"I didn't know that Sen. Durbin's part-time job was writing fairy tales for politicians," said American Life League president Judie Brown, "but that is precisely what his trumped-up study presents to the serious Catholic who looks beneath the surface of his comments and examines the rationale."
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) released a study called "Votes and Actions of Public Officials from a Catholic Perspective" in a highly transparent attempt to provide political cover for Catholic members of the U.S. Senate with pro-abortion voting records. He cites numerous Congressional votes to back up his point that these senators agree with Catholic teachings most of the time. "While it is true that the Church clearly teaches that 'Christian faith is an integral unity,'" said Brown, "it is not true that all political 'issues' are equally weighted. Sen. Durbin ignored that fact."
According to the Doctrinal Note the Vatican (news - web sites) issued regarding Catholics in political life:
At the same time, legislative proposals are put forward which, heedless of the consequences for the existence and future of human beings with regard to the formation of culture and social behavior, attack the very inviolability of human life.
Catholics, in this difficult situation, have the right and the duty to recall society to a deeper understanding of human life and to the responsibility of everyone in this regard.
John Paul II, continuing the constant teaching of the Church, has reiterated many times that those who are directly involved in lawmaking bodies have a "grave and clear obligation to oppose" any law that attacks human life. For them, as for every Catholic, it is impossible to promote such laws or to vote for them.
"Regardless of studies, evaluations, or forays into the flawed 'consistent ethic of life' argument," said Brown, "the fact is that if a Catholic public figure supports the act of abortion which is a direct attack on an innocent human being, then he or she should be denied Holy Communion until he repents of this grievous sin or should leave the Church.
There is no debate. There is no alternative. The truth does not change, regardless of politics."
Of course you can't be a strict Pope-following Catholic and support abortion. (or the death penalty or the War on Iraq or not giving billions in foriegn aid to Africa) But what about those who support abortion rights but not abortion?
posted by: Shark99 (reply)
post date: 06.04.04 (7:36 am)
What I'm sometimes amazed about is those people who are anti-abortion but pro-death penalty. That just doesn't make any sense. And for those who are super religious, why aren't they walking around blind because I know they've been tempted with joys of the flesh, and how come they are not out throwing stones and killing people?
Don't get me wrong, I believe in God, and Jesus, which is exactly why I turn the other cheek and preach compassion and tolerance, and not the Old Testament of destruction and revenge. Then again when I turn the other cheek I have Glock .45 in my hand hahahaha
posted by: DrForbush (reply)
post date: 06.04.04 (8:48 am)
Reply to: Shark99
The church's position is supposedly pro-life. But they seem to be making a big deal about abortion now. The church's pro-life status extends to the death penalty as well. Based on this Catholics should not be voting at all, because they can't vote Democrat because of the pro-choice stance and they can't vote Republican because of the Pro-Death penalty stance.
What political party is both anti-choice and anti-death penalty, they should be playing up their appeal to Catholics? !!!
posted by: DrForbush (reply)
post date: 06.04.04 (8:49 am)
WASHINGTON, June 3