Questions raised on faith, conscience and political choices

Here is yet another set of Letters to the Editor about Archbishop Burke's recent statements.

Here are some of the more absurd statements made indicating that many professed Catholics are ignorant of basic Catholic teaching:

Karen Diehl writes "What angers me is the hierachy of life that is inherent in his statement. To be pro-life is to respect all life - that of the unborn, the elderly, the convict on death row, the homeless, our enemies in Iran and Afghanistan."

Bob Kozlowski says, "To make a judgment as to the rank of one life form over another is unconscionable to me, but that is the "moral" choice I'm being asked to make by a leader of my church."

Mikel Monnett writes, "But if we follow the archbishop's logic, Catholic voters who vote for the Bush-Cheney ticket would also be committing a sin. President George W. Bush has waged war on the poor in this country through his regressive tax policies, engaged us in an immoral war for specious reasons and was a major force in creating the Texas death machine that has executed so many."

"Personally opposed" Wayne Robbins declares, "If voting for an "abortion rights" candidate is a sin, then what is it when an elected Roman Catholic candidate swears that he or she will defend the Constitution "so help me God"? Are we now to ask every Roman Catholic if they are going to put their version of religion above the needs and desires of the American people?"

Yet, there is hope. Unfortuantely, it may not be found among those who call themselves Catholic, yet know next to nothing about the Faith. It can be found among those who are not Catholic, as is seen here:

Ronald J. Lawrence says, in part: "Although I am not a Catholic, but a member of another Christian faith, I wholeheartedly support Archbishop Burke's position concerning abortion rights and receiving Communion."

Suzanne Wagner writes, "Rep. William Lacy Clay said that he is against the death penalty but supports abortion rights. So the death row killer gets more compassion than a baby in the womb. Unbelievable. I am not Catholic, but I applaud the archbishop for not caving in on his beliefs as so many politicians seem to do for the sake of popularity. "

It is truly a shame that so many professed "Catholics" have been misled about the truths of the Church or have chosen to deny and reject the teachings of the Church.

Link here.