times editorial: a dissent

I have to confess that I didn't find the Times editorial by Mark Roche particularly helpful in thinking through these issues.

First, the title, although I realize that op-ed writers are not always responsible for the titles of their pieces. Why the opposition between "our conscience" and "our religion?" I think faithful Catholics would do better to read the discussion in Archbishop Burke's recent pastoral on conscience and the moral law.

Second, the op-ed sets up a false polarity. The Republicans take the Catholic position on abortion but the Democrats take the Catholic position on the death penalty, universal health care, and environmental protection. I think we can safely say that there is a Catholic position on abortion but we can't say the same about health care and the environment. (I'll put aside the issue of the death penalth for the moment, but I'd be happy to address that point.) And, in fact the Democrats are actually more pro-life than the Republicans, and that "honest" Catholics ought to vote for Kerry/Edwards. We know this because of their position on the issues noted above but also because Clinton was more pro-life than Reagan. This is due to Clinton's more successful record in reducing the number of legal abortions and the abortion rate, which are likely attributable to increased social spending. I think it is misleading to credit Clinton, who was fully in favor of Roe and Casey, with these positive signs. The issue is complicated, of course, but surely more credit ought to go to parental notice laws, the heroic work of crisis pregnancy centers, the increasing realization that abortion takes the life of an unborn child and ultimately harms women.

The op-ed seems a somewhat more nuanced version of Father Greeley's recent piece that Catholics shouldn't feel any qualms about voting for a candidate who is 100% in favor of abortion rights.

I think Catholics who are struggling with these issues would do far better to consider Archbishop Burke's fine pastoral letter "On Our Civic Responsibility for the Common Good."

Richard