CATHOLIC VOTING

I’ve commented time and time again on how the Catholic Church is starting to develop a backbone when it comes to politicians and abortion.  Of course, we have John Kerry to thank for this; his public flaunting of his faith concerning abortion and the Eucharist has forced the Church’s hands.
 
The latest Bishop to get it is Bishop Brunett of Seattle.  He has just published a pastoral letter concerning the issue and has been very clear about receiving the Eucharist:
 
“Even as we acknowledge and support the separation of roles between church and state, we recognize a clear connection between moral principles and political decisions. Whether Catholics enter the public square as voters or public officials, they will make political decisions that necessarily entail moral principles. In some instances, individuals using these principles may in good conscience reach different political alternatives. However, Catholic politicians who suggest that they can disassociate their political actions in principle from their Catholic faith are laboring under a dangerous moral delusion incompatible with the requirements of a solid Catholic faith life.”
 
 I have said many times there is no such thing as private morals and public morals and the Bishop has my back.
 
“With respect to the specific issue of abortion, let me be especially clear.  Catholics, including Catholic politicians, cannot on one hand profess to be in communion with the Catholic Church and on the other hand support abortions.  It is one thing to enter into political discussion about abortion issues; it is another to support and campaign for abortion actively.  In such cases, a clear contradiction exists between the active professing and living of one’s faith and one’s political agenda and actions.
 
Catholic politicians who unambiguously reject Catholic moral values, even if giving them lip service, are adopting a morally untenable position and are choosing a path that leads away from the Church and inhibits their ability to gather honestly with the Catholic faith community to celebrate the Eucharist, the sign of unity and communion with the Lord and His Church.  While upholding the civil law as their office requires, Catholic politicians have an obligation to promote positively the sacredness and dignity of human life within the limits of their authority.  This means, for example, that they must work to reduce and eliminate the perceived need for abortions and to uphold the dignity of the human person, especially those who are poor or marginalized.”
 
Beautiful, just beautiful.  I appreciate the Bishop addressing the abortion issue straight on and very clearly.  The Bishop is also very clear on denying the Eucharist to pro-abortion Catholics.  What he has to say will disappoint some of the more vocal members of the Catholic Church, but he is correct:
 
“For example, Catholic Church teaching on the sanctity and dignity of all life has led some within our faith community to suggest that those who vocally and publicly assume pro-choice positions on abortion should be expelled from the Catholic community and the Eucharist.  That would have the result of denying Eucharistic participation without formal, canonical due process.  This due process requires dialogue and an opportunity for the accused to explain why they feel they can publicly and politically support a position that is patently contrary to the moral principles of our Catholic faith.  Those who persist in such public opposition indicate that they are personally denying their communion with the Church.  In integrity, they should voluntarily withdraw from Eucharistic sharing without the need for formal action by the Church.  With that understanding, however, Ministers of the Eucharist should not take it upon themselves to deny Holy Communion to anyone who presents themselves.”
 
You got that Big John?  You "...should voluntarily withdraw from Eucharistic sharing without the need for formal action by the Church”.  Of course, the Bishop said, “In integrity”, so you, of all people, are not affected.
 
The good Bishop doesn’t only talk about politicians, he speaks to voters as well:
 
“In light of these complexities and challenges, Catholic politicians and voters must remain in dialogue with their bishop, receive guidance for the proper formation of their conscience and determine whether there is consistency between their political lives and the teachings of the Catholic Church rooted in Eucharistic communion with Christ and each other.”
 
Yeah, he just said your political life (voting, volunteering, supporting, etc.) must be consistent with the Church’s teachings.  In other words, YOU CANNOT SUPPORT A POLITICIAN WHO SUPPORTS AND ENABLES ABORTIONS!

Simple as that.