The elections this year will be the most important in our lifetime. I have heard this statement frequently in the past months. In any case, very much is at stake and it is absolutely critical that all of us approach the election with seriousness and with well-formed moral convictions. We dare not vote for a candidate simply because he or she speaks well, looks nice, belongs to a particular party, or is recommended by a friend. We need to vote for a candidate because he or she represents our values as Catholic Christians and will be effective in supporting them.
Our American bishops have been speaking out for months on the critical nature of this coming election. There are serious issues that confront us: the war in Iraq, the economy, immigration, health care, environmental concerns, energy dependency, etc. But the bishops insist that one issue should be preeminent for Catholics — protection of innocent life at all stages of its development. Without life, all other benefits are non-existent.
The life issue has been raised in view of the large number of abortions in our land each year. The Catholic teaching is simply that abortion is an intrinsically evil act; it is wrong in all circumstances and under all conditions. No one can justify it by claims about the “situation” or the "intention." We may debate the morality of decisions concerning how to end the war, fix the economy, save energy, etc. But, as Catholics, we cannot debate the morality — or rather, the immorality — of abortion.
Some people these days — including some Catholics — argue that if a candidate for office supports abortion but his or her support for other issues seems to be in line with Catholic social teaching, then these other issues outweigh the evil of abortion. Yet it is difficult to see how things balance out. Consider this one aspect: since 1973, an estimated 47 million unborn children have been killed by abortion (1.3 million each year in recent years, an average of 4,000 per day). Every day more abortions occur than all the deaths on 9/11 and about the same number as the total military deaths in Iraq up to now. Furthermore it is a matter of fact that the total number of military deaths in all the wars of the United States (including Indian Wars, the Philippine conflict, the current Iraq war, etc.) is reported as 13,153,000. Abortions in the last 35 years have been 47 million. I find it hard to see how to balance things out.
Other considerations have been brought forth by our bishops. For example, pro-abortion forces have been striving to solidify their position. The “Freedom of Choice Act” (FOCA) has been introduced in Congress. This act would enshrine abortion (including partial-birth abortion) in our society as a fundamental “right.” It would take an amendment to the Constitution after that to curb abortions. In addition, several Supreme Court Justices will be retiring in the next few years. What kind of judges will be appointed to replace them?
So, as we examine the positions of candidates for office and as we take into account their stance on the war, immigration, the economy, health care, etc., we must also and initially look at their position on the life issues.
It is crucial to the future of our country. And our concern should be not only for presidential or Congressional candidates but also for those at other levels of government, especially at the state level. Many times it is here that civic officials can promote a cultural of life — or of death.
Elections involve serious moral choices. We enter the voting booth not alone, but with God. That’s a sobering thought.
Father John Leies, SM, STD, is president emeritus of St. Mary’s University and was formerly head of the Theology Department there.