Cross-posted from Bold Faith Type
By Dan Nejfelt
John Boehner will give the commencement address at The Catholic University of America on Saturday. The university obviously has the right to invite whomever they wish to speak, but it's noteworthy that they chose a Catholic Speaker of the House who very recently passed a federal budget plan that contradicts Catholic Social Teaching in numerous ways.
Catholic leaders are using this as a teachable moment for Boehner. This week a delegation of Catholic University faculty are delivering to Boehner's office a letter signed by more than 70 Catholic scholars, clergy and leaders - including 30 Catholic University faculty - about how the Republican budget plan recently passed by the House violates Catholic doctrine about treatment of the most vulnerable members of society. They're also giving the Speaker a helpful resource to inform his policy positions - a copy of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, a Vatican publication that highlights centuries of Church teaching on social justice issues.
It's important to note that, in contrast to the Catholic right's effort to intimidate Notre Dame into withdrawing its commencement invitation to President Obama, this letter does NOT call on the university to disinvite Boehner or ask Boehner to cancel.
"Speaker Boehner's budget eviscerates vital programs that protect the poor, the elderly, the homeless and at-risk pregnant women and children. This is not pro-life," said Stephen Schneck, Director of the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies at The Catholic University of America. "As he visits our university to be honored as commencement speaker, we pray that the Speaker reflects on our Church's ancient moral teachings and signs on with our bishops to endorse the Circle of Protection."
Look here for the full text of the letter and the list of signatories.
UPDATE: Faithful America has
started a petition for people to show support for the letter-signers holding Speaker Boehner accountable.