Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Catholic News

Home

Home
Catholic
Religion News
North Dakota bishop stands by pastoral letter on election

North Dakota bishop stands by pastoral letter on election

Last updated on: October 31, 2012 at 10:05 am by CNA Daily News

North Dakota bishop stands by pastoral letter on election 2012-10-31T10:05:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Bismarck, N.D., Oct 31, 2012 / 04:05 am (CNA).- Bishop David D. Kagan of Bismarck defended his letter on the election which was read this weekend at parishes in North Dakota, against demands by a state senator that it be withdrawn or changed.

“It's with a properly formed conscience, which we regularly nourish with prayer, the sacraments, and continued study, that we can…set a good example, which ultimately isn't about you or me,” Bishop Kagan told CNA Oct. 30.

The example we set, he emphasized, presents Christ to other people.

Bishop Kagan is the ordinary of Bismarck, and is serving as the apostolic administrator of Fargo while the see is vacant.

As part of his role, Bishop Kagan issued the letter asking parishioners “to vote as a Catholic citizen with a properly formed Catholic conscience.”

Bishop Kagan wrote that the teachings of the Church are “the means for us to properly form our consciences so that we seek always what is true and good.”

He went on to say that intrinsically evil actions, such as abortion and euthanasia, “must always be rejected and opposed,” and that issues that do not directly affect the life and dignity of people are secondary to these.

Though Bishop Kagan “will not tell you how to vote,” he wrote that “I ask you to vote for the candidates who represent you as Catholic citizens. Please do not vote for the candidate who is most likeable.”

Responding to an advance copy of the letter, however, state senator Tim Mathern asserted in an Oct. 23 statement that the obligation to “follow your conscience” is in conflict with the obligation of Catholics to form their conscience according to Church teaching, and that Bishop Kagan's teaching “short circuits conscience formation.”

Mathern's statement also characterized Bishop Kagan's letter as “a request on voting for or against a specific person or party,” thus risking the Church's non-profit status.

Though no candidates or parties are mentioned by name in the letter, Mathern believes Bishop Kagan's plea not to vote for the “most likeable” candidate is too particular.

“North Dakotans who have been exposed to political coverage or advertisements this election season can readily identify the candidate who is considered the 'most likeable,'” he said. “Repeatedly, newspaper reports use this designation for one candidate, as do ads against her candidacy.”

Bishop Kagan responded to CNA, however, that he wrote the letter out of concern for the souls of the Catholic faithful under his charge.

“There isn't a circumstance that can ever justify you or me checking our faith at the door, and then going in and doing something that is contrary to what we say we believe.”

“It does a great disservice to other Catholics, and to those who are not Catholic, if we create one of those artificial divisions between what I believe as a Catholic and what I do as a Catholic.”

Bishop Kagan added that “conscience can be in error,” and that while there are things that are “easily recognized” by individual consciences as true or false, there are also matters “in between.”

“And that's where the relationship between Church authority and conscience…becomes so necessary and essential, because it's not always clear what is the Truth, and therefore what is the good.”

“So it's that recognition that there is an authority…that can inform and properly form one's conscience so it recognizes the Truth, and then directs the person to seek that which is true and good.”

He said the relationship between authority and conscience is a “complementary” one, and that authority and conscience are not meant to be “at odds” with one another.

“For a Catholic to properly form and inform his or her conscience, so that the truth is recognized and the good is pursued…one has to be able to look to the authentic teaching of that truth,” he offered.

“I was taken aback when my use of an adjective (likeable) was interpreted as endorsing one candidate over another,” Bishop Kagan said. “I'm not singling out anybody, I'm talking about all candidates, and I stand by that…I don't regret using that adjective.”

“Why would I base my choice of a candidate on likeability rather than a reasoned examination of the candidates' positions all of the important issues?” he asked.

The bishop noted that the response to his letter has been overwhelmingly positive. Of over 400 emails he has received about it, only 6 have objected to the letter. And the Bismarck diocese's Facebook page "likes" have more than doubled since Friday.

“The response I've seen has been overwhelmingly in support…so that as many Catholics as possible are reminded of essential Catholic Church teachings as we are to apply these in daily life, whether it's voting in an election, or business practices or whatever it may be,” he said.

Previous Post

October 31, 2012

Catholic music label to release nuns' album for Advent

Next Post

October 31, 2012 Faith is lived in community, Pope Benedict reflects

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How was Haman punished for his plot?

Select your answer to see how you score.

He was hanged on the gallows he built He was beheaded He was turned into a pillar of salt He was exiled