From Our Shepherds
“A Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in evil, and so unworthy to present himself for holy Communion, if he were to deliberately vote for a candidate precisely because of the candidate's
permissive stand on abortion and/or euthanasia. When a Catholic does not share a candidate's stand in favor of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation, which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons.”
Pope Benedict XVI
Participation in Politics
Democracy Is More About Values, Says Pope ...an authentic democracy is not merely the result of a formal observation of a set of rules, but is 'the fruit of a convinced acceptance of the values that inspire democratic procedures: the dignity of every human person, the respect of human rights, commitment to the common good.'" Zenit 12/17/2007
Catholic voters warned on abortion
Roman Catholic voters and lawmakers must heed church teaching on abortion or risk losing their eternal salvation, U.S. bishops said yesterday.
"The direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life is always wrong and is not just one issue among many," the bishops stated. "It must always be opposed." read more WashingtonTimes
Priests For Life Applaud New Catholic Bishops Document on Abortion
Fr. Frank Pavone, the director of Priests for Life, said the document provides "concrete guidance to Catholics and other Americans about their responsibilities in the political arena."
“The bishops point out, and we echo, that the direct and intentional destruction of innocent human life – by abortion, for instance -- is always wrong and is not just one issue among many," he explained.
"If we do not welcome and protect the tiniest children, how can we welcome immigrants and the poor?" Pavone said. "If we cannot protect our children from the abortionists’ forceps, how can we protect ourselves from the terrorists’ bombs?” LifeNews
Backing Abortion-Rights Candidates 'Borders on Scandal, Archbishop Says
Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, saying the Democratic Party has been persistently hostile to opponents of abortion rights, asserted yesterday that the support of many Catholics for Democratic candidates "borders on scandal."
"However, when I challenge people about this, they say, 'Well, bishop, we're not supporting [abortion rights],' " he said. "I think there's a need for people to very actively dissociate themselves from those unacceptable positions, and I think if they did that, then the party would have to change." read more
U.S. Bishops to finalize document giving guidance to Catholic voters 11/6
To be a good Christian is to be a good citizen, explains the Holy Father
"Vatican Council II, "exhorts Christians, as citizens of two cities, to strive to discharge their earthly duties conscientiously and in response to the Gospel spirit. They are mistaken who, knowing that we have here no abiding city but seek one which is to come, think that they may therefore shirk their earthly responsibilities. For they are forgetting that by the faith itself they are more obliged than ever to measure up to these duties, each according to his proper vocation." CNA 10/31/2007
Pope says political field is for laypeople, but church must guide
Involvement in politics is a role reserved to laypeople, but Catholic Church leaders must explain and promote the moral principles that will contribute to the common good, Pope Benedict XVI said.
"The church, while recognizing that it is not a political agent, cannot abstain from taking an interest in the good of the whole civil community in which it lives and works." The role of church leaders is to provide guidance, he said, particularly when modern society is facing "multiple ethical and social emergencies that threaten its stability and seriously compromise its future."CNS 10/19/2007
Church and State must cooperate for the good of man, says Holy Father
Recently, the Church in Italy has come under attack for its tax-exempt status from certain radical and Masonic groups within the European Union. The Pope seemed to be referring to this when he added, "the Church does not aim to acquire power nor does she seek privileges or positions of economic and social advantage. " CNA 10/04/2007
Archbishop Burke: public figures must receive Holy Communion worthily
Archbishop Burke's essay, titled "The Discipline Regarding the Denial of Holy Communion to Those Obstinately Persevering in Manifest Grave Sin," appeared in Periodica De Re Canonica, a publication of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. ...Proper disposition for Holy Communion requires the communicant to be in a state of grace, that is, free from unrepented mortal sin. CNA 10/02/2007
Catholic political leaders essential today, Pope says
The Holy Father said that the Church does not dictate political policies, but informs lay leaders about appropriate moral choices. "The Church knows that it is not her specific task to oversee the political implementation of this teaching," he explained; "her objective is to help form consciences in political life." CWN 09/21/2007
We're right to rebuke politicians, says archbishop Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver said the abortion issue was one of basic human dignity.
“These are not sectarian issues,” he said. “We’re not saying Catholic legislators ought to promote belief in the Trinity. Abortion is about killing somebody else. It’s about human beings.
“Do you keep quiet if someone’s going to kill someone else, or do you speak up? And if you don’t speak up or you say people have a right to kill someone
else, can you honestly say you’re in communion with the Church?” (totalcatholic) read more
Religion in the Public Arena: The Vital Role of Spiritual Values By Father John Flynn, L.C. The intersection between religion and politics continues to provide ample cause for debate, with contentious issues in the areas of bioethics, family policy and social justice. While some insist that religion should have no place in politics, a book published last year proposed that a pluralistic democratic society is in need of faith and religious arguments in public debate. read more
Washington Archbishop Wuerl Speaks Again on Communion for Pro-Abortion Politicians
In comments to the Washington Times, Archbishop Donald Wuerl has described himself as a "pastoral and spiritual" leader, and said that his job with Catholic politicians who oppose core Church teachings is to "teach" and "help them form a conscience." "When people do things contrary to church teaching, my responsibility is to help them understand that is wrong. Sometimes that takes a lot of conversation. Sometimes you're not successful at it," said Wuerl. read more
Bishop Tobin on ProAbortion Catholic Politicians
Bishop Tobin names politicians in addition to Giuliani who have "abandoned the faith for the sake of political expediency."
He named as examples Democratic Sens. Ted Kennedy and John Kerry of Massachusetts, Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Joseph Biden of Delaware and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, as well as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I.
"How these intelligent men and women will someday stand before the judgment seat of God and explain why they legitimized the death of countless innocent children in the sin of abortion is beyond me," Bishop Tobin said.
Learning From Our Catholic Heroes How To Be Catholic "The most ignoble aspect of the defeat (of the Mass. marriage amendment) was the massive betrayals by Catholics — certainly legislators, but also indirectly voters and clergy — that made such a setback possible. Many were simply not God’s good servants at all."
"The Lord challenges us to leaven society through our preaching and living of the Gospel, but rather than Catholics’ altering society for the better, it seems that society has been changing Catholics for the worse." Fr. Roger J. Landry 06/22/2007
The Church in the Public Square: Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli on Abortion
"The Church has always taught that a procured abortion is a moral evil," said Seratelli. "The Church's teaching is clear. What is disputed now is the Church's right to speak this truth."... "Why should the Church not have a right to voice her teaching on this important issue in the public square? She must speak and speak often," Serratelli said. "Abortion may be for some just a political issue. But, for the innocent child, it is a matter of life or death." 06/18/2007
Cardinal Pell repeats warning to Catholic politicians Cardinal Pell made it clear that he will not back down from the dispute. He wrote: "All Catholics who continue to reject important Catholic teachings, even in areas such as sexuality, family, marriage, abortion, euthanasia, cloning where 'liberals' claim the primacy of conscience rules, should expect to be confronted, gently and consistently, rather than comforted and encouraged in their wrongdoing." 06/12/2007
Scottish cardinal challenges politicians on abortion Scotland's top Catholic prelate has exhorted Catholic politicians to stop defending legal abortion, saying that they must recognize "the barrier such cooperation erects to receiving Holy Communion." 05/31/2007
Bishops’ Conference Responds To 18 Democrats Critical Of Pope The 18 Democrats who recently criticized Pope Benedict XVI when he answered questions about Mexico’s legalizing abortion both misrepresented the Pope’s remarks and defied freedom of speech and freedom of religion. 05/18/2007
Communion and pro-abortion politicians
Honduran cardinal clarifies interview on Communion and pro-abortion politicians Cardinal Maradiaga was asked, “Do you agree with the Pope’s statement that pro-choice Catholic politicians merit excommunication?” The cardinal responded by saying: “It is canon law that everyone who works for abortion is excommunicated. It’s not something the Pope invented. If you favor abortion, you are outside the communion of the Church. And it was necessary to say that. There are people in Mexico saying I am Catholic and I support abortion rights. This is a contradiction in its very essence. As a teacher of the Church, the Pope has a responsibility of teaching when something happening is wrong.” 05/17/2007
Don't check your faith at the door: Faith should be factor in political decisions: Catholic archbishop "I would call every politician who's a person of faith to bring their faith to bear. The notion of a separation of church and state is a very American thing ... I think that's just not appropriate, and I think many people feel the same way as I do."
He said he'll push politicians to consider limits on abortion, and to respect Catholic teachings when considering euthanasia, an issue he expects to gain public prominence in the years to come. 05/17/2007
Life and family are “non negotiable” values for politicians who desire Communion In his document on the Eucharist, “Sacramentum Caritatis,” released Tuesday morning, Pope Benedict XVI recalled that the defense of life and the protection of the family are “non negotiable” values for Catholic politicians and legislators who wish to be receive Communion in the Church....“Worship pleasing to God can never be a purely private matter, without consequences for our relationships with others,” he said, “it demands a public witness to our faith.” 03/14/2007
(Life News.com)Pope: Catholic Politicians Have "Non-Negotiable" Duty to Oppose Abortion
Bishop on Nancy Pelosi: It's "Categorically Impossible" to be Catholic and Hold Abortion is "Just a Choice" "It is categorically impossible for the same person to state that he or she believes simultaneously both what the Catholic Church teaches and that abortion is just a choice," says Bishop Robert Vasa. 03/01/2007
Fargo Bishop Calls Catholic Politicians to Act in Keeping with Their Faith “We cannot leave God at the door when we walk into the Legislature…With each law or bill we consider, we must be, first, a people who recognize that there is the inherent dignity of human life that is bestowed by God and that can never be violated.” 02/16/2007
An Interview with San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer. San Francisco archbishop calls for “dialogue” with Catholics who differ with Church on abortion, says he’s not sure about Nancy Pelosi’s stand on abortion, and that, when it comes to denying Communion to defiant Catholics, “I am not there principally as a gatekeeper” 02/08/2007
Archbishop Burke: Catholics must create culture of life after election loss “The citizens of Missouri have succumbed to a false hope created by a campaign which has played on the desire of us all to help those suffering from deadly diseases and serious injuries,” the archbishop said.
“Missouri’s Amendment 2 will come to be regarded as the bellwether of human cloning, and will sadly divert attention and public funds from successful and completely ethical umbilical cord blood and adult stem-cell research,” he continued.
U.S. Bishop: Catholics May Only Vote for Pro-Abortion Candidates When They're less Pro-Abortion than Opponent "For there to be proportionate reasons, the voter would have to be convinced that the candidate who supports abortion rights would actually do more than the opposing candidate to limit the harm of abortion or to reduce the number of abortions."
Bishop Morlino defends his right to inform Catholics on issues of faith and morals
Bishops urged to lobby politicians. Catholic politicians need to be told they cannot call themselves good Catholics if they support policies that go against the church's stand on the issues, Cardinal McCarrick stated.
U.S. Bishop: Catholics May Only Vote for Pro-Abortion Candidates When They're less Pro-Abortion than Opponent"For there to be proportionate reasons, the voter would have to be convinced that the candidate who supports abortion rights would actually do more than the opposing candidate to limit the harm of abortion or to reduce the number of abortions."
Healing Our Blindness: This homily was given by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde on the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Oct. 29, at St. Thomas More Cathedral in Arlington.Why does the Church teach that abortion, physician-assisted suicide and embryonic stem-cell research are attacks on human life and are therefore evil and sinful? Why does the Church teach that marriage is the union of one man with one woman — and only that? Why? Because She desires to lead us to the fullness of truth, so that, living in the Truth and by the Truth, we can uphold the common good.
Denver Archbishop decries trend of discounting religious believers in political life “Whenever you hear loud fretting sparked by an irrational fear of an Established Church, somebody’s trying to force religious believers and communities out of the public discussion of issues.”
Catholics must combine faith and reason in U.S. politics, says Cardinal George
New book challenges Catholics to play role in public square
LA Cardinal Mahony Issues Special Taped message to Catholics on Pro-Life Proposition
'Voting is a moral act' to be based on human life, dignity, Kansas bishops tell Catholics
“Statement on Responsibilities of Catholics in Public Life” A statement issued by 55 Catholic and Democratic members of the House of Representatives gives Bishops the opportunity to address several important points regarding the responsibilities of Catholics in public life. “Our faith has an integral unity that calls Catholics to defend human life and human dignity whenever they are threatened. A priority for the poor, the protection of family life, the pursuit of justice and the promotion of peace are fundamental priorities of the Catholic moral tradition which cannot be ignored or neglected... At the same time, we also need to reaffirm the Catholic Church’s constant teaching that abortion is a grave violation of the most fundamental human right – the right to life that is inherent in all human beings, and that grounds every other right we possess.
Individual Catholic Bishops To Decide How to Deal with Politicians - The U.S.. Catholic Bishops declared on Thursday that local bishops should decide, on an individual basis, how to handle politicians who profess the Catholic faith and yet deny Catholic teachings.
Archbishop Lajolo: Church Cannot stay out of public square when rights of mankind, religious freedoms are in question Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, the Vatican’s secretary for Relations with States, granted an interview with the Indonesian newspaper ‘Kompas’ this week, in which he explained the Catholic Church’s unique role in public life throughout the world, arguing its essential nature as a voice for morality and the fundamental rights of mankind.
Archbishop Nichols on being a Catholic in a secular world Catholics in a secular society must bear witness to Jesus by their right relationship to wealth, by respecting life from conception to natural death, by maintaining the dignity of the family, and by urging parents to be their children’s first educators of the faith. Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Birmingham issued a pastoral letter outlining these four important ways of witness. The letter was read Sunday in churches throughout the Archdiocese of Birmingham.
Church’s new doctrinal watchdog says Catholic politicians need to take Church teachings seriously Asked whether “politicians should be granted communion if they support policies counter to Church teachings,” Archbishop Levada said that “There are certain teachings that as Catholics we have to accept as part of Jesus' Gospel. When you see Catholic politicians who favor abortion rights ... you have to ask yourself how this person squares this with his personal faith.”
