‘Question Corner’ columnist responds to criticism
Fathers Kenneth Brighenti and John Trigilio make some essential points in their letters concerning abortion and voting. (Sept. 9) They neglect, however, to address a major, and long overdue, consideration in our struggle to respect the dignity of human life.
The time has come when we should be beyond thinking in terms of electing figureheads and images, and seriously aim at getting results.
The reality, which even George W. Bush acknowledged early on, is that no president has the power to reverse or significantly weaken Roe v. Wade, at least in the present or foreseeable climate. In spite of occasional declarations of support for pro-life advocates, he has given it little serious attention.
Some claim we need a president who will appoint pro-life Supreme Court justices. Yet, of the six justices recently appointed by presumably prolife presidents — George Bush Sr. and Ronald Reagan — most have repeatedly fallen far short of our hopes in their decisions.
This ought to prompt us to ask the realistic question: Which candidate, which party platform, offers the greatest hope to reduce the numbers of abortions? What do pregnant mothers, especially those in troubled circumstances, need most to keep them from seeing abortion as their only option?
The answer is not difficult. Decent education for their children, assured family health care, reasonable opportunities for decent housing, tax policies that address the needs of medium and lower income families, a realistic minimum wage, safe neighborhoods — these are unquestionably high on the list.
Other life issues also touch on family security: protecting the environment for our children and grandchildren, resolving the financial and personnel drain in Iraq, extensive reform of our criminal justice system.
Put all these together, and the issue is not nearly as absolute and neat as some would like to claim. Judging solely from the record and announced priorities and plans of the candidates, isn’t it understandable that many good people, including faithful and committed Catholics, cannot accept the claim that the voting obligation this year is black and white. (The only time the abortion rate has lowered much in recent years was during the Clinton administration. Was it because the above possibilities gave these mothers hope?)
None of this is to deny that a candidate’s voting record on abortion should be carefully examined. Nor is it to suggest that other evils are “proportionate” to the evil of killing unborn human life.
Neither of these, however, alters the political realities. If we are serious about reducing abortions, and creating a climate in which they are less likely to take place, those social needs and concerns are where we need to begin the climb. We need to stop chasing after a magic political bullet, and work to change what distressed women and families face.
At very least, it should give some
humble pause to those who condemn
Catholic voters who say: I am absolutely
pro-life, and because I am I cannot in
conscience vote for what some tell me
is the only really pro-life candidate.
Father John Dietzen
Peoria, Illinois
Article offered ‘critical’ information
I would like to take this opportunity of congratulating you on a firstclass summary of the Critical Life Issues Conference held last weekend at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center.
As a member of the Deaconate Class of 2007, I think I speak for the class in noting how important such conferences are in articulating Catholic moral positions accurately and effectively to all people, young and old, whose minds are willing to contemplate the depth required to meet today’s moral and ethical challenges. That the conference was excellent in itself was good for us to appreciate, and then to read a well-constructed account in the Catholic Spirit was doubly satisfying. Thank you for the resonance and for capturing so well in print the remarkable stimulus the attendees enjoyed last Saturday. Would that the rest of the national media take heed to get the facts right before they commit computer keys to paper!
Dr. Tony Hancock
Class Leader,
diocesan diaconate class 2007
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law