For the informed Catholic, there are only a few things which are "non-negotiable" in voting, as outlined by Benedict XVI and re-iterated by Bp. Olmstead of Phoenix, AZ.
In an address to European politicians on March 30, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI stated:
“ As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, the principal focus of her interventions in the public arena is the protection and promotion of the dignity of the person, and she is thereby consciously drawing particular attention to principles which are not negotiable. Among these the following emerge clearly today:
• Protection of life in all its stages, from the first moment of conception until natural death;
• Recognition and promotion of the natural structure of the family – as a union between a man and a woman based on marriage – and its defense from attempts to make it juridically equivalent to radically different forms of union which in reality harm it and contribute to its destabilization, obscuring its particular character and its irreplaceable social role;
• The protection of the rights of parents to educate their children.”
The issues mentioned by Pope Benedict are all “non-negotiable” and are some of the most contemporary issues in the political arena. I should note, however, that other issues, while not intrinsically evil, deserve prayerful consideration, such as questions of war and capital punishment, poverty issues and matters relating to illegal immigration.
HT: Custos Fidei
Perhaps these should be inserted in all the American Church bulletins. The parishioners should be informed.
ReplyDeleteDad29 - print them up and give them to the priest at SJV. Don't forget to bring a camera for the priceless face you'll see.