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Satan is no idiot. He has successfully convinced most Catholics that moral issues
are political issues. And in so doing he has successfully shut down a huge amount
of moral exhortation and reflection. This is especially true in a political season
such as this, when the distinctions between the candidates on critical moral issues
could not be clearer or sharper.
Among the moral issues that have been most politicized are non-
negotiable issues for any Catholic: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell
research, and same sex “marriage.” These are non-negotiable issues because
there is no room for nuance or degree of support. You are either for them or
against them. There is no middle ground. They are outright forbidden by Church
teaching and no Catholic may agree with or support abortion, euthanasia,
embryonic stem cell research or same-sex “marriage” in any degree whatsoever.
This goes for every Catholic from the highest political officials to the lowliest and
most unknown Catholic in the pew. This precedes politics, party loyalties, political
leanings or any such thing.
But did I mention Satan is no idiot? Indeed, he has convinced many that
Catholics who clearly articulate Catholic moral teaching on these non-negotiable
issues are merely “talking about politics; and how dare they!” And cowed by this
satanic trick and lie many clergy and other Catholics sadly cave and run for cover
in speaking to these issues at all, not just in political seasons. Other dissenting
Catholics buy Satan’s lie because it gives them cover and helps to silence foes.
To again be clear, abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, and same-
sex “marriage” are moral issues, and the Church must teach against them no
matter where the political lines fall.
Proverbs 24 says, Rescue those who are being led off to death; hold back those
who are being carried to slaughter. And if you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
does not he who weighs the heart perceive you? Does not he who keeps watch
over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? (Prov
24:11-14) If we do not oppose this moral evil, we are part of the problem and
God will judge us.
The same holds for euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, and same-
sex “marriage.” We cannot remain silent, let alone honor and promote
those who hold these views. Do not neglect the other moral issues — but
these non-negotiables, for the reasons stated and due to their deadly quality and/
or the severe moral harm they cause, must be our first concern.
In rare cases, the situation exists where no candidates with a Catholic moral
vision on these most critical issues exists, or where difficult decisions related to
several non-negotiable issues run into complex cross-currents (e.g. a candidate
who is pro-life but also supports euthanasia or same-sex “marriage”). Indeed,
there may be certain elections, national or local, where the best a Catholic can do
is limit the damage. But the point must always be to do the best we can to
advance the Kingdom of God and its values.
I fully expect certain comments to emerge here that dismiss this article
and the view it expresses as merely political. I once again vigorously dispute
such a claim for the reasons stated. Neither I, nor the Catholic Church, nor any
individual Catholic created the political climate of today, wherein one political
party rejects the most crucial Catholic moral teachings. We have not changed; the
world and its politics has. We will not, we cannot, be silenced by false accusations
and a distorted political environment.
Did I mention that Satan is no idiot? He has successfully convinced most
Catholics and most Americans that moral issues are political issues. In so doing
he has, with our human sinful connivance, managed to divide Catholics and
others so that we fight each other rather than moral evil.
I say to every American, that we must come to our senses and stop
peddling death through abortion, euthanasia and embryonic stem cell research.
The culture of death must end. Stop redefining sexuality and marriage and all
other sins against the family and the body such as fornication, adultery,
contraception, and homosexual acts. No candidate for office should be thought fit
or deserve our vote who supports such deadly and confused practices. It is also
true that we must find ways to welcome the immigrant, ensure economic
fairness, and care for our poor more effectively. But in these matters there will be
legitimate differences as to how best to accomplish such goals.
To all Catholics I say, be Catholic. Vote as a Catholic with a Catholic moral vision.
Advance the Kingdom of God.