Diocese of Scranton warns about messages from liberal ‘Catholic’ groups

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Scranton, Pa., Oct 30, 2008 / 01:18 pm (CNA).- The Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania has continued educating its members on the importance of life during this election season. In a new video titled, “The Catholic Church and Life Issues,” the diocese refutes claims by groups such as Catholics United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good that Catholics can vote for a pro-choice politician.

The video, which is posted on the Diocese of Scranton web site, discusses the importance of defending human life this election, though some groups are targeting Catholics to convince them that the issue is not one of relevance.

The same topic was addressed by the Bishop of Scranton, Joseph F. Martino earlier this month when he surprised organizers of a political forum at a Pennsylvania parish. He warned the faithful in attendance of groups and individuals who wrongly interpret the bishop’s statements – particularly their document on Faithful Citizenship – “to justify their political positions and to contradict the Church’s actual teaching on the centrality of abortion, euthanasia and embryonic stem cell research.”

The video notes that two groups in particular, Catholics United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good “claim to be concerned about Catholic teaching and the common good.”

However, the video notes, that is not the case. These groups “are telling you that a Catholic may vote for a candidate who supports abortion so long as he is not voting because of the candidate’s support of abortion.”

The groups have distributed postcards to Catholics in the Scranton area saying that Catholics can vote for a pro-choice candidate for grave, moral reasons. The video addresses this saying that the Catholic bishops have also firmly stated that these reasons “must be proportionate to the evil of abortion.”

“No issue facing Americans in this election rises to that standard because abortion has taken the lives of 48.5 million unborn babies since it was legalized in 1973,” notes the video.

Addressing claims that overturning Roe v. Wade will not end abortion, the video informs viewers that, “the truth is that Roe v. Wade denies the protection of the law to the unborn. Overturning it will certainly reduce the amount of abortions in this country.”

Catholic citizens ‘are faced with a number of important issues this year,” many of which can be reasonably debated among Catholics. “However there can be no debate on the relative gravity of issues involving the taking of a human life,” the diocese’s video says.

The Diocese of Scranton also warns its faithful against Catholics United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, calling them “neither united nor allied with authentic Catholic teaching.” “Catholics and non-Catholics alike should not be misled by them.”

“Let us pray for the wisdom and good judgment to be faithful citizens precisely because we are faithful to the teachings of the church,” the video concludes.

Bishop Martino also released a pastoral letter in early October to members of his diocese reminding them that as Americans, all men are “created equal” with the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

“The Church’s teaching that all life from conception to natural death should be protected by law is founded on religious belief to be sure, but it is also a profoundly American principle founded on reason,” he wrote. “Whenever a society asks its citizens to violate its own foundational principles – as well as their moral consciences – citizens have a right, indeed an obligation, to refuse.”

Comments: 7

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Henry
Scranton, PA 08/31/2009 07:37 PM EST

Intersting... The only comment that expresses no sympathy for the unborn is from a priest.

Published by: Father A.
Orlando, Florida, USA 11/03/2008 07:19 AM EST

Truth be told,focusing on the abortion issue as a determinant of who to vote for, leaves us with NO choice, therefore NO vote for anyone.Republicans talk a good line, but have NOT changed a thing, and we don't hear a thing about it.
And it would seem that the Catholic Church is encouraging a vote for the Republican Candidate because of what he said, not what he has done, or not done in this case. In other issues the Democrats are so much more Gospel oriented with concern for the poor, and disadvantaged that if faced with a choice of NO one based on a single issue, it is better to vote for SOME one for the good of the country, and continue to work to change things for the better.

Published by: Kevin
Austin/Texas 11/01/2008 02:28 PM EST

OK well said everyone--let me just add to Catholics in PA and other battlegroud states like MO and FL--Please vote Pro Life since the soul you save may be your own. Jesus knows all, pro life is a Catholic foundational issue of which there is none higher in the social rhelm. Pleas edo the right thing and educate others. Our Country is counting on your help do it for yourself and others.

Published by: Linda
Ontario 10/31/2008 12:38 PM EST

Do the Catholics of Scranton realize how blessed they are to have such a bishop? A teacher who is not afraid to teach; a shepherd who does not hesitate to lead! Many of the rest of us are tempted to envy you!

Published by: antran
Atlanta GA 30310 USA 10/31/2008 08:19 AM EST

Danger from within is more dangerous than dangers from outside. Cathoilics who disobey the authentic and traditional teaching of the Church, are rebels; may I say this? they are a domestic Troy horse built not by the Greeks but by the Trojans themaelves.

Published by: Michael Johns
Washington USA 10/30/2008 02:18 PM EST

Keep up the good work Joseph Martino. We need more courageous and direct leadership in the American Church. As John Paul II put it so bluntly, being free in America means the obligation to do what we ought, not what we want. MJ

Published by: Jack
NY 10/30/2008 01:26 PM EST

Excellent article.

CCC 817 speaks well groups not in unity with the Church:

In fact, "in this one and only Church of God from its very beginnings there arose certain rifts, which the Apostle strongly censures as damnable. But in subsequent centuries much more serious dissensions appeared and large communities became separated from full communion with the Catholic Church - for which, often enough, men of both sides were to blame." The ruptures that wound the unity of Christ's Body - here we must distinguish heresy, apostasy, and schism - do not occur without human sin:

"Where there are sins, there are also divisions, schisms, heresies, and disputes. Where there is virtue, however, there also are harmony and unity, from which arise the one heart and one soul of all believers."

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