Monday, October 6, 2008

Moral weight isn't always the same - Rev. Fr. John Trigilio Jr.


Moral weight isn't always the same
Monday, October 06, 2008

The claim that Catholics could vote for a pro-choice candidate as long as they disagree on abortion is inaccurate. It isn't enough to disagree on this crucial issue while agreeing on others.

The precise position of the church was clearly stated by Pope Benedict (then Cardinal Ratzinger): "When a Catholic does not share a candidate's stand in favor of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation in evil, which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons."

Note the important clarifier: "proportionate reasons."

Paragraph three of the very same document puts this in proper context: "Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion ... There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia."

Both involve the deliberate killing of innocent human life.

Hence, the only scenario where a Catholic can in good conscience vote for a pro-choice candidate is when there is no pro-life alternative OR when both candidates are only partially pro-life and you opt for the one who will proportionally do more to end abortion and euthanasia.

-- REV. FR. JOHN TRIGILIO JR., Pastor, St. Bernadette, Duncannon Our Lady of Good Counsel, Marysville Marysville


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