Posted on 10/15/2004 8:36:54 PM PDT by Salvation
On Wednesday, Georgetown Universitys Catholic Studies Election Forum presented, Why should a Catholic Vote Republican Democratic? The forum, moderated by Georgetowns Father John Langan, S.J., featured a surrogate for President George W. Bush and for Senator John Kerry. Each campaign representative made the case for why he believes his candidate is the best choice for Catholics in November.
Father Langan, the Cardinal Bernardin Chair of Catholic Social Thought at Georgetown, kicked off the program by saying the election is the third most important conflict we currently face. The most important, he felt is the Iraqi war, and joked that this was followed by the Red Sox-Yankees baseball playoffs. He noted that a recent political program had identified Catholics and working women as voting blocs still in play for both candidates. Therefore, the purpose of the forum was to see which candidate makes the strongest case for Catholic support. Each surrogate had fifteen minutes to make his argument followed by questions and answers from the audience.
Leonard A. Leo, Executive Vice President of the Federalist Society for Law & Public Policy Studies in Washington, D.C, represented President Bush and spoke first. He stated emphatically that because Senator Kerry opposes the Churchs teaching on culture of life issues, Catholic voters must disqualify him. Therefore, the real question is can Catholics vote for President Bush based on Church teaching.
Leo said his rejection of Senator Kerry as an alternative for Catholics is not based on Kerrys faith. The only objective criteria are the senators stated positions and voting record. This record must be examined in light of the Churchs social teachings. At the core of these teachings is the right to life, which is paramount to living the Gospel of Life.
He then presented Kerrys scandalous abortion record. Kerry is against any sensible limits on the practice. He voted against the partial- birth abortion ban six times. He opposes parental notification laws, and he is the first presidential candidate Planned Parenthood has ever endorsed. He also supports human cloning and supports reversing President Bushs ban on new lines for embryonic stem-cell research. He noted Kerrys commitment to filibuster any judicial nominee who is pro-life, and pointed out how the senator voted against the unborn victims' act.
Leo also dismissed the senators claim in the second debate that while he personally opposes abortion, he is not going to impose his religious views on others. He noted religion takes a position on an issue like abortion not as an article of faith, but because it is inherently morally wrong. He also addressed another popular claim by Kerry and others on the Left that Kerry is more pro-life because of the social spending he supports, which somehow leads to a decrease in women relying on abortions. Leo said abortions have declined in America not because of social spending, but because people are waking up to the horrible nature of the procedure. He also noted that you cannot measure someones commitment to Catholic social teaching by how much money he spends on social programs.
After presenting why Catholics who take the Churchs social teachings seriously could not vote for Kerry, Leo made his case for President Bush. He said Catholics can support the president after examining three main areas: the culture of life, social policies, and the Iraq war.
About the culture of life, he noted that President Bush signed the partial- birth abortion ban and unborn victims' act, and supports parental notification legislation. The president has also tried to make abortion rarer by promoting abstinence and advocating adoption as an alternative. He has banned tax money for overseas abortions. The president has placed a ban on federal embryonic stem-cell research beyond those lines already in existence from previously destroyed embryos and he supports adult stem-cell research. He also opposes human cloning.
Leo then presented President Bushs compassionate conservative social agenda. He noted that many of his conservative friends have bemoaned the fact that this administration has spent so much on social spending. He said President Bush has sought to lessen peoples tax burden, and introduced programs like prison counseling. He has also launched the faith-based initiative. Most of all, President Bush recognizes that when individuals are empowered to live their own lives, society recognizes their inherent dignity, which is the crux of Catholic social teaching.
Given the setting and the number of students in the audience fiercely opposed to the Iraq war, Leos toughest task was to present the presidents justification for the invasion. He said the war was the last resort for the administration. Saddam Hussein was a vicious butcher who represented a threat to his own people, the Middle East, the United States, and the entire world. Further, Hussein continually ignored the United Nations' 17 resolutions addressing the Iraq crisis.
Representing Senator Kerry was Robert Otto Valdez, Ph.D., M.H.S.A., a Senior Health Scientist at RAND and a Senior Fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business. He began by noting that Catholics are interested in all issues despite the fact that the media likes to portray them as a single bloc only interested in one or two issues.
Valedez said that political exploitation was at an all-time low and to distort Kerrys position on moral issues was outrageous. He spoke of the Churchs spiritual renewal since Vatican II, which promotes religious liberty, human dignity, respect for an individuals conscience, openness in policy, and the rights of all believers. He then took a shot at what he called Pre-Vatican II believers, whom he claims are in the business of rolling back reforms.
About Gospel values, he argued that John Kerrys vision comes closest to that of Catholics. He said Kerry is the better of the two candidates on a whole spectrum of social justice issues, including abortion, the death penalty, and social spending. Valedez then claimed that moral theology is not stagnant nor was it set in stone a couple of thousands of years ago. He argued it is wrong to believe that we have already uncovered all the moral issues facing humanity. It is rather a constant search for the truth.
He then made a not-so-veiled attack on Evangelicals, including the president, who he believes use the Bible as a means of demonizing others to promote their own agenda. He labeled this the politics of exclusion and claimed Kerrys view of the Gospel is one of openness, tolerance, and inclusion. He also said Kerry is someone who prays in secret and contrasted this to the Pharisee in the Gospel who seeks to bring attention to himself through ostentatious worship. The senator knows how to keep his faith and politics separate, he noted. Again, a not-so-subtle comparison to the president.
Valedez then launched a scathing attack on the President Bushs economic policies. He said real GDP is the lowest in memory. Employment is contracted, bankruptcies are up sharply, the stock market is lower then when Bush took office, and the poverty rate is up. The income inequality has grown, the budget surplus has disappeared, and in its place is a huge deficit, he argued.
He closed by noting when policies are extreme, which go to the breaking points, they hurt everyone. This is clearly against the Churchs teaching on social justice. Kerry and Edwards are the right choice to restore the economic health of the country. More of the same isnt going to work. Freedom, equality, justice, and humanity are the values represented by the Democratic ticket, he said.
In general, the questions were thoughtful, although some could not resist the opportunity to make political points, particularly when it came to opposing the war. Some raised the issue of capital punishment and President Bushs support for the action, particularly as governor. Leo admitted this is one of the more vexing issues for him as a Catholic, but also noted that Kerry and the president share a similar position. Kerry has not made it a moral issue, according to Leo, because he is on record as supporting the use of capital punishment for terrorists.
As the election approaches, it is clear both campaigns are desperate for Catholic voters, as witnessed in the third debate in which Kerry employed Scripture, professed his Catholic faith, and mentioned his service as an altar boy. Now is decision time.
Catholics approaching the election have a clear choice. If they believe issues like abortion and euthanasia are non-negotiable, and that a candidates support for such positions disqualifies him for consideration, they must do as Leo suggests. They must reject Senator Kerry and support President Bush or not vote a practice the Church does not encourage.
Alternatively, they can ignore the Churchs clear teaching on life and the primacy she places on it when it comes to voting, and support Senator Kerry. Before doing so, however, they should consider the words of Denvers Archbishop Charles Chaput, who said recently that many Catholic Democrats have used the seamless garment as an excuse to sideline the abortion issue, making it one among many others. And, we cant do that. He noted that the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and the dignity of human life are at the heart of Catholic theology. He warns Catholics not to violate this doctrine. Whether its the creation of embryos for embryonic stem cell research or abortion, [these] are violations of the dignity of human beings, from our perspective. And you can never justify it.
St. Thomas More, pray for us.
© Copyright 2004 Catholic Exchange
Craig Richardson is the founder of the recently launched Catholic Action Network, an organization committed to calling Catholics to authentic and faithful citizenship particularly on issues of life and family.
John F. Kerry gives CPR to a dead Hamster yet votes NO 6 times to BAN Partial Birth Abortion!!! Tries to save a Rodent and allows the slaughter of human beings created in God's image. What does that tell you about his Character?
"had also dived off a dock to save a hamster named Licorice from what the elder sister, Alexandra, called "a watery doom," even administering CPR."
Kerry cited in Catholic heresy case
MEDIA SUING TO OPEN KERRY'S SEALED DIVORCE PAPERS
Kerry Wrong for Catholics.com -- CATHOLIC ISSUES OVERVIEW by the RNC
[3 Bishops Thwack Kerry] Worthy to Receive the Lamb
"Catholic University" bans pro-abortion speakers and from a few Bishops to Catholic Politicians and to the Catholic Faithful: Vote Pro Life or Else!!
Catholic Vote Will Decide Election
Bishop Gracida explains why pro-abortion Catholics must be excommunicated
113 Things Planned Parenthood Hates About President Bush
The Catholics for Bush website is now live!
More Bias and spin in the many newspaper articles to protect the liberal democrat. Kerry provided NO evidence of an annulment and he was married to Heinz, his second wife worth Billions, in the back yard of a home on Martha's Vineyard which is not ordinarily allowed for Catholics and there is also NO evidence of any RC priest who married them.
I wish the reporters would question him for the truth. Dream on.
Teresa on the Stump, Teresa Heinz Kerry, from Mozambique, PRO-ABORTION Catholic, UN Employee, etc.
Teresa Heinz Kerry, Drummond Pike and the Communist TIDES FOUNDATION
The Bible and homosexuality [Kerry thinks the bible is for homosexuality]
Kerrys Dirty Deeds (How, pray tell, do they comport with religious belief
Vatican Worries About Kerry John Kerry and Unborn Victims
Catholic Pro-Abortion, Pro-Homosexual
Catholic and 100% Pro Abortion
CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
DOCTRINAL NOTE
on some questions regarding
The Participation of Catholics in Political Life
Living the Gospel of Life:
A Challenge to American Catholics
A Statement by the Catholic Bishops of the United States
Faithful Citizenship:
Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium
Canon Law and Abortion
Sign Petition: To Excommunicate Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians
The Gospel of Life--Evangelium Vitae
Herod's Heroes, Sign Petition
Kerry, Candidate and Catholic, Creates Uneasiness for Church
A Primer on Canon 915 Can. 915 Those upon whom the penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion
Excommunicate Kerry Website Catholics Against Kerry
1400 Ecclesial communities derived from the Reformation and separated from the Catholic Church, "have not preserved the proper reality of the Eucharistic mystery in its fullness, especially because of the absence of the sacrament of Holy Orders."236 It is for this reason that Eucharistic intercommunion with these communities is not possible for the Catholic Church. However these ecclesial communities, "when they commemorate the Lord's death and resurrection in the Holy Supper . . . profess that it signifies life in communion with Christ and await his coming in glory."237
Can. 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2.
Sin to vote for pro-abortion politicians?
By Father Matthew Habiger, OSB
Kerry Will Hold Pro-Abortion Rally Prior to Sunday's Abortion March
Catholic Sen. John "Horseface" Kerry, 100% Pro-Abortion
Catholic Sen. Ted "The Swimmer" Kennedy, 100% Pro-Abortion
Methodist Sen. John "Opie" Edwards, 100% Pro-Abortion
NC | John Edwards (D) | Pro | 100% |
MA | Edward Kennedy (D) | Pro | 100% |
MA | John Kerry (D) | Pro | 100% |
Planned Parenthood Applauds Sen. Kerry for Choosing Women's Rights Advocate Edwards as Running Mate
View Video of the Rally with Windows Media
John Kerry (D) John Edwards (D) Edward Kennedy (D
Abortion and excommunication
http://www.catholicplanet.com/articles/article78.htm
http://www.priestsforlife.org/preaching/never.html
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/abortio2.htm
http://www.catholicherald.com/saunders/02ws/ws020124.htm
The serpent in the Garden of Eden was a good looking, smooth talker also. Look what happened to mankind when those folks fell for his line of bull.
True, IMHO.
But I shall leave that Judgement to God.
I'm no fan of the late John F. Kennedy, but he did make one statement that I think is the best line I've ever heard form the lips of a Democrat:
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."
I'm ready to be flamed for "judging" you.
You are a bad Catholic.
What a great collection. It has definitely grown!
Must be a lot of us 'bad Catholics' knocking around.
Practically everyone I know, and in my church thinks like I do.
I also live in a country where abortion is illegal.
Go figure.
Ummmm ... then please explain why he has a camera crew follow him to church on Sundays?
Freedom, equality, justice, and humanity are the values represented by the Democratic ticket, he said.
Then why is it that Dem Politicians have such a hard time standing up to Dictators who suppress people and violate their basic human rights?
I am not a single issue voter ... I look at the whole picture when deciding who the best person to vote for.
And from what I see .. President Bush has more respect for the teachings of the Catholic Church then Senator Kerry
Sen Kerry can call himself a Catholic till the cows come home ... But he is not a Catholic in good standing
A good comparison. Evil wears many faces. Kerry and Edwards just have more modern masks.
"Practically everyone I know, and in my church thinks like I do."
I'm very sad to see that. Maybe you'd best find yourself a good Bible teaching church. You know, one that teaches UN-selfishness.
No, the Catholic Church - and my Bishop - is quite happy with his flock.
Perhaps you should take up a petition, or a witch hunt, if it doesn't suit you?
Nah, but I will pray for you and your Bishop's flock, though.
Excellent points, friend.
"... Pope Paul III applied the same principle to the newly encountered inhabitants of the West and South Indies in the bull Sublimis Deus (1537). Therein he described the enslavers as allies of the devil and declared attempts to justify such slavery "null and void." Accompanying the bull was another document, Pastorale Officium, which attached a latae sententiae excommunication remittable only by the pope himself for those who attempted to enslave the Indians or steal their goods.
"When Europeans began enslaving Africans as a cheap source of labor, the Holy Office of the Inquisition was asked about the morality of enslaving innocent blacks (Response of the Congregation of the Holy Office, 230, March 20, 1686). The practice was rejected, as was trading such slaves. Slaveholders, the Holy Office declared, were obliged to emancipate and even compensate blacks unjustly enslaved.
"Papal condemnation of slavery persisted throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Pope Gregory XVI's 1839 bull, In Supremo, for instance, reiterated papal opposition to enslaving "Indians, blacks, or other such people" and forbade "any ecclesiastic or lay person from presuming to defend as permissible this trade in blacks under no matter what pretext or excuse." In 1888 and again in 1890, Pope Leo XIII forcefully condemned slavery and sought its elimination where it persisted in parts of South America and Africa."
The answer is that a practicing Catholic could not in good conscience vote for a person who endorses slavery. Whatever else that candidate supports or does not support is immaterial.
Bush's position represents a principled stance. If congress could muster a 2/3rds majority in each House, they could override any Bush veto. The fact of the matter is that embryonic stem cell research is an ethical issue as much as a scientific issue.
I am humbled in your presence.
This will be of interest to you
You put money above all things?
Everyone in your church thinks like you?
I don't think you are a happy gal at all, and you need to go to your church and ask people what they think, for I am sure you have read them wrong.
Very good question ... and if I was to guess .. we'll be seeing a lot of lawsuits in this country
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