Fifthly, for too long the bishops have been muzzled by the 501c3 rule which prohibits non-profits from becoming politically involved under the penalty of losing their tax exempt status. This has forced bishops and priests to forfeit their obligation to denounce those politicians who are hostile to the Catholic Church or support those who are supportive to the Catholic agenda.
As shepherds it is important that bishops and priests speak fearlessly on the moral issues of the day and call out offending politicians. Recall, how the pastors in Germany, for the most part, failed in their obligation to condemn Hitler as the Nazis rose to power. Bishops must be ready to give up the Church’s tax exempt status. It is worthless if the Church is prevented from preaching the Gospel for the sake of money.
Finally, bishops should look to the example St. Thomas Becket (1118-1170), Archbishop of Canterbury, who was martyred for his strong defense of the Church’s rights against a self-aggrandizing king, Henry II, for inspiration. It would also be wise to reflect on the words of Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), martyred by the Nazis, who said, “Not to act, is to act.”
If nothing else, the Election of 2012 should be a wake-up call for the Catholic Bishops of America.
Chaplain and Research Fellow at Ave Maria Law. Father Michael P. Orsi was ordained for the Diocese of Camden in 1976 and has a broad background in teaching and educational administration. Fr. Orsi has authored or co-authored four books and over 300 articles in more than 45 journals, magazines and newspapers. He has served as Assistant Chancellor, Assistant Vicar for Pastoral Services, Director of Family Life Bureau, and Coordinator of Pope John Paul II’s visit to New Jersey for the Diocese of Camden. He has also served as a member of The Institute for Genomic Research at the University of Pennsylvania and as a member of New Jersey’s Advisory Council on AIDS. Fr. Orsi holds a Doctorate in Education from Fordham University, two Master degrees in Theology from Saint Charles Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts from Cathedral College. He is presently serving as Chaplain and Research Fellow in Law and Religion at Ave Maria School of Law, Naples, Florida. He is a member of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars. In 2005 Fr. Orsi was appointed as a Senior Research Associate to the Linacre Center for Bioethics, London, England. Fr. Orsi co-hosts a weekly radio program The Advocate which discusses law and culture on WDEO-AM 990, WMAX-AM 1440 in metro Detroit and WDEO-FM 98.5 in southwest Florida [also linked at www.avemarialaw.edu].
