Bishops & segregationists

Commonweal, Nov 5, 2004 by Mary G. Commins

Vincent Rougeau's article ("Politics & Communion," October 8) recalled a chapter in American Catholic history that many of us remember well. The example of Archbishop Joseph Rummel's handling of segregationists in New Orleans could certainly have provided food for thought for the American bishops as they considered how to deal with a Catholic presidential nominee whose political position on some issues is contrary to Catholic teaching. As Rougeau notes, there are notable differences between the case of the segregationists and the case of John Kerry. To me, the most significant is that the segregationists publicly argued for a single position that was contrary to church teaching. Kerry, on the other hand, has taken positions on several "life" issues, including health care, war, and, of course, abortion. On some issues, he is in line with church teaching; on others, he is not. The task facing the bishops--and the American voter--is to weigh whether Kerry's view on abortion outweighs his views on other important life issues. Rummell's decision, in contrast, was much more straightforward.

MARY G. COMMINS

Bethesda, Md.