Catholic Professors: Boehner Violates Moral Law
Academics from Catholic universities and colleges criticize House Speaker John Boehner (R.,Ohio) for violating church teaching on care for the poor, in advance of Boehner's appearance Saturday at commencement.
Catholic Professors: Boehner Violates Moral Law
Thomas Fitzgerald, Inquirer Politics Writer
In recent years, protests erupted when left-leaning Democrats who support abortion access were honored by Catholic universities and colleges at commencement ceremonies, since that position violates the church’s teaching on the sanctity of human life from conception.
Now, it’s a prominent Republican’s turn.
House Speaker John Boehner is scheduled to receive an honorary degree and speak to graduates Saturday at the Catholic University of America – and at least 100 academics from church-related universities around the country are protesting the visit because they say the recent GOP budget Boehner guided through the House will harm the poor, elderly and vulnerable.
“Mr. Speaker, your voting record is at variance from one of the Church’s most ancient moral teachings,” the professors write in their letter. “From the apostles to the present, the Magisterium of the Church has insisted that those in power are morally obliged to preference the needs of the poor. Your record in support of legislation to address the desperate needs of the poor is among the worst in Congress. This fundamental concern should have great urgency for Catholic policy makers. Yet, even now, you work in opposition to it.”
The professors go on to criticize Boehner for his support of cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and the Women Infants and Children nutrition program specifically, while backing $3 trillion worth of tax cuts for the wealthy.
Boehner was raised Catholic in Ohio; the signers of the letter did not ask him to forgo giving the address or demand that Catholic University withdraw its invitation.
“The Speaker will be delivering a personal, non-political speech at the Catholic University of America that he hopes will speak to all members of the graduating class, regardless of their backgrounds or affiliations,” Brendan Buck, spokesman for Boehner, said in a statement. “He is deeply honored to have been invited by CUA to address the school’s graduating class, and is looking forward to receiving an honorary degree from the only Catholic college in our country that is chartered by Catholic bishops.”
In 2009, many Catholics protested the University of Notre Dame’s decision to grant an honorary degree to President Obama because of his abortion-rights advocacy, and there were demands that the invitation be withdrawn. Notre Dame did not relent, but commencement was picketed by pro-life demonstrators.
Judging by coverage in the CUA student newspaper, The Tower, students are largely supportive of the decision to invite Boehner and honored to have the 3rd-highest-ranking elected official address them. The newspaper editorialized that snagging Boehner was a point of pride for the school.
Liberal Democrat here. A few points:
1 - I didn't know that "preference" could be used as a verb.
2 - Boehner's speech may be personal, but it will certainly NOT be non-political. He won't pass up this opportunity to promote his agenda. This is not a criticism; I'd expect the same from a Democrat.
3 - The academics' sentiment is admirable and their choice to express it in a civil and non-threatening manner is refreshing. However, the Catholic establishment has been so medieval and hypocritical on so many issues that I'm uncomfortable embracing this.— 1980- Are these the same Catholics that for decades allowed pedophiles to run amuk in their ranks???— Citizenc92
Since when dose the church care about the elderly, sick or poor? They support republicans that do nothing except help the wealthy.— ej610- The church has a long history of caring for those who are in need, so your statement is totally incorrect and based on sheer ignorance. And while I am not a Republican, it is ludicrous to think that a huge percentage of Americans join a party just to keep a small wealhty minority comfortable. Your understanding of what the party stands for is flawed, and no doubt based on the bias and irrational rhetoric you were taught. At least study each party's philosophy from a neutral starting point, and you may see that Republicans are more about decentralized authority, lower taxes ( to promote incentives for business to prosper and thrive, thus increasing employment and prosperity) and a respect and adherance to the US Constitution.
— Yermak29 - The church has a long history of caring for those who are in need, so your statement is totally incorrect and based on sheer ignorance. And while I am not a Republican, it is ludicrous to think that a huge percentage of Americans join a party just to keep a small wealhty minority comfortable. Your understanding of what the party stands for is flawed, and no doubt based on the bias and irrational rhetoric you were taught. At least study each party's philosophy from a neutral starting point, and you may see that Republicans are more about decentralized authority, lower taxes ( to promote incentives for business to prosper and thrive, thus increasing employment and prosperity) and a respect and adherance to the US Constitution. — Yermak29
- hey pot meet kettle!!!!— boom dynamite
- The church consistently supports the poor. Remember, the church is the people not the excel spreadsheet worshipers located in the offices of your nearest archdiocese. Boehner is more typical of his midwest roots than having a specific view because he is Catholic... I.e. A Boston Catholic is going to probably have different views than a Catholic from Oklahoma City.— psubrian
- Cabalistic Christianity, which is Catholic Christianity, and which has prevailed for 1,500 years, has received a mortal wound, of which the monster must finally die. Yet so strong is his constitution, that he may endure for centuries before he expires. -- John Adams, letter to Thomas Jefferson, July 16, 1814, from James A Haught, ed, 2000 Years of Disbelief.— CiceroSpuriousDeodatus
- cicero, gee, 200 years ago and we Catholics are still surviving that mortal wound. Adams was werong about so much.— mike l
- Catholics "professors" better counsel their own leaders aka priest about "moral teachings" and lifestylesd before criticizing others. Their formerly well-run enterprise has developed quite a few blemishes that will hurt their profit margin.— dogman5
- Come On, everybody hates the poor. Most of us don't want them to be poor, but when they are your voting base, you want to keep them poor (and stupid).— sillybilly
- News Flash...it's not the government's responsibility to feed the poor...it's the church's. What's morally reprehensible is to forcefully take money from one group and give it to another under the pretext that they are caring for the poor. Find me a scripture, New Testament or Old Testament, where God/Jesus puts the burden on the government to feed the poor. But then I don't think the Catholic hierarchy cares too much about what the Bible says.— davidjones
- without a strong economy we can not afford social programs,Liberal need to pay more for school and social programs and less complaining .We need to pull out troops home and have money for program but public and teachers need to stop taking all the pension and benefits from the people who need the help the most.some social programs need to go to save other programs too many programs are wasted on adminstrative costs .look at the PHA wasted monies.— hannigan
- Render unto Caesar that which is Caesars's and to God that which is God's.
These professors have twisted Church teachings into knots -- it is an individual and Church obligation to help the poor. The Government's job is to keep the peace and administer justice. Not that these intellectual fops know anything about that...— itstooeasy - Is this the same Catholic Church that ministers to the needs of the poor by closing schools in Philadelphia, Bristol, Pottstown, and Norristown to build expensive new ones in the far-flung richer suburbs?— everydayguy
You can reach Tom Fitzgerald at 215-854-2718 or tfitzgerald@phillynews.com.
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