I once asked a Catholic nun what opinion she had about politics. She gave me a cookie cutter response about caring for the poor, and that being her guiding factor in choosing a politician. I was so dissapointed. As a Catholic I realize the catholic church isn't doing very well. Although many individual churches and schools are on filled with spirituality.
I think the responses here, in light of the weak-sister response of the bishops to the gauntlet that John Kerry dropped in front of them, indicates to me that the future of the American Catholic Church will depend heavily on the laity. The system is rotting out, and will not permit those who are courageous to stand on truth. I am blessed to be in a parish that conforms completely with JP II and actively preaches of the horror of abortion and the responsibility of Catholics to vote squarely on that issue above all others...
Aside: PRAYERS to the family and for the repose of the soul of the S. Korean gentleman just beheaded in Iraq...