Bishop Finn and a more nuanced analysis for Rob

Rob's main objection to Bishop's Finn's analysis seems to be that the bishop says that an Obama voter "participates" in the evil of abortion. Rob points out correctly that such a voter may in no way intend abortion; he or she only accepts it as the lesser of evils.

But surely we also "participate" in those evils we facilitate,  even if we do not intend them -- and indeed even if our participation is legitimate. If I morally inject morphine into a patient in order to stop his agony but also knowing it will shortly thereafter kill him, it would be sophistic to argue i have not "participated" in his death (as a material cause).

For a beautiful reflection on voting in this election, I commend to you this short essay by Dan Avila. Dan is a former student of mine who has worked for many years forthe bishops of Massachusetts.