Trump v. Clinton matchup has Catholic leaders scrambling

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Of course, you are not quoting the entirety of the Church’s teaching in this area, including this:

Both of the candidates take positions that oppose Church teaching in important ways. Catholics must use their prudential judgment as to how to deal with this situation, including which candidate to support. This is particularly true this cycle, when both major parties are advancing very flawed candidates.
The extra aspect makes no difference. Your now talking one individual with a proven track record and more promised to come as opposed to an assumption as we have no idea what the other candidate will do. Again its the lesser evil.
things we must never do
There’s no mitigating that sentence. Theres no asterisk on that sentence in fact its repeated in many areas.
 
Of course, you are not quoting the entirety of the Church’s teaching in this area, including this:

Both of the candidates take positions that oppose Church teaching in important ways. Catholics must use their prudential judgment as to how to deal with this situation, including which candidate to support. This is particularly true this cycle, when both major parties are advancing very flawed candidates.
What I think some do not see here is that there is no “prudential judgment” involved in supporting an intrinsic evil. “Prudential judgment” might be exercised in, say, determining whether some things really fit the description. An example would be “submitting the poor to subhuman conditions” (among the things stated in your quoted passage). The judgment whether, for example, life in an inner city ghetto is “subhuman” when street dwellers in Calcutta live immeasurably more difficult, but reasonably happy lives. (One could recommend reading “City of Joy” concerning the latter in forming one’s “prudential judgment” concerning what actually constitutes “subhuman conditions”.)

But voluntary abortion is only one thing. It’s binary, and does not admit of degrees. One either deliberately kills an innocent child or one doesn’t. The child lives or the child dies. There is no “prudential judgment” at all to make about that.
 
The extra aspect makes no difference. Your now talking one individual with a proven track record and more promised to come as opposed to an assumption as we have no idea what the other candidate will do. Again its the lesser evil.

There’s no mitigating that sentence. Theres no asterisk on that sentence in fact its repeated in many areas.
Yes, and the thing that must not be done is to intentionally support inherent evil. Both candidates take positions that are opposed to Church teachings on inherent evil. It is up to each Catholic to decide how to deal with that situation. A Catholic could support either candidate, not with the intention of supporting such a position, but for other reasons. I understand that many Catholics look at this situation and conclude that they cannot support Clinton. Many others look at the same situation and conclude that they cannot support Trump. That is a decision that each Catholic must make, and the Church instructs each Catholic to make that decision. Millions of Catholics are choosing each side. You are saying that your opinion that Catholics cannot support Clinton must control what all Catholics do. But the Church does not teach that.
 
Yes, and the thing that must not be done is to intentionally support inherent evil. Both candidates take positions that are opposed to Church teachings on inherent evil. It is up to each Catholic to decide how to deal with that situation. A Catholic could support either candidate, not with the intention of supporting such a position, but for other reasons. I understand that many Catholics look at this situation and conclude that they cannot support Clinton. Many others look at the same situation and conclude that they cannot support Trump. That is a decision that each Catholic must make, and the Church instructs each Catholic to make that decision. Millions of Catholics are choosing each side. You are saying that your opinion that Catholics cannot support Clinton must control what all Catholics do. But the Church does not teach that.
The Church never (yet, at least) instructs CAtholics for whom they must vote. But it really is a misunderstanding of Church teaching to assert that each Catholic is free to decide how to approach voting when one candidate is an absolute supporter and promoter of abortion on demand, and the other countenances it in extremely rare circumstances and wants it to return the pre-Roe situation in which states decide. There is no proportionality there, and to say there is, is a resort to subjectivism. Moral subjectivism is a protestant thing, not a Catholic thing.
 
The Church never (yet, at least) instructs CAtholics for whom they must vote. But it really is a misunderstanding of Church teaching to assert that each Catholic is free to decide how to approach voting when one candidate is an absolute supporter and promoter of abortion on demand, and the other countenances it in extremely rare circumstances and wants it to return the pre-Roe situation in which states decide. There is no proportionality there, and to say there is, is a resort to subjectivism. Moral subjectivism is a protestant thing, not a Catholic thing.
The USCCB did no one a favor by focusing only on the intrinsically evil acts that favor the Republican political platform (abortion, etc.) and not a more complete list of intrinsically evil acts that would, frankly, disqualify candidates of both parties. For example, physical torture and racism are also intrinsically evil acts. Neither party is the “Catholic” party.
 
The USCCB did no one a favor by focusing only on the intrinsically evil acts that favor the Republican political platform (abortion, etc.) and not a more complete list of intrinsically evil acts that would, frankly, disqualify candidates of both parties. For example, physical torture and racism are also intrinsically evil acts. Neither party is the “Catholic” party.
A more complete list of intrinsically evil acts can be found, for example, at catholiclabor.com/spirituality-of-work/morality-usccb/intrinsic-evil/examples-of-intrinsic-evil/:

"Based on Church teachings, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Encyclicals of the Pope, and issue papers from the Office of the Doctrine of the Faith, the following concern actions that are intrinsically evil and must never be promoted by the law. This is not an exclusive list, but here for example only:

Abortion
Adultery
Arbitrary Imprisonment
Bodily Mutilation
Calumny
Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Euthanasia
Homosexual “Marriage”
Human Cloning
Injustice to Foreigners
Injustice to Orphans and Widows
Injustice Against the Wage-Earner
Lying
Masturbation
Mental Torture
Murder
Pedophilia Acts
Physical Torture
Polygamy
Pornography Production
Pornography Use
Prostitution
Racism
Rape
Sex with Animals
Sexual Abuse
Slavery
Sodomy
Usury
Using Artificial Contraception
War of Aggression

Reference Resources:
CCC = Catechism of the Catholic Church
CPL = Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, Doctrinal Notes on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life
CRF = Pontifical Council for the Family, Charter of the Rights of the Family
EV = John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, (the Gospe1 of Life)
RHL = Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction on Respect for Human Life in Its Origin and on the Dignity of Procreation
UHP = Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions between Homosexual Persons
WRHC = Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion, General Principles
Catholic Answers Action – www.caaction.com
Catholic Online – www.catholic.org"
 
The USCCB did no one a favor by focusing only on the intrinsically evil acts that favor the Republican political platform (abortion, etc.) and not a more complete list of intrinsically evil acts that would, frankly, disqualify candidates of both parties. For example, physical torture and racism are also intrinsically evil acts. Neither party is the “Catholic” party.
The USCCB did not focus exclusively on abortion. That is just what certain posters here want people to believe. The USCCB includes racism, treatment of the poor and other issues in its actual document.
 
Just out of curiosity, what intrinsic evils does Trump support and want to enact?
Various ramblings about torture still unclear, abortion specifically with incest/rape and life of the mother being a choice of the mother. That said, prudence is practical and never speculative. In the case of Hillary we are talking a practical analysis and with Trump speculative

Thats the difference in the nut shell.
 
The USCCB did not focus exclusively on abortion. That is just what certain posters here want people to believe. The USCCB includes racism, treatment of the poor and other issues in its actual document.
And as we have documented the ,church says none of those issues rise to the level of abortion
 
The USCCB did not focus exclusively on abortion. That is just what certain posters here want people to believe. The USCCB includes racism, treatment of the poor and other issues in its actual document.
Exactly. The USCCB’s Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship covers many topics including abortion, unjust war, torture and targeting noncombatants. As Bishop Kicanas says,

“The idea, obviously, is not to support any particular candidate, but helping people to see that the church teaches the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, which involves a vast array of issues important in the community in which we live. It’s important to be able to speak knowledgably about those issues, and then to try to weigh the character of the person who is running for office – looking at the issues they propose, as well as their ability to put those issues into action, into legislation that will make a difference. It’s one thing to hold positions, it’s another thing to be able to get results. I think sometimes that’s discouraging, because people may propose positions that are along the lines of what we hold as a church, in terms of the dignity of human life, but they’re totally ineffective in being able to accomplish anything.”

Clearly, the guide and the views of the Church cover many more issues and are much more diverse than some who are pushing their personal interpretation of the Church teaching would have you believe.
 
Just out of curiosity, what intrinsic evils does Trump support and want to enact?
He would allow for legal abortion in certain cases. Some worry that this would keep abortion practically legal in country. I am personally concerned about the lack of drops in births after Roe v Wade because it suggests that there was not a jump in abortion and that it was happening anyway (just not reported because it was illegal). I do think these concerns have some merit. Trump also switched his position on abortion three times in one day, suggesting he hasn’t thought about it. I find that concerning. As Bishop Kicanas says, “[we have] to try to weigh the character of the person who is running for office – looking at the issues they propose, as well as their ability to put those issues into action, into legislation that will make a difference.” That said, the Democratic candidate will be worse on this position.

Mr Trump has said that he wants to torture terrorists. He has described waterboarding as torture and wants to do ‘worse’.

Mr Trump also has said that he will have the military target noncombatants (terrorist’s families). He has said that he ‘will make them suffer’ and that this is ‘retribution’.

Many here consider the Church teaching to be such that a Catholic cannot vote for Clinton because of her support of an intrinsic evil (abortion). If that is true, then neither can Mr. Trump be supported. I think it is unwise to get your views from these boards and would encourage you to review all the available documentation including Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship and comments made by the bishops and decide for yourself what they mean and how you should vote.
 
Mr Trump also has said that he will have the military target noncombatants (terrorist’s families). He has said that he ‘will make them suffer’ and that this is ‘retribution’.
That’s what the Israelis do a lot. If a Palestinian is involved in a terrorist act, they go and demolish the home of his family, his parents, etc. I find that kind of collective punishment very disturbing.
 
Trump has some interesting delegates:
The chaos over Donald Trump’s California delegation to the national convention escalated on Wednesday after a controversial, anti-Muslim pastor said he was standing down to “take one for the team”.
Guy St Onge, who proselytizes frequently on YouTube, told the Guardian he was no longer a delegate for the presumptive Republican nominee. Onge has in the past shared social media postings appearing to advocate the killing of Muslims and last year claimed: “Barack Hussein Obama and his tranny wife Michelle hates the U.S.A.!”
St Onge, who is listed on the California secretary of state’s official list as one of three delegates pledged to Trump from California’s 35th congressional district, declined to say precisely when he stood down. The list was formally submitted by the Trump campaign on Monday night.
However St Onge informed the Guardian of his decision to relinquish his delegate spot hours after reporters contacted the Trump campaign asking for confirmation the controversial pastor was among a colorful list of delegates, some of whom have a controversial past.
On Tuesday, the Trump campaign was forced to distance itself from another one of their delegates, self-avowed white nationalist William Daniel Johnson, who once called for a constitutional amendment which would revoke citizenship for all non-white Americans.
theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/11/anti-muslim-pastor-donald-trump-delegate-guy-st-onge
 
I will never ever vote for a democrat. Hilary supports UNLIMITED until birth abortions and even said the unborn child has NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
She could not handle a crisis as SECofState, lying about the reason for the attack, so do you really think she would be truthful if another attack happened? Plus, she would never defund planned parenthood and would probably give them even MORE tax $$$.

Am I the only one TIRED of them getting half a BILLION in tax $$$$?

And she would definitely appoint extreme liberals to the supreme court, affecting not only current pending cases involving organizations such as little sisters of the poor and priests for life, but possible FUTURE ones such as gun ownership…but I guess that doesn’t concern anyone? What about last year’s decision to redefine marriage? What if they redefine death and allow people to force doctors to help them kill themselves? The Culture of Death will not stop at unlimited abortions…it wants euthanasia…involuntary is preferred by the demons that work for Satan in pushing this culture as it defies God.

Hilary is a HORRIBLE choice. Trump is not much better. I may end up writing in someone that I wish more had gotten behind.

This election will also be crucial for our own national security. I don’t trust Hilary on that one. A country needs a strong national defense and NOT open borders that let in just anyone - drug dealers, potential terrorists (remember the wife of the San Bernardino shooting) etc. We need to let Christian refugees escaping persecution in at a higher rate than Obama.
 
Exactly. The USCCB’s Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship covers many topics including abortion, unjust war, torture and targeting noncombatants. As Bishop Kicanas says,

“The idea, obviously, is not to support any particular candidate, but helping people to see that the church teaches the dignity of human life from conception to natural death, which involves a vast array of issues important in the community in which we live. It’s important to be able to speak knowledgably about those issues, and then to try to weigh the character of the person who is running for office – looking at the issues they propose, as well as their ability to put those issues into action, into legislation that will make a difference. It’s one thing to hold positions, it’s another thing to be able to get results. I think sometimes that’s discouraging, because people may propose positions that are along the lines of what we hold as a church, in terms of the dignity of human life, but they’re totally ineffective in being able to accomplish anything.”

Clearly, the guide and the views of the Church cover many more issues and are much more diverse than some who are pushing their personal interpretation of the Church teaching would have you believe.
Well, of course the Church tells us there are many moral issues. it wouldn’t be worth much if it didn’t. But the above reflects a lack of understanding of Catholic teachings and a profound misunderstanding of (or perhaps simple disagreement with) the Church’s teaching authority. As Estesbob pointed out, the Church teaches that none of the various moral issues reaches the level of abortion on demand. If one accepts the fact that an unborn child is a human being (Hillary denies that a viable child is one, or knows it and doesn’t care) then there’s no “balancing” among other PRESENTLY KNOWN known issues to do. Nobody is advocating rounding up retarded people and killing them. Nobody is advocating rounding up the elderly and killing them (well, Dems in some states advocate the killing, just not the rounding up).

Voluntary killing of an unborn child is gravely wrong and always wrong. Morally, it does not admit of degrees, objectively because there are no degrees of dead. Having a different view of, say, whether food stamps ought to increase by 8% or 12% or zero admits of prudential judgment.

Now, whether Bishop Kicanas thinks there is little or no possibility of overcoming Roe and its progeny, is of no real consequence. It is well within the judgment of a layman to disagree, and I’m one of those who does. Two prolife supreme court appointments and it’s a different world. In addition, Repubs in a number of states have limited it by legislative acts despite Demo opposition. I am not as pessimistic as Bp Kicanas is.
 
He would allow for legal abortion in certain cases. Some worry that this would keep abortion practically legal in country. I am personally concerned about the lack of drops in births after Roe v Wade because it suggests that there was not a jump in abortion and that it was happening anyway (just not reported because it was illegal). I do think these concerns have some merit. Trump also switched his position on abortion three times in one day, suggesting he hasn’t thought about it. I find that concerning. As Bishop Kicanas says, “[we have] to try to weigh the character of the person who is running for office – looking at the issues they propose, as well as their ability to put those issues into action, into legislation that will make a difference.” That said, the Democratic candidate will be worse on this position.

Mr Trump has said that he wants to torture terrorists. He has described waterboarding as torture and wants to do ‘worse’.

Mr Trump also has said that he will have the military target noncombatants (terrorist’s families). He has said that he ‘will make them suffer’ and that this is ‘retribution’.

Many here consider the Church teaching to be such that a Catholic cannot vote for Clinton because of her support of an intrinsic evil (abortion). If that is true, then neither can Mr. Trump be supported. I think it is unwise to get your views from these boards and would encourage you to review all the available documentation including Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship and comments made by the bishops and decide for yourself what they mean and how you should vote.
And, of course, the Church has never defined waterboarding as “torture” or even defined the term. That is a judgment thing. Some think of being incarcerated at all as “torture”. Some think of anything that’s not deadly or maiming as “non-torture”. Trump did not define the term and as yet nobody on CAF has either.
 
And, of course, the Church has never defined waterboarding as “torture” or even defined the term. That is a judgment thing. Some think of being incarcerated at all as “torture”. Some think of anything that’s not deadly or maiming as “non-torture”. Trump did not define the term and as yet nobody on CAF has either.
Trump said waterboarding is torture.
 
That’s what the Israelis do a lot. If a Palestinian is involved in a terrorist act, they go and demolish the home of his family, his parents, etc. I find that kind of collective punishment very disturbing.
I find that akin to America’s RICO laws.
 
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