John McCain is FAR more in line with the Church’s teaching on abortion than Obama. That is not even remotely debatable.
It is only beyond debate if we decide to be pick and choose Catholics. Consider, for a moment, what the Catholic teaching on the right to life is. It is every stage, every condition (Christifideles Laici).
It is politically expedient to constantly substitute one example of attacks on human life, abortion, for the teaching as a whole, but doing so is neither licit or coherent (CDF Doctrinal Note The Participation of Catholics in Political Life, 2002, #4). You cannot argue that abortion is so important that you can attempt to politically redress it at the expense of other fundamental moral principles, Rome has expressly stated that such reasoning is flawed (see last reference) and
a possible detriment to the faith as a whole. In addition, the USCCB has stressed this, by quoting word from word from the Doctrinal Note in its paper on Faithful Citizenship (current edition) for Catholics.
Bottom line, you argue that abortion trumps all other issues you are at odds with the Church.
Next, look at the Catechism quotes provided by Teflon, direct abortion is never licit, this was declared as an infallible teaching in Evangelium Vitae. The questions regarding exceptions for maternal life were settled by Holy Tribunal in 1889, and the teaching was reiterated in the CDFs document on Procured Abortions (mid 70’s, search CDF Procured Abortion and it will pop right up).
John McCain supports these exceptions, so, using the explanation in Veritatis Splendor, we can safely conclude that John McCain’s position on abortion is intrinsically evil.
Returning to the USCCB’s document, you will find that Catholics may “never” vote for a candidate because of a candidate’s intrinsically evil position, doing so would make them partially responsible for the evil, it would be “direct” cooperation. If you vote for John McCain because of his position on abortion, you are at odds with the Church (the USCCB position is bolstered by the Vatican’s Doctrinal Note and Evangelium Vitae, it is never licit for any Catholic to support an attack on human life in voting).
A vote for either presidential candidate is only licit if the Catholic is exercising proportional reasons in good faith and in accordance with the guidelines of the Church for such decisions. This isn’t a gray area, it is black and white. Returning to the Rome document, it stresses that some issues are fundamental and inalienable rights that “do not permit exception”. Pope Benedict was clearer still in Sacramentum Caritatis (89?), the principles are “not negotiable”, compromising on these puts one’s own salvation at risk.
This makes it even more essential that an intrinsically evil position only be supported indirectly and reluctantly.
Now, let’s return to your statement. Pope Benedict has publicly stated that climate change, on the basis of science, is a right to life issue. Considering that it directly effects the duration and quality of life for billions of people, this is a no brainer. In his visit to the US Pope Benedict stated, more than once, that poverty is, inarguably a life issue, not just because it is tied to the inalienable rights of the human person, upon which our right to life is based, but because it prematurely ends life. Children in hunger in the US jumped 50%, to 700,000 last year, if children don’t get enough food, it is, again, a no brainer.
Direct euthanasia is, infallibly, evil. But John McCain joined President Bush in making it easier for hospitals to deny hydration and nutrition to PVS patients on the basis of their ability to pay. The CDF has noted that, in principle, removal of hydration and nutrition is direct euthanasia. In addition, John McCain voted against funding for access to extraordinary medical means for brain damaged vets. In its declaration on Euthanasia, the CDF made it clear that this decision belongs with the patient. This is reiterated in the Catechism.
Since we are supposed to avoid all attacks on human life, every Catholic must, in good conscience, consider all this factors. Every Catholic MUST follow the certainty of his/her moral conscience. To do otherwise would mean damnation. But all Catholics MUST ALSO remain aware of the fallibility of their individual moral conscience (CCC 1790-1794).
If, as you and Teflon appear to be doing, attack fellow Catholics by asserting that your moral conscience is inarguable correct, you are attacking their moral duty and ignoring the direct instructions of the Church. In addition, you are disregarding the Church’s understanding of the 8th Commandment and our complete duty to it (CCC 2477-2478).
Returning to the USCCB’s document, which was given, by Bishop approval and instruction to the majority of parishes in the US, and we will find that the final moral judgement for proportionate reasons applications lies in the hands of individual Catholics (#36, #37).
So, when you and Teflon say that the matter is inarguable, the common interpretation would be that you are asserting moral authority in excess of the Mother Church and disputing the delegation of moral responsibility made by her. In addition to general dissent and disobedience, this is deeply, deeply heretical. The Vicar of Christ is the undisputed moral leader of the Church and his leadership must be shown religious assent of mind and will (Dogmatic Constitution of the Church, #25), this is reiterated in the Universal and local Catechisms.
I can’t spell it out any clearer, we are talking about pretty specific directives from the Church. If you are only picking and choosing a few paragraphs, you are not being obedient and dutiful.