MyCatholicSource.com - 'Quick Help' Page: Catholics Voting For Abortion-Supporting Politicians

Answer / Resources:

[click link(s) below, as applicable]

We also do not understand how Catholics can support politicians who promote the killing of the unborn (murder in the womb). The horrible crime of abortion is obviously contrary to Catholic teachings and those who support it will have to answer to God their actions. How someone can claim to be Catholic yet not see a problem with killing innocent children made in God's image is unfathomable to us. Do they actually expect that God has no problem with the murdering of innocent, defenseless children made His image? Do they not fear their judgment? Even in the Church, this crime is subject to the most severe penalty...

"Can. 1398 A person who procures a completed abortion incurs a latae sententiae excommunication." (1983 Code of Canon Law)

Do they deny that a life is taken? One only has to look into the horrible methods used to murder unborn children (for examples, try here - WARNING: GRAPHIC)

Do they forget that one of the four sins 'Crying to Heaven for Vengeance' is willful murder?

"And he said to him: What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth to me from the earth." (Gen. 4:10)

Do they ignore the prediction of Catholic Bishops of Iowa...

"[T]his horrible crime [of abortion]...will eventually draw down divine punishment on our nation."

Do they not recall that...

"...whoever disobeys the Son [Christ] will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him." (Jn. 3:36)

With respect to our civic duties, we think it would be wise for priests to remind us often of our future judgment and instill in us a fear of hell...

"Live in fear of the day of judgment and have a great horror of hell." [St. Benedict (Rule)]

"What can there be that is worse than hell? Yet nothing is more profitable than the fear of it! For the fear of hell gains for us the crown of the kingdom" (St. John Chrysostom, Doctor of the Church)

It is also good to remember that we can be an accessory to other's sins by consent, by silence, by defending the ill done, etc. – so someone does NOT actually have to undergo an abortion personally to be guilty of sin if they intentionally support the sin of abortion and help to promote it.

Those who have knowingly voted for abortion-supporting politicians in the past should repent, say a good Act of Contrition, and have a good sacramental Confession as soon as possible. In the future, they should change their voting (e.g. only vote for men who reject abortion and other evils).

We wish more bishops & priests would speak up often against this horrible sin and instruct the flock concerning proper Catholic voting. As we know, the Catholic vote can be very powerful. God grant that it may be used for good.

The laity can also do their part in educating others about the evil of abortion and helping to promote proper Catholic voting habits.

To answer your questions more succinctly, we suspect Catholics either vote for abortion supporting politicians because they don't know or don't care. It should be possible for the Church (and laity) to work on both of these reasons.

As to whether those who vote for abortion supporting politicians are "truly Catholic", we would say only that they are not acting like it (as we would not want to make blanket statements judging someone's Catholicity). We do believe with proper instruction many misguided Catholics would change their voting to better align with Catholic principles. Those who are rightly educated yet remain unwilling to vote properly as Catholics may bring their own Catholicity into suspicion, IMHO.

Reminder: We make no guarantee whatsoever regarding any item herein. Items herein may be the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect our views. All applicable items may be subject to change at any time without notice. Utilize any link(s) appearing on this page at your own risk. For more terms information, see "Important Notice" below.