Posted on 10/15/2004 8:36:54 PM PDT by Salvation
On Wednesday, Georgetown University’s Catholic Studies Election Forum presented, “Why should a Catholic Vote Republican…Democratic?” The forum, moderated by Georgetown’s 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 Church’s 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 Kerry’s faith. The only objective criteria are the senator’s stated positions and voting record. This record must be examined in light of the Church’s 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 Kerry’s 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 Bush’s ban on new lines for embryonic stem-cell research. He noted Kerry’s 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 senator’s 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 someone’s commitment to Catholic social teaching by how much money he spends on social programs.
After presenting why Catholics who take the Church’s 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 Bush’s 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 people’s 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, Leo’s toughest task was to present the president’s 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 Kerry’s position on moral issues was outrageous. He spoke of the Church’s spiritual renewal since Vatican II, which promotes religious liberty, human dignity, respect for an individual’s 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 Kerry’s 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 Kerry’s 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 Bush’s 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 Church’s teaching on social justice. Kerry and Edwards are the right choice to restore the economic health of the country. More of the same isn’t 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 Bush’s 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 candidate’s 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 Church’s 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 Denver’s 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 can’t 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 it’s 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.
Like I said. A Catholic should vote by THEIR own conscience.
There are arguments against both candidates, as regards Catholic dogma, on policies they purport and decisions they have made.
It depends on what you mean by 'countenanced'.
-A8
I can't find the link right now, but the Pope came out supporting what is happening in Iraq now.
Really?
I must have missed that one.
When you find the link, send it to me.
I've not seen it reported anywhere.
There is nothing in Catholic dogma that opposes the war in Iraq. Catholic dogma is quite clear on abortion, on the use of embryonic stem cells, and on gay marriage.
No Catholic can, in good conscience when informed of the facts and the positions of each candidate, vote for John Kerry.
It is very interesting that in the paragraph: "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.
On the contrary, it certainly was set in Stone ever heard of the "Ten Commandments" ?!! --- I submit to you and the person taking Kerry the Reprobates position that " Thou shalt not kill" covers this quite adequately, thank you.
I am a "Traditional Catholic" and the Novous Ordo Catholics are being led into the practice of Heresy. I attend a Traditional Catholic Church, when I can. I say Rosary everyday, sometimes in Latin. I was in a Traditional Catholic Choir at the age of nine until I was seventeen. I study my faith. Earlier in my youth I didn't and the Church I grew up in and was the rock in my life was stolen. Rome has Lost the Faith!!
No matter how Mr. Kerry or anyone else tries to twist, the Laws of God will prevail. Placing the Laws of Man before the Laws of God is a sin I would not want to answer for. This is all coverd in the OLD Testament as to the punishment for those in positions of responsibility. Once again I refer you to Liviticus. The Laws God gave us to live by.
Read the Bible, all this and more is there for us.
We have all seen the mettle of the men who are fighting for the privilege to lead our Country and take us into the future. We have all seen and should know in our hearts, where our future could be with either of these guys. So, for anyone, Catholic or otherwise, if you're still having problems in deciding who should be our president, try this.
Look into the eyes of your children or grandchildren. The answer is easy and it's right there for you to see. There are no lies there, no politics and no political commercial's. There is nothing but the innocence of youth and much of why we even exist.
You won't need to study politics or debate with your friends. You won't need to see photos of 911. You won't need to see the beheading videos. You won't need to see photos of mass graves in Baghdad. You won't need to think of the liberty that is being given to millions in the Middle East. You won't need to sort out all the lies and propaganda that our politicians and the MSM force into our daily lives. You won't need to ponder the miracles of life and birth. You won't need to read articles of how the unborn, who only want a chance to live, feel pain as their bones are broken and their skulls are crushed. You won't need to think of any of this and much, much more.
All you really need to do is look into the eyes of our children. You will know who to vote for and you will know it all the way to your soul.
Voter's Guide - on video
http://www.catholic.com/mm/video_vg1.asp
Voters Guide - Easy Print version
http://www.catholic.com/library/vg_print.asp
Voter's Guide - Latest ad appearing in USA Today (10/12/2004)
http://www.catholic.com/media/vg_ad_041012.pdf
Voter's Guide for Serious Christians
http://www.catholic.com/library/voters_guide_christian.asp
for our non-Catholic bretheren.
But I have a hard time believing that the Lord (Jesus Christ) would ever, EVER condone an abortion!
I just can't imagine a plausible scenario.
BTW, did anyone ever hear that Ludwig Van Beethoven was a child of rape?
"You might also click on that Catechism link and give her the one about the grave sin of supporting abortion if she is pro-life."
Yup, she is pro-life, and I will do that.
Thank you!
**On the contrary, it certainly was set in Stone ever heard of the "Ten Commandments" ?!!**
Exactly!
**All you really need to do is look into the eyes of our children. You will know who to vote for and you will know it all the way to your soul.**
Tears in my eys with that comment. So true.
God protect us!
I wouldn't vote for John Kerry - but those aren't the sole issues why.
I must say I dislike the bullying undertones of 'You are a bad Catholic....if you don't support..etc. etc. etc.'
I go to Mass weekly, I sing in my Church, I volunteer, I'm a Minister of the Liturgy...but I dislike judgementalism.
And frankly, I honour an all loving and all forgiving God.
I think you are correct there.
A lot of social spending encourages behaviors that are detrimental to society. There is not enough emphasis on personal responsibility.
Has anyone ever mentioned that some social spending takes the form of rehabilitating substance abusers and people who suffer lifelong psychological damage for having procured one or more abortions?
Insurance companies that pay for therapy and drug rehabilitation causes a rise in employers' and individual payer premiums so we the people pay one way or the other.
I've met women in therapy who have chronic conditions that go on disability, the root cause being an abortion they can't undo. What percentage overall that constitutes I don't have any numbers for.
That's a crock about imposing your morality on others. We legislate that murder is almost always wrong. That is imposing a value judgement on society and the the good of society and protection of individuals thereof. In the case of abortion, we get around that by spin and messing with the original intent of the constitution.
Even atheistic communist nations try to curtail negative social behavior such as drug addiction and prostitution.
This is going to shock some people, but I don't know if I believe in democracy and unlimited freedom any more. I think as society deteriorates, we can no longer depend on people to make the choices that will keep us free.
I was told that 30% of people are on some kind of anti-depressants or medications for psychological reasons. That is going to require a lot of social spending, and we need to find out why. This should simply not be in a country where never before in history have people had it so good in terms of having nice things, entertainments, leisure time, wonderful food, and so much freedom.
Something has gone terribly wrong. Thank heaven we still have righteous people in the country who are not making such bad choices concerning their lives. They are the ones carrying the burden for people who care for nothing but to cause trouble and destroy their own and others' lives in a myriad of ways.
"The Passion of the Christ" was awesome, and I can't thank Mel Gibson enough for going out on a limb to make the film. It makes me laugh out loud that it made him so much richer as the non-believers in Hollywood whined. His rewards in Heaven will be ever so much greater than the money he made.
When he was on Night Line with Jane Polly(sp?), he gave her the straight up truth of a believer!
**No Catholic can, in good conscience when informed of the facts and the positions of each candidate, vote for John Kerry.**
Bingo!
I think the Vatican has flip-flopped on the war in Iraq. There was a thread on it yersterday, I'll see if I can't find it.
I din't see that, but it makes sense. Gibson doesn't mince words!
It is not judgmental to say that a man who supports partial birth abortion is violating Catholic practice.
What possible justification could be advanced for killing a full-term baby?
You may dislike it, but Kerry is a bad Catholic and a horrible example for Catholics. I cringe when he mentions that he's a Catholic.
Bush is a better Catholic (though he's Methodist) than Kerry is.
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