I hate to say this, but Cdl. Ratzinger seems to me to be saying that no-one can vote for a candidate BECAUSE of that candidate's stand on abortion, but that they can vote for the candidate IN SPITE OF the candidate's stand on abortion. The difference between abortion and the death penalty, his statement seems to me to suggest, is that a Catholic may favor a candidate BECAUSE of that candidate's support for the death penality. The difference does NOT appear to be, as the article suggests, that no other prudential issue may outweigh abortion.
(By "prudential issue," here, I mean such an issue where it is up to prudence of a Democratic society to determine which position is justified.)
I write this because I would love to be able to provide a solid, authoritative assertion that their support for Kerry is absolutely sinful. Obviously it is, since what issue can outwiegh the deaths of millions of innocents each year? BUt I would love to have a direct condemnation of their vote. I do not believe this statement provides me with that.
If someone could show me how it does, I would be very thankful.
With all due respect to Cardinal Ratzinger, I don't see how the Catholic Church can tell the faithful that to vote for a person who is in favor of certain kinds of abortions is acceptable.
Either you are pro life, 100%, or you are in favor of murder of an innocent human being, and you should not get the vote of a people who call themselves pro life, whether Catholic or otherwise.