The Participation of Catholics in Political Life
In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation.
Posted on 09/07/2004 8:13:57 AM PDT by NYer
In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation.
An Urgent Commitment
-- Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life
The elections of November 2, 2004 are pivotal for the pro-life movement, and it is imperative that on that day we elect more public officials who are willing to do something to restore full protection to the lives of unborn children. The ability of Congress and of the states to make progress in this arena, as well as the configuration of the Supreme Court for many years to come, are at stake in this election. People on both sides of the abortion controversy acknowledge that the makeup of the Supreme Court, and the fate of Roe vs. Wade, are key consequences of how we will vote this year.
Since the beginning of the pro-life movement, we who defend the unborn have carried out our work steadily whether the political climate was favorable or unfavorable, and that will be the case until our goal is reached. We in the pro-life movement do not fall into the error of putting our responsibilities on somebody else's shoulders, or of expecting government to do our work. Politics is not our salvation, God is. Yet while we don't want government to do our work, we demand that government do its own work, and that means, first of all, passing laws that protect the lives of all citizens, including the unborn. Moreover, while government does its work, we must insure that it does not stand in the way of ours. And while God, rather than politics, is our salvation, it is also true that our response to Him includes carrying out our political responsibilities.
Elections are not contests between two or more candidates; they are contests between two or more teams. Because of the supreme urgency of this upcoming election, and because of how close so many races will be, every pro-life individual has a serious moral obligation to work, in each race, for the victory of the candidate who will do more than his or her opponent to increase protection for unborn children. Each person, organization, and Church has a serious obligation to influence as many voters as possible, to contact its membership to insure that they are registered to vote and informed on the candidate's positions on the right to life, and to establish mechanisms to facilitate maximum turnout at the voting booths.
Given the seriousness of this moment, I have made the commitment to spend all my time, energy, and resources between now and Election Day to accomplish this task and assist others to do so. While every activity in the pro-life movement has importance and urgency, it is critical that every available resource be utilized to bring about a favorable outcome in this election, and that election-related activities be given priority by every person in the movement.
God's judgment on a nation does not necessarily consist of raining down fire from heaven. It consists, instead, of allowing His people to live with the consequences of their own choices. May God be merciful to us on November 2.
Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list
Two prime examples are Chrissy Girly Boy Matthews and Bill O'Reilly.
I still maintain that this is the group that made the difference for Clinton also. It was coupled with Perot and much of the religious right staying home, true, but the exit polls showed this group as making a difference in key states.
www.cathoicsagainstkerry.com have been running radio ads
Catholics should get out and vote against this baby killer!!!!!
It is a terrible war these tiny babies are fighting.
He only uses his faith as a photo op, just like Clinton did.
This is a bunch of balogna.I'm a falled down,dummed down Catholic myself and would never serve or foster some catholic-striped false loser into entering the seat of power.The ranks of most Real Catholic participants would find it a travesty to be alongside a man or party of this questionable character.In fact, to the degree he represents hisself in any way Catholic is a diservice to the Church and his own voting block.He needs to get on with Truth and do everyone a favor.
It's not the Catholics that go to Church that are the problem, it's the cradle Catholics that are. Poll after poll has shown that Catholics that attend mass regularly will be overwhemingly voting for Bush.
Also, question to Kerry - "If you agree life begins as conception (also, a flip-flop for him), why do you advocate killing innocent children?"
He only uses his faith as a photo op, just like Clinton did.
And the Father, who sees what no man sees, will repay him.
Amen, Kerry has already received his reward...
Let us pray for his repentance and conversion.
Several U.S. bishops have recently voiced their opposition and ersatz reasoning why no one should be denied the Eucharist according to Code of Canon Law n. 915.
Those in the pews are perplexed. Which bishop is correct? Why would some bishops teach that the laws are binding and other bishops teach that they are not? [i]
Quizzically, people are asking ten questions:
Several commentators have mentioned that the Kerry campaign is hoping that some priest will refuse him Communion. It will energize his base among Cafeteria Catholics.
Thanks for this article......
I am outraged & frustrated that so many pastors (including my own) are leading their flocks astray with the false impression that it is OK to 'choose' to vote for a pro-abortion activist candidate like Kerry.
Many use the rational that Bush is for war......so it's OK to vote for for Kerry.
These 'dumbed down Catholics' refuse to consider that abortion is always evil because the intent is always to kill innocent life and that a 'just war' is waged to prevent the further killing of innocent life.
I believe that there will be 'hell to pay' for their actions.
We're fighting this man every day. Help us please. Donate to our radio project.
catholicsagainstkerry.com
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