Fr. Richard P. McBrien, Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, shown here in a sticky situation

Today's column was headlined "The Bishops and Catholic Politicians." It focused on US Senator John F. Kerry and the abortion issue. Throughout the piece, the supposedly esteemed theologian defended Catholic confusion reigning supremely.

Instead of defending Holy Scripture as well as Vatican support for Scriptural morality, McBrien came out boldly in defense of waffling. Instead of a clear read on Christian ethics, particularly as such relate to killing babies, this Catholic professor actually gave fuel to the abortionists' fire. In doing so, he joined the contemporary idol Moloch brigade for destroying infants.

McBrien said, in short, that the Roman Catholic Church had better learn to live in a pluralistic society where there are some evils that simply have to be lived with - sanctioned even by Catholic politicians - because that's the way things are down here. In other words, if you are elected to a position in government, leave your Christian morality at the door, especially the US Congressional door. If you are holding a political title of any sort and run into ethical situations that are not in keeping with Christian faith, forget the faith and go for the politically opportunistic.

He is not only a theologian, not only a professor at a Catholic university, but an ordained priest speaking such heresy. Further, imagine the young lives he influences. Imagine what some Catholics, wondering what to make of certain political / moral issues, will do with his "spiritual guidance." Imagine how this particular writer - well known in a variety of Catholic publications - is leaning the Church in the sinful direction.

Yet he unabashedly supports Kerry and ilk for defending abortion while still claiming to be Catholic. This he does in no uncertain terms. The subheading to his article reads: "And without a sufficient consensus within a society, no law is enforceable. Civil laws, therefore, can demand no more than what a pluralistic society can agree upon."

In an email I received from a devout Catholic layman, he stated truth: "I find that those being shot down by my church are the very ones who daily are defending what the church historically believes." So it goes with unfairness. So it goes when trying to keep the foundations of the faith biblically solid. Even certain ones in the hierarchy have become part of the enemy's camp.

But what is particularly hurtful are the potshots McBrien slings at St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke. "What these zealous, but theologically unsophisticated, prelates do not seem ever to have learned is the distinction that the late Jesuit theologian, John Courtney Murray, and others have made between the moral law and the civil law." Then McBrien goes on to deride Burke with a quote from another in an attempt to make Burke out to be parochial, a hick from the boondocks, and another troublemaker in the church who should keep quiet in order for peace to reign in the sanctuary.

Moreover, this theologically liberal university spokesperson goes on to say: "This particular controversy over Catholic politicians was reignited a year ago January with the publication of a document from the Vatican's Congregation for the doctrine of the Faith entitled, ''Doctrinal Notes on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life," which proposed guidelines for Catholic politicians when voting on matters pertaining to the protection of human life.

"Significantly, the document mentioned no penalties, including the denial of the sacraments. That punitive course has been advocated by a tiny number of extremist U.S. bishops (and this is the only way they can be described, because almost none of their fellow bishops have stepped forward to support, much less emulate, them).

Shame then on the quiet bishops. Prayers for the courage bishops - though few - who defend the Christian faith, support biblical morals and take the risk of being shunned by the cowardly religious leadership.

It is hurtful to the soul of the church to have the likes of McBrien write such columns as appeared this week in Maine's Catholic newspaper. Yet in the process, he simply numbers himself - supposedly sophisticated voice of the religious liberals - with the apostate, especially when defending the horrific position of killing babies.