Hello, Catholics. Goodbye, Catholics

A few days ago, Eduardo and I had a conversation about, among other things, changes in Catholics' voting patterns and practices.  In a related vein, check out these two essays -- "Hello, Catholics" and "Goodbye, Catholics" -- in the latest issue of Commonweal.  I have some thoughts about the essays, and will blog about them later.  With respect to Daniel Finn's "Hello, Catholics", though, my immediate impression is that he (like many other Catholics who think and write about the current political situation) works from a premise that it is only on abortion where the Republicans' stated position and actions are obviously preferable -- to conscientious, reasonable Catholics -- to the Democrats'.  I do not accept this premise.  But . . .more later.