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September 21, 2020
Alex M. Saunders, M.D.
Redwood City
St. Charles Parish
Our household received a questionnaire from “Catholic Vote.” That organization is badly named. After reading Dennis Sadowski’s essay on the USCCB political statement (CSF, Aug. 28, 2020) and the whole bishops’ statement itself, here are the key articles that define the real Catholic vote:
Article 16 quotes Pope Francis (“Evangelii Gaudium,” no. 64): “We are living in an information-driven society which bombards us indiscriminately with data – all treated as being of equal importance – and which leads to remarkable superficiality in the area of moral discernment. In response, we need to provide an education which teaches critical thinking and encourages the development of mature moral values.” Finally, some support for critical thinking.
Wisdom and clarity of the document is portrayed in Article 42: “As Catholics we are not single-issue voters. A candidate’s position on a single issue is not sufficient to guarantee a voter’s support. Yet if a candidate’s position on a single issue promotes an intrinsically evil act, such as legal abortion, redefining marriage in a way that denies its essential meaning, or racist behavior, a voter may legitimately disqualify a candidate from receiving support.” Translated: This year you may disqualify both major presidential candidates on single issues.
Article 30: “It is incoherent to isolate some element to the detriment to the whole of Catholic doctrine.” Skip to the last article for superb social doctrine summaries by the bishops.
Critical thinking suggests in the present election dealing with a pandemic, and its fallout, is priority over single issues. Survival of any morality in government may be equally important.
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