Catholic Church doesn’t rely on opinion polls

By John Rozycki

Regarding Peter Leo’s Feb. 14 essay, “Bishop Pates Misses the Mark on Contraception Rule”: He criticizes Bishop Richard Pates for defending the Catholic Church’s position regarding the contraceptive mandate from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Unfortunately, Leo’s argument is based on his misunderstanding of the mandate’s financing and of the church.

With the administration’s recent “compromise,” Leo suggests that the responsibility of financing contraceptive coverage is shifted from religiously affiliated employers to insurance companies. Where will the insurance companies get the money? From people, including faithful Catholics.

Leo suggests that Pates “should reassess the collective conscience of Catholics on the issue of contraception before he speaks for them.” Furthermore, he suggests that DePaul University’s decision to provide contraceptive coverage “speaks volumes.”

In leading his flock, Pates relies on moral principles flowing from centuries of Catholic teaching. The church does not rely on opinion polls.

Leo clearly misunderstands the essence of the Catholic Church. The church is not limited to the clergy and staff; it is the whole universal community of believers.

Finally, Leo accuses Pates of being “shortsighted.” Really? The church has been in existence for over 2,000 years. It will prevail. Thank you, Bishop Pates.

[Thanks to Quiner’s Diner reader, John Rozycki, for his contribution to the Diner.]