There are those times when both candidates are such that one needs as a matter of principle to vote for neither. I could do that. I simply don't base all my political decisions on the abortion question.
As one example, that recent case at St, Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, as I recall. The doctors warned that if the pregnancy were continued, both the mother and baby would die. A nun, you may remember, was serving on the hospital ethics committee and she was among those who approved the medical procedure. The mother's life was saved, the best news possible apparently for the husband and their four young children.
Now, the Bishop excommunicated the nun and declared that the hospital no longer was a Catholic hospital. I presume you think the Bishop was right, that the mother should have sacrificed her life if necessary even if the baby also would likely die. I personally am deeply sympthetic to the husband and children, to the doctors, and to the nun - not to the Bishop! I presume that makes me bad! I think the other decision would have been outrageous. When the Church takes such an inflexible position, seemingly unconcerned about the health of the mother, about a grieving husband and four motherless children - that Church is cold and callous. That's my opinion. I'm sure you disagree.
As I probably have said before, I get sick and tired of those who always yell 'murder' when an abortion is performed but seem to have no trouble cheering on killing thousands of babies elsewhere in the world, many still in the womb, with bombs and bombers. I remember one devoted Catholic couple who followed the Church's policy. The mother and baby died and the father and the children came to despise the Catholic Church and became Episcopalians. Perhaps their reaction was extreme but I understand why they had it.
The most common abortion in the world is called the miscarriage. God apparently permits them, probably because something is wrong with the pregnancy. I am generally opposed to abortion, but there are those few exceptions when it is the lesser of evils. In such cases I don't want the state deciding what to do. Such hard decisions are to be made by the mother and her family and their medical professionals. I don't worry that much about the babies because I'm sure they spend time on the lap pf Jesus, now that the Church has said that Limbo is just one possible theological theory. Amazing how that changed since I was a child and people rushed to have their babies baptized to avoid the risk of Limbo.
This whole problem is accentuated because the Church maintains a condemnatory policy on birth control. I'm sure many abortions are performed, often under terrible conditions, because birth control devices are not legal or available. Since as many as 90% of American Catholic couples apparently use artificial birth control when they feel their families are the size they want, it only alienates those who would be faithful from the Church. And what do most celibate Bishops and priests know about married life anyway?
Have I answered your question? I have voted third party before and will not hesitate to do so again. With me - I repeat - it's a matter of principle when I feel that neither candidate is fit to serve as president. Maybe it's time that the USA had a third party?
God bless you and especially those women who are facing crisis pregnancies. May the Lord give them guidance and help the rest of us to be gentle when we condemn their decisions..
