By Deacon Keith A. Fournier

© Third Millennium, LLC

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Pope John Paul II (The Gospel of Life, Par. 62):

“Therefore, by the authority which Christ conferred upon Peter and his Successors, in communion with the Bishops--who on various occasions have condemned abortion and who in the aforementioned consultation, albeit dispersed throughout the world, have shown unanimous agreement concerning this doctrine--I declare that direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder, since it is the deliberate killing of an innocent human being. This doctrine is based upon the natural law and upon the written Word of God, is transmitted by the Church's Tradition and taught by the ordinary and universal Magisterium. No circumstance, no purpose, no law whatsoever can ever make licit an act which is intrinsically illicit, since it is contrary to the Law of God which is written in every human heart, knowable by reason itself, and proclaimed by the Church.”

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Letter to a faithful Catholic Activist from an unfaithful Catholic voter:

“Sorry but, although I'm a practicing Catholic, I am also pro-choice. In fact, most of my Catholic friends are also pro-choice. This does not make us pro-abortion. But I don't think it is my moral decision to decide for someone else. Again, sorry”.

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It was early Sunday morning. I checked my E-Mail. Attached to a disheartened letter from a friend was the above E-Mail letter.

I could almost feel the disappointment in my friend’s E-Mail to me. It popped off the page! She was disappointed in having even received this kind of E-Mail.

Unfortunately, she wrote, it was all too typical. She informs me that she is receiving similar E-Mails on a daily basis.

This dedicated contemporary woman activist (whom I have labeled a contemporary “Catherine of Siena”), had prayed… and worked… so hard to get a Catholic candidate for public office to stand up for life. Unfortunately, this candidate, also a woman, was being unfaithful.

In her activism, my friend was trying to mobilize other Catholic citizens to stand with her in her faithful citizenship! Yet, she was running into this kind of response, reflected in this E-Mail.

She was so discouraged that it was coming, from of all sources, Catholics!

In her ceaseless efforts, informed by her own Catholic faith, to influence the political debate and elect public officials who are dedicated to the dignity of every human life from conception to natural death, her worst opponents were coming from her own Church!

Her disappointment and frustration were palpable.

I understand.

I have been in the work for decades now, trying to help Catholics, other Christians and indeed all people of good will to inform their political participation by the truth. The common good is only promoted when the dignity of every human life, at every stage and age, is the polestar of all law and public policy.

Well, it is election time again and the old haunt is still among us. Many of you reading this letter know the problem, unfaithful Catholics failing to inform their political judgments by a correct understanding of the teachings of their own Church and the obligations of their own Baptism.

I wrote my friend the following quick E-Mail response:

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Dear ______________:

Do not grow discouraged. Truth always wins.

The problem is that many Catholics are not catechized and are all too often being deceived by some unfaithful Catholics in public life---and, unfortunately, by some unfaithful clergy.

That is why "cultivate your faith" is first in the twin proclamation of the mission of “Your Catholic Voice.”

“Cultivate your Faith/Activate Your Voice”

We are dealing with unfaithful Catholics.

So what do we do?

We pray, we sacrifice, we work, we trust...knowing that the Lord Himself knows the dilemma, it is His Church and His world and He has raised up a response in our time.

We are a part of it.

However, we must engage the challenge as He does… with truth and charity.

I have seen too many say the "solution" is the "Bishops...the priests or even the deacons..."

“If THEY only did thus and so..."

Yet, they fail to act themselves.

What you are doing lies at the heart of the solution. It is the lay faithful who will wage this struggle to the inevitable result, the triumph of the truth and the protection of human life, at every age and stage!

Remember, this ...