2 of 8

Here's what Burke is saying now. Read closely, because it's complicated. This is from today's St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Burke now says there is one scenario in which a Catholic could vote for a politician who supports abortion rights without committing a grave sin.

In that scenario, a Catholic who personally opposes abortion rights, votes for a candidate who supports abortion rights "for what are called proportionate reasons," he said.

In other words, each individual Catholic must weigh all the moral issues a candidate stands for alongside the candidate's position on abortion rights.

"And that is called remote material cooperation and if the reasons are really proportionate, and the person remains clear about his or her opposition to abortion, that can be done," Burke said.

So, a Catholic who does not support abortion rights can vote for a candidate who does support abortion rights without fear of committing a grave sin.

"The sticking point is this - and this is the hard part," said Burke. "What is a proportionate reason to justify favoring the taking of an innocent, defenseless human life? And I just leave that to you as a question. That's the question that has to be answered in your conscience. What is the proportionate reason?"

However, a Catholic voter is committing a grave sin if he or she knows a particular candidate supports abortion rights and votes for the candidate because of that position. "That is what's called formal cooperation in an intrinsically evil act," Burke said.

Paul Sloca, spokesman for the Missouri Republican Party, tried to uncomplicated things: "All voters should vote for the best candidate and the best candidate is always a Republican," he told the paper.

A report in the British Telegraph newspaper today is similar to yesterday's Times report on how the Anglican Commission will discipline the Episcopal Church USA—but it has some very important differences. The Telegraph's prediction is much softer than the Times version, giving the American church more time and more of a voice. Andrew Carey has some good analysis over at his blog. Those interested in the story will also want to keep an eye on CANN and Midwest Conservative Journal, but those interested in the story probably know that.

Happy Labor Day
We'll be celebrating Labor Day on Monday, so no new postings until Tuesday.

Religion & GOP:

• Bush prays, and is prayed for, say Republicans | A new documentary points out that yes, Bush is a religious man, and many of his core supporters find that one of his most endearing traits (Fox News)
• GOP sets up election battle over faith, values | Values are a constant theme in the floor speeches. At dozens of gatherings off the floor, values were tied to faith. And faith was tied to strength. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
• Crucifying (GOP) Christians | The New York Times has hammered the GOP for including conservative Christians in the electoral process (Michelle Malkin, Philadelphia Daily News)
• Politics as a show of faith | Religious Right Finds Warm Welcome At GOP National Convention (The Hartford Courant, Conn.)
• Celebrating God, politics at GOP | S.C. delegate has seen elder Bush and shook hands with Giuliani (The Charlotte Observer, N.C.)

next page... |  2 of 8

share this page

August (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48