For Many Social Justice Oriented Catholics: John Kerry is the Only Choice

[ElectroPrincess]

I fully concur with Bob Keeler's (member of Pax Christi and an editorial writer for Newsday) viewpoints within the following article. With regard to social justice issues relevant to the Catholic teachings, I honestly believe that, albeit imperfect, John F. Kerry is my clear choice for President.

http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives2/2004d/100804/100804r.php

On Edit: It helps to provide the link. <blush and exit>

[Native]

1. Thanks for this!

[ElectroPrincess]

2. de nada :-)

You're most welcome Native. I'm old enough to remember "Watergate." Like many before me have quipped, "Nixon and his clutch seem like Eagle Scouts in comparison to the group of moral deviants of our present Executive Branch."

I hope and pray (+ volunteering at phone banks and handing out fliers with my fellow local Democrats) that we can vote * out by a significant (undisputed) margin on November 2nd.

[DemBones DemBones]

3. Good article on one Catholic's decision-making.

As he says,

"For the true seamless-garment Catholic, rejecting Bush is easy, starting with his record-setting execution spree as Texas governor. His invasion of Iraq has killed more than 1,000 young Americans and anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 Iraqis. A reelected Bush would have four years to indulge other crazy neocon dreams such as invading Iran and Syria. Those adventures would cost thousands more lives. In contrast, his policies may have averted a few dozen abortions, at most."

<snip>

"Kerry is much more complicated. I admire his intelligence, his seriousness, his depth of experience, his commitment to the environment. But his vigorous pro-choice stand truly bothers me. NCR has already covered the efforts of some bishops to weaponize the Eucharist. So I won’t go there, except to say that in forming my conscience on this, I relied on two factors. One was bloody Bush math: dozens of lives saved, thousands destroyed. The other was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who told our bishops that Catholics can vote for pro-choice candidates so long as they vote despite the pro-choice stand, not to support it."


Those are the big issues, in terms of Catholics who believe in the seamless garment ethic: First, Bush has participated in the deaths of thousands through executions and war and his commitment to a pro-life ethic on abortion is largely talk without action.

Second, Cardinal Ratzinger told our bishops that Catholics may vote for a pro-choice candidate so long as they aren't voting for him to support his pro-choice stand, but despite it, for other reasons. If Ratzinger says it, the Pope approves it. Rome has spoken. The bishops are now saying the same thing, though some news media seem to be having a bit of difficulty understanding the nuance of thie position.

Thoughtful Catholics who support the seamless garment ethic will vote for Kerry.