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Denver Archbishop: Voting for Known Pro-Abortion Candidates is a Sin Requiring Confession

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

1 posted on 10/21/2004 12:43:27 PM PDT by St. Johann Tetzel

To: St. Johann Tetzel

2 posted on 10/21/2004 12:45:15 PM PDT by binger

To: St. Johann Tetzel

The Road to Hell is Paved With the Skulls of Bishops (and Priests)

Are you listening, Cardinal McCarrick?

...

3 posted on 10/21/2004 12:47:55 PM PDT by Screaming Eagle Red Leg

To: St. Johann Tetzel

unambiguously pro-abortion politicians should be denied Holy Communion

There's your trouble. Kerry isn't unambiguous about anything.

4 posted on 10/21/2004 12:49:28 PM PDT by WinOne4TheGipper (Click my profile page to see my US Election Atlas Presidential Prediction Map!)

To: St. Johann Tetzel

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

6 posted on 10/21/2004 12:50:34 PM PDT by kingattax

To: St. Johann Tetzel

I don't think he's been in a Catholic church the last 2 months.

8 posted on 10/21/2004 12:54:54 PM PDT by Semper Paratus (Michael)

To: NYer; cpforlife.org; Coleus; Salvation; Aquinasfan; ninenot; ELS; thor76; narses; ...

10 posted on 10/21/2004 12:57:28 PM PDT by HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity

To: St. Johann Tetzel

Why is anyone listening to the Catholic Church, at least in America? Any other organization that aided and abetted more child molesters than NAMBLA would be ridiculed and ignored here. The Church should repent and take the beam out of its own eye before it goes looking for sticks in the eyes of others.

Sorry about the rant, but this politics/religion/abortion theme on FR the last few weeks is getting to me.

11 posted on 10/21/2004 12:58:53 PM PDT by conserv13

To: St. Johann Tetzel

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.

12 posted on 10/21/2004 1:00:14 PM PDT by lilylangtree (Veni, Vidi, Vici)

To: St. Johann Tetzel; american colleen; sinkspur; Lady In Blue; Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; ...

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

23 posted on 10/21/2004 1:45:00 PM PDT by NYer ("The road to hell is paved with the skulls of Bishops." St. John Chrysostom)

To: St. Johann Tetzel

27 posted on 10/21/2004 2:04:49 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

To: St. Johann Tetzel

All Kerry has to do to remain consistent in his position is to go to a faith that condones abortion...

Is there a religion that condones abortion???

5.56mm

71 posted on 10/21/2004 7:39:44 PM PDT by M Kehoe

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