What They Choose to Engage in Civil Disobedience About

Minnesota's Catholic and Missouri Synod Lutheran Church leaders said a few days ago that they will reopen their churches for more than 10 people in defiance of guidance from our governor. The misery folks are not that surprising, but the Catholics... what is that about? Letter-writer Cathy Heying of Minneapolis gave them what for in today's Star Tribune, using language one would think they would understand:

As a lifelong Catholic, I am active in my faith community that I miss very much during this time of separation. So I understand the temptation to gather again before it is safe to do so. That said, after reading about the Catholic bishops’ and a Lutheran denomination’s plan to defy the governor, I am disappointed, but not only about their willingness to risk the well-being of their faithful (“Some churches say they’ll defy order,” front page, May 21). I am disappointed that this, of all issues, is what they choose to engage in civil disobedience about.

Jesus never called for us to gather and worship him, but he did call regularly for us to defend the poor, the sick and the vulnerable. Oh, bishops, if you are going to take a bold stand in this time, why are you not crying out against the injustice of a lack of safe workplaces, a lack of protections for health care workers, unjust wages and so much more?

But when it comes to the culture war, I guess there's no logic or morality at the base. We should not be surprised anymore.