Saturday, November 15, 2008

Pro-Abortion Slogans Sound Nice, Hide Nasty Facts

Someone told me about "Is This What You Mean?" today. It's a project that Priests for Life started very recently.

I've known about Priests for Life for some time: and put their website in the blogroll, under "Other Catholic Sites."

"Is This What You Mean?" sounds like a very good idea.

I think that one reason that abortion has been tolerated for so long in America is that many people who are pro-life are also rather nice people.

Abortion isn't nice. It involves killing a baby by cutting the child up, poisoning the kid, or doing something else lethal and unpleasant. Then, there's picking up the pieces and throwing them away. Or, for the more conservation-minded, harvesting the little cadaver for parts.

Nice people don't like to talk about that sort of thing. And, I don't blame them. I prefer to be nice, too. But with more dead bodies piling up every day, nice may not be enough.

Priests for Life put together a seven-page paper, explaining their project: "Is This What You Mean?" (in *.pdf format). Here's how it starts:

" 'Is This What You Mean?'
"The Abortion Procedure Revealed – A Challenge to Politicians and Voters

"Priests for Life has launched this special project which aims to:
1) Reveal the nature of the abortion procedure to the public,
and
2) Challenge public officials, candidates, and others who support the legality of abortion to admit what abortion is."

I think it's high time for straight talk, and this project looks like a good way to remind politicos and others of what the nice-sounding pro-abortion phrases really mean.
The "Is This What You Mean?" page has a link to that *.pdf paper I mentioned. It also gives you an opportunity to give Priests for Life permission to "use your name as we challenge Congress" - and a transcript of a teleconference about Elections 2008 and this project. Also, a feedback form.

It's time for family prayers now, but when I come back, I'm signing up.

This sounds like a good idea.
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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Old Woman Attacked Proposition 8 Demonstrators: Who Knew?

A peaceful candlelight service in front of City Hall was attacked by a little old lady wielding a Styrofoam cross last Friday.

Or, a bunch of guys, many of them head and shoulders taller than 69-year-old Phyllis Burgess, knocked a Styrofoam cross out of her hand, stomped on it, and threatened her.

It all depends on how you look at it.

I suppose the crowd at the 'No on Proposition 8 rally' in Palm Springs might have felt threatened. Although any one of them had about a 2-to-1 weight advantage, she was outnumbered, about 1 to 500. That's 2 to 500, if you include the reporter who was interviewing her.

Besides, they were protesting a ban on gay marriage in California: she was reminding them of Christian teachings about homosexuality. From one point of view, at least, she's 'obviously' the aggressor, and homophobic to boot.

Peaceful Demonstrations, Tolerance, and Videotape

KPSP / CBS 2 Palm Springs devoted over three minutes of a newscast to the incident. I don't think that Phyllis Burgess and her cross constituted a real and present danger to the protesters, but I could be wrong.

Before seeing the video, I thought it was possible that the old woman with the cross was trying to cause an incident. That is possible. After all, between her bright yellow clothing, white hair, and that cross, she was as hard to ignore as a bee in a nudist colony.

Besides, she had what looks like a camera slung on her neck: an 'obviously' provocative move. Again, 'obviously' from some points of view. Further, there was word that two men were with her. Which would make the odds 4 to 500. I didn't notice her alleged companions, myself.

For someone who was trying to cause trouble, though, she was quite low-key when on-camera. And, under the circumstances, quite calm. A short sample of the interview, between Phyllis Burgess and KPSP reporter Kimberly Cheng:
  • Old woman Phyllis Burgess:
    "...call the police..."
  • KPSP reporter Kimberly Cheng: "...we are being attacked..."
Back in the studio KPSP anchor Kris Long summed up the incident:
  • "...there's a lot of anger and a lot of hate going obviously on both sides."
It took Palm Springs police 20 minutes to convince Phyllis Burgess that she should press charges.

"A Lot of Anger and ... Hate Going Obviously on Both Sides"

Maybe Mr. Long saw something I didn't in that video, or maybe he was thinking of outfits like the Westboro ("God hates America") Baptist Church (WBC) in Topeka Kansas. There are people who say they're Christian, and preach hate.

But, not everyone who disagrees with the American psychiatric profession on homosexuality preaches hate.

Unless this sort of statement is 'hateful:'

"The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition."
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2358)

Here's that news video:

"GAY MARRIAGE PROPONENTS ATTACK ELDERLY WOMAN"

YouTube (November 11, 2008)
video (3:08)

That was the best sample I found, of that news item. The person who posted it included an extensive comment, which included: "...New World Order minion and California gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger...."

I'm glad the video was posted, and I think viewing it is a good idea, but I certainly do not see eye-to-eye with the person who posted it.

Today's world has its problems, but a secret cabal of liberals, Catholics, Masons, and Jesuit assassins isn't one of them. I suppose that people who fear the NWO will assume that They made me say that: or that I'm one of Them.

Which, in a way, being Catholic, I am. One of yesterday's posts touched on New World Order conspiracy theories and Catholicism.

News and background: More, at "Who Knew? Assertions, Assumptions and Assorted Weirdness from All Over"
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American Catholic Bishops Intolerant! (I Should Hope So)

A certain sort of "tolerance" is highly valued in American culture. It's considered a virtue to tolerate, or put up with, people
  • Whose ancestors didn't come from the same spot on the planet that yours did
  • Who worship in ways that you don't, or who don't worship at all
  • Who don't make as much money as you do
That's not an exhaustive list, but you get the idea.

And, I think that sort of "tolerance" is a good idea.

"He Doesn't Have Family...."

I'll admit to having a personal stake in the first two points. One of my ancestors, asked about the family of a young man who had been nosing around her daughter, explained: "he doesn't have family: he's Irish." The two got married, anyway.

As for how people worship, I've got a counter-cultural history on both sides of the gene pool. My father's family was Catholic - which was fine, until they moved to America, where they were a minority. You may know that Norwegians are Lutheran. Except for quite a number of my ancestors, who clung to their Methodist beliefs with Scandinavian stubbornness.

When I converted to Catholicism, I put myself in a minority again: So I'm very glad that (some) tolerance of non-majority religions is part of American culture.

There's Tolerance, and There's Tolerance

Around the seventies, I noticed another sort of "tolerance" growing in America: the sort where it's not enough to tolerate other views, you have to support them, too. But I'm getting off topic.

Tolerance Isn't Always a Good Idea

As far as I know, medical doctors haven't yet gotten the idea that they should tolerate the common cold, or be open-minded about cancer. The psychiatric profession, on the other hand, has started clearing their case load by redefining their terms. But I'm getting off track. One politically-incorrect attitude per post is probably enough.

On a more everyday level, Americans are expected to be intolerant of arson. Even though many arsonists may be careful to ensure that people aren't inside the buildings they torch.

Since many people, including arsonists, enjoy watching firefighters at a burning building, this intolerance of arson could be called interference with the right to a "pursuit of happiness."

Silly? Yes, certainly. There's a broad consensus of opinion that setting fire to buildings, occupied or not, except under tightly controlled conditions, is a bad idea. Events like the Great Chicago Fire seem to have left a deep impression.

So, What Have the Catholic Bishops Done This Time?

The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, made this statement at the end of the USCCB's annual fall assembly of the USCCB:

"The bishops of the Catholic Church in the United States welcome this moment of historic transition and look forward to working with President-elect Obama and the members of the new Congress for the common good of all," but: "the unity desired by President-elect Obama and all Americans at this moment of crisis will be impossible to achieve," if the Obama administration's policies cause more abortions.
("Cardinal George Voices Hope for Obama Administration, Points to Possible Obstacles to Our Desired Unity," USCCB News Release (November 12, 2008))

The USCCB president pointed out that the Catholic Church is interested in the common good, and wants to keep
  • Working for "economic justice and opportunity for all"
  • Provide better education and adequate health care for all
    • "Especially for women and children"
  • Safeguarding religious freedom
  • Fostering peace at home and abroad
So far, so good. But: "Aggressive pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion."
("Cardinal George Voices Hope for Obama Administration, Points to Possible Obstacles to Our Desired Unity," USCCB News Release (November 12, 2008))

Here's the deal: The last Congress introduced Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA).

If FOCA comes up again, and passes this time, I agree with the bishops: we'll see the sort of 'freedom' that gave Chicago urban renewal in 1871. FOCA would
  • Outlaw
    • Any "interference" with a woman killing her baby
    • Parental notification
    • Informed Consent
    • Protection of babies who survive a botched abortion ('hey! it's still breathing!')
  • Take away the current "modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry"
  • Force all Americans into paying for and promoting abortion
    ('your tax dollars at work'
  • Force doctors and nurses to murder babies, whether they approve or not
    • That, or find another job
  • Threaten Catholic medical facilities and charities
As the statement said: "It would be an evil law that would further divide our country, and the Church should be intent on opposing evil."

And, it looks like the Church does intend to oppose evil.

Intolerant?

Taking a stand against evil is intolerant. But I spent my youth in the sixties: I'm used to the idea of taking on entrenched values.

More, at:
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Barack Obama, Catholic Bishops, and Abortion

I think that Catholic leaders in America are finding their voice:
  • "I cannot have a vice president-elect coming to Scranton to say he's learned his values there when those values are utterly against the teachings of the Catholic Church"
    Scranton's Bishop Joseph Martino (Toledo Blade)
  • Politicians "can't check your principles at the door of the legislature"
    Diocese of Kansas City, Kansas, Archbishop Joseph Naumann (Toledo Blade)
  • "We have lost perhaps 50 times as many children in the last 35 years as we have lost soldiers in all the wars since the Revolution, and that is a horrible, horrible thing to answer to" Archdiocese of St. Louis administrator Bishop Robert J. Hermann (The Boston Globe)
The Catholic Church doesn't allow people to kill babies: a very controversial and strongly counter-cultural stand in America. And now, with the very real possibility that Catholic hospitals will have to either close, or start butchering some of their patients, American Catholic Bishops are deciding how to act.

I think it helps that the public debate on abortion has gotten well beyond the 'blob of protoplasm' and 'although personally opposed' stage.

And, that politicians who claim to be 'ardent, practicing Catholics' make statements revealing that they are clueless about Catholic teaching and history. (I wrote, last week, about Nancy Pelosi's 'St. Augustine' remark on Meet the Press.)

Catholic Bishops Upholding Catholic Values

For me, this is a refreshing change from the free pass that American Catholic leaders seemed to be giving pro-abortion 'Catholic' politicians. I don't know what was going on in Massachusetts, for example, but the public silence about, apparently tolerance toward, and tacit acceptance of, the various Kennedy's pro-abortion stands by Massachusetts' Catholic leaders was very regrettable.

Particularly considering the wealth and position of the nominally Catholic Kennedy clan.

News and background:
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Obama, the Black Pope, and American Culture

No question about it. America's President-Elect Barack Obama is black.

About the same way I'm Irish, but since Barack Obama's father is black, Americans say he's black.

In practically every American sub-culture that I'm aware of, that's a good thing, now. And America having a black president is, from what I've run into, generally seen as a good thing. Not everyone sees things that way, but with a population just over 300,000,000, there is bound to be the odd bunch of noisy contrarians.

Barack Obama: Black, Also From Hawaii and Harvard

So, in a month or so America will have a black President. We'll also have a president who was born in Hawaii and went to Harvard, but that's not quite as big a deal, culturally speaking.

Which helps explain this headline: "After Obama, is it time for a black Pope?" (Religious Intelligence (UK) (November 10, 2008)).

I didn't know what to expect, but the opening paragraphs were refreshingly coherent:
"With the recent election of Senator Barack Obama as the first African American US president, church leaders are wondering if maybe it is time for a black pope to take charge.

"Archbishop Daniel Gregory became the first African American to head the US Bishops Conference in 2001, serving for three years. He said that Senator Obama's election into the White House is 'a great step forward for humanity and a sign that in the United States the problem of racial discrimination has been overcome.'..."
(Religious Intelligence (UK))

A Black Pope? Probably, Sooner or Later

Thomas Nast, and quite a few other Americans, seem to have had had the notion that the Roman Catholic Church was an Italian institution. In a way, I can see how they got that idea.

The Holy See (the Vatican, to most non-Catholics, and a lot of Catholics) is in Rome. Rome is in Italy. So, the Roman Catholic Church must be Italian.

Adding to the impression that the Catholic Church was Italian: From the Renaissance to the 20th century, quite a few popes were Italian.

No surprise there: Transportation and communications technology were slow and limited before airliners, Telstar, and the Internet. That made it a whole lot easier for the Holy See to find - and select - bishops who were nearby. Besides, after northern European princes encouraged the Reformation, there weren't all that many non-Latin bishops to choose from.

Recently, however, we've had a pope who's from Poland, and now one from Germany. It's not such a big stretch to think that, before another century or two passes, we'll see one from, say, Kenya. Or India.

Who knows? There might even be an American pope. Although since "American" isn't an ethnic group, that would be a hyphenated American pope.

The First Black Pope Will Be a 'Sign of the End Times,' of Course

I'm not making that up, quite. There's a very earnest article titled "The Most Powerful Man In The World? The 'Black Pope' Count Hans Kolvenbach—The Jesuit's General," on a page headed "The Black Pope and His Jesuit Ruling Priests of Baal."

The article, dated April 15, 2000, starts:
"So, you thought you were pretty well informed by now about all of the main players on the 'conspiracy' playing field? You've maybe been hearing for years about (or bumped into on your own) the various elements of society who control our world from behind the scenes.

"You've gotten familiar with the role played by, for instance, the Khazarian Zionists (who invented the word 'Jew' to disguise their adopted heritage, as distinguished from the biblical Judeans)...."
("The End Times Warning of The Black Pope / The Black Pope and His Jesuit Ruling Priests of Baal," meguiar.addr.com)
This is the sort of discussion of Catholicism that I've gotten used to: earnest, sincere, passionate, and living in an alternate universe.1

Meanwhile, Back in the Real World -

"Black pope" really is a nickname of the head of the Jesuit order. I gather that he's called that because the Jesuit uniform involves black robes. Since the Society of Jesus is quite influential, and the Pope has white robes, "the black pope" is a rather natural nickname.

All of which doesn't have much to do with the stories about global conspiracies, Jesuit assassins (you can't make this sort of thing up), and - of course - the black pope. Two items, and I'll be back to Obama, Catholicism, and contemporary culture.
  • '...It's what they know that just ain't so.' American Catholics often run into this sort of thing: "Every day I defend my faith at work. The Baptists at my job adore me because even though I am a Catholic and they are not, we all talk about Jesus together. I will always talk to them about anything but now one of them brings up the black pope and the Jesuit order in the Vatican. He says things I will not repeat in this forum...."
    (Q and A about the Jesuit Order, from Catholic Answers, January 5, 2002)
  • The Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus (SJ for short), has their own website: http://sjweb.info/. As they put it, "sjweb.info serves as a portal connecting Jesuits and friends around the world".

If You Thought the 2008 American Election was Nuts...

A yard sign declaring, "Obama Half-Breed Muslin" made national news during the 2008 presidential election. I used that misspelled bit of misinformation as the opener of a post about how much nonsense was getting displayed and discussed.

Eventually, we'll almost certainly have a pope whose recent ancestors came from Africa. When that happens, I'm quite sure that 'experts' will see this as an epochal development; dire warnings about the coming end times will appear like mushrooms after a heavy rain; and that the Holy See will keep doing its job.

As far as I'm concerned, it's not all that important. Now, if we had an Irish pope, or one from Norway: it still wouldn't be all that important. But, I'd be personally delighted.
1 A sample, from that 'Warning' website: "...There's a good reason the secret Vatican library is so extensive and yet remains so intact from outside intrusion,...." There's a (tiny) grain of truth in that statement.

The Vatican Library is closed at this time.

As the Library put it, "The Vatican Library will be closed to the public from July 14, 2008...." Normally, the Vatican Library serves over 150 readers a day.

Three years seems like a long time to be down for renovations, but I don't know what budget and staff limitations that department has.

The Vatican Library's website, on the other hand, is up.

Yes, the Vatican Library has a website: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va. If you don't find it there, try the main Vatican website: http://www.vatican.va/, and follow the links.

There's an open letter at the Vatican Library's website that explains what's going on.

It's headed "Vatican City, June 25, 2008," and starts with:
"Dear Readers and Friends,

"This letter, which introduces the renovated website of the Vatican Library (http://www.vaticanlibrary.va), is also being sent to the friends of the Library: those readers who are waiting for it to reopen, those who take an interest in our activities, and all those who share a sense of our mission of culture and a taste for research into the past and into the writings and other treasures which we have received and which we preserve in the interest of humanity...."
(Vatican Library)
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Monday, November 10, 2008

Franken Vote 'Corrections:' Lots of Coincidences

I don't intend to let this become a political blog, but this is important. And, I don't have a better place to post this item.

Minnesota's Senate race in last week's election ended with Senator Norm Coleman leading Al Franken by a little over 700 votes. Close, but a clear win.

"Exhausted county officials" (Minneapolis Star Tribune (November 7, 2008)) have been, ah, correcting 'typos' in the votes they sent in. The corrections just happen to favor Al Franken: 435 votes added to Franken, 69 taken from Coleman.

Almost all of Franken's new votes are from three of Minnesota's 4,130 precincts.

Half of Franken's windfall was in in Two Harbors, a Democratic precinct that favored Obama. Oddly, all the mistakes in that precinct were in the Senatorial race.

County officials in three counties may have been exhausted. Officials in that one very democratic Duluth-area precinct may have just happened to miss hundreds of votes for the Democratic senatorial candidate, and have no other errors at all.

Coincidences do happen.

Still, today's reassuring Star-Tribune headline isn't having quite that effect on me. And, I can't help but notice that the statistically-improbable Minnesota 'corrections' aren't making much of a splash in the news.

I suppose that a Minnesota senatorial race with peculiar coincidences isn't as newsworthy as Florida's 'hanging chads' race, back in 2000. It's a Senate seat, after all, not the White House, that's involved.

The op-ed writer made a good point, though. Rigged elections, or elections with wildly improbable 'corrections,' do not generally encourage people to vote.

Me? I don't have much choice. I have to study the candidates, and cast a reasoned vote.

But the sort of shenanigans that seem to be going on in Minnesota aren't helping me feel good about it.

News: View:
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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

I Prayed, I Voted: Now We See What Happens

The 2008 American presidential election didn't come out the way I'd have liked. But, that happens sometimes.



I prayed; studied; voted. Those prayers weren't for McCain to win, or Obama to lose. The family prayers were for the right leaders to be picked in the election. I really do not understand how tonight's election results constitute the right leaders being picked.

But, as Job discovered, there's not much point in trying to get a complete explanation from God. I don't think it's because God is being secretive: I think it's because human beings don't have the capacity to understand. We're finite, God isn't.

I did a little digging, and came up with these thoughts:
  • God is all-powerful, but his power is not arbitrary (271)
  • Creation is being completed - it is "in a state of journeying" toward perfection, but isn't there yet (302)
  • "...The sacred books powerfully affirm God's absolute sovereignty over the course of events: 'Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.'..." (303")
Being the sort of person I am, the way I tend to put these sublime ideas is -

God is large and in charge: and I have to assume He knows what He's doing.

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Barack Obama's Grandmother Died Yesterday

"Obama's grandmother dies after battle with cancer"
CNN (November 4, 2008)

The headline pretty much says it all.

Obama and McCain handled the event quite well, I think. As reported on CNN's website:
  • "Obama and Soetoro-Ng asked that donations be made for the search for a cure for cancer in lieu of flowers. A small private ceremony will be held 'at a later date.' "
  • " 'We offer our deepest condolences to Barack Obama and his family as they grieve the loss of their beloved grandmother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them as they remember and celebrate the life of someone who had such a profound impact in their lives.' "
    (Senator John McCain's statement, issued a statement yesterday afternoon)
The prayers of my family are with Madelyn Dunham's family.

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Voting: "Well, that was fairly painless..."

Heard at a poling place, here in Sauk Centre, Minnesota: "Well, that was fairly painless. The next four years, though ---"

My wife and third-oldest daughter voted this morning. Our daughter registered to vote, for the first time. She tells me that she doesn't want to go through that again. My wife heard someone make that "fairly painless" remark, after leaving the voting booth.

I'm told that, while those two were there, people were talking and gesturing normally, until they went into a voting booth. When they came out, they looked "dead:" unresponsive, limp.

There may be a spook story to be written there, but I think it's because so many people around here see this as a very critical election.

Well, now it's my turn.

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Monday, November 3, 2008

Voter Information: Where and How to Find it

Looking for voting information at the last minute?

Me, too.

Voter Information from your Secretary of State

You could try this: Go to Google.com, and put this in the 'search' box:

voter guide minnesota site:.gov

That's if you're voting in Minnesota. Put the name of your state where "minnesota" is there, and you've got a good chance of getting some official information.

That's how I found "Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State - Voter Information"

There's a fair amount of information there, like a Pollfinder to find your polling place location and election districts. "Time Off for Voting on Election Day - Memo to All Minnesota Employers."
For Minnesota Voters: Maps of Congressional a nd Legislative Districts
My oldest daughter asked me some questions about Minnesota's legislative districts (like which one she's living in) that I couldn't answer, so I look up these resources. Maybe this will help you, too: "Maps: Legislative and Congressional Districts."

What About Who to Vote For?

I'll provide some links, but remember: I'm a devout Catholic, and what people in America call either "pro-life" or (if I'm lucky) "anti-choice." These organizations generally reflect my views.

I Can't Vote: None of the Candidates Is Perfect!

Can't find the perfect candidate? Welcome to my world.

It would be nice to find a candidate who wholeheartedly supports all Catholic teachings: particularly those dealing with life - and death. Nice, yes. Likely, no.

So: what does a Catholic voter do? Particularly when both candidates for an office support abortion to some extent. Can a Catholic, in good conscience, "choose the lesser of two evils?"

Catholics are not allowed to choose evil. We do, sometimes, but we're not supposed to. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't vote, unless that hypothetical perfect candidate shows up.

In American elections, one or the other of the major-party candidates is almost certain to win the presidency. This year, barring a miracle - or a disaster - Barack Obama or John McCain will win the election. Not voting for either may feel noble, but the result will be that the candidate you would have voted for lost your vote.

This is going to be a close race, if the polls are even close to being accurate. A few votes really could make a difference, as they did in 2000.

Choosing a candidate who, although not 'perfect,' is likely to do less harm than the other is not "choosing evil," if the voter is trying to limit destruction of human life by choosing the less-unacceptable candidate.

That's it For Today

It's well after midnight now, and I haven't been a twenty-something college kid for about thirty years. The thoughts in that last section were my attempt to boil down part of a booklet I picked up from the Priests for Life PoliticalResponsibility.org: "Voting with a clear conscience."

I hope to come back to the distinction between choosing evil and limiting evil some other day.

One more link, and I'm done. "Opposing Evil and Doing Good: Our Essential Obligations in Fighting Abortion A Statement by Cardinal Justin Rigali and Bishop William Murphy" (October 24, 2008) (a Microsoft Word document) might be worth reading.

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Nancy Pelosi an Ardent, Clueless Catholic: Who Knew?

What some Catholics in America say they know, just ain't so.

Nancy Pelosi was on Meet the Press this August. Tom Brokaw asked her a question about when human life begins. Here's part of her reply: "...as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition . . . St. Augustine said at three months. We don't know. The point is, is that it shouldn't have an impact on the woman's right to choose." (Catholic News Agency, via Catholic Online)

She's wrong.

St. Augustine, Abortion, the Human Soul, and a Reality Check

Nancy Pelosi was almost right about St. Augustine. He did discuss state-of-the-art 5th century speculation about when a human soul formed. But it was in the context of discussing the Catholic Church's opposition to abortion. St. Augustine "...also held that human knowledge of biology was very limited, and he wisely warned against misusing such theories to risk committing homicide...." (USCCB)

Nancy Pelosi's ignorance has been addressed by quite a few Catholic authorities in America, including:
  • Cardinal Edward Egan of New York
  • Cardinal Justin Rigali
    (chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities)
  • Bishop William Lori
    (chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Doctrine)
  • Archbishops of
    • Denver
    • New York
    • Philadelphia
    • Washington D.C.
There's a fact sheet, written by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, that spells out what the Catholic Church actually teaches, and what St. Augustine actually said: It's also available as a .pdf document.

As an American Catholic, I've known for a long time that going to a Catholic Church doesn't make a politician "Catholic" when it comes to principles. I'm very glad to see that America's Catholic authorities are taking their responsibilities seriously, and teaching people what the Catholic Church actually believes and teaches.

Whether we listen is up to each of us.

My Opinion Doesn't Count: Church Teaching Does

I might 'sincerely believe' that the Catholic Church says it's okay to rob banks. But that wouldn't make me right. (I don't, by the way.)

That's why I have so many reference links in this blog, generally to the Catechism. First, I like to be sure that I know what I'm writing about. Second, when I write about what the Catholic Church teaches, I want to be sure that you can check up on me.

Background: More, about More, at "Who Knew? Assertions, Assumptions and Assorted Weirdness from All Over"
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Conservative? Liberal? Democrat? Republican? No, I'm Catholic

My father-in law has been asked, from time to time, if he's conservative - or liberal. His answer: "I'm Catholic."

I'd give the same answer.

Catholic teachings are quite definite, so it's possible to peg them on the American political spectrum. As long as you don't look at the big picture. By taking bits and pieces of Catholic beliefs, and the history of Catholics in America, it's 'quite clear' that Catholics are:
  • Conservative
    • Because of our (now counter-cultural) beliefs about
      • Pre-, extra-, and non-marital sex
      • Abortion
  • Liberal
    • Because of Catholic teaching on
  • Democrat
    • Since most Catholics voted Democrat in 20th century presidential elections
    • Ted Kennedy goes to a Catholic church
  • Republican
    • Since Many Catholics
I think that Catholic loyalty to the Democratic party has been eroding, as more of us catch on that the party of the Kennedys and Nancy Pelosi isn't the party of Al Smith and FDR.

The Election's Tomorrow: So I Prayed

Sitting in a quiet room and 'doing nothing' a day before a critical election may seem like an odd thing to do. Particularly for a citizen who cares deeply about issues that will be decided.

But, around 3:00 p.m. today, I was in the Adoration Chapel behind St. Paul's Church in Sauk Centre.



I think spending time before the Blessed Sacrament is time well-spent. I arrived at about 2:40, and three others arrived before 3:00. That doesn't sound like much, but Sauk Centre is home to about 4,000 people, and most of us work during the day.

The point is that, besides writing, talking to people, and doing the usual pre-election things, I think it's important to pray. For a clear head, if nothing else.

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Sunday, November 2, 2008

Obama, McCain, Life, Death, Abortion, Voting, and this American Catholic

Since I'm an American citizen, and a practicing Catholic, I have to vote this Tuesday. It's my duty.

Choosing which candidate isn't as easy as it could be. Catholic teachings on life issues, for example, are quite definite.

But neither of the two major presidential candidates are 'perfect' candidates from a Catholic point of view. Barack Obama's short political history includes positions on abortion that are disturbing. John McCain's stand on the death penalty isn't in line with Catholic teaching. Neither is Obama's, for that matter.

The idea, for me, is not to find the perfect candidate for president, governor, or whatever. What I'm looking for is a candidate I can, in good conscience, vote for.

I'm writing about what I've found about Catholic teachings and choosing an acceptable candidate in these posts:
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Life: It's a Single Issue, and an Important One

Generally, I'm all for balance. But, sometimes I can't vote for an otherwise attractive candidate: just because of that candidate's stand on one issue.

Single-Issue Voting is Bad, Right?

Not necessarily. Take this hypothetical case:

As far as I know, not even the most wacked-out, moonbat-crazy, rubber-room-ready American candidate is running on a 'bring back slavery' platform. But, let's say that you saw a commercial for a candidate who held your positions on health care and the environment: and who also supported the right to own slaves. Would you say, "that candidate has my vote?"

Probably not.

Would you stick to your anti-slavery position, even if that that meant you could be called a single-issue voter?

Probably.

You're not likely to be criticized for being anti-slavery. There seems to be a consensus in American that slavery is a bad idea. I think slavery is bad, too. More to the point, the Catholic Church says that slavery is wrong (2414).

These days, it's not hard to convince voters that someone who supports slavery is not fit for public office in America.

But, what about someone who is all for killing innocent people?

Is it okay to vote for someone who supports killing the innocent?
This post covers a lot of ground, so here are the major headings:

Abortion: Yes, it's That Important

In America, a woman has the right to kill her baby: as long as the kid hasn't been born yet. And quite a few people passionately defend this right.

Which is a little odd, since I get the impression that often it's a boyfriend, husband, or boss who wants to get the woman 'fixed.' But that's another topic.

A huge problem with abortion is that it kills people. Granted, babies don't look much like adults. But then, octogenarians generally don't look much like people in the 18-to-25 demographic.

As far as I'm concerned, human beings are people, even if they don't look the way I did when I was in college.

The Catechism puts it more eloquently:
"Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person—among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life...."
(2270)
(Back to the list of headings)

Killing Sick People is Out, Too

Euthanasia is not allowed in the Catholic Church:
"Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible."
(2276)
That doesn't mean that Catholics have to use extreme measures to keep someone alive. It's okay to stop "medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome...." (2278)

(Back to the list of headings)

Capital Punishment: Tolerated, but Barely

The Catholic Church isn't for capital punishment. On the other hand, it doesn't prohibit executions. The guidelines include the condition that killing a person is "...the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor...." (2267)

I've posted about capital punishment before ("Capital Punishment: Killing Those Who Deserve to Die" (October 2, 2008)).

(Back to the list of headings)

Life Issues, Being a Catholic, and the 2008 Election

Related posts:
Tired of all these references to slavery? Me too. I think this is the third post in which I've brought up slavery. Like abortion, it's an important topic, but I think I'll give it a rest for now.

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Barack Obama or John McCain Will be America's Next President

Unless something very strange happens, either Barack Obama or John McCain will be the next American president, and Joe Biden or Sarah Palin will be vice president. Who sits in the Oval Office will make a huge difference.

All that's pretty obvious. What may not be is that your vote is important. The 2000 presidential election was decided by a few hundred votes in one state.

The odds are that the 2008 election is going to be close, too.

Voting, When Nobody Looks Good

I'm not all that enthused about either of America's presidential candidates.

I was excited, when a young Democratic senator talked about and end of partisan bickering. I thought that Barack Obama might be a charismatic, reasonable, leader who would encourage more good sense, and less party wrangling, in Washington. Then I found out more about his political and economic philosophy.

I'm not a McCain chauvinist, either. John McCain is not a perfect candidate, from my point of view. But, I've never seen a perfect candidate: and don't expect to.

Still, I'm going to vote this Tuesday, God willing. My passions may not be engaged, but I'm an American citizen, and it's my duty to vote. And, to vote smart. It's also my duty as a Catholic.

Barack Obama, John McCain, a Protest Vote?

Sometime during each election campaign, I've been tempted to write in "Mickey Mouse" for president. Particularly when none of the candidates seemed to be adequate - let alone good - choices.

I've never actually done it, so far: and most likely won't.

After November 4, 2008, it's almost certain that Barack Obama will be president, or John McCain will.

Voting for another candidate, like Charles Baldwin or Ralph Nader, might feel good: but it means that the majority party candidate who has views similar to yours is less likely to be elected.

I don't think that's a good idea. Particularly in an election like this, when there are two very different candidates running for president. It may seem noble, but a protest vote has the practical effect of taking support away from a candidate who might support at least some of your views.

Think About Slogans

All candidates and interest groups use slogans. It's important to think about what slogans actually mean.

"A woman's right to choose," for example, means "a woman's right to kill her baby." All too often because her husband, boyfriend, or employer doesn't want an inconvenient third party underfoot.

I don't support that, any more than I would support slavery. Even if slavery were called "an owner's right to choose," or "non-optional guaranteed lifetime employment." A catchy slogan doesn't make a cause right.

Can't I Just Vote Democrat/Republican?

Well, yes. But it's not a good idea. Both major parties have changed a bit since FDR was in office; and individuals in each party are, well, individuals. They have their own views and beliefs.

Responsible American Citizenship, Catholic Style

Today and tomorrow, I plan to post about my take on the Catholic approach to voting.

I'm a Catholic layman, and do not have the sort of authority a bishop or priest has. But, I try to stay informed, and how to look up sources that are authoritative. (I'm modest, too, right?)

Related posts: In the news: More, about
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Saturday, November 1, 2008

Elections, Abortion, Voting, Conscience, and Other Troublesome Topics

Abortion is not the only important issue in politics, but it is an important issue.

And, it's an issue that can't be compromised. Not by a practicing Catholic American.

Isn't Compromise a Good Thing?

Sometimes. Like when one politico gives up funding for armadillo research, to get another politico to vote for road repair.

The Catholic Church is a global organization, and has spanned about two millennia, so far. Since customs and cultures aren't all the same, there's room for flexibility: when it's possible.
" 'In the liturgy, above all that of the sacraments, there is an immutable part, a part that is divinely instituted and of which the Church is the guardian, and parts that can be changed, which the Church has the power and on occasion also the duty to adapt to the cultures of recently evangelized peoples.' "
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1205)
The Catholic Church isn't the only place where some issues are non-negotiable.

Try this statement on for size:

'Although personally opposed to slavery, I do not believe I have the right to interfere in a personal decision between a slave owner and his supplier.'

Even assuming that some political party was trying to revive the institution of slavery in America, can you seriously imagine a candidate who said that getting elected?

Or not spending the next several years in the court system, defending against charges of hate speech, and probably worse?

For the record: I think slavery is a really bad idea. That crackpot statement does not reflect my views.

I'm a practicing Catholic, and an American citizen. That means that there are some things that I have to do, and some that I can't. Ignoring politics and elections is one thing that's on the 'no-no' list.

Where Does it Say I Have to Vote?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is pretty clear on that point:
"Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country...."
(Catechism, 2240)

If Abortion is Legal, Doesn't That Make it Okay?

Slavery was legal for a few centuries in this country. That didn't make it okay.

Catholics have to submit to secular authorities: but not when it means violating God's law. And yes, deciding when to refuse obedience to civil authorities can be a tough call.

I'd never say that being Catholic is easy.
"The citizen is obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order, to the fundamental rights of persons or the teachings of the Gospel. Refusing obedience to civil authorities, when their demands are contrary to those of an upright conscience, finds its justification in the distinction between serving God and serving the political community. 'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' 'We must obey God rather than men'...."
(Catechism, 2242)
One way I think about it is: which would I rather be in trouble with? The American Supreme Court, or the Lord of Hosts? Considering God's position, it's a no-brainer for me.

About Slavery and the Church

Since I brought up slavery in that "although personally opposed" line, I'd better mention Church's stand on slavery. It's in the Catechism. We're against it.
"The seventh commandment forbids acts or enterprises that for any reason—selfish or ideological, commercial, or totalitarian—lead to the enslavement of human beings, to their being bought, sold and exchanged like merchandise, in disregard for their personal dignity....."
(Catechism, 2414)

'My Vote Doesn't Count? Think Again

There's a remote chance that your ballot will be thrown out. But assuming that something doesn't go wrong, your vote does count. Very much.
  • Election results depend on voters
  • Opinion polls aren't counted: votes are
  • If you don't vote, it could make a difference
    • The 2000 presidential election was determined by
      • 537 people
      • In one state
I pulled those points out of a video posted on YouTube yesterday, by Fr. Frank Pavone, of Priests for Life. He has quite a bit more to say:

"Fr. Frank's Advice Before Election Day"

YouTube (October 31, 2008)
video (5:38)

Priests for Life: More, about
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Marian Apparition: Champion, Wisconsin

Background:Posts in this blog: In the news:

What's That Doing in a Nice Catholic Blog?

From time to time, a service that I use will display links to - odd - services and retailers.

I block a few of the more obvious dubious advertisers.

For example: psychic anything, numerology, mediums, and related practices are on the no-no list for Catholics. It has to do with the Church's stand on divination. I try to block those ads.

Sometime regrettable advertisements get through, anyway.

Bottom line? What that service displays reflects the local culture's norms, - not Catholic teaching.