On Saturday, August 11, Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, named Paul Ryan as his running mate. Ryan, a seven-term congressman from Wisconsin, is, like Joe Biden (the current Vice President of the United States) a lifelong Catholic, but beyond their religious affiliation the two have little in common. Biden began his career as a pro-life politician and even criticized Roe v. Wade as "wrongly decided" (see Where Do Barack Obama and Joe Biden Stand on Abortion?), but he very quickly fell in line with the post-Roe orthodoxy in the Democratic Party. His first vote on abortion in the U.S. Senate in 1973 was in favor of keeping it legal. In opposition to the Catholic Church's teaching, Biden has come out in recent months in favor of gay "marriage."
Ryan, on the other hand, has consistently adopted pro-life positions; the National Right to Life Committee and NARAL Pro-Choice America agree that his voting record is 100-percent pro-life. Ryan has spoken out against efforts to redefine marriage and favors a Federal Marriage Amendment to enshrine the traditional definition of marriage in the U.S. Constitution.
In the days since Romney chose Ryan, however, several Catholic bishops have expressed concern over Ryan's views on social justice and economic matters. As chairman of the House Budget Committee, Ryan has advocated significant cuts in federal spending, many of them regarding federal social programs.
Ryan, however, has at least one Catholic bishop who is willing to vouch for his Catholic bona fides: Bishop Robert Morlino of the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, in which Ryan resides.
In his August 16, 2012, column in the Catholic Herald, the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Madison, Bishop Morlino defends Ryan against charges that his political proposals as chairman of the House Budget Committee fall outside of Catholic social teaching. Stressing the role of a well-formed conscience in political action, Bishop Morlino declares that, in his opinion, "Vice Presidential Candidate Ryan is aware of Catholic Social Teaching and is very careful to fashion and form his conclusions in accord with [its] principles." Aware of remarks that have been made by others to the contrary, Bishop Morlino adds that "I mention this matter in obedience to Church Law regarding one’s right to a good reputation."
Referring specifically to such issues as "How best to care for the poor" and "how best to create jobs at a time when so many are suffering from the ravages of unemployment," Bishop Morlino writes:
As one looks at issues such as the two mentioned above and seeks to apply the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, Catholics and others of good will can arrive at different conclusions. These are conclusions about the best means to promote the preferential option for the poor, or the best means to reach a lower percentage of unemployment throughout our country. No one is contesting here anyone’s right to the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, etc. Nor is anyone contesting someone’s right to work and so provide for self and family. However there can be difference according to how best to follow the principles which the Church offers.
This is very different, Bishop Morlino stresses, from situations such as abortion, in which "intrinsic evil" is involved:
In these most fundamental matters, a well-formed Catholic conscience, or the well-formed conscience of a person of good will, simply follows the conclusions demanded by the ecology of human nature and the reasoning process. A Catholic conscience can never take exception to the prohibition of actions which are intrinsically evil. Nor may a conscience well-formed by reason or the Catholic faith ever choose to vote for someone who clearly, consistently, persistently promotes that which is intrinsically evil.
When intrinsic evil is not involved—such as in discussions of budgetary matters—"it is not up to me or any bishop or priest to approve of Congressman Ryan’s specific budget prescription to address the best means we spoke of." Why? Because
[m]aking decisions as to the best political strategies, the best policy means, to achieve a goal, is the mission of lay people, not bishops or priests. As Pope Benedict himself has said, a just society and a just state is the achievement of politics, not the Church. And therefore Catholic laymen and women who are familiar with the principles dictated by human reason and the ecology of human nature, or non-Catholics who are also bound by these same principles, are in a position to arrive at differing conclusions as to what the best means are for the implementation of these principles . . .
It is legitimate for any Catholic layman to dispute Congressman Ryan's understanding of how the principles of Catholic social teaching should be applied when constructing the federal budget. But those who claim that such disputes justify voting for a President and Vice President who openly advocate such intrinsic evils as abortion are, at best, misguided and, at worst, deliberately placing their political allegiances above the Church's moral teaching. (See "The Practical Effects of the Seamless Garment" for a discussion of where such misguided political action had led.)
No Catholic is the United States is required to vote for a Romney-Ryan ticket simply because the presumptive Republican vice-presidential nominee is a Catholic, any more than he would have been required to vote for the Obama-Biden ticket because Joe Biden is a professed Catholic. But any attempt to equate Biden and Ryan is disingenuous at best, because, to put it in Bishop Morlino's terms, Joe Biden openly advocates policies that support intrinsic evils while Paul Ryan does not.
Or, to put it bluntly: If you disagree with Paul Ryan's understanding and application of Catholic social teaching, don't vote for Romney-Ryan. But, as Bishop Morlino makes clear, no Catholic in good conscience can use a disagreement over political strategy as an excuse to vote for those, such as Obama-Biden, who "clearly, consistently, persistently" advocate policies that are intrinsically evil.
A “professed” Catholic? Let me get this straight, you decide who is or isn’t Catholic? According to your divine notion of Catholicism? Get ready for the rapture, you’ve got some explaining to do…
Mr. Jameson, are you saying that Joe Biden isn’t a professed Catholic? Or do you not know what the word professed means?
I’ll save you a trip to the dictionary: “(of a person) self-acknowledged or openly declared to be.”
I would not call Paul Ryan a Pro Life Catholic given his obvious and callous disregard for the poor and marginalized, instead lets be honest and label these types of conservative Catholic and Christian politicians just anti-abortion.
I also wonder about any Christian who admires Ayn Rand, I do not see Jesus and Ayn Rand in the same room, not even close. I hope and pray Paul Ryan and others with the same sympathies will choose the Beatitudes over Ayn Rand.
Dave Bouslog
Dave, I’m no fan of Ayn Rand, and Ryan’s admiration for her is a big negative, in my view.
Your redefinition of “pro-life,” however, is akin to the attempts of the “seamless garment” crowd to try to downplay the immorality of abortion. I have argued repeatedly here on this site that we should hold Catholic politicians accountable on all points of Catholic moral and social teaching, but the way to do so is not by saying that it is OK to vote for politicians who support the intrinsic evil of abortion, but to hold politicians who vote for other evils—such as unjust wars and torture—to the same standard as we hold politicians who vote for abortion.
That may well mean that, in a particular race, Catholics would not vote for either major-party candidate.
Hey Pete, the Rapture? Really? You’re waiting for a make believe event.
You should read that again because he does say Joe Biden is a professed Catholic. Yes, anyone with a grasp of Catholic teaching can decide if someone that lives their life publically is living up to those teachings and therefore decide if we think that person is really a Catholic or just claims to be. Living our Catholic Faith is what makes us Catholic.
David: Really now? Ryan has a ‘callous disregard for the poor and marginalized’? Just how did you come to that conclusion? Is it because he wants our government to live within it’s means? Is it because he thinks our government should stop spending and giving away money it doesn’t have?
I have to agree with your statement on the Beatitudes, I would like to see all our politicians right along with the rest of us use the beatitudes as a guide. If we lived in a perfect society that might happen but as you well know we do not live in a perfect society and our government can’t create that perfect society by ushering in an era of socialism.
Instead of ‘sharing the wealth’ how about sharing the opportunity for people to succeed?
I like Bishop Morlino’s words, they are clear as a diamond.
Thank you, Scott, for this and all the other posts. I am reading those about the faustian bargain, since I have political troubles in my own country. They are very useful. Thanks again!
Pete, sorry, but your comments show your true colors: You are a closet Democrat, those myopic liberals who distort and denied the truth.
I think it is a great diservice to this Catholic forum to send your bias political perception. Obama is an oportunist, deceitful and an impostor. Having him again for another 4 years in the WH will be the end of America as we know it and there will be MORE poor, unemployed and homeless. Obama is for gay marriage, choice, and the most divisive president in history.
Put your agenda and move to a liberal forum instead of using a “Catholic forum to spread your liberal bias
Come on now! Joe Biden is a professed Catholic who does anything but live out his Catholic Faith! He is the extreme opposite of what a good “professed” Catholic should believe. He is, among other things, pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage. On the other hand, Paul Ryan is a professed Catholic in good standing with what our Catholic Faith teaches. No comparison here. Biden is not a good Catholic and Ryan is a good Catholic! It is time ALL of our Bishops stand and make the obvious case between Biden-Obama and Ryan-Romney! We, the laity, are tiring of and supporting “weak in our Faith” and self promoting Bishops! This time Bishops, please get it right!
Scott and Henry,
Good arguments but I disagree. The concept of a seamless garment shows us that we need to be Pro Life in all aspects of human life from conception to the end of life. Each and every human life has dignity and inherent value. I think it is grossly wrong for a politician to claim that he or she is pro life when they clearly work to enrich the very wealthy and shun the needs of those who are at the bottom of the social and economic ladder or those who are severly disabled and rely on society to provide medical and financial support. Lets call a spade a spade, these people are not pro life they are anti abortion.
Henry, in reply, I wonder about the need to live within our means while advocating for more and more military funding and at the same time wanting greater tax cuts which primarily benefit the wealthiest. The wealth of those at the top of our society is truly staggering and cannot be justified by need or usefulness. Indeed it seems sinful when contrasted to the suffering of the poorest in this world and I do not see Our Lord supporting it. Let us pray that those with that kind of wealth somehow find the poverty of spirit that our Lord exhorts us to in the Beatitudes, otherwise they seem likely to inherit eternal doom.
Dave
Dave, we may be closer than you think—for instance, I believe that we should drastically reduce military spending, and I have opposed every unjust war in my lifetime—which is, essentially, every war that the United States has fought in my lifetime.
But please be forthright here: When you say, “these people are not pro life they are anti abortion,” are you using that as an excuse to vote for candidates who proclaim themselves “pro-choice” on abortion?
I absolutely love this site. I learn a lot from the back and forth dialog. It helps me understand what social justice really means.
A question I have about intrinsic evil. We know that not taking care of the poor is wrong, see the story of Lazarus and the rich man. But the Church teaches us that abortion in all of its forms is a special wrong, an intrinsic evil. Does this equate to “mortal sin” for those who understand the Churches point of view but reject it?
If I believe that to try to help the poor by doing “A”, and you believe that helping the poor means you must do “B”, neither of us have committed a sin. But the Church tells me that “C” is evil. If in order to do “B”, I must allow “C”, then I am committing a sin. And if I fully understand the scope of the Churches teaching about “C”, the that sin is a mortal sin.
Am I correct?
I choose to vote for the democratic candidates because I believe they are closer to a full Pro Life position but not because I think pro choice is an okay position. In my view I see the republican party candidates as wolves in sheeps clothing who pose as Pro Life candidates.
I am most enthusiastic about my votes for Senator Bob Casey and in the past for his Dad Govenor Bob Casey but I find it interesting that the very conservative Bishop of Scranton, Bishop Pat Martino, was very negative toward Senator Casey and yet clearly he and his Father are and were PRO LIFE politicians in the truest sense. The PA Bishops Conference was cool toward Govenor Casey because he opposed vouchers to the Catholic school system even though his concerns were toward funding the poorer school systems. I kinda wonder who was more Catholic, the Bishops or the Governor.
Congressman Kucinich has been also one of the most Pro Life politicians in recent memory and even though he proposed a plan to significantly reduce the number of abortions in this country he was treated cooly by many Catholics despite promoting more Gospel values in his pollicy positions of any of the candidates in this country. Isn’t it interesting that these three democrats have been ignored by the Catholic community at large when I would think we would be greatly enthusiastic to their presence on the National scene for the values they bring to society. Instead we promote someone who admires Ayn Rand and even tout him as a good Catholic. Good Grief!\
The Beatitudes are our true moral code and we need to find leaders who can reflect those values. In my estimate Senator Bob Casey and Congressman Kucinich have come the closest.
Dave Bouslog
Dave Bouslog, I feel you have not correctly answered what Scott was questioning you about.
” let your yes be yes and no be no…” as our Lord said, and not the other way around where you try to point the other’s policy strategy and claim it as harming the poor and so take shelter under those who pronounce and have been practicing things which are inherently evil.
And now, your claims about Ayn Rand and Paul Ryan:
Certainly Ryan told the Atlas Society in 2005 that “the reason I got involved in public service, by and large, if I had to credit one thinker, one person, it would be Ayn Rand.” He has also boasted of requiring his interns to read Rand’s magnum opus, 1957’s Atlas Shrugged, and of giving the dystopian book as a Christmas present. But the Wisconsin representative also supported both the banker and automotive bailouts, and consistently casts pro-life votes in Congress. The puppeteer disapproving of the marionette’s words and deeds suggests that she’s not the one pulling the strings.
Consider the differences between Ryan’s reaction, and Rand’s anticipation, of President Obama’s “you didn’t build that” scolding of businessmen. “If you have a small business—you did build that,” Ryan remarked at his coming-out party last weekend. “We Americans look at one another’s success with pride, not resentment, because we know, as more Americans work hard, take risks, and succeed, more people will prosper, our communities will benefit, and individual lives will be improved and uplifted.” The congressman’s positive remarks mesh with common sense. The novelist’s depiction of a social-atom businessman seems as divorced from reality as President Obama’s flipside fantasy of entrepreneurs as creations of the state.
What the Wisconsin congressman and the Russian refugee share in common is the contempt of the Left. Where they differ is in their reactions to that venom.
Dave Bouslog, I feel you have not correctly answered what Scott was questioning you about.
” let your yes be yes and no be no…” as our Lord said, and not the other way around where you try to point the other’s policy strategy and claim it as harming the poor and so take shelter under those who pronounce and have been practicing things which are inherently evil.
And now, your claims about Ayn Rand and Paul Ryan:
Certainly Ryan told the Atlas Society in 2005 that “the reason I got involved in public service, by and large, if I had to credit one thinker, one person, it would be Ayn Rand.” He has also boasted of requiring his interns to read Rand’s magnum opus, 1957’s Atlas Shrugged, and of giving the dystopian book as a Christmas present. But the Wisconsin representative also supported both the banker and automotive bailouts, and consistently casts pro-life votes in Congress. The puppeteer disapproving of the marionette’s words and deeds suggests that she’s not the one pulling the strings.
Consider the differences between Ryan’s reaction, and Rand’s anticipation, of President Obama’s “you didn’t build that” scolding of businessmen. “If you have a small business—you did build that,” Ryan remarked at his coming-out party last weekend. “We Americans look at one another’s success with pride, not resentment, because we know, as more Americans work hard, take risks, and succeed, more people will prosper, our communities will benefit, and individual lives will be improved and uplifted.” The congressman’s positive remarks mesh with common sense. The novelist’s depiction of a social-atom businessman seems as divorced from reality as President Obama’s flipside fantasy of entrepreneurs as creations of the state.
What the Wisconsin congressman and the Russian refugee share in common is the contempt of the Left. Where they differ is in their reactions to that venom.
Dave Bouslog,
Bill Clinton chief of staff Erskine Bowles called Ryan “amazing” last year. “He is honest. He is straightforward. He is sincere. And the budget that he came forward with is just like Paul Ryan. It is a sensible, straightforward, serious budget.” Whereas Rand scowls, Ryan smiles. The district Ryan represents hasn’t voted Republican in a presidential race since Ronald Reagan’s reelection. Yet, he has never in his seven congressional races won with less than 57 percent of the vote.
So Dave, if you are so compelled [for reasons known to you alone] to vote for the Obama administration who left the four period with DEBT, DOUBT and DESPAIR, you can do so.
I did answer Scott’s question, but to be clear, no it is not an excuse to vote for a democrat who is Pro Choice. I vote for democrats who are pro choice because I believe they are closer to a Pro Life position then the republican candidates who are only anti abortion but certainly not Pro Life. Sadly this schizophrenic quality of our two parties is reflective of the sinfulness and corruption of our society as a whole and we need to look within to fix this problem. More Prayer and coming closer to God for each of us is the only real way to solve these woes.
I find it interesting that Jesus never mentions the sin of abortion in the Gospels but most often condemns us for our behavior toward our fellow man. In fact on the last day the goats come to Jesus and say ‘when did we see you naked, or hungry, or in prison…’, We know how that question ends up, very sadly for those who did not recognize Our Lord in our fellow human beings. Pro Life is both about abortions and the social gospel.
I watched the original news clip of President Obama saying that the small business man ‘did not build it’ and he was referring to all the infastructure that supports business in this country. This is a typical Karl Rovian technique to take a phrase out of context and twist it to denigrate a point of view. Education and schools, universities, roads, telephones, internet, health care, etc etc are all things that any business depends upon and having a ‘great society’ to support us gives each a chance to achieve a better life and maybe even build a business if one is lucky enough and blessed by Our Father.
Dave Bouslog
It is obvious that David needs to reread Bishop Morlino’s words again and again. There is a hierarchy of importance in social issues. All are not equal. Some behaviors like abortion are always evil. Gary’s remarks explain this is clear terms. We want to tell the church what moral issues are equal. Bishop Morlino probably has a better understanding of this hierarchy than David. If David wants to fool himself into thinking otherwise that is unfortunate for the country, the church and for humanity. But original sin still effects our behavior and ideas. We want to decide what our truth, morality, and actions should be. We all continue our journey in this election year; we all can pray and work for an appropriate outcome as the choices could not be more clear.
Dave,
although most of the websites and newspapers/magazines have published about Ryan campaigning with his mom, I thought you could have look at it to understand Ryan and his assurance to the elderly and the poor. Cick the following URL:
http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/ryan-romney-medicare-mother/2012/08/18/id/448996
There is clearly no evil intended in what Paul Ryan is speaking about, he is only suggesting a better way of strategizing for the good of the country at large.
In fact we have a problem with these politicians. We believe in someone who promised but failed to do any, and we are ok with his intrisically evil actions and proposals. And, we are led by the populist promises without an objective and broader picture of the whole gamut.
I was interested to know, how can a pro-life become a pro-choice, and the pro-choice [democrats] who are consistently persisting on that, become Pro-life? What is your wisdom in that?
Jesus may not have explicitly spoken about abortion, but in the spirit of His gospel, the light and guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church’s continual battle right from the 1st century for the sacredness of life, it is a fundamental common sense for any Catholic or Christian to uphold the pro-life stance. I would not disagree with you on the last judgement scene when Christ says, “..I was hungry and you gave me food…..”
Finally let me exhort you to re-read Archbishop’s Morlino’s article and in fact Paul Ryan himself what exactly he is trying to say. Let’s not have any prejudices.
Having endured the new wording for the catholic mass I have a decision to make. 1) I leave the church (2) I start a grassroots effort to obliterate the term consubtantiation from the English language. Seriously, what bone headed smoked way to much crack arrogant out of touch idiot thought this up and then how did he get the others to approve??? Did you take in consideration trying to teach this to small children? Are you really wanting to so pompous? Because that is how you are coming off.
So I implore all you Americans not to take this crap, find your parents missal and LOUDLY recite the prayers prior to Advent 2011.
Mary, I’m not sure what post you’re responding to, but it clearly wasn’t this one.
I think that David Bouslog is on the money. On another matter is the Catholic Church becoming a Tea Party Member?
Thanks Ted for the support.
The Good Bishop’s teaching authority notwithstanding, I am prepared to argue this point with him. I understand his point as abortion is intrinsically evil. Archbishop Chaput has made a similar argument saying that abortion is foundational to a Pro Life position and I disagree with him also. These points are not dogmatic but more catechetical and a lower level of doctrinal teaching. In the teaching against abortion I fully support the Church’s position, it is wrong and a grave matter. It is a horrible sin and we should work to eliminate it in whatever way we can. It is also a grave matter to allow children to starve to death and this very night many children in this world will die from starvation. Partly from our neglect – exceptional people, yeah right. (It is okay to consider Ayn Rand’s philosphy as worthy of our consideration?)
But allowing others to choose an evil (pro choice) versus those who actively choose the evil is the problem that I have with the republican party. Paul Ryan has voted against increasing funding for childrens healthcare (CHIP) and against school nutrition programs for poor children. He may defend his actions by saying he would rather provide block grants to the states but when the matter was on the table and he had an opportunity to take care of less fortunate children he refused. One can accuse pro choice democrats of allowing an intrinsic evil but Paul Ryan has actively chosen to neglect the needs of poor children. There are many more examples of Paul Ryan and his peers choosing to have a preferential option for the wealthy and ignoring the plight of the poor and downtrodden. These guys do not seem to act like Christians when given the chance even though they love to proclaim their so called faith. (I hope I am wrong about him and his peers but the record shows otherwise)
.
He may proclaim that he will not neglect the poor and elderly but I think his words are greatly contrasted by his actions in Congress. The “Family Values” party, yeah, sure, but I will not be buying in. Remember the query by President Reagan who wanted to know if they could count ketchup as a vegetable in school lunch programs so he could shave money out of programs to fund food for poor children.
I am curious though, that those who are clear that Paul Ryan and the so called pro life party are the better choice, would you vote for a pro life democrat, i.e. a liberal who is pro life. Or are you more committed to conservativism. In other words where is your treasure?
For me it is clear that President Obama and VP Biden are more representative of the Gospel in their policies and do more to advance God’s Kingdom while the republican party are, to quote Blessed Mother Teresa, “Jesus in a most distressing disguise”.
We are called to be Poor in Spirit, that way we can be more easily led by God, I pray that we each achieve this poverty so Our Lord can lead us and that we might choose correctly for the sake of our nation and the whole world.
Dave, I think you have greater wisdom than most of those who are trying to put forth their ideas, including the Archbishop of Denver. Read what he has said in his column in CNA:
Amid criticism of Paul Ryan’s policy proposals, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of Denver has written a column calling for more constructive discussion.
“I cannot, nor would I, endorse him or any other candidate,” Archbishop Aquila wrote. “But claims that Paul Ryan’s plan run deeply counter to Catholic social teaching are unfounded and unreasonable.”
In order to protect future generations from even greater amounts of debt than they already face, voters and politicians should approach the topic of fiscal policy with stewardship or “a Christian sense of responsibility,” the archbishop said.
“Christian stewardship cares for the poor by prudently planning-responsibly spending what is in the realm of the possible, while recognizing the limitations of our resources,” he wrote.
Therefore, everyone should consider the topic of public policy with an emphasis on how current decisions will impact the future of America, he said.
“We should have a serious debate about whether Paul Ryan’s plans- and those of his political opponents- serve our national purpose. We should discuss seriously whether they utilize just means. But we should also discuss whether his plans, and those of his opponents, prudently steward the resources we have.”
Dave,
the democrats are saying that they want to promote abortions, bring about legislations regarding misconstrued understanding of marriage, take the country’s economy deeper into sheol. And you say they are OK because they are ‘pro-life’,
while, the republican-Ryan says that he wants the economic growth of the country to enhance and sustain for a longer period the social security within the country, and he vouchs for taking care of the poor and elderly, and you say he and his team are pro-choice.
No one has found fault with the catholic faith and living of Ryan and infact three bishops have already supported his Catholic faith and life. But this is not the case in the life of JOe Biden and his counterpart Obama.
Why do you give wrong excuses to support your argument. I think people have tried to put forth their ideas, but you look adamant. And in the gospel we are told, “…after pursuading in private, before two witness and in the public, if still the person is unpersuadable, leave him”,.. may you have your reward.
A few questions: For those aborted what relavancy is there in ‘other Catholic Social Justice’? If there is no life – there is no issue.
Have you ever ran for or held public office? If not, I suggest you get off your laurels, do the campaigning, and find out the time, research, discussion and compromise it takes to come to a decision of how best to serve the American people.
Isn’t infrastructure and public assistance paid through tax dollars? Those dollars come from businesses and emplyees of those businesses. Thank God for for all those willing to take the risk of ownership (If you have a 401k invested in mutual funds or the market that’s you!) to provide jobs for the rest.
Are the “Catholics” voting Democrat serious? Social Justice? Really? That is what you are worried about? Not the party that attacks the Catholic Church, their freedom of religion, and whose ideology kills more babies than Stalin ever wished?
The ‘Nuns on the Bus’ and every other Leftist theologian (i.e. Michael Pfleger–I can’t believe that guy is a Priest–it is a joke) needs to stick with the gospels and keep their pie holes shut about “what is Caesars.”
Can anyone tell me a good definition of ‘Social Justice?’ It is just another Liberal cliche that really means ‘Marxism with a smile’–spreading the wealth around. That trumps the murder of children?
What a bunch of hypocrites. People are upset that Ryan likes the economic theories of Ayn Rand, who was an Atheist, but support the ideals of Karl Marx–another Atheist who coined the term, “opiate of the masses” to describe religion. How many people did Rand kill compared to Communism? Milton Friedman grew up in a Jewish household, does that mean his economic policies are wrong? Not at all.
Do you go to a Nun for financial advice? No, you go to an Economist. Does Ryan want to get rid of Medicare? No, he wants to make sure it will be around in the future. I can’t partake in the Eucharist because I married a heretic–a Protestant–but pigs like the VP and his ilk can partake in Communion with smiles on their faces while they support gay marriage and abortion. I think the Church needs to re-think their priorities.
Ryan’s fiscal plan can make people more prosperous so they can give more to the Church and the needy. A Marxist ‘spread the wealth’ mentality can only make more people poor–financially and spiritually.
Compared to Biden, Ryan is St. Paul. Is he a ‘perfect’ Catholic? Who is? There have been bad Popes–like the Libertine, Pope Alexander VI–a Borgia. We do not go to Church because we are perfect–if that was the case, the pews would be empty.
Steve, thank you very much for your comment, it was very edifying and inspirational, all the best. Paul Ryan sounds more Convinced [of his philosophy emanating from Catholicism], Committed [for the economic growth and prosperity of America] and truly Catholic [as has been evinced by his own bishops and even Cardinal Dolan]. Let’s hope he walks his talk.
This is a tremendous opportunity for practicing Catholics to support a great Catholic candidate like Paul Ryan.
Ryan co-sponsored the Sanctity of Human Life Act, which would guarantee the right to life under the constitution. The NRLC rated Ryan 100%. Ryan’s record also indicates he’s strongly pro-traditional marriage.
The best methods for the government to help the poor can be debated by Catholics. But Catholics cannot debate the importance of the right to life and the protection of traditional marriage.
But what if my conscience tells me that in the larger picture Romney and Ryan would do more harm than good? Thank you, I’ll follow and vote my own conscience and ask others to keep their noses out of mine.