Archbishop Says It's Immoral to Vote for Pro-Choice Candidates

EWTN News ^ | October 29, 2002 | EWTN

[fatguy]

DENVER, Oct 29, 02 (CWNews.com) -- In his second blunt message in as many weeks on the responsibilities of Catholic voters, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver has insisted the issue of abortion should provide a clear-cut choice.

"I will vote for no candidate Republican, Democrat or third party -- who is actively 'pro-choice,'" the archbishop wrote in his regular weekly column for Denver's archdiocesan newspaper.

Archbishop Chaput dismissed the argument that abortion is only one among many issues to be considered in an election year. He explained: "abortion is separated from other important social issues like affordable housing by a difference in kind, not a difference in degree. Every abortion kills an unborn human life -- every time. No matter what kind of mental gymnastics we use, elective killing has no excuse. We only implicate ourselves by trying to provide one."

In this respect, the archbishop drew a distinction between the abortion issue and other political questions, on which reasonable people might differ. The difference, he said, is that "every abortion is a grave act of violence."

The archbishop repeated his complaint that proponents of legal abortion are seeking to silence Catholics, and others who are opposed to the practice. "The only way to stop this coercion is to send the right men and women to Congress," he said.

Voters cannot remain neutral on the issue, Archbishop Chaput continued. He reasoned: "No violence is ever private. That includes abortion. What we choose to allow, we choose to own."

[Diago]

"Rumors rife over Chaput heading Boston diocese"

By Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News

"October 1, 2002Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput's name has again percolated as a possible successor to embattled Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/religion/article/0,1299,DRMN_61_1451056,00.html"

[Dr. Scarpetta]

"I will vote for no candidate Republican, Democrat or third party -- who is actively 'pro-choice,'" the archbishop wrote in his regular weekly column for Denver's archdiocesan newspaper.

BUMP for the archbishop.

[uncbob]

If there were a "moral majority" in the U.S., Bill Clinton would have been run out of town on a rail rather than re-elected.

EXACTLY

[fatguy]

Pro-life ping

[TxBec]

man, maybe Sanchez will lose by a landslide now.. how are the polls, oh great pollwatcher??

[snarkpup]

Bishops with courage ping

If clergymen really want to impress me with their courage, they can start admonishing the public to stop going to the polls for purpose of voting themselves money from the treasury (i.e., somebody else's income). I.e., dish out some hellfire and brimstone on politicians that play the class envy game. If churches don't take the commandments against theft and covetousness seriously, then there is no reason to take churches seriously.

[Bigg Red]

Ah, a bishop with backbone! Thanks for the ping.

[Aquinasfan]

"Rumors rife over Chaput heading Boston diocese"

I have to file this under "too good to be true." The Globe would be turning over in its grave if it was dead... and a human being.

[Siobhan]

That means that according to this bishop, over 4 out of every 5 Americans is evil. Is there something wrong with this picture, perhaps?

Yes, I think there is something wrong with that picture because it is entirely too optimistic. The situation is much worse.

[End The Hypocrisy]

>>>Do you take a poll when you make ethical decisions?<<<

In a democracy, don't candidates HAVE to?

[Siobhan]

Speaking of creating cardinals, the time is upon us when we need the Holy Father to create an American metropolitan or patriarch (and make the USCCB subordinate to him) -- I leave the proper title to those who specialize i n such -- and Chaput would be an excellent "head of the American Church" with the power and authority to clean the Conference of Bishops and to remove and defrock those in purple or red who are as blood guilty as Paul Shanley and the rest of the devil's inside operators.

[JZoback]

I would bet my last dollar 65 % of Republicans are NOT pro-choice.

He reasoned: "No violence is ever private....

[Lady Eileen]

Thanks for the post fatguy. I need to pray again that the Lord will end this evil.

[BizzeeMom]

Bishop Chaput's beatification...ah, now there's an awesome thought! He really *is* one of the good ones!

[RnMomof7]

Thanks for the ping ...and now a Ping to my prolife list..It is time that we worry more about babies and less about politics..

[BizzeeMom]

oops, should have said Archbishop!

[AppyPappy]

The majority of Americans support restrictions on abortion. That's hardly pro-choice.

[buffyt]

"I will vote for no candidate Republican, Democrat or third party -- who is actively 'pro-choice,'" the archbishop wrote in his regular weekly column for Denver's archdiocesan newspaper.

Archbishop Chaput dismissed the argument that abortion is only one among many issues to be considered in an election year. He explained: "abortion is separated from other important social issues like affordable housing by a difference in kind, not a difference in degree. Every abortion kills an unborn human life -- every time. No matter what kind of mental gymnastics we use, elective killing has no excuse. We only implicate ourselves by trying to provide one."

EXCELLENT NOW I HAVE AMMO TO USE IN ARGUMENTS WITH LEFTISTS

[James R. McClure Jr.]

Pro-life, Catholic, Anti-Federalist Democrat BUMP!

[MWS]

In a democracy, don't candidates HAVE to?

I suppose. Fortunately, we don't live in a democracy. We live in a Republic, where representatives are elected to make decisions based upon principles rather than upon "popular opinion".