Wisconsin Bishop Walks by Faith, Not by Slight

 

 

 

For most churchgoers, losing the election was tough. But for a Catholic Bishop in Wisconsin, losing the Diocese's tax-exemption would be tougher. Unfortunately, that's what a liberal group is threatening after Bishop David Ricken's blunt letter to congregations about candidates who hold unbiblical views on life and marriage. In a mailing to the Green Bay Catholic community, Ricken outlines a series of "non-negotiable" beliefs that are "intrinsically evil," including the support of abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and homosexual "marriage." "To vote for someone in favor of these positions," he writes, "means that you could be morally 'complicit' with these choices..." He goes on to talk about the protection of religious liberty, and how these freedoms have been jeopardized under the current administration.

Although Bishop Ricken never mentions either candidate by name, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) is accusing his Diocese of "electioneering" and has asked the IRS to investigate. "Though he does not explicitly state, 'Vote for Romney'.... it is clear to the reader that Ricken is urging the members of his diocese to vote against President Obama and other Democratic candidates," FFRF writes.

On the contrary, what's clear is that the Democratic Party has adopted a platform in complete contradiction with Scripture. And as the leader of his church, it's Bishop Ricken's duty to remind his congregation that actions have moral consequences--and that includes voting! Unfortunately, too many pastors have been intimidated into silence on these issues by a misunderstanding of U.S. law. Liberals have tried to bully churches with their misapplication of the Establishment Clause in hopes of confining faith to the four walls of the church, where it can't threaten the Left's agenda. Bishop Ricken said himself that this attitude is an indication "of broader societal disposition to remove God from the public square and from any relation to society whatsoever."

But as Alliance Defending Freedom explains, it's not only Bishop Ricken's responsibility to preach the truth--it's his right. Under the First Amendment, Americans have the freedom, not just to go to church, but to take the faith they learn there and apply it to their lives. Intolerance like this makes it clear that the hostility against the church is building. But that's precisely why we need more bold leaders like Bishop Ricken--not fewer.

For all of the stories like Bishop Ricken's, we still have much to be grateful for in comparison with other nations. Seventy-five percent of the world's people live in countries that "perpetuate or tolerate religious freedom abuses." Many of the victims are Christians, whose faith makes them targets for suffering, imprisonment, or even death. To help bring those tragedies to life, FRC is partnering with Voice of the Martyrs this Wednesday at noon (ET) to host a live webcast, "The Cry of the Martyrs: The Threat to Religious Liberty around the World." Join us in bringing greater awareness to the persecution of our brothers and sisters in Christ--and find out what you can do to help. If you can't tune in live, please watch and share the archive.

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