Dear Philip P,
We certainly do not have to agree with every decision a candidate makes to support her/him. However, when it comes to decisions the candidate makes regarding 5 non-negotiable Catholic issues, her/his decisions before are likely to continue after being elected.
Here are a few quotes from Fr. Pavone of Priest for Life, an arm of the National Counsel of Catholic Bishops: “Statements of the Pope, various Vatican officials, committees and officials of the USCCB, and the entire body of US bishops, all point to abortion as the fundamental human rights issue of our day. Even Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, who during his life was a key spokesperson for the “consistent ethic of life,” pointed out repeatedly that the fundamental right is the right to life.”
Catholic Answers provides Catholic’s a voter guide
catholic.com/library/voters_guide.asp Here are a couple of quotes:
“Some things always are wrong, and no one may deliberately vote in favor of them. Legislators, who have a direct vote, may not support these evils in legislation or programs. Citizens support these evils indirectly if they vote in favor of candidates who propose to advance them. Thus, to the greatest extent possible, Catholics must avoid voting for any candidate who intends to support programs or laws that are intrinsically evil. When all of the candidates endorse morally harmful policies, citizens must vote in a way that will limit the harm likely to be done.”
“Where ever candidate endorses positions contrary to non-negotiable principles, choose the candidate likely to do the least harm. If several are equal, evaluate them based on their views on other, lesser issues.”
“In some political races, each candidate takes a wrong position on one or more issues involving non-negotiable moral principles. In such a case you may vote for the candidate who takes the fewest such positions or who seems least likely to be able to advance immoral legislation, or you may choose to vote for no one.”
“Unfortunately, today many Catholics have not formed their consciences adequately regarding key moral issues. The result is that their consciences do not “sound off” at appropriate times, including on election day.”
Thus, we have a primary responsibility to progress Catholic values, especially the non-negotiable like abortion. So, we must vote for and strive to put into office the candidate who is most likely to advance these values, and we must vote against the candidate and keep out of office the candidate that would do the most harm regarding these values. The second point is important because this implies that if we are to keep a candidate out of office, we must vote against him and for the candidate who best promotes catholic values who is most likely to defeat such a candidate.
What do you think?
Love & peace,
Bob
Well, if I were down at the Supreme Court protesting in FAVOR of keeping abortion competely unrestricted, or if I held the current state of affairs as a positive good to be perpetuated into eternity, I agree that there would be a serious problem in my position. But surely you don’t think you must agree with EVERY decision of a candidate to support him or her? More to the point, surely the context - that is, candidate A compared to candidate B, is important? I honestly don’t believe Bush will accomplish much on abortion. Why, then, should I vote for him based on abortion?
I do realize that the election is long over, but I think it’s helpful to have these discussions as I am sure we will face similar situation in the future. I don’t know who I’m voting for in 08 (we don’t even know who’s running yet, and I don’t believe in party loyalty. If Kerry had won and disappointed me, you can bet I’d be happy to vote him out in 08).
Here’s the larger point, though. Elections aren’t the only time we’re called to be responsible citizens. Bush is president until 08, and the GOP in charge of Congress until at least 06, for better or worse. We have a duty, regardless of past voting behavior, to pressure our elected representatives to live up to a consistent ethic of life. The GOP talked the pro-life talk during the election - we ought to force them to back it up. If I may borrow a sports analogy, victories are won in the off-season. The election is over and the real business of governing is now going on. Let’s make sure that “culture of life” means something more than an election gimmick.
