Admonition to Officeholders

Archbishop Mahony is, of course, quite correct in his observation (Metro, June 2) that bishops have the right to take stands on political issues.

He is quite incorrect, however, in analogizing that principle with what he did in his policy statement issued June 1 that Catholic public officeholders have the “positive moral obligation” (translated: church directed) to vote in their capacity as public officeholders in accordance with church dogma. Persons are elected to public office to perform in the best interests of their constituency, not to carry out the edicts of their church.

This is not to deny that one’s upbringing and background, including the church to which one may belong, he will not, or should not, influence a legislator in his/her votes. But no more pernicious doctrine can be advanced than that a legislator must vote in accordance with the church’s command. Mr. Mahony does not see this as a violation of the constitutional doctrine of separation of church and state, but it certainly is just that.

FRED OKRAND

Van Nuys