Life. It’s more fundamental than politics

So…it’s still news that the Catholic Church is against abortion. Actually, the news is that this might affect how Catholics vote.

The New York Times has this piece on the topic of abortion and the role it will play in the votes cast by Catholics this November. In the words of the NYT, it’s about “dividing” the Catholic vote. But the piece illustrates that when people are educated about their faith, they will vote accordingly. In case of abortion, the issue isn’t partisan or bi-partisan. It’s non-partisan. As long as this fundamental issue remains, we can’t even begin to have the luxury of discussing politics. I would go so far as to say that trumps even policies that promote social justice issues/activities. If the fundamental concept of the human person is skewed, every other policy, program, agenda, etc., built upon it will ultimately be flawed…not unlike building a house on sand.

The gaffes (?) of Speaker Pelosi and Senator Biden have provided excellent teaching moments which many bishops and clerics have utilized. The NYT article belies just how effective teaching can be.

Until recently, Matthew Figured, a Sunday school teacher at the Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church here, could not decide which candidate to vote for in the presidential election.

He had watched progressive Catholics work with the Democratic Party over the last four years to remind the faithful of the party’s support for Catholic teaching on the Iraq war, immigration, health care and even reducing abortion rates.
But then his local bishop plunged into the fray, barring Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, from receiving communion in the area because of his support for abortion rights.

Finally, bishops around the country scolded another prominent Catholic Democrat, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, for publicly contradicting the church’s teachings on abortion, some discouraging parishioners from voting for politicians who hold such views.

Now Mr. Figured thinks he will vote for the Republican candidate, Senator John McCain of Arizona. “People should straighten out their religious beliefs before they start making political decisions,” Mr. Figured, 22, said on his way into Sunday Mass.

– please take a moment to note Mr. Figured’s age.

For more on Catholic guidelines for responsible voting, check out the USCCB’s document Faithful Citizenship .