Hudson and Fournier: Catholic Countdown to Election 2012, Day 40. Beware the 'Catholic' Supporters of Obama

9/27/2012

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pro-life committee. Did you know that Obama did not support abortion, and did you know that Planned Parenthood didn't either? Well, that's what Catholics are being told on the phone by representatives of the President's campaign.

Archbishop John Myers of Newark, NJ has issued a pastoral on marriage "When Two Become One: A Pastoral Teaching on the Definition, Purpose and Sanctity of Marriage," which has raised a media ruckus because the Archbishop has the temerity to tell the Catholics under his care that if they harbor any doubts about the Church's teaching on marriage they should voluntary refrain from taking communion. How dare he, the Archbishop of Newark, do his job, exercise his teaching authority! At least that is the spin being put on it by most of the media. Here is what the Archbishop said, part of one paragraph within a long and comprehensive moral pastoral:

"I urge those not in communion with the Church regarding her teaching on marriage and family (or any other grave matter of faith) sincerely to re-examine their consciences, asking God for the grace of the Holy Spirit which "guide [us] to all truth" (John 16:13). If they continue to be unable to assent to or live the Church's teaching in these matters, they must in all honesty and humility refrain from receiving Holy Communion until they can do so with integrity; to continue to receive Holy Communion while so dissenting would be objectively dishonest."

There is nothing new here, of course, except that the Archbishop has challenged what has now become fixed among most media, that is, any questioning of "same-sex marriage" is bigoted by definition. Perhaps those same media critics will take the time to read the remainder of the pastoral, because Archbishop Myers actually has an argument grounded in centuries of moral teaching and Scriptural authority.

A poll just released by the Susan B. Anthony list corroborates what all religiously-active Catholics already know -- namely, that President Obama's aggressively pro-abortion policies have hurt his standing with Catholic voters in the key battleground states. Key findings from the poll of 650 likely voters are the following:

54 percent of swing voters said they would be less likely -- 35 percent much less likely -- to vote for President Obama after learning that he voted against a law to give equal treatment and constitutional protections to babies born alive after a failed abortion. AND the President's record on the Born-Alive issue costs him support even among his supporters: Nearly half (49 percent) of voters leaning towards voting for President Obama said they would be less likely to do so after learning about his record.

Wow! President Obama should be paying attention to numbers like that! But readers can be sure that Obama and his advisors are paying little attention, hoping that voters will believe the misrepresentations of their surrogates, such as the caller mentioned above.

Now to end on something that will make the reader smile! We truly appreciate Catholics United for providing the comic relief for this tumultuous campaign season. Get this! Catholics United has issued a press release that affirms the "Magisterium" of the New York Times and accuses Catholics of -- take a deep breath -- partisan politics.

This comes from a group, calling itself "Catholic," whose partisanship is completely transparent in its intent -- to gain Catholic support for politicians who support abortion, support same-sex marriage, and support this administration's violation of religious liberty.

We will talk to you tomorrow, and every day between now and November 6th!

-----

Deal W. Hudson is president of the Pennsylvania Catholics Networks and former publisher/editor of Crisis Magazine. Deacon Keith Fournier is the Editor in Chief of Catholic Online and a constitutional lawyer who is currently writing his dissertation for the PhD in Moral Theology at the Catholic University of America.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Deal W Hudson, Catholic vote, conservative, Catholics United, Republican, Democratic, Obama, Romney, Biden, Ryan, Solidarity, subsidiarity, Pro-Life, Por-Marriage, Pro-Family, Deacon Keith Fournier

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1 - 10 of 24 Comments

Rob
7 months ago
John, I know the unemployment rate has remained rather stubborn, but how can you say that looking at virtually every economic inidicator? There is a long way to go and our debt/deficit situation probably won't get handled until our legislators can do math, but I really don't think that is a fair critique.

In the area I live a really good indicator has been the construction of new homes. We have two national builders and several small start ups that are selling homes like crazy these days. It's been steadily building and I think in my neighborhood they have at 15 homes going. Things have definitely improved from the time all the builders pulled out and nothing happened for three years.
John
7 months ago
President Obama, says to all " WE ARE NOT GOING BACK" Of course you cannot go back, You have not gone forward in these last four yrs.
Larry
7 months ago
Catholic Social Teaching cannot reject freedom - its the foundation of being human. Adam and Eve were free to follow or reject what God offered or what does faith and love mean if there is no freedom to do or not do. ----

You cannot condemn Ryan and Romney for some ideas based on Ayan Rand - you can take ideas from even an atheist and use them for the good you do - we do this all the time - St. Agustine took Plato's ideas and incorporated them into the theology we now use and Plato was no Christican. ----

The point is to care for those who need care and uplift all to be able to live well on their own for the Glory of God. I don't think Catholic teaching, social or other, wants people to be or stay dependent and poor if it is possible to better their lives. The Free Market ideas have lifted more people out of poverty and given them a chance to live well on their own than any other economic or political system in history. Just because it has a down side does not mean it is not good to use. As with any system 'men and women' make, they are imperfect and can become sinful but that is why we work to correct them and sanctify them. The Church accepts sinners all the time. ----

It's not just that Obama backs abortion, even late turm and after birth abortion but that the Democrat Party stands for - abortion on demand, contraception, gay marriage, Anti-Israel tendencies, etc. They talk a good game about the 'poor' but you have to look at the results of their policies and actions and see who does a better job for all - the poor, the middle class, the upper class - talk is cheap - Most areas of the country run mainly by democrats are in economic crisis. Republicans may not talk specifically about many groups (the poor, minorities, middle class) by name but many of the resuts of their actions help most people even though there are sometimes downsides to policies ----
(You have to remember that when the economy crashed under Bush, the congress was controlled by those in the Democrat Party who decide on laws and regulations - they rejected many things Bush and the Republicans proposed to change many things in the housing market - remember Sally Mae and Freddie Mac! - - - When Clinton was President, the Congress was controlled by Republicans who forced him to change Welfare and certain economic policies which rode the coatails of Regan so we became prosperous - - Republicans, with all their faults, have a better view of how to have a better life including caring for the poor!)
Tony Enginco
7 months ago
The pro obama anti-Catholics are very well organized not only to counter truth but to propagate lies. I will pray for their conversion.
JoAnn
7 months ago
"The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one MAKES THEM. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws." Ayn Rand.

My friends, wake up!! Ayn Rand has just described Obama and this present administration.
NOT Romney and Ryan. When a lemonade stand is a crime for a child, when a church bake sale is a crime, when a person can't have a garden in his own yard, when a person can't have a bird feeder in his yard, when a person can't eat or drink anything he/she wants, when a child in school can't have a piece of candy in her lunch, when someone can't read their Bible at work or school on a lunch break, when all references to God has to be erased from our vocabulary, when the chaplains in the military can no longer refer to Jesus (shall I go on?) we hav a PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY. In all the incidences above, the people have been fined or incarcerated or both. All you Ayn Randaphobes, what do you think of that? Romney and Ryan are so totally opposite to this administration, it isn't funny. Go peddle your Ayn Rand propaganda somewhere else because true Catholics or any true conservative, for that matter, aren't buying it. God bless.
Brian English
7 months ago
"Despite the formative influence of Ayn Rand on his involvement in public life, on April 26, Congressman Ryan publicly claimed to have renounced the teachings of Ayn Rand, yet has failed to explain how any of his policies have changed."

Can you even identify one policy promoted by Ryan that would have been supported by Ayn Rand? I'll settle for one.

"American Catholics are just not that dumb or confused about their faith."

Says the Obama supporter.

"The 47 percent tape - about as anathema to Catholic social teaching as is possible to express in its contempt for the poor - cannot have helped."

You mean where Romney said he had no chance of winning the vote of people like you who look to the government as the salvation of mankind? How was that statement not accurate?

"Don't espouse your charitable deeds and then convince yourself that Romney is a saintly guy."

We don't need saints or gods as our political leaders. We just need honest men who won't promote evil and attack the Church.

"He doesn't care about you, your children, your parents, your anti-marriage, your-anti abortion crap! He only cares about his pockets!!!"

What does your Dear Leader care about?
Paul-Emile Leray
7 months ago
Mt 23
Lk 11
Mk 15:10
Mk 15:15

If a combination of potential realities manifest themselves on the North American political landscape in the future, then this is what could happen: your Statue of Liberty, currently filled with cement on the left side and compressed air on the right, will be leaning so far left that it risks falling into the sea and drowning.

Paul-Emile Leray
Ed Nestor
7 months ago
PRESS RELEASE: Paul Ryan’s Priorities Reflect Teachings of Ayn Rand, Not Jesus Christ

Posted August 11, 2012

Ryan, Romney's VP pick, has publicly renounced Ayn Rand yet has failed to change any of his policies that were shaped by her influence

WASHINGTON – Mitt Romney’s newly announced vice presidential candidate, Catholic Congressman Paul Ryan, has a long-standing standing relationship with the teachings of atheist philosopher Ayn Rand. Because of their stern pronouncements against serving the weak, poor and marginalized, the teachings of Ayn Rand are antithetical to Catholic social teaching.

On April 16, the Catholic bishops condemned Paul Ryan’s budget proposal as failing a “basic moral test” in that it slashes food assistance to the poor and radically redefines safety net programs such as Medicare.

Despite the formative influence of Ayn Rand on his involvement in public life, on April 26, Congressman Ryan publicly claimed to have renounced the teachings of Ayn Rand, yet has failed to explain how any of his policies have changed.

“With the selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate, it is fair to call this the Romney-Ryan-Rand presidential ticket,” said James Salt, executive director of Catholics United. “Despite his Catholic background, this selection will certainly cost Romney votes from cross-pressured Catholic swing voters. Catholics, more than the general population, believe government has an important role in defending the dignity of those less fortunate.”

For more information about Paul Ryan’s worldview and how it was shaped by the teachings of Ayn Rand, please see:

The New Yorker: Ryan Lizza, Fussbudget: How Paul Ryan Captured the GOP

For more Catholic reactions to Paul Ryan, please see:

NETWORK, the Catholic Social Justice Lobby

Franciscan Action Network
Ed Nestor
7 months ago

27 Sep 2012 01:21 PM

Catholics Flee Romney-Ryan-Dolan

National Catholic Reporter finds something remarkable in a new poll from Pew:

On June 17, Obama held a slight edge over Mitt Romney among Catholics (49 percent to 47 percent), according to the Pew Research Center. Since then, Obama has surged ahead, and now leads 54 percent to 39 percent, according to a Pew poll conducted Sept. 16. Among all registered voters, Obama leads Romney 51 percent to 42 percent, according to Pew. Obama and Romney are essentially tied among white Catholics, which some pollsters call the ultimate swing group.

But Obama's current even status among white Catholics now is an improvement over 2008, when McCain beat Obama among white Catholics by 52 - 47. Obama's total Catholic vote against McCain was where he is now: 54 percent. But Romney has only 39 percent compared with McCain's 45.

A small word of thanks to Cardinal Dolan, Robert George and K-Lo for helping shift the Catholic vote massively toward Obama with their summer campaign for religious liberty. And special thanks to Paul Ryan. No actual Catholic could ever find anything but puerile cruelty in the works of Ayn Rand, or rally to the idea that home-care for the elderly should be sacrificed to reduce tax rates for the super-rich. Paul Ryan believes that the basic principles of Rand can be compatible with Catholicism. American Catholics are just not that dumb or confused about their faith.

One other small point. The poll, though just released, was conducted on September 16. The polls have shifted slightly in his favor since. The 47 percent tape - about as anathema to Catholic social teaching as is possible to express in its contempt for the poor - cannot have helped. I wonder also about white Catholics and Romney's Mormonism. There may be some conservative Catholics leery of what some regard as a cult.
David Carlon
7 months ago
I see no intrinsic difference between the 2 political parties. The republicans are a godless herd of dissembling torturers, murderers, thieves, and liars that worship evil in all of its demonic forms... they praise our Lord with their lips and dishonor the Sacred Catholic Tradition, Holy Scripture and the Magisterium. They are trapped in their own insane snare of debauchery and evil... may the eternal mill of justice slowly grind them and the democrats ever so finely... as this is the most disgustingly evil generation ever born... our Lord is grieved beyond human comprehension at the lack of faith. Shame! Shame! Shame!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/28/us/politics/election-will-decide-future-of-interrogation-methods-for-terrorism-suspects.html

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