Abortion and the catholic voter
Can a Catholic vote for a pro-choice candidate for political office? Yes, in my view, in given circumstances.
I consider myself pro-life. While it is not clear to me just when "human" life begins, those initial cells forming after conception will normally grow to become at birth a human person. I cannot accept the view that abortion is a decision made solely between a woman and her physician. There is another life or life-potential at conception.
While I am pro-life, I live in a pluralistic society, in a nation with diverse views. There are people of good will, including the view of respected religious denominations, whose view of abortion is very different from my views. Can I in good conscience respect a different viewpoint? Or must I by every means possible try to force my belief on others, including amending the Constitution? My views as a Catholic on social justice issues, such as income inequality, differ from many, perhaps most, Americans. Can their views exist alongside mine while we live and work together for the common good?
To add some perspective: the Catholic ban on abortion has never been absolute. If a pregnant woman has a cancerous uterus and it becomes life-threatening to continue the pregnancy to term, an abortion is morally permissible in Catholic teaching. Likewise, if the pregnancy takes place in a fallopian tube, removal of the tube, resulting in termination of the pregnancy (abortion) is permitted.
The moral reasoning in these exceptional circumstances is that the doctor does not directly intend the termination. But this causes an abortion nonetheless. (If I recall my moral theology classes of the 1950s, this was called the Principle of the Indirect Voluntary or The Double Effect - I intend one (good) result but a (bad) result also occurs.)
In 2016, Our Sunday Visitor, the largest English language Catholic publishing company, issued a pamphlet "A Guide to Catholic Voting." The pamphlet is emphatic on church teaching regarding abortion and voting. Drawing on the U.S. Catholic bishops' 2015 document, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, it states:
"Catholics are to use their judgment and follow their consciences as they apply the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and the core faith values in the choices they make in the voting booth."
Nowhere does the pamphlet state that Catholics many never vote for a candidate who is pro-choice. Nor does it state that a Catholic must always vote for a pro-life candidate, regardless of his/her qualifications. The pamphlet again draws from the Catholic bishops' document: It is clear that one absolutely may not vote for a "candidate who favors a policy promoting an intrinsically evil act, such as abortion, physician-assisted suicide, assisted suicide, deliberately subjecting workers or the poor to subhuman living conditions, redefining marriage ..., or racist behavior, if the voter's intent is to support that position." (emphasis added)
The pamphlet continues: "There may be times when a voter selects a candidate who holds an unacceptable position, but this can only done only for 'truly grave reasons.' It may involve the prudential judgment that one candidate seems likely to do less harm or is more likely to pursue other positive priorities." (emphasis mine).
The 2020 General Election is extremely important for our country and the world. I strongly encourage Catholic voters, as well as all voters, to consider their choice for president as well as candidates on the entire ballot. Who in your understanding is more likely to "pursue positive priorities," such as health care for the uninsured, climate change affecting the entire planet, solving immigration issues like DACA, refugees from countries ravaged by war or violence and so on? Consider following the principle of The Indirect Voluntary or the principle of doing less harm and pursuing other positive priorities. Your vote really matters.
• John P. Brennan, of Arlington Heights, is a founder of the Suburban Mosaic Book of the Year program and has been active in social justice issues for 60 years.