Other Things to Worry About...

So. Many conservative Catholics are still abuzz over President Obama's speech at Notre Dame. They're mad (a) because he was invited; (b) because he accepted; and (c) because he now has an honorary degree from the Golden Dome. They're also mad because they perceive Obama as "pro-abortion." Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. WRONG. Don't they listen? Obama has stated time and again that he is not "pro-abortion." The bishops, who have decreed themselves the "moral compass" of all "good Catholics," were all a-flutter - wanting to pillory the president of the University because he had the audacity to invite this man. I have so many problems with this whole issue. First off, let me let you in on a secret: PRO-CHOICE IS NOT PRO-ABORTION. Obama has said that his objective is to reduce the number of abortions. What's difficult about grasping that concept? Isn't that the goal of the anti-abortion folks? Second off, there is NOTHING inherently wrong about contraception. We are, remember, in a world of FINITE resources. We can't thump on scripture and continually "go forth and multiply" - otherwise, everyone would have been pleased as punch with Octo-Mom. She's gone forth and multiplied. Again and again. Yet, what we hear is backlash that "WE" will be supporting those kids. However, so many fervent conservatives of any religion seem to think that contraception is the worst evil. No. It's not. One of the worst evils is the predatory priest scandals. They've occurred over a couple different denominations, truth be told. But the Catholic mess is the most publicized. Which brings me to the contention of many bishops, who claimed to be the "moral compass" for "good Catholics" - a claim I doubt to the very depth of my own Catholic soul. My (now retired) bishop was one of the chessmasters in that predatory priest scandal. Over decades, he knowingly moved troublesome priests from one diocese to another, across the nation. And when it was finally disclosed, all he said was "I'm sorry if what I did hurt anyone." Really. The compassion that drips from that statement just moves me to --- well, not tears, that's for sure. I have a fine moral compass, thanks. And it's not a bishop. It's my own, God-given sense of right and wrong. To clarify: Would I have an abortion? I don't know. It would depend upon the circumstances. What I can say is that if I chose to do so, I would like the procedure to be done properly, with trained medical supervision. And the other thing I can say is that when my bishop has a uterus, he can then advise me as to what to do with mine. Do I know women who've had abortions? Yes. Do I think they made the decision lightly? Absolutely not. And they beat themselves up regularly. They often say that they wish there would have been an alternative. All this being said, you can bet your bottom dollar that conservatives will drive this one-issue issue to Hades and back. But there are so many other issues to tackle. Social justice activists can give us several: how about those who live in poverty here in the good old U S of A? Those who live in our country without clean water? Those who live in housing that the SPCA wouldn't allow a dog to inhabit? Not counting the international issues... And the Catholics? Let's talk about why the pews are emptying. Let's talk about where you might be getting your next priest. Have you seen a nun lately? How about all those Catholic schools closing? Having a hissy fit over a commencement speech is the least of our worries. There are so many other things to worry about...