The following letters to the editor appear in the edition of Oct. 14, 2004. Letters appearing in this space do not necessarily reflect the views of the Arlington Catholic Herald or the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. The editor reserves the right to edit letters as necessary. There is no guarantee of publication. Send letters to: letters@catholicherald.com.

Moral Voting

I am writing in response to a letter that appeared recently in your paper, "Stop Making Excuses" (ACH 10/7/04). The reflective letter indicates that we should have more disdain for the killing of children than the killing of criminals. One presidential candidate, John F. Kerry, personally does not support the killing of children through abortion but politically favors the appointment of pro-choice judges. Shouldn't we have more disdain for Kerry's platform than Bush's? Yes, we should.

"Stop Making Excuses" acknowledges the fact that it is one's moral responsibility to vote and is choosing not to support anyone who is in favor of killing anyone else. Right to the left of this letter in Editor's Desk is 'Cheer Up and Vote,' an insightful explanation as to why one must vote. According to Benjamin D. Wilker, "not voting means handing power to those in either political party who makes us feel so uncomfortable about voting. On a deeper and more desperate level, we must vote for the sake of democracy. Those who are successfully dragging us toward extreme democracy — where liberty is license and where there's no distinction between good and evil — will destroy democracy itself."

A distinction has been made by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Catechism states, "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion" (No. 2271).

In the past three-and-a-half years, one political party has made a distinction between good and evil in its platform on abortion and in its political appointments. As Wilker points out, "sins are also committed by omission and we will be judged on how we did not act, as well as how we did." Not voting can be construed as a sin of omission in this case. When we go to confession we are supposed to confess sins of comission and omission.  Not acting can be as bad as acting in some cases.

Just because we are frustrated or dissatisfied with a political party because it is not "the correct Catholic political party" doesn't justify making an excuse for not voting in the upcoming election.

We must vote in this election for the unborn, for future pro-life Supreme Court judges and for our democracy which carries the responsibility of the collective conscience of the United States.

Mary Beth Burke
Ashburn

‘Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry’

In this critical moment in the history of our country when it appears that the election of the president will be decided by the undecided Catholic voters, may Catholics "stop being political spectators and stand up for the moral teachings of the Church."

May we turn to Our Lady of Guadalupe, empress of the Americas, patroness of unborn, and pray daily the prayer given to us by Pope Pius XII for our country:

"Hail O Virgin of Guadalupe, Empress of America! Keep forever under your powerful patronage the purity and integrity of our holy faith on the entire American continent." (Please pray three Hail Marys — one each for North, Central and South America.)

Our heavenly mother will help us to have an informed conscience, and we will then be able to vote accordingly. We know that in the end God’s most holy divine will will triumph.

Denise Heisler
Augusta, Maine

Abortion Should Not Be Campaign Slogan

As clearly seen through his column, George Weigel is a Republican first and foremost ("The Conscience of Catholic Voters" ACH 10/7/04). I resent his dictating how Catholics should vote as if the Republican Party represents the social doctrines of Jesus Christ.

I hate abortion, but the Republication Party, nor any party, will not be able to outlaw it in this day and age. The morning-after pill is available and, of course, even if banned will sell like candy on the open black market.

Abortion has always existed, as has sin. Changes in law will not stop abortion, but reasonable restrictions will limit its effects.

Continue the campaign against any government support or participation in abortion, but stop using the issue as a campaign slogan for the Republican Party, the party for preemptive war, the party for the super-rich, the party that forgets the middle and working classes.

Robert J. O’Neill
Front Royal

Pray and Vote

In response to Pete in Woodbridge’s letter "Stop Making Excuses" (ACH 10/7/04), I say please do not throw away your right to vote. This privilege was hard-won by loss of life and blood. Many in our world do not have it.

I understand your frustration with these two life issues, and I agree that the death penalty is wrong. What do we do? We don’t give up and despair. Did not Jesus say, "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you?" Yes. He wants us to ask. So we pray for George Bush and other politicians to think rightly on this issue. I also pray for John Kerry to think rightly (and to have true convictions and vote those convictions) about abortion, euthanasia, marriage, embryonic stem-cell research and cloning.

The fact is, candidates are no more perfect than the rest of us, and I don’t think it is possible to find one who agrees with us on everything.

So, how does one vote? You consider the most important issues first, and if those are moral issues, then you vote for the moral candidate. There is really no question that the millions of children aborted in this country is a more serious evil by far than the innocent people who may suffer the death penalty. Abortion is also a bigger issue than the environment, the economy or gun control. Please pray and vote in this election.

Christine Rogers
Warrenton

Christmas Project for the D.C. Jail

The Christmas holidays will soon be upon us and many of us will be wondering how we can incarnate the love and peace of Jesus to those less fortunate than ourselves. What can we do to make a difference in the lives of others? In the name of the chaplains of the D.C. Jail, I am asking your assistance in the annual Christmas project for our residents. This project allows for each of the now 2400 residents of the jail to receive a Christmas gift of basic toiletry articles, writing paper and pen, socks and a piece of candy. Each packet costs approximately $15, with the entire project running over $31,000. We are asking your support in the following ways:

For more information on the project and directions to Centro Maria, call 301/773-1926. Checks are payable to: Prison Outreach Ministry, P.O. Box 2173, Hyattsville, Md. 20784.

Margaret Taylor
Prison Outreach Ministry

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