death penalty news June 3, 2004
USA: Catholics speak out on politics and religion The Cincinnati Enquirer asked local Catholics for their opinions on their faith and their politics. Here are some of their responses: [...] ? Pam Heydt, Wyoming, 55, social worker, Wyoming, St. Martin de Porres: I plan to vote for John Kerry because I agree with his political vision more than I do with George Bush's. I didn't know Kerry was Catholic until the bishop in St. Louis effectively excommunicated him from the diocese. Mind you, he didn't have an abortion, or do an abortion (as far as I know); he just thinks it shouldn't be illegal in every circumstance. Since the bishop didn't give him extra points for opposing the invasion of Iraq, and didn't bring up his stand on capital punishment, I see the excommunication as a partisan abuse of power and despise it. I'm reminded that Paul said that nothing could separate us from God's love. I'm reminded that Jesus brought tax collectors and sinners to his table. I remember that Jesus directed the one without sin to cast the first stone. And, God knows, I do and say enough wrong-headed things that I shouldn't shake my finger too hard at the bishop. It still makes me angry, though, to see the singular intensity with which Catholics have attacked the abortion issue. If there were half as many anti-capital-punishment demonstrators as there are anti-abortion demonstrators, or even a quarter, I might say that the church has a political voice. If I claimed the right to get in the face of a pro-war congressperson in the name of the church, or if I ever heard of anyone being excommunicated for giving a death sentence, or injecting the poison, then I would think that the church has a political voice. As it is, the church is a collection of people with a collection of political ideas. Even as we are deeply blessed with the Eucharist, the wisdom of the scriptures, the richness of our heritage and our worship, we are still human and fallible (with, of course, the exception of the pope ex cathedra.) That's one of the reasons I wear my cross inside my blouse: I would hate to do something stupid, petty, or mean and have people think it's Catholic, or Christian, to do that. ? Paul Hendrick, 67, retired St. Xavier High School English teacher, Clifton, Annunciation Church: I am very concerned about the stand some bishops have taken suggesting that communion be denied to politicians - even to voters who support politicians - who believe a woman has a right to choose an abortion. To me, the church stands for much more than an anti-abortion position. If the church hierarchy is to begin judging politicians and voters on their political beliefs, then they should be looking also at this terrible war in Iraq and its civilian casualties, at capital punishment, at our treatment of the poor and the powerless in American society, etc. My wife and I feel strongly enough about this issue that we see ourselves as possibly being separated from the sacraments. We are grateful that our local bishop has not taken a stand that would force us to leave the church or to remain silently in the pews when others are going to Communion. We will be voting for John Kerry in November because we oppose the justification for and execution of the war in Iraq, because we hope for saner environmental policies, because we want fewer tax breaks for the wealthy (even if that hurts our personal pocketbook) and better social programs and educational opportunities for the poor. In the present administration there has been a tremendous disconnect between the rhetoric and the reality. ? Donna Eby, 45, design firm owner, Anderson Township, Guardian Angels Church: I have been very irritated with the church concerning politics for a while. All year long the teachings are about helping the poor, doing good acts, and looking out for those with no real voice like the homeless, etc. But that goes out the window the week of elections when the only issue is pro-life. Now I understand that is a dividing and important issue in our church and our country but it cannot be the only issue we base our vote on. What about politicians that push the agenda of profits only - who cut the programs for the most needy - who allow jobs to go overseas - who discriminate against women, those of color? What about the environment that God created for us to protect and take care of for the future? What about allowing corporate greed and behind the scenes corruption that is accepted if you are lobbyist or PAC? What about the death penalty? What about the working poor? What about schools that are falling down among the kids? ? Stan Neumann, 74, retired engineer, Pleasant Ridge, Nativity Church: When Catholic teaching concerns truly moral issues (10 Commandments type issues), church teaching are and should very important to everyone. The problem we have is that so many of the issues raised by the church are debatable as to their morality. Capital punishment and stem cell research are two ideas that you can make a strong case for on either side. The Pope and others tell us how bad the United States is because we are trying, at considerable costs in lives and resources, to liberate these oppressed peoples. There are some issues that are so clearly wrong (partial birth abortion), that open proponents should be censured in some manner. [...] ? Rich Leonardi, 36, information technology, Hyde Park, St. Mary Church: Some suggest that the church's respect for the freedom of conscience allows them to put aside church teachings when they enter the voting booth. But conscience is not the same as opinions or feelings. If you're Catholic, the freedom of conscience comes with a duty to inform your conscience by the light of natural law and church teaching. This duty is especially relevant during this election cycle, since a pro-abortion Catholic candidate for President is asserting that his "freedom of conscience" allows him to defy church teaching and still be "a Catholic in good standing." That's simply not true. The church's teaching on abortion is crystal clear: it has been unequivocally condemned since the first century. It is at the very heart of the church's moral teaching. As Pope John Paul II has said, the right to life is 'the first right, on which all the others are based, and which cannot be recuperated once it is lost." Thus, to defy the church's teaching on this matter is to compromise all other rights. The church teaches that abortion is "never" permissible. That is what distinguishes it from issues like the death penalty, which is permissible albeit in "rare" circumstances. Thus, Catholics should view abortion as a "disqualifying issue" for any candidate who supports it. Although this may surprise many American Catholics, there is no room in the church for dissent on matters of doctrine. You will search in vain for a recognized right of dissent in the Catechism of the Catholic Church or in any other church document. In fact, to defy the church on matters of doctrine is sinful. To dissent from such a truth of the faith is to separate oneself from communion with "the body of Christ." Moreover, the church teaches that the sin of scandal applies to those who by their bad example lead others into sin. When pro-abortion Catholic politicians state that they are Catholics in good standing despite their defiance, there is a great risk that others will believe they too are free to ignore what the church teaches. Bishops are duty-bound to protect their flock by clarifying church teaching and denying Communion to those who have already separated themselves from "communion" with the church by their actions. There is also the matter of Canon law. Canon 915 states that those "who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion." Given the unquestionably grave subject matter of abortion, the overt nature of Kerry's public defiance of church teaching, and his obstinate persistence that he will continue doing so, the bishops should refuse Kerry Communion as a matter of Canon law. [...] ? Debbi Borchers, 47, pediatrician, Fort Mitchell, St. Anthony in Madisonville: I grew up in a family with two aunts who became nuns and an uncle who became a priest. Despite that traditional influence, my parents taught me to be socially conscious and to look for a closeness to God through my faith, through the Mass, prayer and fellowship with other Christians. While a young adult, one of my (non-nun) aunts was incensed that a family member was choosing to vote for a politician who was not pro-life. This is a dilemma in which I often find myself: no one candidate represents the political views that I hold, nor those that are generally espoused by the Catholic Church. For example, I am very strongly pro-life, but I am also strongly against capital punishment and pro gun control. This means that on may issues, I walk both sides of the Republican and Democratic platforms. My beliefs are based in Christianity, in my strong love of God and the world He has created. Interestingly enough, some of the issues I just mentioned are exactly what is taught by the Catholic Church. As a parent, I am trying to teach my children that God is the ultimate judge that knows what is in our hearts and souls. I believe strongly in God's forgiveness and love. I see the dilemma that the bishops are in (with respect to the communion question) when the abortion issue is spoken about from the pulpit so strongly, but I don't believe that this is man's issue; it is God's issue. By making such a statement about it, I believe that this will emphasize to the world the rigidity of Catholicism instead of the message of God's love for us always, despite the times when we stray or choose not to listen to His word. [...] ? Rob Schutte, 38, market researcher, Madeira, St. Gertrude Church: My positions on political issues related to faith, morals and ethics (such as being anti-Apartheid, pro-life, anti-death penalty, etc) are in line with the teachings of the church. This is not simply out of obedience that I hold such positions, but because after careful study of the world, I have come to see that society functions best when based upon Judeo-Christian teachings. To be Christian is to believe Christ is God, and the rules we have been given are there not as repressive restrictions, but to provide the structure upon which humanity will best thrive in this world. If Catholic teachings on sexual ethics were universally followed to the letter, there would be no incest, no rape, no abortion, no unwed mothers, no prostitution, and no sexually transmitted diseases. The philosophical trends of relativism and subjectivism have been wrongly adapted by many Catholics today under the improper belief they can pick and choose from the teachings of the Catholic Church and still remain in full communion with the church. Such people are mistaken, because the Catholic Church has a final authority (the pope) and it is not a cafeteria religion. When it comes to issues such as gay marriage and abortion, the church has always taught that these are grave sins. A Catholic elected to public office is not expected to be a servant of the Pope first and his country second, but that person will be accountable to God for the position they take on issues of faith, morals and ethics. For example, John Kerry's adamant support of abortion is a grave sin, and every Catholic is supposed to confess and amend all grave sins before receiving Holy Communion or else they eat and drink a condemnation upon themselves (to paraphrase St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians). To have voted for abortion every time the issue is placed before him, is to show that he is not in communion with the teaching of the church. In a similar way, the church does not give Holy Communion to our separated Protestant brethren because they do not accept the teachings and authority of the Magisterium. Though some will perceive this as the church trying to influence politics, that is not what the bishops are trying to do. They are preserving the integrity of Holy Communion and preventing scandal, for those devout Catholics who see known supporters of abortion and gay marriage receiving Holy Communion are scandalized. [...] ? Rev. James E. Shappelle, 79, pastor, St. Bernard Church, Winton Place: Both Mr. Bush and Mr. Kerry hold deeply flawed moral positions. A voter's choice this year is for what is less immoral. Mr. Kerry nearly "broke a leg" tripping over other Democratic hopefuls rushing to the embrace of the abortion-rights women at their banquet. Mr. Bush has involved us in a very immoral war which both the United Nations and the pope refused to sanction (Mr. Bush wanted the blessings of both). Mr. Bush has closed his eyes to the enormity of the environmental pollution to which our country is contributing. Since I am not a "Communion Cop" or a "Sacramental Spy," I have no right to pry into the consciences of either man. I can only judge their actions. Theoretically, (assuming they were both Catholic), should they come to communion, I would give them communion. I am not their God to judge their conscience. Once I start judging each person in the communion line, where do I draw the line? Do I ask this person: "Are you still bringing up pornography on the Internet?" "Are you still in favor of the death penalty?" (The pope isn't.) "Did you behave on your date last night?" "Have you paid your child support this month?" "Were you drunk again last week?" (Or to a Walton or a Lindner:) "How do you reconcile what Jesus said about riches with the fabulous wealth that you have?" [...] (source: Cincinnati Enquirer)
