CHURCH REFORM NETWORK CAUTIONS U.S. CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ SUPPORT FOR A SINGLE CANDIDATE AND ISSUE BETRAYS CATHOLIC TEACHING AND THREATENS TAX-EXEMPT STATUS

Catholic Church Reform International (CCRI) is deeply concerned about the unique impact of this year’s presidential election not only on the United States but on the whole world.

We share the outrage of millions of people from around the world shocked by U.S. Catholic Bishops using their influence to speak out during an election cycle to Catholic parishioners in favor of one candidate running for the U.S. presidency based on the one issue of abortion.

As Christians, let us not be misled into thinking that we are obligated to support a single issue, namely the life of the unborn, to the exclusion of a myriad of other equally sacred Christian values, including those already born; the sick, disabled, the poor and elderly; those on the economic margins; victims of human trafficking; humane treatment of migrants; and protection of Dreamers.

“It is the moral responsibility of our Church leaders to stand up for the entirety of our Catholic Christian values,” says Rene Reid, director of CCRI, “which are in serious jeopardy as we face the increasing polarization of views, both within the church and in secular society, as we face this year’s presidential election.”

“By taking their position, do those Catholic Bishops realize they are inadvertently supporting racism?” asks Charlie Gibson, a CCRI active supporter. “Equally concerning to us are the politically influential positions held by most Evangelicals and white Christian Nationalists who stand for exclusionism and the preservation of white American culture, thereby exacerbating racial and ethnic violence. A new organization calling themselves Catholics for Catholics, including members like Michael Flynn and Roger Stone, is supporting contradictory Catholic values by forming allegiances with these two groups, promoting an unapologetic blend of Catholic doctrine and Christian nationalism.

We further respectfully remind our Catholic bishops US bishops again declare abortion ‘preeminent priority’ for Catholic voters | National Catholic Reporter (ncronline.org) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service code prohibiting intervention in political campaigns by religious organizations that are exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)3. Church leaders who engage in this practice risk losing their tax-free status.

Pope Francis is ushering in a new way of functioning within our communities, and we fully agree with him that the synodal process is a better approach to addressing issues that concern us all.

Given the potential consequences of the US presidential election on our nation, on our world, and on our Christian values, we invite all People of God to an online deep listening and sharing gathering on Saturday, September 7.

Save this date. It is not too early to register:

Time: 9:00 a.m. Pacific, 10:00 a.m. Mountain, 11:00 a.m. central, noon eastern

In a spirit of synodality, we hope that all the People of God will make time to share what the Spirit has to say on this significant issue as we really listen to one another.

Extend a personal invitation to your bishops, priests, and fellow parishioners, reminding them that this is not a debate but a prayerful listening session guided by the Spirit.

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