To the editor:
In criticizing Gov. Pat Quinn for honoring a rape victim who also advocates for abortion rights, the Illinois Catholic bishops, including Chicago Archbishop Francis George, have put their arrogance on public display.
In condemning the work of the pro-choice group Personal PAC, George and his colleaguesall male, of courseclaimed to speak not only for themselves, but for the "common good." This is the same "common good" or medieval "natural-law" dogma they employ to oppose not only civil unions and marriage, but all equality protections for LGBT people. In fact, the bishops seek to impose their own narrow religious view on all the people of Illinois.
However, even as politicians no longer tremble at Catholic hierarchy rebukes, some commentators have likened the Penn State child-sexual abuse scandal cover-up to what church leadership did for its own sexual predators. The legitimacy of these failed moral leaders is rightly challenged.
Fortunately, the Catholics in the pews who are OK with LGBT equality, practice birth control and vote for public officials who back abortion rights increasingly reject the chutzpah of the bishops.
Bob Schwartz
Gay Liberation Network