Political Punch

My family and I have been active parishioners of the Santa Fe parishes for over ninety years. My grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts made their First Holy Communion in local parishes, as did my siblings, cousins and I. My grandfather worked tirelessly for the church volunteering his time, doing construction, in the 1950's. Over these ninety years we have known many priests and have contributed a great amount of our time and money to the parishes of Santa Fe. Like all the parishioners, we are not a unit or a "flock" who follow without deep contemplation. We are thoughtful individuals who take our lives and our faith very seriously.

I am extremely disappointed and disturbed by recent actions of our local parishes, since I've always thought of our priests as intelligent men; that they are, through whatever instruction, taking a political stand from the pulpit at this critical time in American history, and commanding (Grammatically, "(You)vote pro-life." is a complete, commanding sentence.) parishioners to vote Republican; i.e. against Udall, Lujǻn, Obama and Biden.

This is done through implication that parishioners should vote against any candidate who does not agree with the five non-negotiable issues, as stated on:

1. Banners with the phrase vote pro-life super-imposed on the American flag (further implying through visual imagery that voting "pro-life" is an American stance) and displayed openly outside our sacred parish for all citizens to see (Then expound at the pulpit with religious authority, as we heard in Mass, to defend its implication to anyone who would rightly be offended regarding this legal issue). Why not a similar banner saying "get out of Iraq now"?

2. Instructional booklets, Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics, left near or next to the Holy Water(!)...The Holy Water, where we have all our lives blessed ourselves as we enter the church for serenity and spiritual comfort......next to a political pamphlet which supports the party (Republican) which sent us into an unjust war, where many innocent people have been killed, some say murdered; and

3. Sunday bulletins; all of these paid for by the contributions of your hard-working parishioners, like my family, who did not realize their donations would be used for political pursposes.

My family members were offended that you would use our contributions to the church, as this is taking advantage for political purposes. The Republicans party, who you are supporting and asking parishioners to vote for, is the party who sent us into an unwarranted war, where innocent Americans and Iraqi citizens have been killed and severely injured for life. Please don't take our tidings for the Church and use it for any political means. Can't you see you are saying, "Vote Republican"? Your congregation, American citizens, deserves greater respect than that.

You are highly encouraging parishioners to read the Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics. You know that the five non-negotiable issues are not on the ballot; therefore you are not commanding your parishioners to vote on those issues, but rather to vote against any candidate who does not support your views—that's a blatant and obvious political agenda intended to make parishioners feel "sinful" if they do not agree. This is one of the many reasons the church struggles to keep its congregation intact; losing parishioners and unable to bring in others.

The conclusion of your instruction is to vote for McCain, Palan and Pearce; thus you are openly taking a political stand on the candidates and their political party, and you are using money I have contributed to the church to do so. While you may not be told by other good people of the congregation, my family, friends and I find this extremely offensive, as did the thoughtful citizen who took the time to confront our parish about the banner (paid for by our tidings) seen from our public streets (paid for by our tax dollars). You have crossed the boundary and are doing much less of a service than you realize.

This is my greatest point: The right to vote freely in America is on the line and you have insulted this right at a critical time in our history. Everyone already knows the spiritual stand of the Church on the five non-negotiable issues. Please, don't insult our spiritual intelligence, while you step into our voting booth. While you say you do recognize the separation of church and state, you should also recognize that you are a tax-exempt institution and, therefore, not in a position to instruct others to take a political side and to vote as you command, through both written word and verbal word at the pulpit, nor to display this opinion to any citizen who drives past the church. If you believe you can openly direct and influence others on how to vote—a critical and important right of the American citizen—then you should be prepared to pay taxes as other private institutions, which publicly voice their political views.

If you continue to blatantly disregard this separation, while also not paying taxes, you will swiftly find this an issue to confront through legal means, since there will be no hesitation to report it as a personal offense to members of this community. I, for one, would like to know the legalities of how an institution, which pays no taxes, can use my donations for political purposes, without asking for my opinion. We are American citizens. This should be respected.

This is a very difficult and trying time for American Catholics, who are trying to reach within their own hearts and souls to make the right decisions. They do so when they go to church/to the confessional booth and they do so when they go to the voting booth. If you feel you should be able to infiltrate the minds of people with your political views, then you should be willing to pay taxes as other institutions do in order to do so. Separation of Church and state is not just a concept—it's a legal issue. Instead of using my contributions to the church for your political agenda, commanding us to vote Republican, I ask you to send it to VA hospitals to help Veterans, like members of my family, who have fought in four wars and are not getting what they need.

I hope you will immediately stop your political propaganda. Though well-intentioned from your religious point of view, it is illegal and wrong. If not, others will take this further to a public forum, starting with the editorial page of the Santa Fe New Mexican and to the state of New Mexico, for critical examination to determine its legalities.

Thank you for your immediate attention and please allow me my right to vote as I believe. The next time I go to Mass, I want to

1. hear the Scriptures; instead of a political bias on how to vote,
2. hear an emphasis from the pulpit or see in writing that the Church is NOT taking a political side and NOT asking parishioners to necessarily vote against any of our Democratic candidates, and
3. see any written propaganda removed from the church so that no parishioner is made to feel sinful by making the difficult voting decision.

When the collection plate is passed around, I, and many others, will certainly pause to think about how our donations are being used and may decide to abstain.

A parishioner for over 60 years, who will vote like a great American Catholic family who have devoted their entire lives to public service: The Kennedy's. I am a proud and active supporter of Udall, Obama, and Biden, as are the Kennedy's and other thoughtful and spiritual Catholics.

Furthermore, the disclaimer on the last page of the Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics is a contradiction in words intended to deceive or confuse the reader. Hasn't that become so prevalent in our society: To expound on a belief or a claim, then end it with a disclaimer, knowing few would read the end or the fine print, and instead focus on all the areas that were intentionally emphasized in bold print and repeated several times throughout the text? Isn't that similar to what happened in the housing market, when now thousands of innocent families are left homeless? What would Jesus think of this tactic? Perhaps you have a different opinion than mine. However, we both agree with God Bless America.

Separation of Church and State: Not Just a Concept, but a Legal Issue

It is Now Time for our Catholic Parishes to Pay Taxes?

"As you can see by Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Theologica and conditions for Just War, the Iraq War remains debatable and complicated, especially since neither we nor the Pope has access to all the classified information required to make such declaration a fact (i.e. an un-just war). Let it be clear that the Pope has every right to believe that the War “might” be un-just, however, we are absolutely not required to share this “opinion.”..........Laughable! Not to diminish the importance of abortion as the first issue, but this is George Weigel's logic and the logic of nationalists to justify a war which the Vatican decaled was gravely immoral, a crime against God and Humanity. Our Bishop contended that it was not sinful to disagree with the Pope but agreed when questioned that it was not sinful to agree with the Pope either. Evangelium vitae clears up the matter very precisely and George Weigels long winded disertation on 'just war' winds up in the evil trash bin along with abortion. People tend to pick and chose their issues depending on the political situation and that is not what we are called to do. Self deception is dangerous.

Your right Mary...

Both candidates are basically losers!

I find it sad that so many Catholics listen to FOX News and it is owned by Rupert Murdoch, a fellow who has brought us lots of filth on his many other stations. He is Republican and has used his propaganda to brainwash much of the nation. It is unbelievable that anyone would watch that biased garbage.(Same goes for some the right wing radio filth) Pro-life? Hardly. People, connect the dots.

Sarah Palin has said that she is for state's rights. She believes it should be up to the state to decide. If this is so any woman will be able to cross the state line to have an abortion. So we get nut case McCain and alot of states "doing their own thing." Great.

The powers that be (currently) are just using the abortion issue to gather more to vote for McCain. Wake up! Sleazy McCain will not do anything to change the abortion issue. He is using gullible people and low information voters to get his way.

To Mary (and confused Catholics)

Conditions for Mortal Sin

1: Grievous Matter - its subject must be a grave or serious matter.
2: Sufficient reflection - It must be committed with full knowledge, both of the sin and of the gravity of the offense (though nobody is deemed to be ignorant of the moral law, embedded into the consciences of every human being).
3: Full Consent of the Law - It must be committed with deliberate and complete consent, enough for it to have been a personal decision to commit the sin.
Condition for “Just War.”
(St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, IIa IIae, Q. 40, Art. 1):
1: It must be declared and waged by the lawful authority of a sovereign entity. 2: It must be fought objectively for a good cause (defense against an unjust attack, recovery of something unjustly taken, or punishment of an unjust aggression. 3: It must be fought subjectively with the right intention, to arrive at a just peace, a just order of things, given each nation its due (not for greed, cruelty, etc.).

In prudence (practical wisdom), four circumstances must also pertain:

1: The good to be gained by restoring justice must be proportionate to the evils that can be anticipated 2: It must be as certain as can be that there really was an injustice committed 3: The injustice must have harmed major, and not just minor, interest of the nation injured 4: War must be the sole means available of re-establishing justice; after all peaceful measures were unable to remedy the situation.

There is clear and obvious problem with comparing the Iraq War with Abortion. First, Catholics who favor the Pro-murder platform (like many here) know that abortion is evil. Hence, this individual has made “Sufficient reflection” and is deemed guilty of mortal sin. Yet, they also believe that the Iraq War is un-just or evil. In this situation, one might be morally obligated to not vote for either candidate or party platform. However, a Catholic who is, justifiably so, fearful of terrorism (especially after 9/11) and find comfort by our government’s actions to defend our country, could actually vote Republican with a clear conscience. As you can see by Saint Thomas Aquinas’ Theologica and conditions for Just War, the Iraq War remains debatable and complicated, especially since neither we nor the Pope has access to all the classified information required to make such declaration a fact (i.e. an un-just war). Let it be clear that the Pope has every right to believe that the War “might” be un-just, however, we are absolutely not required to share this “opinion.”

Look, vote how you want. This is only to help those who need extra guidance on this very grave matter. I honestly believe that if Catholics (who make up 24% of the US population) refused to vote Democrat years ago (since the platform of death), this would not be in issue today. We Catholics have a lot of blood on our hands (over 50 million babies). Much prayer and penance is in order (not bickering about which egotist should be president).

There is no need to vote for the lesser of two evils when there is the choice of the Constitution Party, which is pro life and anti war.

As for the capital punishment red herring - there is a vast difference between killing the innocent and executing the guilty. The Church has never condemned capital punishment as an intrinsic evil. She will always condemn injustice and encourage society to err on the side of caution when it comes to capital punishment. Yes, there are abuses in the penal system and the courts. However, abusus non tollit usum.

With regard to "proportionate" reasons for voting for either McCain or Obama - there is NOTHING proportionate to the evil of abortion and euthansia. A simple body count demonstrates that.

Sorry rhl but you are wrong....just war theory, climate for life, whatever that means, are NOT Dogma and may be argued within the Church. However, respect for life from cradle to grave which includes the grave twin depravities of ethanasia and abortion is Dogma. A Catholic is risking his soul by voting for a Pro-death Candidate.

Wow...this man thinks that Canon Lawyer and Bishops Review Board somehow elevates him to infalliable teaching position. I would like to hear him justify that one to Pope Benedict. He needs to get to Reconcilliation as soon as possible...not only for being astray but leading others astray.

It is so sad to see how many “so-called” Catholics are completely clueless about their faith (you can partially blame Vatican II for this great tragedy). First of all, let’s make it clear that neither candidate comes close to passing the Catholic litmus test. Second, Catholics are Catholic first, American second! However, many of the response scare me and I feel obligated to correct my fellow Catholics (this is not meant to offend or persuade non-Christians).

Error number 1: Believing that voting for a pro-life platform is not going to save lives anyway, so you might as well just vote for a pro murder platform. This ideology is completely false and not based on Catholic theological moral teachings. If you like Democrats, then you should stop voting for them until they change their party platform to pro-life. At least with Republicans, you will get conservative judges. With liberal judges you will get pro murder, pro gay marriage, pro sexualized society, anti-Catholic and Christian indoctrination and much more (the list goes on).

Error number 2: Roe vs. Wade is the law so we should just give up the fight. First, wasn’t abortion illegal before it was legal? Anyway, this is a democracy; and for as long as this is a democracy, the law is dynamic and can change due to public opinion. Besides, the decision on Roe vs. Wade lacked the scientific advancements of today and was deemed then as inconclusive on when life begins (read the ruling). As a Catholic, The law doesn’t matter on this issue anyway. The law didn’t matter for the thousands of Catholic martyrs during the Roman Empire either. They shed their blood in gruesome ways for the faith regardless. We can’t even save the unborn, and all we have to do is pick up a latte on the way to the voting booth (Our Lady pray for us!).

Error number 3: It’s my body so let me do what I want with it. This one is easy. A baby in “your body” is simply not your soul. It belongs to GOD! You are just the caretaker of that soul and you will be judged on your ability to protect it (it is your duty, and of course, your free will). Remember, God is all loving, perfect and just. Not to mention, we have a moral obligation to help sinners go to Heaven too.

Error number 4: What about the Iraq war, is it unjust? This is a matter of opinion not moral Catholic teachings. The Pope merely has an opinion about the war. It is not binding like the obvious murder of the unborn. A Catholic can legitimately struggle on the issue of the Iraq war because there are enough compelling arguments on both sides of the issue (i.e. evil regime, defensive war, and read St Thomas Aquinas).

Error number 5: Death penalty is like murder. This is another example of Catholics suffering from the “I’m better than Christ” syndrome. Now let’s look at this one very carefully. Again, Catholics have every right to believe that capital punishment is wrong. However, this is a matter of opinion, not moral truth. In order for capital punishment to be morally wrong certain conditions must exist (again read Saint Thomas Aquinas). For the sake of space, I will just stick to the easy one. Unlike a prisoner on death row, an aborted baby has very little chance of being baptized, freed from original sin and going to Heaven. Simple as that folks! Stop playing God and stop playing Church Catholics. Your decisions should be easy. As Catholics, we do not have a moral obligation to vote for either one of these bozos but we have a moral obligation to be Catholic first, American second.

Bottom line = vote for a pro-abortion/choice candidate and you incur automatic excommunication. PERIOD. All the foolish yapping of the lips aside, is it worth it?

Have people forgotten that OBAMA promised in July 2007 to Planned Parenthood, to sign FOCA(Freedom of Choice Act) as soon as possible after becoming president. There is absolutely no argue or rational any praticing Catholic could use to support OBAMA.

Why does Nick Cafardi say "I am Catholic but..." If you want to vote for Senator Obama, vote but don't try to rationalize it on the basis of the teachings of the Catholic Church. Don't call yourself Catholic and then try to persuade us, the readers, that the Church says one can vote for Obama based on some rationale. Senator McCain is the lessor of evil in the social issues arena and one, with an informed Catholic conscience,cannot vote for Obama rather than McCain. If you are considering a vote for Obama, read David Fredoso's book "The Case against Obama". The author has 35 pages of documentation if you want to research the info rather than believe the author. Obama is very dangerous for a traditional America. His liberal stances, Community Organizer activities (ACORN) and radical education policies that he funded courtesy of Ayers do not make him an ideal candidate for this Democratic Republic. This man of change is a go along to get along Ill Senator backed by the corrupt Chicago Daley political machine. Obama had an opportunity to make a change in Chicago but opt'd to support Daley instead.

Then there is the fallacy that making abortion illegal will somehow automatically reduce abortion.

If this were so, then Brazil, a Catholic country where abortion is outlawed would have the lowest rate of abortion, instead of one of the highest in the world.

There are much fewer abortions per capita in the United Kingdom, a Protestant nation where abortion is not only legal but also funded by the government. Of course, the U.K. also funds health care for expectant women and has generous child care benefits.

I am a practicing Catholic and I agree with former President Clinton that abortion should be safe, legal and RARE.

Pro Life is much more than anti abortion. It covers unjust wars, the death penalty, and building a climate for life. The church teaches no abortions unless the life of the mother is in jeopardy. By that standard none of the candidates are truly pro life; all support abortion for one reason or the other. Throw in death penalty, unjust war, and lack of care for those already born and the church tells us to vote according to conscience. No where does the church say that one life is anymore valuable than the next; it is our duty to pray for and speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves be they in-utero, imprisoned, or caught in an unjust war.

McCain was losing and had to dig dirt, Well, Palin and McCain it BACKFIRED...
BREAKING NEWS AT: TIME.COM.....

McCain Linked to Group in Iran-Contra Affair--

In the 1980s, McCain served on the advisory board to the U.S. chapter of an international group linked to ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America.

The council created by retired Army Maj. Gen. John Singlaub was the U.S. chapter of the World Anti-Communist League, an international organization linked to former Nazi collaborators and ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America. After setting up the U.S. council, Singlaub served as the international leagues chairman.
The council created by retired Army Maj. Gen. John Singlaub was the U.S. chapter of the World Anti-Communist League, an international organization linked to former Nazi collaborators and ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America. After setting up the U.S. council, Singlaub served as the international leagues chairman. Obama/Biden

Bill: Needlessly silly counterargument. 'Let he with no sin cast the first stone.' If it pleases you, I promise not to vote for Ayers, Wright, Palin's crazy (heretical) preacher who believes in witchcraft (paganism, remember?), Keating, or John McCain's former South American love interest.

We are not voting on beatification for these politicians. We are not voting on one of the 10 commandments to say it is better than others. To bring up candidates and say that religion dictates that one is better than another is false. It makes you no better than the extremists in the Middle East who kill each other in God's name.

Billy Boy
Assuming you are an American Catholic

1. "The Constitution succinctly defines presidential functions, powers, and responsibilities. The president’s chief duty is to make sure that the laws are faithfully executed...",

2. Roe vs. Wade is the law

3.Regardless of Senators' McCAin or Obama's "views" as president they MUST faithfully execute the laws...

4. A vote for either candidate is a vote for legalized and restricted abortions.

5. Catholics are aware of this paradox as was Pope John Paul II. He wrote extensively on this in many Doctrinal Notes as well as in his Encyclical Letters.

6. You should be ashamed of yourself for not understanding either the duty of the President or for neglecting to read Papal Papers.

Billy Boy
You have not cited any Church writing on the issue. Instead you put all your faith in your own lack of misrepresenting of our Faith.

Practicing Catholics actually know what a Doctrinal Note is and you sir do not even know of their existence or importance.

I never revealed my candidate preference as I only have responded to the article and to your false arguments.

Pray for me? Thanks but no thanks, Billy Boy say a Novena for all souls.