Response

In “Multa Obstant” of Ralph McInerny in the September 1983 issue of Catholicism in Crisis, it is stated that: “Archbishop Roach’s (July 22) statement on Central America is a narrowly partisan viewpoint parading as the Roman Catholic position.” This is coupled with the observation that there is: “A general cynicism about the procedures of the U.S. Catholic Conference.” My own knowledge and experience of both the U.S.C.C. and Latin America lead me to different conclusions.

For the past three years the official leadership of the U.S.C.C. has consulted consistently and carefully with the pastoral leaders of the Central American Church. The various public declarations of the U.S.C.C. have reflected this careful dialogue and consensus. As an experienced Latin Americanist, committed to our Church, the U.S.C.C. procedures have given me even more confidence in our Church leadership.

From the beginning the U.S.C.C. has insisted that the Central American question be approached primarily from the point of view of a region in a state of extreme underdevelopment, and only secondarily as one in which there is a conflict between the East and the West.

In its careful delineation of these realities the Catholic Church has promoted human development leading to dialogue rather than military intervention from either of the superpowers. The U.S.C.C. has shown that it is not naive either in regard to the extreme left, or the extreme right.

It has ably distinguished between the “two lefts”: 1) the pro-marxist; and 2) a large number of persons who tend toward the left not for ideological reasons, but simply because they are living in a situation of basic deprivation.

As our bishops have developed their position they have also remained in close contact with Vatican officials. This was clearly shown when the Holy Father visited El Salvador in March of 1983 where he insisted on a negotiated — non-military — solution to the problems of Central America in which various positions would be represented. This was supportive of the declarations of the bishops of the region.

The stance of the U.S. bishops is in substance the same as that of “the Contadora Group” — i.e., the Presidents of Mexico, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela. None of these secular leaders is promoting a Marxist domination of Central America.

In reaching their current position, our bishops have been serious, measured and self-disciplined. Even now there are members of our Church who do not clearly recognize or accept this leadership.

 

Author

  • Robert S. Pelton

    Robert S. Pelton, C.S.C. is the Concurrent Professor of Theology; Director Emeritus, Institute for Pastoral and Social Ministry; and Director, Latin American/North American Church Concerns at the University of Notre Dame.

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