Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 237.  Thu  1-30-92 22:03  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Pat Shediack
 Subject: Fatima Crusader; Politics

+-
| Father....thought you'd like to know...I saw the magazine referred
| to...the Fatima Crusader...it was left in the free book rack at our
| church...I leafed thru it before Mass and found it offensive.   There were
| numerous attacks on the Pope and others...reprehensible
| attacks...particularly challenges to the Pope to reveal the final secret
| of Fatima...I gave the magazine to our assistant pastor who threw it out
| in disgust...I'll let you know if I see another copy in church in case
| you'd like to read it...
| ......Pat
+-
| Father...I'll probably stir up some emotions from coast to coast with this
| one, but I'm going to ask you a question on ethics & politics...esp. noow
| now that the election year is upon us...actually I have two questions...
| 1.  During the last few elections, it seemed various prtes were pushing
| the pro-life no matter what position (which basically was the Republican
| plank) to the point that the prelates seemed almost political hacks.
| What are we lay people supposed to make of it?  Any pro-choice politician
| is necessarily pro-abortion and should be discarded?  Personally, I am
| opposed to abortion which some might say is a conservative position, but
| then, I don't think going back to coathangers is the way either.  I also
| feel the social programs are needed if we are truly to advocate a pro-life
| position, but if one supports a pro-life party which also advocates
| dismantling social programs, isn't that fence-sitting at best?
| .
| 2.  During the Duke-Edwards election, there were numerous news reports
| that I read which stated Duke favored a pro-life position and some
| Louisiana pro-life groups were working phone banks for him.  I live in the
| DC area and never saw a single national story of condemnation of this
| position or a denial that it happened from any of the national pro-life
| groups....and I haven't seen much from the anti-abortion groups on the
| issue that capital punishment is taking a life, even a justly condemned
| one.  These incidents seemed to me to erode the "seamless garment"
| theory of life's sanctity...is the seamless garment theory still the
| direction the Church is striving towards....?
| .
| I think I probably stirred up a hornet's nest with these questions, but
| then, but then so did Christ with his....I'd like your
| thoughts...thanks....Pat
|
+-[PS=>FM]
 
Dear Pat,
 
Thanks for your note on Fatima Crusader.  I think I'll take a bye on
reading a copy, thanks.
 
I agree that both logic and charity demand that we support social
programs and give needed help to people who cannot provide for
themselves.  This is one of the chief purposes of a just government.
 
I fail to see that priests who urge us not to support pro-choice
candidates are political hacks.  I truly do not trust candidates who
are soft on killing children.  The expression "going back to
coathangers" is not acceptable ethical discourse.  Where is free will,
responsibility, and moral virtue here?  Where is self-control and
chastity in the first place?  You violate these natural virtues, you are
going to suffer somehow, somewhere.
 
The crucial difference between capital punishment and abortion is that
in abortion the victim is innocent.  Furthermore, our Church has not
condemned capital punishment.  We are free to oppose it or accept it as
Catholics.
 
In the Duke - Edwards election, I think voters had a real dilemma.
Which was the greater of the two scoundrels?  I think Duke is so I
would have voted for Edwards or stayed at home.  I would not trust
Duke, either, to follow a pro-life position as governor.  He would go
eventually where the votes are.
 
I am obviously not a deep thinker about these subjects, but thanks for
your questions, anyhow, and do come again.
 
                                Sincerely in Christ,
 
                                Father Mateo