U.S. Bishops' News Service Points out Differences between Bush and Kerry (on abortion) MONUMENTAL

LifeSite Daily News ^ | 8-16-04

[cpforlife.org]

The official news service of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops has put out one incredible news story here! Freepers might consider sending a word of support.

The level of coverage on the abortion issue and the absolutely clear distinctions outlined between the two candidates is excellent.

This will be blacked out by the major media so we need to forward this to the MAX.

[cpforlife.org]

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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http://cpforlife.org/id126.htm

[cpforlife.org]

A MONUMENTAL news story contrasting Bush and Kerry on the subject of abortion by the US Bishops news service.

A clear and absolute shot into the black heart of Senator Kerry.

Please forward this to everyone you know. The major media will block it.

Pro-Life PING
Please let me know if you want on or off my Pro-Life Ping List.

[cherry]

I know exactly what our priest will say.....that there is more than one yardstick to measure a candidate by, and therefore, anything the News service or the Pope or the Cardinal says is to be taken with a grain of salt...( after all, everybody knows that the Demons are kinder, gentler, nicer, and more warm and fuzzy then those hard-nosed Pubs_)

its called schism, which is what I believe we are in now....

[broadsword]

It saddens me to ask this, but, What does this matter when half the Amchurchers are pro abortion? They are going to vote for the Babykiller anyway.

[broadsword]

...and the vast majority of Amchurch clergy are pro-Babykiller Party.

If we Catholics acted like Catholics instead of pagans, America would not be in the mess it is presently in. Yes, I blame us and nobody else. If we were even half Christlike, this nation would be totally transformed to the good.

But we suck!

[cpforlife.org]

I agree with both of you.

I have said many times that the bishops are not doing their jobs and they are mostly to blame for the holocaust.

BUT, Somehow, this article got out and it is powerful.

It could give much needed courage to those clergy who have been lukewarm.

Yes the Amchurch heretical pro-death cult will ignore and or trash this but they are in the minority.

It's the large BUT SILENT church of indifference and of cowards who may find strength in this and finally do something with it.

We need to e-mail fax and photocopy this and put it directly into the hands of Priests who are lukewarm. We need to take just a moment with them and give them encouragement and implore them to speak on this. They are weak, we must be strong and not despair. Despair is the enemy's greatest weapon in times such as these.

The culture of death grows—not because of the power of wicked men—but because of the silence of good men.

[cpforlife.org]

Don't be confused by interpretation of 'garment of life'

Father William Maestri - New Orleans

http://www.clarionherald.org/20040714/maestri.htm

July 14, 2004

There is a mischievous concept that has made its way into what now passes for standard Catholic theology. This concept, in some quarters' dogma, goes by the name of "seamless garment of life" or "consistent ethic of life." The general consensus is that this concept was developed by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, of fond memory.

As best I am able to determine the concept means the following: On a whole array of issues affecting human life, Catholic theology calls for the consistent prohibition against the taking of human life. From abortion to euthanasia, from the death penalty to war, killing is to be avoided.

The "seamless garment of life" removes Catholic theology from being a one-issue pro-life movement. Furthermore, the "consistent ethic of life" removes Catholic theology from any embarrassing inconsistency when it comes to defending human life.

Even holy cardinals are not immune from the law of unintended consequences. Today this "seamless garment of life" ethic is being used to discredit those who make moral distinctions, and valid distinctions they are, among the life issues.

Now, in the name of the "consistent ethic of life," all relevant moral distinctions within the nexus of life issues are dismissed as hypocrisy. In reality, the distinctions being made are sound Catholic theology.

There are a number of life issues which are to be understood intrinsically; that is, the moral nature of the act itself.

Abortion, euthanasia and human embryonic stem cell destruction are grave moral wrongs which do not permit of circumstances or prudential judgment so as to alter the moral evaluation of the act (even in those cases where abortion is regrettably tolerated to save the mother's life - such as in the case of an ectopic pregnancy - or when pain medication is given which also hastens death, abortion is never viewed as a moral good nor is hastening death the intention.)

The acts of abortion, euthanasia and the destruction of embryonic human life are wrong in themselves (objective). No extrinsic circumstance (fear, ignorance, etc.) or intention (no one would want to live that way, so it was merciful to end life) can change the moral identity of the act - gravely wrong. To be sure, there are circumstances which can diminish the degree of guilt attributed to a person.

This subjective element, the moral culpability of the actor, can be lessened if it can be shown that the intellect, will or emotions were impaired.

HOWEVER, no degree of lessening of the degree of guilt can change the intrinsically wrong act. An insane person who kills another has committed a grave wrong. However, because of the person's mental incapacity the degree of guilt and punishment must reflect this defect.

When those who hold that abortion, euthanasia and the destruction of human embryos are grave moral wrongs against human life, the pressure is on to also reject the death penalty and war as if they are intrinsically wrong as well. To suggest otherwise is to be accused of an inconsistency which invites cries of hypocrisy and the dismissal of one's argument. What is one to make of this?

IT IS most unfortunate to see large numbers of Catholics being drawn into this most un-Catholic position. Catholic moral theology does not teach that the death penalty and engaging in war are intrinsic wrongs. These two issues are subject to prudential judgment by those competent civil authorities entrusted with these responsibilities. Certainly there can be protest and disagreement.

Other policies and programs can be advocated. All this lies in the realm of human judgment. The application of the death penalty and the decision to go to war, and the manner in which the war is conducted, are not matters of intrinsic moral judgment. Catholic moral theology recognizes, in principle, the right (and the responsibility) of the state (through proper authorities) to carry out the death penalty. The traditional Catholic understanding of war comes through our just war thinking - Catholic moral theology is not passivist. Catholic moral theology recognizes the right (and the duty) of a country to defend itself against unjust aggression as well as to come to the aid of a nation who is unjustly attacked.

IT IS often said that to allow the death penalty and to engage in war are anti-life. This is clearly not Catholic teaching. The use of the death penalty and to engage in war are done in the name of respect for life! How so? The death penalty and war against unjust aggression are done in the name of justice and the common good. In order to protect the innocent and vulnerable from those individuals and nations which exploit and murder, competent authorities turn to these means as a way of defending innocent life.

By contrast, abortion, euthanasia and the destruction of human embryonic life never witness to life, promote justice, or serve the common good. These always advance the culture of death.

There is a consistent Catholic teaching on the duty to respect all human life. It is a consistent life ethic which honors relevant moral distinctions.

[nickcarraway]

BUMP

[nickcarraway]

Is any more of Cardinal Ratzinger's interview available in English?

[cpforlife.org]

It appears to be in French only.........

Perhaps John Kerry could translate the Cardinal's teaching on the Life of the unborn and read it to his crowds on the campaign trail.

[cpforlife.org]

Nick, don't you think this article from CNS is hugh? It has the potential to be hugh, at least.

I am quite surprised at the level of force against Kerry, it is very series--IMO.

Some might say a weapon of mass instruction.

[nickcarraway]

It's just that I would like to hear more deatails about what he said, I am very interested in the subject. I am glad the cardinal mentioned this.

[jusduat]

This is more than just a Catholic issue. I see this as an
issue that maybe the defining element of faith in Yeshua
the God of Israel and in Jesus Christ. When I became a
true Christian and decided to live my faith and not just
profess belief, the passage from Deut:30:19 says it all.

I call Heaven and earth to record this day against you,
that I have set before you life and death, blessing and
cursing: therefore choose life that both thou and thy seed
may live:

Everything else good comes along after a person elects to
choose life and decisions that promote life. JMHO

[hardhead]

May I theorize for just an instant? This IS huge, in that collectively, the bishops are finally taking a unified stand against the evil one's ministrations. There have been some very courageous bishops who pre-dated this action and their courage shored up more of them to take a stand. Of course there are still those clergy who publicly disagree with God's commandment against killing and will spin this any number of ways, or say 'it is not the force of law'.

[Jaded]

Most excellent! Thanks for posting.

[SuziQ]

Thanks for your succint post on the idea of intrinsic moral right and wrong. This is helpful in arguing our point with Catholics who have been blindsided by the Democrat party and unfortunately Bishops in many Dioceses who are afraid of looking as though they are supporting a particular party, when all they would be doing is stating Catholic teaching unequivocally.

We were discussing this at our recent family reunion, and my sister in law, who lives in Lee's Summit MO said that her Bishop sent out a letter stating that if a candidate doesn't support the pro-life position, it is ok to vote for that person if their 'Social Justice' ideas are in line with Catholic teaching. This is WRONG!! Life trumps all other ideas; a Catholic is only right in voting for someone who may not be pro-life if the alternative is someone who is more rabidly pro-abortion and would further erode any protections the unborn may have.

[Jaded]

ping

[SuziQ]

I just sent my Pastor and the Associate a link to that article by Fr. Maestri. They are both pro-life, but I know that the Pastor is a big Democrat supporter, so I hope this will help him in debunking that 'Seamless Garment' idea.

[Askel5]

I know you won't like this but I don't approve of this use of abortion by politicized AmChurch at all.

But I'm neither Laura nor Barbara Bush ... the sort who believes that the number of abortions should be "reduced" while abortion itself remains perfectly legal "in the first trimester only."

And I'm not Georg W. Bush who -- though he says he believes life begins at conception -- legitimized the State's funding of human experimentation and who -- though he says he's personally against abortion -- stated "It's up to her" during his campaign when asked what he'd tell the daughter of a friend who'd been impregnated against her will.

Seriously ... the very phrasing of the question (personal counsel of a friend's daughter) begged for his "personal views" to come to the fore. They didn't.

Why? Because he HAS NO SUCH PERSONAL CONVICTION to speak of.

On the other hand -- what a marvelous opportunity for Pro-Life Catholics to feel like they've done something and pat themselves on the back for keeping in power the party -- and the very family, even -- who made abortion the linchpin of our population control program.