What do you think about state Catholic conferences hiring lobbyists? Frankly, it makes me queasy. Not that Catholics don't have a right to make their collective voice heard about issues important to Catholics, but from my experience, the bishops are just as likely to support things to which I'm violently opposed. That a state bishop's conference would lobby for a position that is a matter of prudential judgment and frame it as "the Catholic position" is irresponsible. And it's happening all over the country. My friend who wrote the lettter below is spot on in his critique of the Virginia Catholic Conference lobbying efforts. Here's what he wrote to a priest of the Arlington Diocese:
Hi Father,
A little while ago I sent you a Michael Voris video. Thank you for your reply.
I get your point that those Voris criticizes, however accurately, will not like to hear it. I don’t think Voris is trying to win over those folks but only to intrude upon their self-satisfaction by speaking for the segment of the laity who already agree with him.
From this laymen’s perspective he's expressing what many of us think. The laity is on the receiving end of one-way communication so our perspective is not something all clergy can share. Still, one can refrain from rejecting the message and shooting the messenger because of style issues. Voris speaks mostly of faith, morals and liturgy but it's not just those which are sources of discontent with the Church’s appointed leaders. As an example of one-way communication that reflects (in my opinion) lack of solidarity and understanding of the working-class laity, I would refer you to page 19 of the Arlington Catholic Herald dated March 21-27, 2013.
This is a full-page report of the lobbying work during the Virginia Legislature's 2013 session by the Virginia Catholic Conference which the article describes as "the public policy agency of Virginia's two bishops and their dioceses." Actually it is simply the personal arm of two bishops and their employees. No more, no less. Bishop Loverde and his employees do not speak to the VA. Legislature in the name of anyone but themselves; certainly not for me or any laity that I know. In fact, I’m offended and embarrassed by their public stance.
Consider some of the "issues" described on page 19 (ACH):
