Two Major Questions: Is Christian Socialism Heretical In The Catholic Church, And What Is This Sub Reddits Opinion On The Catholic Socialist Opinion Writer Elisabeth Bruenig?
One of the reasons why I have remained catholic is the same reason as to why the woman I mention up above remains Catholic despite having politics that lean to the left of the economic spectrum. I was drawn to keep to my catholic roots when I first learned about catholic social teaching senior year of high school at a catholic known as cathedral catholic in San Diego. One specific teaching of catholic social teaching was the dignity of workers. I respected the Catholic Church that they understood that the best way to allow and encourage conservative lifestyles of no contraceptives, abortion, and the celebration of traditional familiar dynamics comes from economic security. Along with my love and reverence for catholic traditions such as receiving sacraments and going to confession, that day in learning about Pope Leo XIII and rerum novarum forever ensured I would remain a catholic.
I mention all this to you because I have been wondering if there are any catholic commentators or apologists who had the same political viewpoints as me and matching their relation to catholicism as well. My specific views are as follows: I self identify as a new deal democrat but leaning towards being a democratic socialist (I have made a vow not to be one until I have experience as a wage laborer since I have yet to have a real job due to being at university or managing capital) yet when it comes to social issues I view abortion as evil and that one should encourage family life yet I also believe the best way of achieving a culture where family dynamics are promoted and abortion discouraged is not purely through legislation discouraging Reproductive rights but rather though economic liberation so that families can be allowed to be better prepared for unexpected pregancies.
As you well know though, most catholic commentators today don’t fit these beliefs of mixing socialism with Catholicism especially due to Benedict xvi (at the time known as cardinal Ratzinger) strong condemnation of Liberation theology which tried to mix Marxist and socialist elements with catholic social teaching itself. It left me feeling like the odd man out. That is until I found Elisabeth Bruenig, a prominent mainstream opinion writer for the dying legacy media newspapers of the new york times, the Atlantic, and the Washington post. Self described as a ”Catholic Socialist,” she has articulated a perspective that combines socialist economic views with her catholic faith after conversion from her Methodist faith. She is pro welfare state, anti capitalist, but also views abortion as intrinsically evil.
So my final question to this subreddit is two fold: Does anyone know who elisabeth Bruenig is and what are your thoughts about her, and second fold am I a heretic for trying to believe in Christian socialism with a variation mixing my catholic faith? Let me know in the comments down below.