What If Department: Startling decree from bishop of Liberal Falls, Ariz.

by Bob McClory

A U.S. Catholic bishop has threatened to deny communion to Catholic legislators who disagree with the faith’s “central teachings.” Bishop Chris J. Shepherd of the small diocese of Liberal Falls, Ariz., told a news conference that elected leaders and others who oppose conservative, Christian values should consider themselves unworthy of the Eucharist.

“I’m sick and tired of this weak, wimpy interpretation of the gospel,” said Shepherd. “Henceforth, in this diocese those who oppose or try to restrict the following Big Five, non-negotiable issues are to consider themselves in violation of Catholic truth. They are:

• Medicaid for the elderly;
• Food stamps for those under the poverty level;
• Housing assistance for the needy;
• Social Security disability insurance;
• School lunches or children below the poverty line.

Asked why he was selecting only these issues, Shepherd said, “In the words of Jesus: ‘Duh!’ Read your Bible. You can’t get through three or four pages in any direction without hearing about God’s concern for the poor, the orphan, the widow, the sick, the stranger, the outcast — and our obligation to do something. That’s what it’s all about for God’s sake!”

Asked whether supporting abortion should also be on the list of taboos, the bishop said, “I’m certainly not in favor of abortion. It’s always a tragic choice, but it’s a complex matter that a compassionate church can only judge in individual cases. My Big Five are right in front of your face every time you open the book, go to church or walk down the street. It’s what Catholicism is about and always has been.”

A spokesman for the US. Catholic Bishops Conference said no response was possible until Bishop Shepherd’s statement had been evaluated in Rome and an investigation was undertaken on his use of slang and questionable language.