America at the Crossroads

Catholic Exchange.com ^ | 10-25-04 | James Farfaglia

[Salvation]

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

America at the Crossroads

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.

[Grey Ghost II]

Cheney took a handful of questions from the audience, and sidestepped a direct answer to one from Brian Kopp, a podiatrist from suburban Richland

Polycarp rises from the ashes.

[pc93]

President Bush does not share our Catholic Values and is not Christlike. He refuses to hear and do anything about Terri Schindler Schiavo here in Florida after having been apprised that there is attempted murder against her. He has been down here countless time and yet has refused to visit her. All lines to the Whitehouse are apparently closed. Even the brother of this "great man" has not even asked him to step in or they both refuse to do what is necessary even after having been apprised of the facts with evidence definitely put into their possession. If Terri is murdered there will not only be me but thousands of others in a geometrical progression who will never let them forget. They better step in and stop the people trying to commit murder is all that I can say right now. And if they don't they do not have Catholic Values. Take this from a true Catholic.

If I speak untruth prove me otherwise.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Look, since I got on pc93s ping list, I'll chime in with my opinion.

I believe in the fight for Terri. I also believe G.W. Bush is a strong proponent for the pro-life cause. Jeb is involved in the fight for Terri, and President Bush is pro-life.

You may not agree with their methods of promoting a respect for life agenda, but the fact is they are pro-life, and considered so by their allies and enemies.

John Kerry's position wouldn't even allow Terri the opportunity to live--heck, I could envision John Kerry ordering federal marshals to go in and remove the feeding tube and stand guard over the poor woman while she starves.

I appreciate your passion to save innocent life. You have to realize others share that same value, but not necessarily your tactics.

RD

[St. Johann Tetzel]

That's not the point. Kerry has unequivocally stated that he would prevent RvW from being overturned. If Kerry can publicly be this vocal in support of a SCOTUS decision worse than Dred Scott, why the hell can't Bush/Cheney take the obvious pro-life stance that RvW is no better than Dred Scott and must be overturned? The GOP had the guts to fight dred Scott in its infancy 140 years ago. Why not now with RvW?

[Grey Ghost II]

We are in agreement.

[pc93]

Then why don't they go visit her.. Or is Michael Schiavo too powerful for them to be able to do that? Gimmie a break.

[pc93]

Just wondering why they haven't stepped up to their duty of protecting her life is all. Not showing a very good example to other countries now are we?

[Recovering_Democrat]

I could ask the same question as to why they aren't visiting my sick grandma. I don't expect them to...and neither should you or anyone else.

You know, there are big picture issues involved when one is running an entire nation.

Where does President Bush stop working for re-election. Who else does he visit who is in dire straits?

Vicious attacks against your friends in the political arena is a really really good way to make it apparent you've abandoned all hope.

I pray for Terri, I pray for the President, and I pray all innocent life can be protected.

I'm confident this President is doing a much better job than the realistic alternatives.

We all do what we can. Give all of us some credit, will you? Pope John Paul II was in the USA a few months back. Are you going to lambast him for not visiting Terri? No. Certainly a visit from the vicar of Christ would be a boost for Terri's case. He didn't come, though. It doesn't make her life any less important...

just my thoughts.

RD

[pc93]

Well when it went national I and considering the facts of the case which controverts the courts that it would be important to them to go visit Terri and spend some time with her themselves. And yes I do think the Pope should go visit Terri. Why do I not have a right to be mad that when they have been apprised of what is going on they haven't used any of their powers or agents as representatives of those powers to go ahead and get this madness to stop? come hell or highwater?

[BykrBayb]

From the Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics. http://www.catholic.com/library/voters_guide.asp

---

WHEN THERE IS NO "ACCEPTABLE" CANDIDATE

In some political races, each candidate takes a wrong position on one or more issues involving non-negotiable moral principles. In such a case you may vote for the candidate who takes the fewest such positions or who seems least likely to be able to advance immoral legislation, or you may choose to vote for no one.

A vote cast in such a situation is not morally the same as a positive endorsement for candidates, laws, or programs that promote intrinsic evils: It is only tolerating a lesser evil to avoid an even greater evil. As Pope John Paul II indicated regarding a situation where it is not possible to overturn or completely defeat a law allowing abortion, “an elected official, whose absolute personal opposition to procured abortion was well known, could licitly support proposals aimed at limiting the harm done by such a law and at lessening its negative consequences at the level of general opinion and public morality’.”(EV, 73; also CPL, n.4)

Catholics must strive to put in place candidates, laws, and political programs that are in full accord with non-negotiable moral values. Where a perfect candidate, law, or program is not on the table, we are to choose the best option, the one that promotes the greatest good and entails the least evil. Not voting may sometimes be the only moral course of action, but we must consider whether not voting actually promotes good and limits evil in a specific instance. The role of citizens and elected officials is to promote intrinsic moral values as much as possible today, while continuing to work toward better candidates, laws, and programs in the future.

---

Even if you think President Bush has not done enough to further the pro-life movement, you must admit he is pro-life, and his opponent is not. "Where a perfect candidate, law, or program is not on the table, we are to choose the best option, the one that promotes the greatest good and entails the least evil." The choice here is obvious. President Bush promotes the greatest good, and Jean Kerrie entails the most evil.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Obviously you're apoplectic regarding this issue, and I don't think it would be helpful to continue discussion.

Good luck with your rage.

RD

[pc93]

Whatever.

[franky]

"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND"

"THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them.3

It is written: "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve."4

The real problem today is that many of the clergy, politicians and laity are breaking the very first commandment.

Whereas God is merciful, He is also just. The United States is in for a rude awakening when God makes it know that what we are doing is making him jealous.

Sodom and Gomorrah will look like child's play when our Lord takes His action.

Let us pray!

[Huber]

RD has a good point above & there is a much wisdom in BB's post 30.

We all need to either support the president this election or be prepared to submit to a Godless judicial oligarchy.

[Askel5]

=== from the moment of conception


Or, whoever gets "closest" ... never mind the Soul Kill-Ratio assuming actual Personhood from the moment of conception.

Human farming certainly poised to make abortificient birth control (on which most of the world revolves in place these days) and even the Dross excess manufacture of artificial reproduction look like a drop in the bucket.

Which matters more? The money the deathists take in?

Such as Planned Parenthood's profits as well as underwriting from the state (as compared to the "out the door" budget of the NIH which Bush doubled prior to his decision on ESCR). I don't think the shifting of line items for abortion providers worldwide (particularly when our nation ENSURES "women's reproduction rights" as a first step in each of these "democratizations") compares to the NIH funding.

The number of Persons offed or "sacrificed" for humanitarian purpose?

Is there not something even more gruesome about truly dehumanizing a person into a "clump of cells" (see, Congressional Blue Ribbon Panel and NIH retraction of proposed human experimentation guidelines, Congressional Register, just after the ESCR decision) or referring to those siblings not implanted or surviving any in utero culling the "excess manufacture" of potential people?

I think I'd rather be slapped across the face and know I was alive than caressed by a Clean Hand, a dead man walking and whistling past a graveyard more often than not these days. A good may of the wombs, even, the site of an Atrocity or two.

[AnimalLover]

Cannot bring this address up so decided to drop in and
post so I can find it.


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1258051