As the Roman Catholic Church observes its annual “respect life” Sunday in this heated presidential election season, the unusually pitched competition for Catholic voters is setting off a round of skirmishes over how to apply the church’s teachings not only on abortion but also on the war in Iraq, immigration and racism.
In a departure from previous elections, Democrats and liberal Catholic groups are waging a fight within the church, arguing that the Democratic Party better reflects the full spectrum of church teachings.
It is a contest for credibility among observant Catholics, with each faction describing itself as a defender of “life.” The two sides disagree over how to address the “intrinsic evil” of abortion.
The escalating efforts by more-liberal Catholics are provoking a vigorous backlash from some bishops and the right.
In Scranton, Pa., every Catholic attending Mass this weekend will hear a special homily about the election next month: Bishop Joseph Martino has ordered every priest in the diocese to read a letter warning that voting for a supporter of abortion rights amounts to endorsing “homicide.”
Read the full piece in the NY Times (here) .
Priests For Life (here)
1 comment:
even if we lose the election, if the majority of Catholics refuse to vote for Obama, then we will have a voctory of sorts.
Keep the faith!
MJ Anderson
http://properlyscared.wordpress.com
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