intercession with God! I have known many priests during my years on this planet. I’m always impressed that the higher you go in the hierarchy, the more aloof and arrogant the priest becomes. But maybe I’m wrong. Maybe these vicars of Christ are the real thing and that noble parish priest that works among the poor, caring for them in life and absolving them of their sins at death, is just a poor dumb fool that doesn’t know how to get ahead in the corporate structure.
Thank God that in this country we have a separation between church and state. The wisdom of our founding fathers in setting things up that way was a rare and significant event in human history. Let’s not squander their wisdom.
I finish with a quote from Thomas Jefferson: “I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature.” Well, maybe one, Thomas: it did recognize a great legislator, one for the ages. May he rest in peace.
