Cosmos The In Lost
When half a million dollars is budgeted for Priests for Life 2016 election plan, and the national director seems to be spending a decent amount of time on his own and via his non-profit organization to support a particular candidate, especially one who is not pro-life, such as Mr. Trump, we should all be concerned.
On their FAQ page we read:
16. Does Priests for Life endorse political candidates?
No. We are not allowed to do so by laws governing 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt entities. We do, however, teach what the Bible and the Church teach about political responsibility, and we urge all citizens (including those who lead organizations) to speak up and work for the candidates of their choice.
Without using the word endorse, I am not sure how much more of a positive embrace is required to signify an endorsement of Mr. Trump – directly or indirectly.
But, why support Mr. Trump and hand out such poorly written literature? That, in itself, is questionable for any person or organization.
As far as written literature for Catholics is concerned, please consider reading the US Bishops’ Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship – it’s not too shabby. The US Bishops clearly note that voting for someone who supports a policy that would promote an intrinsic evil is not absolutely forbidden (see this analysis about considering Sen. Bernie Sanders here).
As far as supporting the GOP and Mr. Trump, it seems we simply do not understand the minds, and development of thought, behind such support.
Priests for Life’s website discusses why people are getting abortions (without providing a definition or distinctions on abortion, itself, as far as I can tell):
WHY DO PEOPLE GET ABORTIONS?
Abortions are done mostly for non-medical reasons. As the abortion industry itself admits on the website of the Alan Guttmacher Institute, “[T]hree-fourths say they cannot afford a child; three-fourths say that having a baby would interfere with work, school or the ability to care for dependents; and half say they do not want to be a single parent or are having problems with their husband or partner.”
Reading this, I cannot help but think Priests for Life is wanting to pin the pro-choicer’s position on saving a mother’s life – we are beyond that. People are most often searching to terminate their pregnancy for reasons tied to consumerism, the American way, and a lack of economic opportunity – along with troubles often related to those reasons. Yet, supporting GOP candidates, including Mr. Trump, would seem to aggravate those scenarios as opposed to offering them remedies – yet, of course, Mr. Trump may have fooled anti-abortionists into thinking abortion will merrily find itself outlawed if only they (Republicans) are elected one more time.
If Priests for Life is close to violating restrictions for its support, directly or indirectly, of Mr. Trump and other GOP candidates, then I hope it can choose to break off its shackles and do its work unimpeded or slam the brakes. Unfortunately, supporting Trump – we believe – is a mistake, especially for an entity describing itself as pro-life. Nonetheless, it is free to do so. The problem, again, for us is perpetuating that false narrative of Pro-Life=Pro-Trump/GOP, or even that Anti-Abortion=Pro-Trump/GOP.
Perhaps it takes a leap and a jump for someone to consider the possibility of excessive and exclusive support and find it questionable, but without comment from Priests for Life, it is difficult to say. Perhaps others, including Priests for Life, are able to find and distinguish varying political embraces between Father Pavone, Father Pavone in his role at Priests for Life, Priests for Life’s work, and Priest’s for Life work with (or in favor of?) Mr. Trump.
On the one hand, you have Fr. Pavone signing – “as a private citizen” – this ridiculous and poorly argued open letter, published about a week ago. On the other hand, re-reading “Fr. Pavone said his group [Priests for Life] will work to convince pro-life activists to support Mr. Trump in the general election” again makes it challenging for me to be certain.
Trump/GOP policies are atheistic and materialistic – they suffocate a family’s gasping for life, as is shown in the effects of its social and economic policies.
I look forward to learning more about Father Pavone and Priests for Life, his/their work and ideals. I truly wonder, in addition to remedying numerous other societal injustices, how many women would consider terminating their pregnancy if decent lives were promoted and secured. Even making half the salary as some at Priests for Life seem to be making might cast a new perspective for those in difficult situations. Alas, an economy and policies that would support such a respect for life are out of reach when we support Mr. Trump and the GOP.
The author of this post wishes to remain anonymous. I will only add that the recent “revelations” about Trump make one hope Priests for Life will pull its support for him, quick, or, risk going down in those bright orange flames.
UPDATE:
One of Trump's Catholic and pro-life advisors, @frfrankpavone, tells me he's sticking with Trump, citing the need for pro-life judges.
— Michael J. O'Loughlin (@MikeOLoughlin) October 8, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXCN2PqYEvY
For something more upbuilding see: The Anti-Abortion Supermajority: Beyond the Abortion Wars
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