The app for independent voices
Today’s news brings two interesting cases of Catholic prelates dabbling in politics:
Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark urges the faithful to lobby their legislators, calling for de-funding of ICE. Whatever you think of ICE, this is unmistakably a partisan issue, and the cardinal is taking sides— and in the process using the sort of inflammatory language that you expect from politicians, not shepherds of souls.
Meanwhile a German political leader who was thrown off a parish administrative board has seen the Vatican dismiss his appeal. Christoph Schaufert was deemed unworthy of a parish position because he is a leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, a right-wing group that has been condemned by the left-wing German hierarchy. Schaufert, you see, was identified with controversial partisan causes.
So that’s OK if you’re Archbishop of Newark, but not if you’re a German layman? I’m confused.
