Bishop Bruskewitz: Dissipating Ambiguities
from the May-June 1996 issue

Judging by media reports on the reactions to Bishop Bruskewitz’s recent extra-synodal legislation, one would expect that the reverend bishop is not so popular these days. On the contrary, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska, is being lauded worldwide for unequivocally defending the truth and the faith. The bishop declared that any Catholic of his dio- cese who belongs to certain groups which are anathema to the Faith such as Planned Parenthood, the Hemlock Society, Catholics for a Free Choice, and Call to Action could consider himself excommunicated (ipso facto latae sententia) if he does not break his affiliation with these organizations by May 15, 1996.

From the publicity the bishop’s statement has generated, one might very well conclude that Catholics of the Lincoln diocese are all upset over this matter. However, Scott Clarke of Lincoln reports that the general feeling in his diocese is one of overwhelming support for the bishop. "As far as I can see," said Clarke, "the Catholics who are at arms over this are those who don’t attend Mass." Parishioners interviewed by a local TV station while leaving a Mass in the neighboring Omaha diocese were also very much in support of Bishop Bruskewitz.

Many media reports emanating from the Catholic press, however, have tended more toward vilifying Bishop Bruskewitz rather than supporting his efforts. While few have contested his denouncement of the explicitly pro-abortion and pro-euthanasia groups (they have rather remained silent in this regard), the press is using the dissident "Catholic" group, Call to Action, to elucidate the bishop’s "draconian" measures.

As if to legitimize the group, the media have pointed out that nearly one-third of Call to Action is comprised of priests and religious, including "several" bishops. Only two of these bishops have been publicly identified : Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit (known for his outspoken support of homosexuality as a legitimate Christian lifestyle, and of the women’s ordination movement), and Bishop Raymond Lucker of New Ulm, Minnesota, who spoke at the group’s national conference last November. Not coincidentally, both bishops were among a group of nine American bishops who signed a letter of petition sent to the Holy Father last year calling for "an open dialogue" between the American bishops and the Vatican, constituting an open breaking of ranks with the Pope and the U.S. hierarchy. Hence, given their anti-Catholic ecclesiology, Bishops Lucker and Gumbleton have little credibility as far as bishops are concerned, sad as that may be.

Another third of Call to Action is comprised of ex-priests and ex-nuns, many of whom are married to one another and often times work for the Catholic press or in the Catholic schools and universities. To be sure, this group is in no way a truly Catholic organization. They are committed to dismembering the Church from within, admittedly having made much progress throughout their years of heretical activism. While actively promoting birth control, abortion ("choice"), women’s ordination, married priests, active homosexuality, and designation of the Eucharist as simply a "communal meal" rather than the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, they have maintained vociferously that they constitute "faithful" Catholics. With many priests and religious (however dissident or heretical they may be) associated with this group, it is not hard to understand that they are causing much confusion within the very bosom of the Church.

It only stands to reason that an American bishop should take aim against this group, not simply because of their heresies, but because they are leading innocent consciences into error by purporting that one can remain a faithful Catholic while leading the life of a secular hedonist. Bishop Bruskewitz has made clear that Call to Action is in error and that to be associated with the group in any way is contrary to the teachings of Christ. Call to Action is making a mockery of the Church, the papacy, and the priesthood while advancing its political agenda through members’ involvement in the Catholic schools and press.

Further, most of the organizations cited by the bishop (including Call to Action) have been trying to sell their evils to the unwary or uninformed, and often to give the impression that the Church is divided or undecided about the organizations. They are eating away at Catholic souls. Bishop Bruskewitz has rightly found it necessary to dissipate ambiguity and overcome any confusion in the minds of Catholics in his diocese concerning these matters--Michael S. Rose.

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