Bush Talking Like the Pope

"Catholic involvement in political life cannot compromise on" the principle of "respect for the human person," because "otherwise the witness of the Christian faith in the world, as well as the unity and interior coherence of the faithful, would be non-existent," says the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in a January 2003 document approved by Pope John Paul II.

"In this context, it must be noted also that a well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political program or an individual law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals," the document continues.

"This is the case with laws concerning abortion and euthanasia (not to be confused with the decision to forgo extraordinary treatments, which is morally legitimate). Such laws must defend the basic right to life from conception to natural death. In the same way, it is necessary to recall the duty to respect and protect the rights of the human embryo. Analogously, the family needs to be safeguarded and promoted, based on monogamous marriage between a man and a woman, and protected in its unity and stability in the face of modern laws on divorce: in no way can other forms of cohabitation be placed on the same level as marriage, nor can they receive legal recognition as such. The same is true for the freedom of parents regarding the education of their children; it is an inalienable right recognized also by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights."

Where does this leave John Kerry, a "Catholic" Senator who supports abortion on demand, opposese school choice, voted against the partial birth abortion ban, voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, and opposes a constitutional definition of marriage?

In the summer of 2003, Kerry responded to Vatican efforts to oppose gay marriage by stating, "I believe in the Church and I care about it enormously, but I think that it's important to not have the Church instructing politicians. That is an inappropriate crossing of the line in America."

The Vatican had already explained clearly that to promote "the common good of society, according to one's conscience," has nothing to do with "confessionalism" or "religious intolerance."

Meanwhile, as President Bush signed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, he mused that by this action "we reaffirm that the United States of America is building a culture of life."

The culture of life is a central theme in the preaching of Pope John Paul II and is becoming a central theme of the Bush presidency.

Bush has also banned American financial support to international groups which support abortion, signed the partial birth abortion ban, extended legal protection to babies who survive abortions, and increased funding for abstinence education and alternatives to abortion.

So now, several leading Republicans are referring to Bush as a Catholic President. Once again, where does that leave John Kerry?

Kerry was never Jewish; he was raised Catholic. He found out a year or two ago that his grandfather was Jewish, but converted when he moved to America.

But he is still a Jew.

Only when he campaigns in New York or Miami Beach.

When he campaigns in Boston, he's Irish Catholic: ....... "For those of us who are fortunate to share an Irish ancestry, we take great pride in the contributions that Irish-Americans …"...... —Senate floor statement by John Kerry, March 18, 1986

When he campaigns for black votes in the South, he is Baptist.

When he campaigns in front of partial birth abortion advocates, he is an atheist.

When he campaigns in front of partial birth abortion advocates, he is an atheist.

Unless the group happens to be (so-called) Catholics for a Free Choice!

During the religious wars of France between Catholics and Huegenots, the French Queen, Catherine de Medici, supported the Catholic side when it suited her political needs and withdrew support when it did not.

The Pope was anxious to know the depth of the religious conviction of this supposedly Catholic Queen and asked his Papal Ambassador to France to determine if the Queen was actually a Catholic or a closet Protestant.

The Papal Ambassador wrote back, "Your Holiness, the Queen does not believe in God."

You responded by referencing something about Catholics are changing political parties or some such. You didn't read it all. The real point is that they still are referred to as swing voters. Why on earth have Catholics allowed this to happen?

Here is another good source:

http://www.americamagazine.org/articles/weber-catholic-vote.htm

SNIP

A majority voted Republican in 1972, 1980, 1984 and 1988. But as noted above, somehow there was never the spark to unite kindred spirits. In 1992 and 1996 a majority of Catholics voted Democratic. Even so, as the 2000 election shows, it has been a fragile and uncertain homecoming. Democrats dared not nominate a pro-life Catholic as a vice-presidential candidate for fear of alienating their feminist constituents, nor could they nominate a pro-choice Catholic for fear of conflict with Catholic bishops.

SNIP

The voting record for Catholic women is even more remarkable, showing both a religious gap and a gender gap. In 1992, 44 percent of Catholic women voted for Clinton, while 39 percent of Protestant women voted the same way. In 1996, 59 percent of Catholic women supported Clinton, while only 47 percent of Protestant women did so.

SNIP

A solid majority of Catholics are economic liberals: pro-safety net, pro-progressive taxation, pro-labor unions, pro-foreign aid, pro-environmental protection and pro-government regulation of industry and consumer products—all traditional Democratic themes.

SNIP

Nor can politicians discover the key to the Catholic vote by looking to church teachings. Catholics follow church doctrine only selectively, when they know it at all. Catholics use birth control and have abortions at the same rate as the rest of the country, are quite tolerant of gays but are in favor of the death penalty and nuclear weapons. As a result, Republicans and Democrats make symbolic gestures and appeal to that part of the Catholic ethos they think will bring them a majority of votes. But both political parties have serious difficulties with Catholics.

...................................................... Some of the best people I've ever met are Catholics, and that should surprise no one. But, the truth is, a lot of them go around waving the "The Church" banner, and don't really support biblical or Papal directive.

I know a great handful of Catholics, and well over 50% of them were avid Clinton supporters. They let themselves be blinded by the pro-labor, women, children and the elderly campaign of Bill Clinton.

That is so lame.

As I mentioned, Catholics are moving to the right, but it's only been about 1970 years or so since the resurrection. What took them so long?

I have these same issues with Protestants, but I am terribly sure that the vast majority of white "Protestants" vote for the pro-life candidate every single time. This is putting your money where your mouth is.

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