We Must Trust and Follow Our Church Leaders

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archdiocese of New York 

Cardinal Dolan is catching quite a bit of flack in Catholic circles for inviting President Obama to attend the Alfred E. Smith dinner which raises money for Catholic Charities, especially for the needy children in New York. Traditionally, but not always, during an election year, the two party candidates for the presidency are invited to speak. The dinner is more like a roast with each of the speakers joking at each other's expense.

Without question this is and has been a particularly contentious year between the Obama administration and the Catholic Church. In fact, Cardinal Dolan has been the point man criticizing the President for overreaching his constitutional authority through the implementation of the HHS Mandate. Despite that, Cardinal Dolan has decided to still invite President Obama to the dinner. As a result, some members of the Catholic media have taken it upon themselves to not only publicly disagree with Dolan, but to begin urging people to call and email Cardinal Dolan.

I believe, that while these people are well intentioned in their pursuit of turning back the HHS mandate, they are severely misguided in their efforts to coerce and harass the Cardinal. In my opinion, they suffer from the ill conceived notion that the Catholic Church should operate as a democracy. It does not, nor should it. These men are our shepherds and to paraphrase St. Ignatius of Antioch, the bishop is "like the living image of God the Father" (CCC #1549).

Instead, we faithful laity should follow, trust and pray for our Church leaders. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2234:

God's fourth commandment also enjoins us to honor all who for our good have received authority in society from God. It clarifies the duties of those who exercise authority as well as those who benefit from it.

Additionally, CCC #2238 advises:

Those subject to authority should regard those in authority as representatives of God, who has made them stewards of his gifts:43 "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution. . . . Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God."44 Their loyal collaboration includes the right, and at times the duty, to voice their just criticisms of that which seems harmful to the dignity of persons and to the good of the community.

I am so tired of reading columns and comments belittling and degrading our Church leaders. Surely they have made mistakes and will make more, but they are our leaders. Instead of spending our time denigrating them, we should be praying for them. I can't help but think of something St. Josemaria Escriva wrote in The Way:

It cut you to the heart to hear people say that you had spoken badly of those Priests. And I am glad that it hurt: for now I am sure you have the right spirit! (The Way #73)