Reflections on Catholic Politicians and Abortion
March 1, 2000
As a national association whose mission is to strengthen the clergy in their
preaching and teaching about abortion, we feel obliged in this election season,
in which abortion continues to be a hotly debated issue, to echo the recent
teaching of our bishops on the relationship between the Church's mission and
public policy on this topic.
The Church speaks, and will continue to speak, on the issue of abortion and
clearly call for public policies that limit and eventually eradicate this
practice. This message is not simply the result of religious beliefs, but of
American ideals. As the United States bishops wrote in November of 1998,
"As Americans, as Catholics and as pastors of our people, we write
therefore today to call our fellow citizens back to our country's founding
principles, and most especially to renew our national respect for the rights
of those who are unborn, weak, disabled and terminally ill. Real freedom
rests on the inviolability of every person as a child of God. The inherent
value of human life, at every stage and in every circumstance, is not a
sectarian issue any more than the Declaration of Independence is a sectarian
creed" (Living the Gospel of Life, #6).
Furthermore, we as Catholic priests refuse to be intimidated when, in
carrying out our duty to proclaim the Gospel, we are charged with "meddling
in politics." We do not endorse candidates or political parties. We do,
however, challenge all in political life to reject the violence of abortion.
Politics is not an arena which can absolve itself of responsibility to moral
laws; nor can the Church absolve herself of the responsibility to teach
those laws.
A further concern arises when those holding or seeking elected office take a
"pro-choice" position and also proclaim themselves to be Catholics. No law says
you have to be Catholic. But if you publicly declare that you are, don't be
surprised if someone criticizes inconsistencies between your public positions
and the teachings of the Church. We repeat the words of the United States
bishops:
"We urge those Catholic officials who choose to depart from Church
teaching on the inviolability of human life in their public life to consider
the consequences for their own spiritual well being, as well as the scandal
they risk by leading others into serious sin. We call on them to reflect on
the grave contradiction of assuming public roles and presenting themselves
as credible Catholics when their actions on fundamental issues of human life
are not in agreement with Church teaching. No public official, especially
one claiming to be a faithful and serious Catholic, can responsibly advocate
for or actively support direct attacks on innocent human life" (Living the
Gospel of Life, #32).
Priests for Life will continue to echo this teaching, particularly in the
months ahead, and will continue to be a resource for the clergy to address
the abortion issue with vigor, clarity, and confidence.
Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director
Priests for Life
