As Citizens (Catholic or not), we all have obligations to the States: Patriotism, Military service, Payment of Taxes, Voting and Obedience to the Law (unless, however, the law commands an immoral act- then we are obliged to disobey because of our duties to God take precedence over our duties to sate)
Thus, we have an obligation to vote as an informed citizen; we should vote intelligently. At times, if no candidate presents a moral position, then we would be justified in not voting. We should make our voting decisions on the basis of which candidate is closest to Catholic moral principles, and is most likely to fulfill the basic purpose of government- which, as explained by Thomas Aquinas in his Summa, is to lead man to his ultimate good.

If Catholics were Catholic, we would learn from countries who have been much, much more successful than us in keeping the need for abortion to a minimum. We would learn about interventions that save more money than they cost (because unplanned pregnancies are more likely to create babies with lifelong health needs and reduce the parents’ ability to become economically self-sufficient). We’d learn that treating kids with respect and helping them develop the skills they need to make wise decisions is much more effective than preaching at them and telling them what they should do. Preaching usually leads to rebellion because it treats young people like they are infants, incapable of thinking for themselves. They tend to become irresponsible in their decision making since we don’t help them learn to think.

There’s so much more we could be doing. We can learn a lot from our European sisters and brothers.

Protecting the smallest and most defenseless is not a black and white issue. That is why we need to use faith and reason to make the most life-affirming decisions. By menstruating this month, I flushed an ova down the toilet. To protect my human ova, should I get pregnant at every chance I get? Or at some point, does my ability to feed and protect my living, breathing, talking children outweigh the need to protect quantity of human life?

If I am living at the end of my rope struggling to stop myself from becoming abusive toward my children, or if I know that another pregnancy will cause my husband to become increasingly violent in a life-threatening way toward us all, is it really that clear that I should put my children’s lives in danger in order to protect a zygote? If I do what it takes to protect those children rather than increase the stress that has accelerated the level of violence in my home? When does generating life destined to live in degrading abusive environments of human trafficking somehow become more moral than doing my best to create a world in which I have the resources to love, honor, and protect my existing children? And how on earth can any human believe that he or she can take God’s place and judge others on these issues?

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Archbishop Chaput relies on the claims of anti death penalty folks when discussing the secular issues. This is a disservice to his flock, as well as to the truth.

In addition, the fact that innocents are more at risk without the death penalty is just the beginning of Pope John Paul II’s death penalty errors within “Evangelium Vitae”, which also suffers from biblical, theological and traditional death penalty errors that were the basis for the Catechism amendments.

One good example is Archbishop Chaput’s essay

http://www.archden.org/dcr/news.php?e=120&s=2&a=2774

All of the facts he uses are either false or unproven anti death penalty claims.

He must do better.

It wouldn’t be perfect, but it would be better than letting all go to pot, so as not to possibly become McCarthyist. Unfortunately, the Catholic Church is the only one that can do it, if anyone, and the Church ordained many wolves in shepherd’s clothing. 20 years ago, the last Pope could have retired these bishops and bishops from their posts and had put in real shepherds from reputable (for a good reason) seminaries, but didn’t, and so here we are. We have all these apostolates and counter-actors and lazy leaders at the same time. I can understand leaders burning out, but that’s when, as in sports, you make a substitution.

The recent pope has rattled the cage, but he needs to quit traveling and shake off the wolves and dead branches from their jurisdiction as we need shepherds.
We need old disciplines restored, decent architecture, Catholic music only Anglicans seem to sing, etc

I read “Render Unto Caesar” before the election and wanted to tell everyone I knew about it. Archbishop Chaput, whom I’m very proud to have as my Archbishop here in Denver, is an amazing teacher. I’ve been fortunate also to hear his homilies at the Cathedral in Denver which is his parish many times.

One of the many things that stuck with me from his book is how Catholics like wearing the Catholic BRAND, but they don’t like to follow what Catholicism teaches. The BRAND is what appeals to so many.

My kids attend a Catholic School here in Denver. I was absolutely astounded at how overwhelmingly in support the parent-body was of Obama—Obama stickers on all the cars in the parking lot. I was one of maybe 2 or 3 cars in the school parking lot that dared to have a McCain sticker on their car. They did a mock election in the school and again, Obama won. It’s like these people have thrown their faith to the wind becasue they’re looking for this new savior to redeem them. Good luck with that.