Not the Bishops' Finest Hour: Economic Justice, with Cerberus Unchained?

Abstract

I contend that the U.S. Catholic Bishops Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship letter, issued at the end of November, 2007, misses the mark. It is caught up in excessive pragmatism, caution, and prudence, having failed to squarely come to grips with the 2004 reception of the Eucharist by pro-abortion Catholic politicians, most prominently, Presidential Candidate John Kerry. And, as a matter of social justice, the 2007 letter lacks the fervor and the authenticity of the Bishops' 1986 letter, Economic Justice for All.