Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Civic Duty

I have always been frustrated by those on either side of the political spectrum who believe that their ideology has a monopoly on the Catholic Conscience. As I examine my conscience and decide how to cast my vote, I have to admit that at this point, none of the options available are satisfactory. I ask you to pray for me (as I pray for each of you) that God gives us the grace we require to separate the wheat from the chaff of information.

The following quote from Archbishop Chaput has been first and foremost on my mind:

But [Catholics who support pro-choice candidates] also need a compelling proportionate reason to justify it. What is a “proportionate” reason when it comes to the abortion issue? It’s the kind of reason we will be able to explain, with a clean heart, to the victims of abortion when we meet them face to face in the next life—which we most certainly will. If we’re confident that these victims will accept our motives as something more than an alibi, then we can proceed.
Take a few moments to view the following. It may not help you make up your mind, but perhaps it can help you focus. I know it helped me:



H/T to Deacon Greg & Catholicvote.com

2 comments:

Kathy O'Leary said...

Yesterday I received an email with a "grassroots video" produced by Catholicvote.com.

The video and website, Catholicvote.com were produced by Fidelis. They have very strong ties to the Republican Party and to the McCain campaign. In February of this year they issued a press release endorsing John McCain for president and their website includes articles from Deal Hudson who is an advisor to the McCain campaign as a member of the “Catholic Outreach Committee”. They have given campaign contributions only to republicans and even supported republican Senator Rick Santorum over Bob Casey, a pro-life Catholic democrat, during the 2006 election cycle.

If you forward this video or link to the website in your official capacity you may be in violation of IRS regulations and Church policy. You will also be distributing materials that contradict Church teaching.

Among other things, the video glorifies US economic and military power. This runs contrary to Catholic Social Teaching which emphasizes a preferential option for the poor and solidarity. It also runs contrary to the Cathecism which teaches us that "Respect for and development of human life require peace."

There is more than one intrinsic evil at issue this year. They include genocide, racism, torture, targeting non-combatants and engaging in unjust wars. They are all life issues and they all require our attention as Catholics.

Whether we vote Republican or Democrat this year what defines us is that we are Catholic.

Don't let the political parties redefine what it means to be CATHOLIC.

Vote the Common Good!
www.votethecommongood.com

Joe said...

Ms. O'Leary,

Thank you for visiting my blog and posting a comment. However, I noticed that you simply copied and pasted a statement that you also posted on a number of other blogs that you apparently located by conducting a Google search for blogs that have linked to the video you are protesting.

A couple of points:

1) There is absolutely no way that an individual would jeopardize their organization's tax exempt status simply by posting the video in question. Why even raise the issue? Is that a threat? What place does that have in intelligent discourse? That being noted, however, the video does not endorse a candidate nor a particular political position. While you may disagree with the agenda of those who funded the production of the video, that in and of itself does not mean that the video is partisan.

2.) I would encourage you to read the article found here:

http://pajamasmedia.com/blog/the-catholic-vote-and-the-counterbalance-to-abortion/

In it, Ms. Scalia provides an intelligent analysis of a myriad of issues related to Catholic Social Teaching.

3.) I would be careful about making the charge that something "contradict[s] Church Teaching." I cannot tell from your profile or Blogs, so I do not know what qualifications you possess that allow you to make such a judgment. If the video is promoted by the Archdiocese of Newark, as you indicate on your blog, I know there are folks there that are qualified to make that judgment.

Again, thanks for the 3 seconds you spent on my blog! I hope you will join with me in praying that God will give us the graces required to properly form our consciences in accordance with God's Will this November.

In Christ,

Joe Marotta