Catholics Get Political | Catholic Central

[@christophercastillo7693]

Great Video. Thank you

[@billmurphy577]

You hit all the points on the head

[@GovtWatchdog]

thank you! I will vote for R

[@humberto9250]

thank you! I will vote for D

[@elizabetharr8551]

abortion isn't the only issue, but carries a very heavy weight to it, and it cannot be overlooked in favor of issues that are not proportional like the environment (which is still important)

[@CatholicCentralVideos]

The Catholic Church teaches that while abortion is not the only issue, it carries a very heavy moral weight due to its direct attack on innocent human life. But, this does not diminish the importance of other issues, such as the environment, but calls for a balanced approach that prioritizes the right to life as foundational. Catholics are encouraged to engage in political and social life holistically, advocating for the protection of all human life and dignity in accordance with the Church’s comprehensive social teaching.

[@elizabetharr8551]

@@CatholicCentralVideos thank you for your very quick and true response on this older video :)

[@mudbug7175]

How about dictatorship?

[@elizabetharr8551]

@@mudbug7175 I don't know a lot about that topic wrt voting, but at least for the US, the two primary runners right now probably seem, to the opposing side, like they want dictatorship. I think we should differentiate between actual historical and present dictatorship vs someone having policies we don't agree with. In the case of abortion, many people feel like conservatives are trying to control them, and I understand the fear. Yet the vast majority are trying to uplift and protect innocent life while helping mothers too. If this is the kind of issue you are referring to, maybe examine why moral people can support a position you disagree with, and focus on following the Church's teachings. If it's not, and you're in another country, I would think that if someone is already threatening to overtake a country and overturn its laws by force, the outcome of the election is moot, and they'll take power either way. I don't know though and would ask a priest. God bless.

[@mudbug7175]

Pause at 49 seconds. I'm guessing that I won't hear one word about the Constitution in this video. Pause at 5:09. Yep. I was right. Not a word about our Constitution. Now lemme see if I got this straight...I'm supposed to let a bunch of foreigners, who don't live here and can't vote here, who have no grasp of American government, no education in American civics, who are totally isolated from the challenges which we face in American society, who have no understanding of the Constitution- which is the Supreme Law of the Land...I'm supposed to let them tell me how to vote? I'm supposed to read the Cathecism for enlightenment on voting? Not documents from American history? Constitution, Declaration of Independence, Federalist and Antifederalist Papers, Virginia Declaration of Rights...Treaty of Tripoli (go ahead, look it up, I dare you- pay special attention to Article 11. Spoiler alert: The U.S. is NOT, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion) Ok. Per Cathecism, I'm supposed to vote and defend the country. I'm supposed to be anti-abortion too. I will NOT argue that abortion is a good, moral act according to the teachings of the church and/or what is found in the Bible. (Yeah, I know, that last was redundant. Teachings of the church are in the Bible). I will argue that it is permissible, in at least some cases, per the Constitution. What is not permissible is dictatorship and/or treason. (Why are all y'all republicans squirming when y'all read that? Hitting a little close to home?) And if you join the military, you are required to swear an oath to the Constitution. So defend the country per Catechism? That would involve defending the Constitution- which is obviously not a priority for the church. Not even mentioned. And dictatorships have proven themselves to be very pro-death many times. Here's an idea though. How about we focus on issues of day to day life in the physical realm with politics. Stuff like housing, healthcare, wages, law enforcement reform, infrastructure. How about policies that deal witth the issues that compel so many people to come here? I didn't hear that either. Bottom line, I don't care what a bunch of crusty, old, foreign born, raised and living, ineligible to vote, mummified monks, nuns and cardinal butt kissers of the pope have to say on U.S. politics. You shouldn't either.

[@CatholicCentralVideos]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s clear that you deeply value the Constitution and principles of American governance. But bear in mind that the Catholic Church transcends national boundaries, and its teachings related to our civil responsibilities speak from a universal moral perspective. You mention “stuff like housing, healthcare, wages” and so on, and these are precisely the categories addressed by Catholic Social Teaching around the world and, as well, by Nick and Gabby explicitly in the episode (1:46-2:43). The Catechism of the Catholic Church doesn’t replace the Constitution by any means , but it invites not only US citizens but Catholics of every nation on earth to approach civic and social life through the lens of the Church’s teachings on love of neighbor and human dignity. It encourages us to follow Christ’s example in seeking justice, protecting the vulnerable, and promoting the common good. This includes standing up for life, human dignity, and addressing the needs of those suffering. Nick keeps wanting to know who to vote for, and Gabby keeps steering him back to the broader perspective. That’s our thrust in the episode - not specific laws or candidates or issues, but our moral and ethical disposition as we engage them. Finally, we are not sure who you mean by the “bunch of foreigners.” The Catechism of the Church received input from Catholic representatives of virtually every nationality, US citizens included, reflecting again the global nature of the Church. In the U.S., the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)-made up largely of American-born bishops-helps Catholics, in accord with the Catechism, to form their conscience as they prepare to vote, ensuring it’s done with both faith and responsibility. By the way, if “y’all Republicans” is meant to describe us and our viewership, it may or may not be a surprise for you to learn that US Catholics are split between “left” and “right” pretty much along the same lines as the national population.