The even sadder irony is that probably at least 50% of Americans who call themselves Catholics, including a significant number of clergy, are deli Catholics at best who are also pro-abortion and simply ignore Church teachings in the matter
Not only that, but I am shocked by many supposedly-educated Catholics who seem simply not to understand the process. Before the last election I was talking with two women in my parish, one of whom was a leader in the RCIA team and the other on the parish council. They said they were Gore supporters and I challenged them on this because of Gore's pro-abortion stance. As best I recall, the "discussion" went something like this...
Me: Really? You're going to vote for Gore? Even with his pro-abortion position...?
Ladies: Well, that abortion stuff, the Supreme Court decides that kind of thing.
Me: Right, and who nominates people for the Supreme Court?
Ladies: Well...the President...?
Me: Right, and so, if you support a candidate for President who is pro-abortion, what might happen...?
Ladies: (Deer-in-the-headlights-looks.)
I'll tell you, when it comes to explaining the basic workings of our government, sometimes I feel like I'm the only sighted person in a kingdom of the blind.