Catholic Bishops Pander To Washington State Politics Rather Than Defend Their Faith By Carina Benton for The Federalist
Washington state Catholic leaders would rather stick it to the president than let him defend their right to celebrate Mass. Following President Donald Trump’s direction on Friday for states to allow houses of worship to reopened and to declare public worship as essential, Gov. Jay Inslee immediately thumbed his nose, and Washington bishops quickly follow suit.
In a disappointing response, the bishops demonstrated that rather than stand up for their flock and acknowledge the president’s commitment to religious freedom, they prefer hand-wringing and waffling while they wait for the governor to pass judgement. The bishops have shared with the governor broad practical guidelines outlining how Washington Catholics can “safely return to public worship.” It is their “understanding that these are in review with the Governor’s office now,” and they are “look[ing] forward to his rapid response.”
Why exactly are the bishops waiting? Although insisting that their “love of God and neighbor is always personal and not partisan,” the letter makes it clear that the bishops are giving a big thanks-but-no-thanks to Trump. Instead they are throwing their lot in with a secular state government that is perilously close to violating a constitutionally protected freedom. Bishops are keeping sacraments suspended indefinitely and allowing Washington churches to be treated differently than other establishments in terms of opening.
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The governor has been unable to explain why gathering for worship is riskier than shopping in a supermarket or gathering in a restaurant, and the bishops’ continued acceptance of this arbitrary and discriminatory position is a slap in the face to Catholics. Washington bishops need to act faster and with greater valor.
The Bishops Are Bending to Politics
Rather than urging Catholics to defend their faith and right to worship, the bishops’ response Friday reflects the belligerent determination of Washington liberals to undermine their president no matter what and, bizarrely, even when it contradicts their own interest.
That Washingtonians would rejoice in churches remaining closed because Trump has declared they should reopen is a perversity only explained by our relentlessly partisan political climate. The bishops’ letter was more a product of Washington state politics and an understanding of their “constituents” than a reflection of church teaching, a commitment to the sacraments, and a true love of Jesus and their congregants.
