The Pope told a group of visiting US bishops that they need to remind lay Catholic that they must follow the Church’s teaching in private and public life. I wonder whatever he could mean.
He began his remarks by saying he appreciated the “outstanding contribution” lay Catholics have made to the growth and expansion of the church in the United States. But the pope said “serious pastoral problems” have been created by ambiguity over the relationships among personal conscience, truth and the social order.
Could those serious problems include confusion among average Catholics on their duty not to vote for pro-abortion politicians? Could it also include confusion whether pro-abortion Catholic politicians must be refused Communion? Cardinal McCarrick says there’s no confusion. His task force says it’s up to each individual bishop to decide. So why is the Pope bringing it up now?