I know that this discussion has already popped up in random threads, but I'd like to start a thread solely for it, b/c it has been bothering me as of late.
Recently, Catholic Democrats have come under fire for their voting records, specifically those records that show them to be supportive of so-called pro-choice legislation. Now, I'm cool with this, I really am. It certainly isn't uncommon for the U.S. Bishops to lobby our government. However, it is my personal opinion that this push has intentionally been initiated during an election, and probably done so by non-Catholic Christians, many of whom see us as a flesh eating cult. In this regard, it seems to me that the Catholic Bishops of America have allowed themselves to become political pawns of people who in many ways represent the antithesis of Catholic teachings.
Why are these officials, particularly Senator Kerry, being targeted for their pro-choice voting record? Why has the Methodist Church, which President Bush claims to be a member of, not excommunicated the man who started a war they opposed? Why have Catholics allowed themselves to be duped by Right-Wing nuts who probably despise us?
The Pope denounced the war in Iraq. Where is the outrage over Catholic Democrats AND Republicans who endorsed this war...? What about Catholic Republicans who cut welfare spending, support capital punishment, etc. etc....? My point being, since Catholics comprise the largest single religious denomination in our Congress, certainly EVERY piece of legislation forces a Catholic to break with the Church's teachings. When, where, and how did the Catholic Church get marginalized into a single-issue PAC like the NRA....?
Back in 1984, former NY Governor Mario Cuomo gave an adress on policy and Catholicism to the graduating class at Notre Dame. One piece is interesting here, where he says:
"Abortion has a unique significance, but not a preemptive significance. Apart from the question of the efficacy of using legal weapons to make people stop having abortions, we know our Christian responsibility doesn’t end with any one lay or amendment. That it doesn’t end with abortion. Because it involves life and death, abortion will always be a central concern of Catholics. But so will nuclear weapons. And hunger and homelessness and joblessness, all the forces diminishing human life and threatening to destroy it. The “seamless garment” that Cardinal Bernardin has spoken of is a challenge to all Catholics in public office, conservatives as well as liberals."
Catholics are
supposed to champion many causes, and most often do. But here in America, at least on the surface, we have semingly allowed ourselves to become the pawns of those who despise us. We have essentially become Stalin's "useful idiots."
WHY? Can any of the other Catholic Mockers explain this to me? Blanco? Seth? Vinth!!???
Furthermore, while it's a bit long, I strongly recommend reading the Cuomo speech. I quite enjoyed it, being a Left-leaning Catholic who considers himself pro-life and pro-choice collectively. Here's the link:
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/spee...iousbelief.htm
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