Criticizes use of liberal Catholic 'seamless garment' philosophy to sideline abortion issue
DENVER, October 20, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In an October 6 interview with New York Times writer David Kirkpatrick, Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput laid out the Catholic Church's reasoning as to why voting for known pro-abortion politicians is sinful.
Responding to a question about voting for pro-abortion politicians and it's sinfulness, the Archbishop explained, "Does our voting for someone make us responsible for what that person does as a legislator or as a judge?.And the answer is yes, because we are in some ways materially -- we use the word "materially" -- cooperating in that person's activity because we've given [him or her] the platform to be elected."
Chaput continued, "Now, if the person does something wrong, are we responsible for that? Well, if we didn't know they were going to something wrong, our participation is remote, but if we knew they were going to do something wrong and we approved of it, our responsibility would really be close, even if we knew they were going to do something wrong and we voted for them for another reason, we would still be responsible in some ways."
Concluding the point, he said, "The standing is that if you know someone is going to do evil and you participate in that in some way, you are responsible. So it's not.'if you vote this way, should you go to confession?' The question is, 'if you vote this way, are you cooperating in evil?' Now, if you know you are cooperating in evil, should you go to confession? The answer is yes."
Archbishop Chaput also criticized the controversial 'seamless garment' philosophy which attempts to equate abortion with other issues affecting life such as poverty and environmental concerns. "A lot of Catholic Democrats, whether they are clergy or laity, 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 said.
The Denver church leader encouraged Catholics to be as "determined and stubborn ... persistent" in their pro-life stand as abortion supporters are in their stand.
Chaput used strong language in an attempt to drive his point home to a generation of Catholics who are uneducated in the teachings of the faith. "I think Catholics have to grapple with the fact that their moral positions impact their relationship with the Church. And they haven't often thought of that, you know? 'I know abortion is wrong, but if I vote for abortion, that doesn't have any impact on me.' Well the Church says, 'Like heck it doesn't. It means you're not a Catholic and you shouldn't receive communion, if you are in favor of abortion.'"
See the full interview (pdf) from the Archdiocesan website: http://www.archden.org/images/nyt_transcript.pdf
Are you listening, Cardinal McCarrick?
...
the Bishop of Philadelphia met with Pres Bush today and then
he "urged" the city's 1.5 million Catholics to vote for the
candidate which more closely has the same position the church
does on abortion and gay marriage issues...No wonder kerry is
bringing bubba to philly.. LOL.....not good for kerryland
I don't think he's been in a Catholic church the last 2 months.
Life ping.
Sorry about the rant, but this politics/religion/abortion theme on FR the last few weeks is getting to me.
Two of my sisters-in-law (one a former) are Catholic and neither can take communion because the former was a divorced woman when she married my brother and the latter married my brother who was divorced. Both were excommunicated. Assuming sKerry has the same problem.
Daring to discipline (On excommunication of pro-choice Catholic pols)
Vatican: Kerry guilty of heresy; incurrs automatic excommunication
Major Developments -- Kerry Heresy Case
Denunciation of US Senator John F Kerry for Heresy.
JOHN KERRY, Kennedy, Harkin, Cuomo, Collins, Denounced for Heresy
Lawyer buoyed on Kerry 'heresy
NY TIMES: Letter Supports Anti-Kerry Bid Over Abortion (Kerry Excommunication)
DRUDGE POSTS 'MOVE TO EXCOMMUNICATE KERRY AND OTHERS ADVANCES'
Sen. John Kerry Excommunicated, According To Vatican Response
Vatican denies it responded to lawyer seeking Kerry's excommunication.
Excommunicated or Not, Kerry is not Permitted to Receive Communion
Is there a religion that condones abortion???
5.56mm