Newark archbishop affirms doctrinal tradition that differs from Pope Francis on U.S. trip

By Jeff Green
Record
October 14, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/news/newark-archbishop-affirms-doctrinal-tradition-that-differs-from-pope-francis-on-u-s-trip-1.1431533

Archbishop John J. Myers

In sweeping language, Newark Archbishop John J. Myers has instructed Catholics not to seek Communion or other sacraments if they “publicly reject” church teachings, and he advises the faithful to avoid events supporting people or organizations who don’t follow church doctrine.

The archbishop distributed the statement of principles in a letter to priests last Friday at a time when bishops handpicked by Pope Francis are meeting in Rome to discuss allowing divorced and remarried couples to receive Communion. And it comes weeks after Francis’ U.S. tour in which he reinforced a spirit of embracing all Catholics, even who don’t or haven’t always adhered to church teachings.

The letter appears to be the most far-reaching effort yet by Myers, a conservative prelate known for pressuring Catholic politicians and voters, in asserting the church’s social doctrine.

While a Newark archdiocese spokesman said the letter marked no “significant change,” at least one Catholic expert said that if it is followed literally, it could be applied broadly to the political and public lives of any Catholic, even those who don’t quarrel with hot-button social issues such as gay marriage, abortion and contraceptive use.

For example, the expert said, devout Catholics could run afoul of the principles by attending their child’s same-sex wedding.

In his letter, titled “Principles to Aid in Preserving and Protecting the Catholic Faith in the Midst of an Increasingly Secular Culture,” Myers wrote that Catholics and non-Catholics should not receive the sacraments if they reject church teachings, “either by public statements or by joining or supporting organizations which do so.”

He also asserted that Catholics should not participate in or even attend events “intended to support those who reject or ignore church teaching and canon law.”

Some observers, including a priest who was removed from his position at Seton Hall University this spring after he was viewed as a supporter of gay marriage, saw the move as a way for Myers to influence not only his flock but also speak to church leaders, including Francis, whose tone of welcome and acceptance has become a defining trait of his papacy.

“For some reason, Archbishop Myers seems to be saying both to the people of the archdiocese and his brother bishops, ‘Here’s where I stand on this,’Ÿ” said the Rev. Warren Hall, an openly gay priest who now works at a parish in Hoboken.

But Hall said he took issue with Myers’ assertion that people who seek reforms in the church are “anti-Catholic,” and said they shouldn’t be excluded from receiving Communion.

“If you have hope for a change in pastoral practice or teaching for the future, I don’t think that means you’re currently rejecting what the church teaching is,” he said. “For many LGBT people, including myself, our hope down the road, hopefully sooner than later, is LGBT people are fully engaged in the life of the church,” Hall said, referring to the broad group of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. “Saying that, I don’t think, means we reject where the church is now.”

The archbishop has issued similar letters before – to Catholic officeholders in 2004, asking them not to seek Communion if they supported abortion rights, and to voters a month before the 2012 presidential election, telling them to support candidates who oppose gay marriage.

Charles Reid, a canon law professor at University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis, said that if Catholics followed the new document to the letter, even a football coach who loudly swears after a close loss or a parent who attends their gay son’s wedding would be barred from seeking Communion. And the faithful would have to steer clear of rallies for presidential candidates who disagree with Catholic social doctrine – which includes many Demo­crats, who support abortion rights, and some Republicans, including Governor Christie, a Catholic who supports the death penalty and use of contraception.

A spokesman for Christie declined to comment on the letter.

“This is insanely, hysterically overreaching,” Reid said. “It looks petty, it looks vengeful, it looks like a dying gasp if you will. Ten years from now, I can’t imagine a bishop doing this. Five years from now. He feels he can right now so that’s what he’s doing.”

The document can be seen as a direct response to the pope, who just finished a tour of the United States and has urged the church to welcome gays and even people who have had abortions into the fold.

“This is saying, ‘The pope may rule in Rome, but I rule in this archdiocese,’Ÿ” Reid said.

The letter could also be a way for Myers to “tie down” his presumed successor, assistant Archbishop Bernard Hebda, who stands to assume the helm of the archdiocese after Myers submits his resignation when he turns 75 in July, Reid said. Hebda’s name does not appear on the document – which, according to Reid, “becomes the first crisis on Hebda’s desk.”

Hebda will be asked about his take on the letter the day he becomes leader of the archdiocese, Reid said.

Hebda could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Jim Goodness, a spokesman for the archdiocese, played down the significance of the document, saying the archbishop writes such letters “from time to time” in his role as a “teacher.”

“I wouldn’t read anything into it,” he said. Goodness said the letter was a message to “everyone in our ministry that we need to maintain our integrity and fullness of Catholic teaching and tradition.”

In a memo, Myers said the document was “prepared with legal advice to ensure that we are being selective based on Catholic theological principals.”

Hall, who now works as a parochial vicar at the Catholic Community of Saints Peter & Paul in Hoboken, said Tuesday he did not think the letter was in any way a response to his situation – which prompted national media coverage.

Hall has contended that he was removed as Seton Hall University’s director of college ministry in May, months after he posted a message on social media supporting an anti-bullying initiative led by an LGBT group.

The archdiocese has said there was no problem with the priest taking a stand against discrimination, but Goodness said Hall’s support of the NOH8 Campaign, the anti-bullying initiative, “was an area of conflict” because of the group’s advocacy for same-sex marriage.

Hall said when he spoke to the archbishop in May, Myers told him, “All of us are against bullying, but I feel you have a further agenda here and I can’t have you at Seton Hall with that agenda.”

Hall said that while he does not preach in favor of gay marriage, “my hope is for the development of our doctrine.” Advocating for change in the church – as some cardinals in Rome are now – should not be frowned upon or looked at as “anti-church teaching,” he said.

As to whether he would heed the letter, Hall said he does not believe he is “publicly rejecting” doctrine.

“I have a clear conscience when I celebrate the Mass and when I offer Communion,” he said.

Hall said Myers appears to have identified himself with a philosophy many have said Pope Benedict XVI adhered to – of seeking a “smaller, more faithful” church; Francis meanwhile has tried to “bring anyone on the periphery back into the fold.”

“I don’t know why this was issued right now, that’s the puzzlement,” Hall said. “It seems to me the archbishop is trying to make his particular stand made clear.”