Other legislators openly reject the positions of the bishops, claiming that influential Catholics such as Father Robert Drinan provide them an alternate position. Drinan's tactics have seriously undermined the efforts of the bishops and those who represent them. It is time we take seriously the role assigned to the bishop in terms of teaching and public leadership. Bishops are urged to be personally vigilant that the sound doctrine of Catholic morality is taught and applied in the circumstances of public life as well as in the privacy of conscience. Clearly, we have a long way to go in defining our role in public and political affairs.
Obvious questions remain about how exactly to translate witness into action.
The bishops tried on partial-birth abortion, staging an unprecedented press conference and prayer service with all the American cardinals on the steps of the Capitol urging a Senate override of President Clinton's veto. Reports on the bishops' efforts were muted from September on, however, and were virtually lost as election day drew near. Clinton's popularity seemed to overshadow his moral failure, and the efforts of the bishops on partial-birth abortion were further frustrated. Despite these questions, however, there is much that can be done. For too long the Catholic bishops have been passive, withdrawn, or indirect in trying to give leadership.