Posted on 09/28/2008 9:33:21 AM PDT by Dominick
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As citizens of the United States, we have a duty to participate in framing the debate of public issues and the selection of those who occupy positions of civic leadership. As Catholics, we are called to carry the values of the Gospel and the sacredness of human life into the public square. These dual responsibilities to faith and citizenship are at the heart of what it means to be a Catholic in a free and democratic nation.
Participation in elections requires careful discernment and prudential judgment in light of moral principles and values of our faith. As faithful citizens, our decisions in the voting booth should respect the interests of all, particularly those members of our society who are weak and marginalized, often without a voice of their own. When we register to vote, we willingly accept the task of becoming educated on the issues and candidates and voting with a properly formed conscience.
Conscience is more than a voice within calling us to follow what is considered acceptable behavior for the day. It provides a constant moral foundation that guides our thoughts and actions from the very simple to the most complex. We have a duty to fully form our conscience and increase its sensitivity to how the issues before us address human life and dignity, protect and promote the welfare of our most vulnerable and serve the common good.
Making a decision about a candidate can be very difficult, but a well-formed conscience aided by the virtue of prudence will guide us. As Catholics, we are not single-issue voters, but at the same time we recognize that all issues do not carry the same moral weight. Some issues involve acts that are always wrong, and we are morally obligated to oppose them. We must never abandon the moral requirement to seek full protection for all human life. A Catholic cannot vote for a candidate who takes a position in favor of an intrinsic evil, such as the direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life, if the voter’s intent is to support that position. There may be times when a Catholic who rejects a candidate’s unacceptable position may decide to vote for that candidate, but this would be permissible only for truly grave moral reasons, and not to overlook a fundamental moral evil in order to advance a narrow interest or partisan preference.
Catholics are challenged to use the resources of our faith and the opportunities of our democracy to defend human life and to work for a more peaceful and just society. Before casting our votes, we are responsible to: (1) become familiar with sacred scripture and moral and social doctrine of the Church; (2) obtain accurate information on issues without relying strictly on party affiliation or campaign advertisements; (3) consult the Candidate Questionnaire Project (www.informedcatholicvoter.com) and encourage candidates to clarify their positions on key issues; (4) actively participate in discussions with others, especially our family and those close to us; and (5) seek wisdom through prayer and reflection.
May the Holy Spirit guide us as we make our voting decisions.
I case you didn't see it in the bulletin, Florida bishops offered a joint statement
http://www.flacathconf.org/Publications/Statements/Bpst2000/ElectionYearStatement9-15-08.htm
Quote: "Some issues involve acts that are always wrong, and we are morally obligated to oppose them. We must never abandon the moral requirement to seek full protection for all human life."
Paramount is protection of innocent human life.
The website they mention is sponsored by FL Catholic newspapers, FCC, FCCW, and FL Knights of Columbus.
It can be found at: http://www.informedcatholicvoter.com
They did not present any of the presidential candidates. I however know that catholic.org presents the views of the presidential candidates in their own words:
http://www.catholic.org/politics/voter_guide.php
Thanks all, Dominick (X) (Pro-life chair)
THANK GOD the BISHOPS are TENDING to thier FLOCKS SOULS!
ping for list
Have you watched this video? It is very powerful and worth sharing, imho:
Thanks that is in the pipeline now!
They don’t even use the word “abortion”. Plus, they give a huge cop-out when they don’t define what kind of truly grave reason would allow someone to vote for a pol that not only thinks baby butchery is fine but would actually work to make sure more babies are butchered. I mean, what is a reason to vote for a person who is into baby butchery?
Freegards
It’s weaselly, I agree. Oddly enough, my bishop was very good on life issues when he came to this diocese (St Augustine) in 2001. But one of the senior priests, a true heretic who believes nothing the Church teaches but is in charge of the campus ministry at UF, was overheard boasting earlier this year about the fact that the bishop “was a conservative when he got here, but now we (the priests) have converted him into a liberal.” Guess what his “pro-life” issue is now? The death penalty.
Florida’s bishops, with a couple of exceptions (Orlando and Venice), are a sorry lot.
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:
Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.
Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment
Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”
Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”
Obama Doesn’t Want His Daughters Punished with a Baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNzmly28Bmg
CNN on Obama’s Infant Born Alive Act Rejection
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPZCXcTwZPY
Jill Stanek on Obama and Born Alive Infant Protection Act (MUST SEE)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIdbYjmbFzo
Obama Cover-up Revealed On Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Bill
http://www.nrlc.org/ObamaBAIPA/ObamaCoverup.html
Explosive Audio Found Obama arguing against BAIPA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypDwNpgIUQc
Babies left to die!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIdbYjmbFzo
The statement could have been stronger. But it still is not a break in the fairly solid wall of support against abortion that the Bishops have built this election year.
“Florida’s bishops, with a couple of exceptions (Orlando and Venice), are a sorry lot.”
Diocese of Richmond here, of the two dioceses in the state, it’s the “meh” diocese of Virginia. Of course there’s only two in the state. Our Bishop is a lot better on the real “life issue” than our last one, excepting a lil’ snafu concerning Catholic Charities procuring an abortion for a minor and not calling out our dem Catholic gubbernor on the baby butchery issue.
Freegards
This would contradict your impressions:
http://www.thefloridacatholic.org/rop/2008_rop/2008_roparticles/20080125_rop_march_sa.php
to work for a more peaceful and just society.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Definition of above: Marxist Liberation Theology.
Re: The overall statement
Wow! These bishops can use a lot of words to say little, and hide and confuse the one or two phrases that are essential.
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USCCB will discuss abortion politics in plenary session
McCain launches pro-stem cells ad
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(Watch this video!!)New Video from CatholicVote.com
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BIDEN IS SELF-DESTRUCTING
Oh no! Palin's example might inspire others to reject abortion
(On Abortion): Pols Talk Faith, Bishops Talk Fact
John McCain Repeats Stance: Roe Abortion Case a "Bad Decision," Overturn It
Local Couple Meets With McCain, Palin
Trig's Breakthrough
The Importance of Trig Being
RUSH: Family with Down Syndrome Child Meets John McCain and Sarah Palin
Palin helps McCain with evangelicals, doesn't ensure their vote: analysts
Choosing Trig (A symbolic leap ahead for children with Down syndrome and their parents)
Family With Down Syndrome Child Meets John McCain And Sarah Palin (Ruush Awesome!!!)
McCain camp says Biden 'sunk to a new low' [Biden/Obama care more about special needs kids
Courting Catholics (Republican Convention Targets a Key Swing Vote)
Trig Paxson Van Palin (Rich Lowry)
McCain, Palin going to region threatened by storm
Sarah Palin- links, from the beginning
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Calling All Pro-life Dems
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Don’t Blame the Bishops - Catholic means pro-life
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Laura Ingraham - PALIN: The PERFECT Conservative Choice!!
Sarah Palin's Feminists for Life Membership Points to Pro-Woman, Pro-Life View
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Governor Sarah Palin's church and a list of sermons she may have heard
Conservative leaders react to McCain’s VP choice of pro-life Gov. Sarah Palin
McCain chooses pro-life Sarah Palin for veep (updated facts about Palin)
Palin Pick Causes 'Elation' among Evangelical Leaders
Beauty and the Beast? (Insightful Analysis of McCain's potential pick for VP)
National Right to Life calls GOP platform "Strongest Ever"
McCain Himself Accuses Obama of Courting Infanticide
GOP takes a hard line on abortion for its platform
John McCain Criticizes Barack Obama on Abortion, Opposing Infanticide Bill
McCain Goes There (Takes On Obama’s ‘Above My Pay Grade’ Remark)
McCain attacks Obama on pro-abortion stance
McCain, Vietnam, and a cross in the dirt
Pro-Life Expert on Population Issues Says McCain Better on Abortion Than Obama
US Bishops Look at Election
Vote for Real Hope and Change [Archbishop Chaput]
Stopping Abortions, Protecting Human Life Not Above a President's Pay Grade
RNC: McCain Won’t Choose Abortion-Supporting Running Mate
Real Change ("Catholics don’t stop being Catholic at the voting booth.")
McCain and Obama try to navigate the politics of abortion
Obama and McCain Woo Catholics
Editorial: At the Saddleback Forum, Senator McCain and Pastor Warren took the Gold
Religious Voters Favor McCain, Poll Claims
Sen. McCain holds private meeting with Archbishop Chaput
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