The Post Dispatch continues its "analysis"...

However, in its editorial, the Post cares little for the truth and unpretentiously criticizes Archbishop Burke's position as "absolutist". It further suggests that the Archbishop's position of the moral law is based on his own "interpretation".

In order to support this position of the Post, they call on Ronald E. Modras, a professor of theology at St. Louis University, who confirms their assertions by saying:

"Even some conservative Catholics find [his] message to be extreme...He's giving us Catholic moral tradition, but interpreting it according to his own conscience and opinion."

Mr. Modras was also quoted by the La Crosse Tribune back in January, when referring to Archbishop Burke, he said:

"He's identified with the radical right of the Catholic Church, not going with the rest of the bishops."

A question which immediately comes to mind is whether Mr. Modras has signed the mandatum and received approval from the bishop to teach theology. Based on his comments, I certainly would not want my children being taught theology by someone who espouse views such as his.

Every reputable reference book or article on Moral Theology that I can find and that I have read is in complete agreement with and supports the position and "interpretation" of Archbishop Burke.

The Post sems to lament the fact that if area Catholics voted according to Catholic moral principles, George Bush would be re-elected:

If all the registered voters among the archdiocese's 550,000 Catholics were to be guided by the archbishop's position, it probably would insure a GOP sweep in Missouri.

But Mr. Modras says, in error, that:

"You can have an informed Catholic conscience and come to a different conclusion [regarding for whom to vote]."

It is impossible to have an truly informed Catholic conscience and vote for a candidate such as John Kerry who supports so many intrinsic evils and is on record as saying he would perpetuate the murder of unborn children by selecting on "pro-choice" individuals to be judges.

The Post concludes:

By staking out his position so boldly, Archbishop Burke has added a new question to the November ballot: an informal referendum on his own influence.

What a gross distortion! What we will see in November is the extent of professed Catholics who have an informed Catholic conscience. Archbishop Burke has put before all Catholics the fundamental principles by which we are to vote and work for the common good. We must always remember that there will be many among us who will betray Christ and deny the truth which He revealed to us and which has been handed on to us by the Church. Archbishop Burke continues this Apostolic work by helping us to understand exactly what it means to be a Catholic in today's world. Pray for him!

The Post editorial is here.