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Catholic Conundrum: What's an Anti-Abortion, Pro-Immigrant Voter to Do?
Phoenix New Times ^ | Sep 13 2012 | Monica Alonzo

Posted on 09/13/2012 8:28:28 AM PDT by Alex Murphy

....religious-minded Americans also have to reconcile conflicting stances on political views within the church itself.

For example, both Mormon and Catholic doctrines preach anti-abortion and traditional family values that align with the Republican way. At the same time, church leaders also publicly adopted a Democrat-esque, humane approach to immigration enforcement, inccluding a path to citizenship.

[SNIP]

The conversation also is about immigration and church officials' views that politicians should adopt a more tolerant view of the presence of immigrants.

The softer stance stems from a growing number of undocumented immigrants converting to Mormonism — an estimated 70 percent of Latino Mormons are undocumented. In the Catholic Church, where membership is steadily declining, immigrants are offsetting those losses.

A 2012 poll by the Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research organization, revealed that 69 percent of foreign-born Latinos identify themselves as Catholic. To maintain membership, religious leaders must tread lightly near these issues.

[SNIP]

Today, about 25 percent of Arizona residents, about 950,000, call themselves Catholic. And the diocese has no problem throwing its weight around.

Olmsted wrote a letter in January to Phoenix-area Catholics blasting portions of "Obamacare," the Affordable Care Act requiring all employers' insurance policies to cover contraception, sterilization, and abortion-inducing drugs.

Priests read the letter at Catholic masses across the Valley.

[SNIP]

The church also easily navigated the Arizona Legislature, where Representative Debbie Lesko, a Republican, sponsored a measure that essentially protected churches and religiously affiliated employers from having to include birth control and related services in their insurance plans.

And yet, members are not always in lockstep with the church.

Despite the bishops' consternation over birth control mandates, 82 percent of Catholics believe that birth control is morally acceptable, compared to 90 percent of non-Catholics, according to a Gallup poll conducted in May.

(Excerpt) Read more at phoenixnewtimes.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Moral Issues; Religion & Politics; Worship
KEYWORDS: aliens; catholic; catholicvote
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The conversation...is about immigration and church officials' views that politicians should adopt a more tolerant view of the presence of immigrants.

The softer stance stems from a growing number of undocumented immigrants converting to Mormonism — an estimated 70 percent of Latino Mormons are undocumented. In the Catholic Church, where membership is steadily declining, immigrants are offsetting those losses.

A 2012 poll by the Pew Hispanic Center, a nonpartisan research organization, revealed that 69 percent of foreign-born Latinos identify themselves as Catholic. To maintain membership, religious leaders must tread lightly near these issues....

....Despite the bishops' consternation over birth control mandates, 82 percent of Catholics believe that birth control is morally acceptable, compared to 90 percent of non-Catholics, according to a Gallup poll conducted in May.

1 posted on 09/13/2012 8:28:30 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
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To: Alex Murphy

Easy! Anybody who is anti-abortion must vote against pro-abortion candidates, regardless of their stance on immigration. Laws regarding immigration can be changed. Abortion cannot be done over. Once the child is aborted, that is the end of the story. An immigrant denied legal entry can wait and try another day.

The voter can try to change the mind of a pro-life, anti immigration elected official. There is no second look for the anti-life, pro immigration official. The child is dead.

Easy choice for a thinking Catholic.


2 posted on 09/13/2012 8:35:53 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic (Joe Biden is reported to be seeking asylum in a foreign country so he does not have to debate Ryan.)
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To: Alex Murphy

Why does the article assume that a no holds barred Democratic approach to immigration is the only humane one. Encouraging people to risk their lives to immigrate illegally is not humane.


3 posted on 09/13/2012 8:35:59 AM PDT by lastchance ("Nisi credideritis, non intelligetis" St. Augustine)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Ok.

Mitt Romney believes in expanding abortion services and making everyone pay for it through Romneycare.

Obama believes in expanding abortion services and making everyone pay for it through Obamacare.

How is this a simple choice? From what I can see the faithful prolife Catholic cannot choose either.


4 posted on 09/13/2012 8:42:14 AM PDT by JCBreckenridge (Texas, Texas, Whisky)
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To: Alex Murphy

I would have little problem with amnesty if the Government would guarantee that no immigrants would be allowed in illegally. I mean stop them. Relatives in Mexico who wnat to come should stay in Mexico unless they come with a legal Visa and then go home.

I would have no trouble with paying more taxes if those taxes went to paying the debt and not to growing Government.

But we all know neither is going to happen.


5 posted on 09/13/2012 8:47:01 AM PDT by Venturer
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To: afraidfortherepublic
"Anybody who is anti-abortion must vote against pro-abortion candidates, regardless of their stance on immigration."

The Church is unequivocal in it's teachings that there is a hierarchy of issues that confront society and voters and that Catholics must observe that hierarchy. The "Five Non-negotiables" are or should be known to every Catholic voter.

Peace be with you.

6 posted on 09/13/2012 8:53:44 AM PDT by Natural Law (Jesus did not leave us a Bible, He left us a Church.)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

You might be surprised at how many FReepers think a few abortions is an acceptable compromise for a win.

Unfortunately I don’t think the damage from open borders can be undone either. I think America is a marxist future even if we can put it off for a little while.


7 posted on 09/13/2012 8:53:51 AM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
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To: All
The article prejudices the reader, at the very beginning by telling us that "Edilia Gonzales attends Mass every Sunday....She believes that life is sacred, including the life of a child still developing in the womb. And she believes that undocumented immigrants who've made their way to the United States should be treated humanely and with dignity." It prejudices the reader because statistically speaking, being a weekly Mass attending Catholic should put her in the "more conservative" column i.e. voting Republican, not Democrat.

But on the last page of the article we learn "She participates in Mass — but doesn't receive communion because, her politics, according to the church, make her a sinner. And until she "repents," she isn't suppose to partake in that Catholic ritual." The article doesn't say whether she's being denied the Eucharist, or merely staying away from it herself. Either way, I have to wonder if "weekly Mass attending" counts towards conservative leanings if the attendee doesn't receive communion.

8 posted on 09/13/2012 8:54:06 AM PDT by Alex Murphy (At the end of the day, you have to worship the god who can set you on fire.)
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To: JCBreckenridge

Mitt Romney has repudiated his stand on abortioin. Says it was a mistake. Ronald Reagan said the same. The American public believed Reagan, why not Romney? Is it because you WANT to reelect Obama?


9 posted on 09/13/2012 8:55:39 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic (Joe Biden is reported to be seeking asylum in a foreign country so he does not have to debate Ryan.)
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To: Alex Murphy

I am Catholic. I wrote to my bishop telling them that if I find out they are harboring illegal aliens in their rectories, etc., on the dime of parishioners, I will report them to ICE. I dared him to excommunicate me.


10 posted on 09/13/2012 9:01:02 AM PDT by RochesterNYconservative (ROMNEY/RYAN 20121)
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To: Alex Murphy

On the one hand you have a potential policy to limit mobility
On the other hand you have a potential policy to limit infanticide
Tell me again about this conundrum you’re dealing with


11 posted on 09/13/2012 9:02:59 AM PDT by muir_redwoods (Hopey changey Low emission unicorns and a crap sandwich)
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Your ad hominem attacks are repugnant.


12 posted on 09/13/2012 9:07:30 AM PDT by MortMan (Laughter is the best medicine, especially when ridiculing your enemies.)
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To: muir_redwoods

Grow a pair.


13 posted on 09/13/2012 9:07:50 AM PDT by spawn44 (MOO)
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To: Alex Murphy

So, if a large group of lawbreakers joins your sect, it’s OK and you not only advocate decriminalizing their behavior but want more of them, and being forced into nationalized healthcare is OK too, so long as your sect isn’t subjected to it?

Can they not see the moral rot in this? Apparently not.


14 posted on 09/13/2012 9:12:14 AM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: Alex Murphy

My close relative attends church several times a week, volunteers, donates more than most. The illegals’ plight have her voting for Obama.


15 posted on 09/13/2012 9:13:29 AM PDT by EnquiringMind
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To: Alex Murphy

“What’s an Anti-Abortion, Pro-Immigrant Voter to Do?”

Kind of like when you don’t like the weather in Chicago, wait a few minutes, and Romney will probably change his position to one that suits you.


16 posted on 09/13/2012 9:17:28 AM PDT by Boogieman
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To: afraidfortherepublic
Mitt Romney has repudiated his stand on abortioin. Says it was a mistake. Ronald Reagan said the same. The American public believed Reagan, why not Romney?

Because you are lying.

Reagan never had to "repudiate his stand on abortion" because Reagan was never pro-abortion.

Mitt Romney, just over 2 weeks ago, reverted back to his LIFELONG pro-abortion stance.

Romney is dedicated to abortion, has promoted it, praised it, spoke passionately on it's importance, and how much it has meant to him and his family since 1963, Mitt has paid for abortion, fund raised for abortion. Mitt Romney is deeply, pro-abortion.

17 posted on 09/13/2012 9:23:23 AM PDT by ansel12
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To: afraidfortherepublic
Mitt Romney has repudiated his stand on abortioin. Says it was a mistake. Ronald Reagan said the same. The American public believed Reagan, why not Romney?

Because Romney makes John Kerry look steadfast and unwavering. Romney has in the past campaigned as a liberal, and when in office governed as a liberal.

18 posted on 09/13/2012 9:23:49 AM PDT by JustSayNoToNannies (A free society's default policy: it's none of government's business.)
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To: Alex Murphy

The Church’s stand on illegals is incredibly self-serving. Just meant to increase the number of Catholics in the country, the Church’s influence, and the cash flow into the collection baskets.

(of course, since Benedict started taking the Liturgy back to the 1950’s, Latin America has been going Evangelical at a dizzying pace. So the joke may be on them)


19 posted on 09/13/2012 9:43:06 AM PDT by Buckeye McFrog
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To: Buckeye McFrog

Ridiculous!


20 posted on 09/13/2012 9:49:29 AM PDT by SumProVita
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