Pope John Paul II, and the Bishops who teach in union with the Pope, [1] speak loud and clear what the church's priorities are for voting as a Catholic. They teach that one may not consider other human conditions without giving first predominant consideration of the five most important conditions of the right to life: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, cloning and same-sex marriage.

In contrast, many 'faithful' Catholics [demographers call them 'church-attending Catholics'] as well as many 'devout' Catholics [those who attend daily Mass] are saying they will be voting for pro-abortion John Kerry. In addition, the usual suspects — the 'unchurched' lukewarm Catholics — can be relied on to support Kerry's abortion stance.

Why is there a conflict of theologies between the Magisterium and the laity? Has the Catholic Church changed her 2,000 year-old infallible teachings?

No, the Church has not changed its teachings, so let us look closer at this important issue.

A majority of the confusion can be pinpointed toward the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' [USCCB] sub-committee document "Faithful Citizenship" as well as toward other 'Catholic' copycat guides that are distributed by various diocesan offices nationwide.

In this writer's opinion, and in the opinion of some Church leaders listed below, it is probable that the unfortunate wording of "Faithful Citizenship" was intended to confuse voters on the Church's preeminent priority of the 'right to life of the unborn.'

The USCCB's document, "Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility," is an 'unofficial' document issued by a staff of subordinate laymen of the USCCB.

In this document, the USCCB have represented priorities in a descending order, with the most important priorities, which "Faithful Citizenship" calls "Morals Priorities for Public Life," listed at the bottom of the document, under Chapter VII.

Chapters I through VI are stressing community, the public square, the role of the Church, Themes of Social teachings.

In the parish handout form of 'Faithful Citizenship,' the right to life of the unborn is briefly mentioned on page 3 equally with other human rights. Nothing is mentioned about the supremacy of the 'right to life of the unborn' until the second to the last page, page 6. Until then, there is no clear unequivocal teaching of the Church, e.g., abortion, cloning, assisted suicide, embryonic stem-cell research, and same-sex marriage.

Many Church leaders are using the "Faithful Citizenship" guide, or other copycat guides, to convince Catholic laymen to 'vote their consciences.' Sadly, this voter guide confuses consciences, which must be well formed by natural law and the teachings of the Catholic Faith.

The position of the laity is best described in the words of the poet, John Milton, "The hungry sheep look up and are not fed." [2]

This is not how the Pope teaches. John Paul II always imparts his first pages and primary chapters to focus on the life of the unborn, so that there is no ambiguity in the comprehension of the Church's infallible laws.

The Church has never taught, nor does it teach now, that 'global solidarity' and 'social justice' are the same equivalent as the right to life of the unborn, the infirmed, and the elderly. The Church has always clearly condemned abortion, sodomy, euthanasia, cloning, and embryonic stem cell research in all instances. Without the 'right to life,' no other rights are possible.

The Church's social teachings are important human concerns, but, as the Pope often and adamantly speaks, no other human rights are as significant or crucial as the 'right to life' of the unborn, the infirmed, and the elderly:

"...the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights — for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture — is false and illusory if the right to life... is not defended with maximum determination." Pope JP II [3]

Unfortunately, uncatechised Catholics [these are the majority of the Church's membership] reading "Faithful Citizenship" could thusly believe the Church's teachings have changed and that the Democratic Party best represents Catholic teachings.

Father Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life, recently wrote on this subject in his article "Distorted Citizenship." While not directly mentioning "Faithful Citizenship" as being the cause of confusion, Father Pavone does maintain he has acquired many documents distributed by diocesan 'social ministry' offices which state that voters have to consider a wide range of issues, ignoring the Church's clear teaching on the preeminence of the 'right to life' of the unborn, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, cloning, and same-sex marriage.

"Meanwhile, we have people in various positions within the Church saying that all the issues are equal. Excuse me, but not only does that violate Catholic teaching, it violates common sense....I've been acquiring a whole file of letters sent out, often from offices of 'social ministry' in various dioceses, which state that voters have to consider a wide range of issues. So far, so good. But then these letters say that no issue is more important than another. In addition, that is where the lack of reading comprehension reveals itself. Either they have never seen the quotes below, or they are deliberately ignoring them. And neither is appropriate for a person who has the responsibility to convey Church teaching. Two explanations can be offered for why some would distort the teaching. The first is simply loyalty to the Democratic Party. The problem has to be faced honestly that the loyalty of some Church ministers to the Democratic Party is deeper than their loyalty to Catholic teaching. There is nothing wrong with belonging to a political party and being loyal to it. But when that party promotes the widespread, daily, legal killing of children, the voice of protest must be heard. Silence is not an option, neither for Democrats, Republicans, or anyone else — most certainly Catholics."[4] (See Father Pavone's second explanation below).

Bishop Henry Rene Gracida, Bishop Emeritus of Corpus Christi, TX diocese has recently commented on "Faithful Citizenship." In an October 22, 2004 live interview with Raymond Arroyo, EWTN, Bishop Gracida said he did not much care for the USCCB "Faithful Citizenship" voters' guide. The Bishop said: "...because "Faithful Citizenship" covered so many social issues as to be confusing for the average Catholic, whereas the Catholic Answers' "Voters' Guide for Serious Catholics" was much more valuable because it put the emphasis on the really important issues."

Bishop Gracida told this writer: "I have just read that Frances Kissling, President of the excommunicated group 'Catholics for A Free Choice,' in her complaint to the IRS about the Catholic Answer's "Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics" said that she liked the "Faithful Citizenship" guide published by the USCCB. Her praise is condemnation as far as I am concerned." [5]

Judie Brown, President of American Life League offers the following statement on the document:

"Faithful Citizenship" confuses the priorities of magisterial teaching with the USCCB's political agenda. There is no equality whatsoever between efforts to stop the direct murder of innocent children by acts of abortion and a problem with agriculture policy, for example. Yet, as we read the document, we could be left with the impression that both are mere "issues" that concern our Bishops. This is a travesty; truly an injustice to the babies."

Dr. Arthur Hippler, Director of the Office of Justice and Peace of the diocese of La Crosse, in a recent interview with this writer said:

"I have used the Faithful Citizenship materials for three elections now, and I have unwillingly come to the conclusion that these materials are gravely deficient. 'Faithful Citizenship' fails to remind Catholics of their responsibility 'to infuse the Christian spirit into the mentality and mores, laws and structures' of the society in which they live (CCC, n.2105). It also fails to make clear the order of priorities among political goods, which flow from the order of charity (cf. CCC, nn.2197-2198). Besides all this, the 'Faithful Citizenship' materials have no Magisterial authority — they are the work of an 'administrative committee' of the Bishops, and hence, cannot bind on the consciences of the faithful." [6]

Therefore, what necessary action will the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops take to deconstruct the misconceptions spread by 'Faithful Citizenship?' What will the Bishops do at their November plenary meeting to correct this misunderstanding for future elections, local and national?

There are more than a few U.S. Bishops who have spoken brilliantly and faithfully on the correct order of priorities among political goods. There is only room herewith to mention a few of their statements, but all of heaven must be grateful for these Bishops' faithful teachings.

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, Archbishop of the diocese of St. Louis, has instructed voters in the following words:

"Among the many "social conditions" which the Catholic must take into account in voting, the above serious moral issues [abortion, euthanasia, cloning, embryonic stem cell research, same-sex marriage] must be given the first consideration (n.29).

"In considering "the sum total of social conditions," there is, however, a certain order of priority, which must be followed. Conditions upon which other conditions depend must receive our first consideration. The first consideration must be given to the protection of human life itself, without which it makes no sense to consider other social conditions. "The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation[7] [n.20].... Within the considerations for the protection of human life, the protection of the life of the innocent and defenseless, and of the weak and the burdened must have primacy of place.[n.22]" [8]

In his article, "'A Voter's Guide: Pro-Choice Candidates and Church Teaching,' Archbishop John J. Myers of the Archdiocese of Newark wrote:

"Certainly policies on welfare, national security, the war in Iraq, Social Security or taxes, taken singly or in any combination, do not provide a proportionate reason to vote for a pro-abortion candidate."[9]

Bishop Michael Sheridan, Colorado Springs, teaches, "As men and women of good will, we strive to achieve true justice for all people and to preserve their rights as human beings. There is, however, one right that is 'inalienable,' and that is the right to life. This is the first right. This is the right that grounds all other human rights. This is the issue that trumps all other issues." [10]

Bishop Bernard Schmitt, of Wheeling-Charleston, WV had this to say recently:

"I would hate to come before the Lord our God and say that I was a Shepherd but that I did nothing to teach the people about the evils of abortion. Because I am my brother's keeper, I never want it to be said that I was willing to tolerate evil or any cooperation in it. Therefore, I want to say, clearly and distinctly, as your brother and your Bishop, that abortion is the greatest moral evil of our age. As the deliberate killing of an innocent human being, there is "no circumstance, no purpose, no law whatsoever" that can justify or excuse abortion. "It is contrary to the Law of God which is written in every human heart, knowable by reason itself, and proclaimed by the Church. [11] It is true that there are other evils, which occupy our attention as a society, especially during an election. Euthanasia, the death penalty, war, genocide, hunger, abject poverty, discrimination, and unjust labor practices are all attacks on human dignity and the value of human life. As Christians, we must be committed to preaching the whole Gospel of Life and to being consistent in our defense of the inherent dignity and value of human life. All evils are not equal... And so, I want to reiterate what I have said: abortion is the greatest moral evil of our age." [12]

NOTES:

1. The teaching authority of the Pope is called the 'solemn magisterium;' those bishops in union with the teachings of the Pope are called 'ordinary magisterium.' The Magisterium is the Church's divinely appointed authority to teach the truths of religion, "Going therefore, teach ye all nations...teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (MT 28:19-20). This teaching is infallible.

2. "Lycidas," by John Milton, l637.

3. "Christifideles Laici," ("The Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World"), n.38, 1988, Pope John Paul II: http://www.vatican.va/...christifideles-laici_en.html

4. "Distorted Citizenship," by Fr. Frank Pavone, http://priestsforlife.org/articles/distortedcitizenship.htm

5. Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz, Bishop of Lincoln, NE diocese, in May 15, 1996, issued a successful diocesan synodal law, still enforced today, which carries an automatic penalty of excommunication. In it, he informed all Catholics in his diocese of the fact there were twelve dissenting organizations whose activities are contrary to the Catholic Faith, including "Catholics for a Free Choice." If they did not cease and desist as of April 15, 1996, go to confession and recant their dissent, they will be excommunicated "by that very fact (ipso facto latæ sententiæ)." Cf. Catholic World Report, "Excommunications in the Heartland," by Domenico Bettinelli, Jr.,

6. The abbreviation 'CCC' represents 'Catechism of the Catholic Church.'

7. Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2273

8. 'On Our Civic Responsibility for the Common Good,' by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, October 1, 2004.

9. "House of Worship — A Voter's Guide," by Archbishop John J. Myers, 9/17/04, The Wall Street Journal, pg. 13.

10. Bishop Michael J. Sheridan, Bishop of Colorado Springs, 'Pastoral Letter — Duties of Catholic Politicians and Voters,' May a, 2004.

11. Pope John Paul II encyclical, "Evangelium vitae," n.62.

12. Most Rev. Bernard W. Schmitt, Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston, WV, 10/20/04, "Bishop Calls Abortion 'Greatest Evil of our Age,' http://www.dwc.org/news/oct2104.shtml