A Faithful Response to "Catholics for Trump"

[BeckyDem]

( How about separation of church and state for a novel approach?) _____The Religious Right Says Church-State Separation Isn’t In The Constitution. Here’s Why They’re Wrong. https://www.au.org/blogs/wall-of-separation/the-religious-right-says-church-state-separation-isnt-in-the-constitution



A Faithful Response to “Catholics for Trump”
Sister Simone Campbell, SSS
April 2, 2020

After postponing the “Catholics for Trump” rally previously scheduled for March in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Catholics for Trump coalition is now launching online. Despite the current coronavirus pandemic, President Trump’s re-election campaign is continuing to try to engage Catholics remotely.

This campaign was planned and is now being executed with the assumption that a large group of Catholics will support President Trump’s re-election campaign. I am in favor of Catholics participating in politics — as Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby, that much is clear. Even the Pope calls on Catholics to participate in politics to promote the common good, saying “A good Catholic meddles in politics.”

But I cannot understand how Catholics, following Pope Francis’s urging to participate in politics, could support our current President and his policies. In fact, I believe that participating in “Catholics for Trump” activities, online or in person, directly contradicts the most essential Catholic beliefs.

Catholics are called follow the life and teachings of Jesus, who above all else, instructs us to love our neighbors, especially those who are most vulnerable and marginalized in their society. The Trump administration has turned its back on that call at almost every turn.

In March, I was relieved to read Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki’s clear announcement that the “Catholics for Trump” rally was not hosted by the Catholic Church or the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, and the Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee were not endorsing or affiliated with the rally. As President Trump’s re-election campaign continues, I urge any Church leaders who find themselves in a similar situation to do the same.

In addition to making it clear that the Church does not endorse or support these events, Catholic leaders should continue to make it clear what “side” we are called to be on in these turbulent times. Jesus did not say to vote Democrat or Republican. Instead, Jesus taught his followers, by his actions, to heal those who were sick and align themselves with those who had the least power. That is the “side” we should be on as Catholics.

https://networklobby.org/20200402response/

[Progressive Jones]

1. There are right wing nut jobs in the RC, just as there are

in any other branch of the cult.

[Peregrine Took]

2. Ever since JPII the right wingers have been quite powerful in the church. n/t

[Progressive Jones]

3. Absolutely, and on a World wide basis.

There are many in Trump World.

Barr, Mulvaney, Sekulow, Roberts, Alito, on and on.

Catholics are also the original "Pro-Lifers".

[Drahthaardogs]

4. As she says, "Catholics are on the side of those with the least power"

So, yes in their eyes the unborn have never had a voice so they advocate for them.

However, in the older days, the unborn were NOT put above the sick, the disabled, the mentally ill, the poor, the immigrant, the children, or the exploited.

It is a rather Protestant twist that has brought the "Abortion above all else" the the Church. It is new and it is repugnant.

It allows the Catholic to vote with clear conscience for a man like Trump, and justify it with, "well, he is anti-abortion". It literally spits on every other tenant of Catholic teaching, BUT when you hold one group above all others, this is what you get.