Abortion isn't the only issue: the argument for moral equivalence

I appreciate commentaries like this that give me a clearer understanding of the Pope's proper role. Years ago, when my father was alive, he couldn't understand why the Pope didn't just take a broom and broom out all the liberal bishops. At the time, even though I was vaguely aware that Popes do not normally govern like that, I didn't have any clear way to respond to him. So I just listened while he sounded off.

Here is a major problem: Francis' claimed desire to evangelize the alienated & marginalized cannot take place if we fail to transmit and infuse Christ's teaching. Instead of the classic "Turn away from sin, and sin no more," we now hear "Turn way from "judgment' and sin some more. God luvs u as u are." This is not good news and it is NOT Christ's Gospel or the apostolic kerygma. This "Nothing is a Problem" mentality does not foster, but PREVENTS transformation in Christ and evangelization.

"By its very nature the Pope’s role is conservative..." Finally! It's very gratifying to see someone with impeccable orthodox credentials have the courage to use the term "conservative" properly. Thank you, Phil.

To paraphrase the words of a Senate chaplain many years ago, I do not look at the state of the church and pray for the pope. I look at the state of the pope and pray for the church.

Pope Francis does much that is good and totally in line with the traditional Church adherence to the truth, which is why it is very confusing and disconcerting to see his undeniable lapses into some of the errors decried and condemned by past pontiffs. I pray for him daily, and I ask the Lord to show me the error in my thinking if I am incorrect in this assessment, but I sincerely believe that I am not.

I do not like it, but I agree with you completely. Deus, omnium fidelium pastor & rector, famulum tuum Franciscum propitius respice: da ei, quæsumus, verbo & exemplo, quibus præest, proficere; ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi credito, perveniat sempiternam. Pet Christum, Dominum nostrum.

If we have died with him If we persevere we shall also reign with him But if we deny him He will deny us If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself

Our Lord built the Church upon the rock of Peter. Keeping that in mind, I do need to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit even in the most challenging news coming from the Vatican. And sometimes those news can be challenging to the extreme, with name-calling being the least of the problems. Perhaps, it's divine invitation to all Catholics to pray more fervently and trustingly for the Vicar of Christ? Perhaps, Pope Benedict resigned because he was not receiving sufficient support of our prayers?

I disagree with Bishop McElroy's saying that abortion is the first among many issues for Catholics. It appears to be the ONLY issue for Catholics; not the economy, not jobs, not poverty, not the prospect of being dragged into another Middle East War. Our faith has, I'm afraid, become, in the United States anyway, a one-note Johnny, that single note being abortion. If anyone doubts that, let them ask any cleric what issues might be as important to the Church.

It is not just using the litmus test of abortion as a political sign post. It is an indication of general moral degredation and an inability to see that life must be the priority of any government. It is not a one issue approach it is an indication of character.

It's clear that Fr. Martin is just bending over backwards to make it OK to vote Democrat.

Agreed! The general societal view of Life & personhood is well skewed. Fr. Spitzer does an execllent job defining the problem & offering a solution in, "Ten Moral Principles". However, problems cited by JPII do pose a real & significant threat to our society! All result from degredation of personhood & life within our culture. Support must go to the candidate with the best chance for freedom, recognition of a person, and our right to life. That chance is clearly better with one of the two.