SAINT LOUIS, August 10, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – U.S. Representative David Obey (D-Wisconsin) has staked out his position against Archbishop Raymond L. Burke in a soon to be published article in America magazine. The article, recently released to journalists by America staff, will be published in the August 16-23 issue of the prominent Jesuit weekly under the headline “My Conscience, My Vote.”
Mr. Obey, who describes himself as a defender of human values and a man of deeply Catholic roots, accuses Archbishop Raymond L. Burke of ‘coercing’ him on public policy issues when Burke was bishop of La Cross, Wisconsin. Mr. Obey complained bitterly about the archbishop’s stand on Catholic politicians, saying that the archbishop “attempted to use his interpretations of theology to coerce me into taking specific positions on matters that I believe are matters of constitutional law.” While Congressman Obey is proud to say that he has consistently voted to limit abortion, he makes no bones about his mixed record. “So I suppose it is fair to say that my record on abortion is mixed. I make no apology for that. I believe these issues are complicated.” Obey says the archbishop privately expressed concern about Obey’s votes on five or six abortion-related issues, especially his support of stem cell research and his unwillingness to limit access to abortion in U.S. military hospitals. Archbishop Burke sees “intolerant secularism” in those who see the exercise of the bishop’s pastoral responsibility as violating the legitimate autonomy of the political sphere from the church. He wrote, “The bishop’s call to be ‘a prophet for justice’ on behalf of the innocent and defenseless unborn is clarion clear.” For more coverage of Obey’s criticism of Archbishop Burke, see https://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/aug04/249270.asp jmo