Catholic conscience in the voting booth

FR. JOHN LOVE: Catholics are called to vote with a formed and informed conscience . . .

Fr. John Love

A fellow California pastor made national news a few years ago when he spoke out strongly to parishioners from the pulpit about voting for politicians who support abortion.

Naturally the pastor’s sentiments were misconstrued when the story hit the papers, but he did make some good points, even if his message ultimately proved to be a bit provocative. He stated: “If you are one of the 54% of Catholics who voted for a pro-abortion candidate, you were clear on his position, and you knew the gravity of the question, I urge you to go to Confession before receiving Communion.”

While I might hesitate to assign a formal act of sin to a voting choice, many bishops and pastors are frustrated as large pools of Catholic politicians continue boldly to proclaim themselves good Catholics, while at the same time hold voting records which are clearly opposed to the Church’s non-negotiable moral positions. Abortion is one of these non-negotiable issues.

More than ever, Catholic lay faithful must not cower or absent themselves from the public square, but as Sen. Rick Santorum proclaims, we should engage and challenge candidates’ abortion stance with renewed vigor and unity. I am disheartened that although we comprise the single largest voting bloc in the country, our Catholic pro-life voice is muted principally by prominent Catholic politicians who have fallen prey to what I call the Cuomo Effect. Then-New York Gov. Mario Cuomo proposed in 1984 that politicians can be good Catholics while taking positions that are contrary to the Magisterium — even on abortion.

“With regard to abortion,” he said, “the American bishops have had to weigh Catholic moral teaching against the fact of a pluralistic country where our view is in the minority, acknowledging that what is ideally desirable isn’t always feasible, that there can be different political approaches to abortion besides unyielding adherence to an absolute prohibition.”

In my view, this single statement did more to harm Catholic influence in political life than any other speech since the founding of our nation. Many candidates on both sides of the aisle are now pro-abortion because (1) Cuomo gave them tacit permission, and (2) they have been told by their consultants that they are unelectable if they shift to a pro-life stance. It’s now up to the American episcopacy (and you and me) to prove these consultants wrong and to nullify the Cuomo Effect.

Instead of fretting about Cuomo’s sophistry, I would like to lay down a framework or “Catholic conscience guide” for your consideration in this year’s mid-term elections:

• Understand the word “conscience.” It literally means “with understanding.” Pray that the Holy Spirit might enlighten all your decisions. Don’t just pray that the Holy Spirit will be with you in the voting booth, but pray that you might make the right decisions in life whenever it counts. “Do not quench the Spirit … test everything and retain what is good. Refrain from every kind of evil” (1 Thes 5:19-22). Being pro-life is not just about voting; it’s about an enlightened view of human life from cradle to grave.

• When there is doubt, or when the secular and sacred are at odds on a particular issue, stand with the Catholic Church. I know this may sound patronizing or clerical to some, but we do well to consider the teaching office (munus) of our Church as vital to our faith. I cannot pretend to alone have all the answers to life’s questions. In the same way we consult in medicine, business, and law, we need to consult our trusted experts in ethics and morality.

• Related to the above, reacquaint yourself with the teachings of the Church and do not rely on media reports and editorials about Church teaching. The news media are always looking for story and sound bite over substance. The U.S. bishops wrote a letter in 2007 entitled Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. I suggest accessing and carefully reading the document.

• Avoid becoming a “single issue” voter in favor of becoming a “foundational voter.” I agree 100% with my ardently pro-life friends who consider this issue to be of paramount importance to our nation’s future. However, I prefer to look at my opposition to legal abortion not as a single issue, but as the foundational concern upon which all other moral teaching will be built. That is, if I know that a politician can get the pro-life issues correct, he or she will probably also get the other life issues correct as well — including things like protecting the family, the poor, the terminally ill, and the elderly.

Now get out there and vote on Nov. 4!

FR. JOHN LOVE is pastor of St. Mark’s University Parish in Isla Vista, Calif., and chaplain of Legatus’ Santa Barbara Chapter.