Church's abortion clarity

On June 26, the Daily Herald published a column by John Brennan entitled "Abortion and the Catholic voter". In it, Mr. Brennan discusses his dilemma as a Catholic in voting for a pro-choice candidate with whom he otherwise largely agrees. However, he resolves his problem in favor of the vote on the grounds he does not want to "force" his pro-life belief on others.

We live in a representative democracy. Politicians are elected and laws are passed when majority voters "force" their will on the minority. This is true whether the voting issue is allowing local low-income housing, defunding the police, or addressing climate change. To vote, responsibly at least, is to back politicians and legislation in whom and in which you believe.

Regarding when human life begins, Mr. Brennan states that he is "not clear." But his church is. Per the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes."

My advice to Mr. Brennan and others with similar qualms is to take a prayerful look at your core beliefs and their bases and then wholeheartedly vote for them.

Chris Ellis

Palatine