America at the Crossroads


	by Fr. James Farfaglia Other Articles by Fr. James Farfaglia Contact this Author

10/25/04

On Tuesday, November 2, all Americans eligible to vote will once again have the responsibility to make prudent choices concerning those who will govern us for the next few years.


Catholics across the nation need to keep in mind that they have a moral obligation to choose those candidates who will defend life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. The war between the culture of life and the culture of death has become so dramatic that the very political, economic, and social survival of our nation depends upon one issue: abortion. All Catholics need to look beyond the other issues at hand, and realize that the one pressing issue is abortion. The acceptance of legalized abortion affects every facet of the American way of life. The moment a positive law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them, the state is denying the equality of all before the law. When the state does not place its power at the service of the rights of each citizen, and in particular of the more vulnerable, the very foundations of a state based on law are undermined.... As a consequence of the respect and protection which must be ensured for the unborn child from the moment of conception, the law must provide appropriate penal sanctions for every deliberate violation of the child's rights. (Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 2273) The massive loss of innocent human life that took place on 9/11 shocked the nation. This loss of innocent human life was tragic. Nevertheless, another tragedy with even greater consequences continues on a daily basis. Since January 22, 1973, an appalling 44,308,032 children are recorded to have been murdered through abortion. The slaughter of the innocent continues and very few people are doing anything about it. Should we be surprised at the unending news of murders, bombings and wars throughout the world? If we can kill inside of the womb, what is to keep us from killing outside of the womb? On Tuesday, November 2, every person interested in the future of our nation has an opportunity to elect public officials who will defend human life. No matter what the other issues may be, no matter what the party affiliation of a candidate, every person with human decency has a moral obligation to vote for pro-life candidates willing to take an uncompromising stand for life. The teachings of the Catholic Church on the subject of abortion can not be any clearer. Church teaching is not a matter of choice. Our consciences must be informed by objective truth and we must act accordingly. It is essential that we think, act, and vote Catholic. Pope John Paul II and the American bishops have written extensively on the issue. At the time when we face such important choices, we should review the teachings of the Catholic Church on the subject of abortion. I pray that you will soberly reflect on these basic texts which remind us of our duty as a Catholic people: Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law. (CCC no. 2271) Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life.... The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society. (CCC no. 2272) Therefore, by the authority which Christ conferred upon Peter and His Successors, and in communion with the Bishops of the Catholic Church, I confirm that the direct and voluntary killing of an innocent human being is always gravely immoral. (Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae, 57.4) Some Catholics state that they follow the Catholic Church's teaching on abortion. However, they believe that although abortion is wrong, a woman has the right to have an abortion. These same Catholics admit that they have no problem voting for pro-choice candidates. Some even have no problem voting for pro-abortion candidates. We must understand that when it comes to the subject of abortion, there is no such thing as "pro-choice." In reality, the term "pro-choice" is simply smoke and mirrors. Pro-choice and pro-abortion are one and same. Once again, let us look at the Catechism of the Catholic Church: "Anyone who uses the power at his disposal in such a way that it leads others to do wrong becomes guilty of scandal and responsible for the evil that he has directly or indirectly encouraged" (no. 2287). When Catholics defend their pro-choice position, they are saying that any woman has the right to terminate the life of a living human being. Let us remember that no matter how small a little baby may be in the mother's womb, a new human being begins at the moment of conception. This new human being is entitled to the right to life, as affirmed by the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by the Constitution. If anyone has the right to terminate the life of an innocent human being, not only are those who are being terminated no longer equal under the law, pro-choice proponents are laying the groundwork for choices to be made about the extermination of other groups of people. Was not this the case in Nazi Germany? Not only were Jews, Gypsies and Catholics considered to be unequal to others under the law, but a certain group of people took upon themselves the right to make a choice as to who had a right to live. Was not this the case with slavery? Not only were Africans considered to be unequal to others, but a certain group of people took upon themselves the right to make a choice as to who would be slaves and who would not be slaves. The protection of the law was removed from an entire class of persons who were then placed at the mercy (or cruelty) of others. Thankfully both the German atrocities and the American horror have been overcome with the passing of history. But true peace, civil order and morality will never return to the world until legalized abortion is ended in every corner of the planet. If a woman has the right to kill her baby, what is to keep a sniper from executing his next victim? If a doctor has the right to murder an innocent child, what is to keep a child from killing his own classmates? If a hospital has a right to sponsor homicide, what is to keep a state from supporting terrorists? The right to life is the most fundamental of all rights. All other rights depend upon the right to life. Abortion is a horrific evil which is claiming over 4,000 lives every day. The teachings of the Catholic Church are crystal clear on the subject of abortion. It is always morally wrong to cooperate or support abortion in any way. Those who knowingly and intentionally help elect candidates who support abortion in any way, are morally responsible for the children killed. Heresy is defined as "the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith" (CCC no. 2089). Any Catholic, including public officials or candidates for public office, who supports or promotes abortion in any way, has taken a position which is in clear opposition to the teaching of the Catholic Church. For those who have erred there is forgiveness. The Catholic Church, as a loving mother, welcomes with open arms all of her repentant prodigal sons and daughters who humbly seek reconciliation and forgiveness through the sacrament of Confession. God will forgive any sin, even the sin of abortion. Any Catholic who has committed or has participated in an abortion will always be welcomed with kindness and compassion so long as that person changes and repents of the grave sin which has been committed. Any woman who is contemplating the possibility of having an abortion can always count on the large number of effective Catholic organizations and agencies that will help her save the life of her baby. There is never a need for an abortion under any circumstance, no matter how tragic that circumstance may be. There is only one choice, and that choice is life. If you love America, choose life on November 2nd. Father James Farfaglia is pastor of St. Helena of the True Cross of Jesus Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Originally from Ridgefield, Connecticut, Father has founded and developed apostolates for the Catholic Church in Spain, Italy, Mexico, Canada and throughout the United States. He may be reached by e-mail at Icthus@GoCNN.org.

For your discussion and comments.

1 posted on 10/25/2004 5:01:06 PM PDT by Salvation

To: father_elijah; nickcarraway; SMEDLEYBUTLER; Siobhan; Lady In Blue; attagirl; goldenstategirl; ...

Catholic Discussion Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Catholic Discussion Ping List.

2 posted on 10/25/2004 5:02:39 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

Ping for a later read (when I'm not working). Skimmed quickly, looks like an excellent article.

3 posted on 10/25/2004 5:08:05 PM PDT by COBOL2Java (If this isn't the End Times it certainly is a reasonable facsimile...)

To: Salvation; NYer; Aquinasfan; Coleus; cpforlife.org

"Since January 22, 1973, an appalling 44,308,032 children are recorded to have been murdered through abortion."

4 posted on 10/25/2004 5:09:30 PM PDT by HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity

To: HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity

"Since January 22, 1973, an appalling 44,308,032 children are recorded to have been murdered through abortion."

|And some people are voting against Bush because the "volunteer" service men and women were killed in Iraq in the number of 1000.

Go figure.

5 posted on 10/25/2004 5:17:56 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

6 posted on 10/25/2004 5:31:42 PM PDT by Coleus (Roe v. Wade and Endangered Species Act both passed in 1973, Murder Babies/save trees, birds, algae)

To: HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity

Something else to think of here -- nominations to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Will they be pro-death or pro-life.

I guess this pops into my mind today with the news of Chief Justice Rhenquist having thyroid cancer. May he be cleansed of this intrusion into his body.

7 posted on 10/25/2004 5:33:43 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

To: 2ndMostConservativeBrdMember; afraidfortherepublic; Alas; al_c; american colleen; annalex; ...

There is only one choice, and that choice is life. If you love America, choose life on November 2nd.

Great Article and how true.

8 posted on 10/25/2004 5:43:19 PM PDT by Coleus (Roe v. Wade and Endangered Species Act both passed in 1973, Murder Babies/save trees, birds, algae)

And some people are voting against Bush because the "volunteer" service men and women were killed in Iraq in the number of 1000.

Some are voting for Peroutka because he's totally pro-life.

9 posted on 10/25/2004 7:08:19 PM PDT by Grey Ghost II

Will they be pro-death or pro-life.

John Kerry says he will have a pro-death litmus test. George Bush says he won't have a pro-life litmus test. Neither candidates position is consistent with Catholic teaching.

10 posted on 10/25/2004 7:13:11 PM PDT by Grey Ghost II

To: MHGinTN; Coleus; nickcarraway; narses; Mr. Silverback; Canticle_of_Deborah; ...

Please let me know if you want on or off my Pro-Life Ping List.

11 posted on 10/25/2004 7:29:23 PM PDT by cpforlife.org (Birth is one day in the life of a person who is already nine months old.)

"The moment a positive law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them, the state is denying the equality of all before the law. When the state does not place its power at the service of the rights of each citizen, and in particular of the more vulnerable, the very foundations of a state based on law are undermined...."

Exactly. I wish more people understood this.

12 posted on 10/25/2004 7:43:40 PM PDT by TOUGH STOUGH

To: Grey Ghost II

13 posted on 10/25/2004 9:01:24 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

To: cpforlife.org

Thank you for the ping.

14 posted on 10/25/2004 9:11:04 PM PDT by MHGinTN (If you can read this, you've had life support from someone. Promote life support for others.)

To: Grey Ghost II

John Kerry says he will have a pro-death litmus test. George Bush says he won't have a pro-life litmus test. Neither candidates position is consistent with Catholic teaching

And neither man is the answer to end abortion......how many abortions happened during the last four years?

Its a crime that our clergy place such hope in any man, especially when THEY are the only real hope.

15 posted on 10/26/2004 2:43:18 AM PDT by Stubborn (It Is The Mass That Matters)

Real pro-life people are not voting against President Bush.

16 posted on 10/26/2004 4:01:23 AM PDT by ardara

And neither man is the answer to end abortion......how many abortions happened during the last four years?

That's because our president says we are not ready for an end to the practice.

17 posted on 10/26/2004 5:57:58 AM PDT by Grey Ghost II

To: Grey Ghost II

Its really because Satan has little to no opposition, thanks in large part to our clergy who, for the last 40 years became socialites instead of shepards.

18 posted on 10/26/2004 6:17:16 AM PDT by Stubborn (It Is The Mass That Matters)

To: Grey Ghost II

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Campaign 2004: Attacks grow sharper as race enters final 2 weeks

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04293/398083.stm Tuesday, October 19, 2004

By Dennis B. Roddy, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

JOHNSTOWN -- Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife Lynne held court in a town meeting-style rally here yesterday that centered on national security and traditional values, two major themes being struck as the presidential election enters its final two weeks...

...During the hour-long session, Cheney took a handful of questions from the audience, and sidestepped a direct answer to one from Brian Kopp, a podiatrist from suburban Richland. Kopp repeated a question from last week's presidential debate, asking if Bush and Cheney would support overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States.

"We both believe very deeply in the pro-life cause," Cheney replied.

In an overwhelmingly Democratic and Catholic region of a swing state, abortion has long been a crucial door through which Republican candidates have pulled Democratic voters. Republican party leaders here said they expect that to be the case next month.

19 posted on 10/26/2004 7:58:15 AM PDT by St. Johann Tetzel

**Real pro-life people are not voting against President Bush.**

I agree with you!

20 posted on 10/26/2004 8:13:17 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)

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