Catholic pro-life Canon lawyer on why he (with other Catholics) supports Obama

[pnwmom]

Skip the anti-Catholic slurs, please. Just be glad that the National Catholic Reporter -- the major US Catholic newspaper -- is willing to publish articles like this one.

http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/2058

I believe that abortion is an unspeakable evil, yet I support Sen. Barack Obama, who is pro-choice. I do not support him because he is pro-choice, but in spite of it. Is that a proper moral choice for a committed Catholic?

As one of the inaugural members of the U.S. bishops' National Review Board on clergy sexual abuse, and as a canon lawyer, I answer with a resounding yes.

Despite what some Republicans would like Catholics to believe, the list of what the church calls "intrinsically evil acts" does not begin and end with abortion. In fact, there are many intrinsically evil acts, and a committed Catholic must consider all of them in deciding how to vote.

Last November, the U.S. bishops released "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship," a 30-page document that provides several examples of intrinsically evil acts: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research, torture, racism, and targeting noncombatants in acts of war.

Obama's support for abortion rights has led some to the conclusion that no Catholic can vote for him. That's a mistake. While I have never swayed in my conviction that abortion is an unspeakable evil, I believe that we have lost the abortion battle -- permanently. A vote for Sen. John McCain does not guarantee the end of abortion in America. Not even close.

SNIP

Both McCain and Obama get failing marks on embryonic stem-cell research, which Catholic teaching opposes. The last time the issue was up for a vote in the Senate, both men voted to ease existing restrictions.

But what about an unjust war? In 2003, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) said flatly that "reasons sufficient for unleashing a war against Iraq did not exist." McCain voted for it; Obama opposed it.

What about torture? "There is no longer any doubt as to whether the current administration has committed war crimes," according to Antonio Taguba, the retired major general who investigated abuses in Iraq. Obama opposes the use of torture in all cases; McCain, himself a victim of torture, voted to allow the CIA to use so-called "enhanced interrogation techniques" -- a euphemism for torture.

How, some may ask, can I compare these evils with abortion? The right to abortion is guaranteed by the federal judiciary's interpretation of the Constitution. And while the president appoints federal judges, the connection between a president's appointments and the decisions rendered by his appointees is tenuous at best. After all, in 1992, five Republican-appointed justices voted to uphold Roe v. Wade in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Yet on other intrinsic evils -- an unjust war, torture, ignoring the poor -- I can address those evils directly by changing the president.

SNIP

[fishwax]

1. Thanks for posting this--I think I'll send it to my mom, who is Catholic and undecided

:thumbsup:

[baldguy]

2. Because, for thoughtful Catholics

an Iraqi childs' life is worth at least as much as that of an American fetus.

[Pachamama]

7. I recently explained this to a dear friend who is a staunch catholic who couldn't understand my

supporting Obama....I just sent him this article to explain how I feel.....My friend is in Law enforcement and I explained that just like in life and death situations one has to perhaps make difficult choices so more people can survive (knowing some will die). I told him that far less children and humans will die on this planet if Obama is President. That it included ending the War in Iraq and not starting any more wars and to also protecting and caring for those less fortunate here. I also fully believe that if we set up more support in our systems and community for people, the need for opting for an abortion would be reduced and eliminated.

[Bad Thoughts]

15. Send this article as well

Obama and Abortion from America. It doesn't argue that Catholics can overlook Obama's stance, only that the Republicans don't offer Catholics a clear alternative. It makes a point that many democrats make: that abortion cannot be dealt with by legislative or judicial fiat, but must be worked from the bottom up--dealing with causes of unwanted pregnancy.

[marew]

10. AMEN!

Some Catholics (was one, got over it) and other right wingers don't give a damn about the kid after it is born. Where's health care, where's aid to families who need it, where's the extension of unemployment benefits in this economy, and many other things? The Republicans don't give a frigging damn about the poor, veterans. etc. I have a friend whose grandson lost a leg in Iraq. There are ongoing complications and he has been back to Walter Reed several times to have more and more of his leg removed. His disability payments have been decimated, yes they really have, and he can't work because all the surgeries and complications with his leg. That's what Bush and McCain think of our veterans. I am sure there are thousands like him. Makes me really, really mad!

[blondeatlast]

3. The last paragraph (in your post) is a must-read.

Abortion law isn't directly in the president's hands, but:

Yet on other intrinsic evils -- an unjust war, torture, ignoring the poor -- I can address those evils directly by changing the president.

k/r

[pnwmom]

11. Absolutely. n/

[AuntPatsy]

14. Its about time they realized that life already living was worthy of attention...I give kudos

[Hope And Change]

4. K & R!Thanks for posting!

[RoadRage]

5. Awesome article... I just sent it

to my step-mother. She really would like to vote for Obama I think.. but is such a anti-abortion catholic, that she can't quite bring herself to do it. She's planning on sitting the election out at this point.. but i'm still trying to work on bringing her around to vote for Obama.. to give us a "+1".

Articles like this - especially on the NCR website add legitimacy to his views.. and I like it.

Nice Work!

[FrenchieCat]

6. Sounds like common sense to me!

[rug]

8. Solid piece.

[Stop Cornyn]

9. K&R

[moc]

12. Thank you for this as well.

Another link to send to my friend...

[pnwmom]

13. LOL. I just told you about this in the other thread!

Glad if this helped.