Archbishop Says It's Immoral to Vote for Pro-Choice Candidates

EWTN News ^ | October 29, 2002 | EWTN

[fatguy]

DENVER, Oct 29, 02 (CWNews.com) -- In his second blunt message in as many weeks on the responsibilities of Catholic voters, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver has insisted the issue of abortion should provide a clear-cut choice.

"I will vote for no candidate Republican, Democrat or third party -- who is actively 'pro-choice,'" the archbishop wrote in his regular weekly column for Denver's archdiocesan newspaper.

Archbishop Chaput dismissed the argument that abortion is only one among many issues to be considered in an election year. He explained: "abortion is separated from other important social issues like affordable housing by a difference in kind, not a difference in degree. Every abortion kills an unborn human life -- every time. No matter what kind of mental gymnastics we use, elective killing has no excuse. We only implicate ourselves by trying to provide one."

In this respect, the archbishop drew a distinction between the abortion issue and other political questions, on which reasonable people might differ. The difference, he said, is that "every abortion is a grave act of violence."

The archbishop repeated his complaint that proponents of legal abortion are seeking to silence Catholics, and others who are opposed to the practice. "The only way to stop this coercion is to send the right men and women to Congress," he said.

Voters cannot remain neutral on the issue, Archbishop Chaput continued. He reasoned: "No violence is ever private. That includes abortion. What we choose to allow, we choose to own."

[fatguy]

Bishops with courage ping

[evolved_rage]

Every Bishop and Priest needs to repeat this on Sunday, especially in Spanish!

[petuniasevan]

He's got courage. And he's right.

Wanna bet how soon he will be the target of venomous attacks from the pro-babykiller crowd?

[Aquinasfan]

The Spirit is moving. Great news!

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Actual title: Denver Archbishop Rejects Pro-Choice Rhetoric

[pbear8]

Quick, give this man a red hat.

[End The Hypocrisy]

So 65% of Republicans are evil then, I guess? I mean, according to http://www.rym.org, that's the percentage of Republicans that are pro choice. And nearly all Democrats are. That means that according to this bishop, over 4 out of every 5 Americans is evil. Is there something wrong with this picture, perhaps?

[caisson71]

It's about time someone in the church starts articulating this. This is going to make a lot of Catholics uneasy - especially in those liberal "coastal" states. Too bad.

[fatguy]

Actual title: Denver Archbishop Rejects Pro-Choice Rhetoric

I know, but that's a limp headline that won't draw as many people in.

[Cicero]

Archbishop Chaput is one of the small number of really good bishops. This is especially good to hear coming from Denver, which the Dems need to do well in if they are to win the state.

[ApesForEvolution]

God bless people with strength, courage and conviction to defend the disenfranshised of their mother's wombs...

[PennsylvaniaMom]

The 'something wrong with the picture' is the apathy of the majority (both R and D). The poll numbers you quote (and generally all opinion polling) are generated (ususally) by a hyper-simple question...Do you believe in choice? The wording is so benign...But if you explain (via a textbook example) what abortion really is, then you would get a total different response. As for the good Bishop, he is 1000% correct.

[sinkspur]

Quick, give this man a red hat.

"Red hats" typically go to ordinaries of particular sees. St. Louis has had cardinals in the past (Ritter and Carberry), but Rigali is still purple. Baltimore has also had cardinals, though Borders was passed over.

Denver has never had a cardinal.

Besides, I don't see why anyone would aspire to the cardinalate. Bishops are "ordained," cardinals are "created."

"To create" means to make something out of nothing.

[Aquinasfan]

That means that according to this bishop, over 4 out of every 5 Americans is evil. Is there something wrong with this picture, perhaps?

Do you take a poll when you make ethical decisions?

[sinkspur]

I know, but that's a limp headline that won't draw as many people in.

Yes, but, years hence, when the archives of Free Republic are being searched for articles about Charles Chaput in support of his beatification, no one will be able to find yours because you changed the actual title.

[pbear8]

Whilst what you said about important diocese having cardinals is very true, I still would like to see truth and courage rewarded with an 'enhatment' (and therefore a vote) in this particular situation.

[fatguy]

So 65% of Republicans are evil then, I guess? I mean, according to http://www.rym.org, that's the percentage of Republicans that are pro choice. And nearly all Democrats are. That means that according to this bishop, over 4 out of every 5 Americans is evil. Is there something wrong with this picture, perhaps?

1) He didn't say those that vote for pro-choice candidates are necessarily evil, but rather this activity is evil.

2) For the last 30 years all reliable polls have shown that a large majority of the electorate is against abortion on demand. This majority only supports abortion in the so-called "hard cases" -- rape, handicapped fetus, and life of the mother -- which constitute only about 5% of abortions.

3) Evil is common and mundane.

[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

"Is there something wrong with this picture, perhaps?"

The only thing wrong is that it's true. If there were a "moral majority" in the U.S., Bill Clinton would have been run out of town on a rail rather than re-elected.

[mombonn]

"I will vote for no candidate Republican, Democrat or third party -- who is actively 'pro-choice,'"

Amen! What a great post! What a great man!