Abortion debate won't keep priest from national stage

Make no mistake: The Rev. John B. Ardis, the Catholic priest whom Senator John F. Kerry has chosen to give the benediction at tonight's closing session of the convention, opposes abortion.

But he also opposes capital punishment, the war in Iraq, and public policies he views as unjust toward the poor or hungry.

Although several Catholic cardinals have declined to speak at Democratic conventions because of the party's support for abortion rights, Ardis, the director of the Paulist Center of Boston, will speak tonight without reservation, noting that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats are fully in step with Catholic teachings.

"My goal is to bring the convention to a close in prayer and to challenge not only the candidates, but all of us to our responsibility as citizens," said Ardis, 49.

Kerry, who is the first Catholic nominated for president by a major party since John F. Kennedy in 1960, has worshiped regularly at the Paulist Center with his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, since the couple moved to Louisburg Square, a few blocks away, in 1996.

"I was invited as his local pastor to bring God's blessing," Ardis said. "I was extremely honored and flattered to be asked."

A native of Ionia, Mich., Ardis has headed the Paulist Center for six years. The center, on Park Street down the hill from the State House, draws 800 to 1,200 people for worship each weekend. It says it is one of the earliest Catholic houses of worship to welcome divorced members. The congregation welcomes gays and lesbians, emphasizes leadership for women, and has attracted many Catholics alienated from parish churches by issues such as the clergy abuse scandal.

From A Brief Catechism for Catholic Voters:
"A disqualifying issue is one which is of such gravity and importance that it allows for no political maneuvering. It is an issue that strikes at the heart of the human person and is non-negotiable. A disqualifying issue is one of such enormity that by itself renders a candidate for office unacceptable regardless of his position on other matters."

From Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics (An On-Line Guide):

The FIVE NON-NEGOTIABLE ISSUES are:
1. Abortion
2. Euthanasia
3. Fetal Stem Cell Research
4. Human Cloning
5. Homosexual "Marriage"

the apostate john kerry disqualifies himself on each of the 5.

Election Day and Christian Responsibility

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The elections of 2004 are a critical juncture for the future and direction of our nation.

This year voters will either defend the Culture of Life, or advance the culture of death. As Christians, we have a clear and moral obligation to register to vote and to carefully consider the candidates' position on the sanctity of LIFE when we cast our vote.

Christians are called to vote with a PROPERLY FORMED CONSCIENCE. This can be explained with one sentence from our LORD, which applies, even inside the voting booth, “Whatsoever you do to the least of these my brethren, you do to Me” (Mt.25:40). From The Gospel of Life: “Abortion and euthanasia are crimes, which no human law can claim to legitimize. In the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it, or to `take part in a propaganda campaign in favor of such a law, or vote for it'.”

What about the other issues? "Calls to advance human rights are an illusion if the right to life itself is subject to attack." Faithful Citizenship. A powerful consideration from Fr. Frank Pavone, "If a candidate can't respect the life of a little baby, how is he supposed to respect ours?" From A Brief Catechism for Catholic Voters: “A disqualifying issue is one which is of such gravity and importance that it allows for no political maneuvering. It is an issue that strikes at the heart of the human person and is non-negotiable. A disqualifying issue is one of such enormity that by itself renders a candidate for office unacceptable regardless of his position on other matters.” FIVE such disqualifying issues are Abortion, Euthanasia, Fetal Stem Cell Research, Human Cloning, and “homosexual marriage”.

Participation in the political process is a virtue, and every vote counts. Christians have every right to strive by legitimate means to shape public policy according to their moral convictions. We are each, individually, called to help build a Culture of Life-voting in defense of LIFE is among the most important ways.

Children waiting to be born cannot speak for themselves-we are their voice. We must speak up in their defense at the voting booth. If we do not, millions more will never be allowed to speak.

This map has 17.5 states blacked out. The population of these states is equal to the number of “legal” surgical abortions since 1973. Perhaps this visual perspective helps one to grasp the number 44,000,000-that's 44 MILLION PEOPLE who are gone, dead--robbed of their God given Constitutional right to LIFE.

Help end this tragedy, promote registering and VOTING PRO-LIFE.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)

Kevin Jeanfreau

Louisiana Director

Knights for Life

Ed Jeanfreau

Louisiana Chairman

Knights for Life

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