Benedicts Bishops: Bishop Thomas Paprocki Tells Us, 'Think and Pray About Your Vote In Upcoming Election'

By Deacon Keith Fournier
9/30/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

A vote for a candidate who promotes actions or behaviors that are intrinsically evil and gravely sinful makes you morally complicit and places the eternal salvation of your own soul in serious jeopardy

I am not telling you which party or which candidates to vote for or against, but I am saying that you need to think and pray very carefully about your vote, because a vote for a candidate who promotes actions or behaviors that are intrinsically evil and gravely sinful makes you morally complicit

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

SPRINGFIELD, IL (Catholic Online) - I make it a regular task to call attention to the wonderful Bishops we have in the Catholic Church in the United States. There are more being raised up daily by this great Pope. We will not join with those in what I call the "Catholic circular firing squad" in blaming the Bishops for the challenges we face. We are all, in the words of Pope Benedict, "Co-Responsible" for the Church.

The Holy Father chose a significant address he delivered to the 6th Assembly of the International Catholic Action Forum on August 10, 2012 to call on the lay faithful to assume their vital role. He explained: "Co-responsibility requires a change in mentality, particularly with regard to the role of the laity in the Church, who should be considered not as "collaborators" with the clergy, but as persons truly "co-responsible" for the being and activity of the Church. It is important, therefore, that a mature and committed laity be united, who are able to make their own specific contribution to the Church's mission."

Active political participation is primarily the role of the lay faithful. That involvement is now most urgent as we approach this crucial Presidential election. It is not the role of the Bishops to directly engage the political sphere. It is the role of the Bishops to teach the lay faithful about their special obligation to active and faithful citizenship.

From the very beginning of the Church, the Apostles and their successors, the Bishops had the primary task of teaching the faithful so that they could fully live the Christian faith and give it away to others. The Church has always been blessed with good teaching Bishops, especially at critical times in her history. We are living in just such a time.

Some of the most profound teaching on the Christian Faith and way of life is found in the Apostolic Fathers. We have letters which circulated from the first few centuries written by giants like Polycarp and Ignatius of Antioch. We also have sets of instructions and catechetical teaching to the early church such as the Didache (the Teaching of the Twelve).

The word encyclical means a circulating letter. We now attach the word mostly to the most authoritative teaching in the letters from the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. However, it is derived from the way those letters from the early church bishops were passed around to believers. They were circulated among the faithful of the Church.

Throughout Church history the teaching of Bishops has helped the faithful to mature in their faith, apply that faith to their daily lives and grow in their capacity to influence their age and progress in holiness. So it so it must be in our own day.

Bishop Thomas Paprocki is another courageous and holy Bishop. He was set over the faithful of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010. What a gift. He is one of those whom I am now calling "Benedict's Bishops". He writes a regular column for the official newspaper of the Diocese, the Catholic Times.

His columns are always excellent. They are a regular feature of this fine newspaper and grouped under the theme of Lex Cordis Caritas - The law of the heart is Love. However, his recent column could not pass by me without my making it widely available to as many people as possible.

I offer it below for our readers around the globe. It needs a much wider circulation. It is entitled "Think and pray about your vote in upcoming election." Please read it, pray through it, photocopy it, distribute it, send it by E mail and post it on your social network. Then, act on it.

*****
Think and pray about your vote in upcoming election.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki
Series:Lex Cordis Caritas - The law of the heart is Love

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

Much attention was given at the Democratic National Convention held recently in Charlotte, N.C., to the fact that all references to God had been purged from the draft version of the party platform. After outcries of protest from outside as well as within the Democratic Party, the sentence with the same reference to God used in 2008 was restored to read, "We need a government that stands up for the hopes, values and interests of working people, and gives everyone willing to work hard the chance to make the most of their God-given potential."

Before anyone relaxes and ...

1 | 2 Next Page

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

1 - 10 of 11 Comments

Susan Carroll
7 months ago
It is time we do stand by "who" to vote for. The DNC is supported and in the words of the Communist Party of America, have been infiltrated to the extent they endorse DNC candidates. The DNC "booed" God at their convention! Seriously, America wake up. We need a Black Robe regiment, Priests that preach of unalienable rights which come from God. Our Founding as a Christian Nation. We have allowed the secular-humanist agenda to rule. We have allowed God to be pushed into the closet, while perversion fills our squares. Christians have failed America, and our Leadership has failed America. Quite honestly the Church moved to the "left" along with America, and lost many souls, just like the RNC. We were founded as a Christian Nation. George Washington led our first Congress in prayer and commitment to God. From the 1602 Charter of Virginia, to the Mayflower Compact in 1620, to our Declaration in 17776, God was front and center and worshiped. Our Constitution is based on Natures Law and Natures God. When will the Church start preaching and standing by truth? Are we cowards? QWill we not fight for what is right? Or go slowly to the modern day guillotine? Post if you like, or not...
StLouis
7 months ago
No church should be allowed to talk about any politics because they tax-exempt. This is the first time and I want their tax-exempt status taken away!
Robert Burford
7 months ago
I is unfortunate that our Bishops and Priests CAN NOT speak on the issues of this election. It is up to the lay Catholics in the pew to comment. The problem is that we do not have good choices in this or any election of recent history since the 2000 election. It is always the least of two evils. God help us.
jusme
7 months ago
This story has been on the Blaze (Glenn Beck) and has over 460 comments. I am amazed that more catholic priests don't speak out against the Obama administration. I am a catholic, and I truly don't understand the utter silence taking place among the clergy? The Catholic's know what is right and wrong! We should have our clergy standing up for us. Thank God for the courage of Bishop Paprocki. I stand for the catholics and for Isreal.
Spiritus Gladius
7 months ago
Do we really have to keep beating around the bush, and reading between the lines? Somebody be frank here! Liberalism is evil! Every fruit of it has been evil! Our great Popes at the birth of this era knew this PLAINLY! Quit being deceived! And for the love of God, start being honest. If you don't want people voting for a candidate who runs on an intrinsically evil platform, THEN TELL THEM NOT TO! The Catholic Church DOES have authority you know! No knowledgeable Catholic can vote for Obama in good conscience. There, I said it. This isn't some grand math problem that takes years to solve. This isn't some tricky question testing our wits. The answer is PLAIN AS DAY! You do not need to think about it, you do not need to pray about it! You ALREADY KNOW the answer! Lord have mercy.
Tom
7 months ago
I didn't see much about the Democratic party's means of charitable redistribution. In the beginning, when the poor had no recourse to basic needs, and charity wasn't enough, the so-called "safety net" was made available starting with LBJ's "War On Poverty". Many saw this as charity, and thus supported it. I still do, but with one major caveat: Nobody is willing to ask the question, "How do you define a victim versus a freeloader?" While the national discussion decides for or against public entitlements, it should be deciding who is entitled.

Should we require a mother whose husband left her and their children for a younger model or an amputee to lose out because the safety net is full of people who never even tried to plan their lives, people who spent their educational years partying, and now claim poverty? The Democratic party appears to be recruiting voters via dependency on handouts. If we do not have this national discussion, either the safety net will collapse, or the nation will go broke. You can't be charitable without resources, and if this isn't fixed soon, there will not be resources.
Janet keating
7 months ago

Why is it that religion is saying things like do this or chose this so you will get to heaven
And save your souls by doing our works? Or you are going to hell?

First of all god will make that judgement and these words should not be spoken
To potential people seeking the lord on a level of there personal journey at one
Given time... If anything I see some of these many articles about politics as turning
People away from "your" church. I see a lot of these views that are so narrow and
That are emanating fear and personal judgement! People are entitled to
Living there life and there personal journey and who are you to " not give sacraments" based on YOUR religion - this indeed is wrong! Where is there forgiveness and hope in this? Gods greatest sacrament is forgiveness and love!

What human being or doctrine is more defined than gods? And god does not excommunicate anyone that asks for him or his forgiveness. god accepts people with open arms and looks past there sins into there potential of goodness! He will mold them but in your narrow beliefs and strictest doctrine you are indeed are turning people away rather than opening the doors and believe u me this is not the works of our loving lord and is quite the opposite. I am so intrinsically sick of this doctrine and people sitting on THEIR thrones and stealing people away from gods UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. If you want to
Keep your churches flowing you better change your ways! All can be forgiven and ALL people can be accepted into the "church" of god!

Why not preach about gods love for everyone? And let politics be politics and let individuals vote on their own behalf and let the rest lie in the eyes our lord? Why is the church dictating so much? Church should be a place to praise the lord, give thanks, say prayers and give hope. leave the politics out of the church. Let the church be a place of peace and not turmoil and judgement! Let the outside world work it's self out! But let the church be a place of love and peace and not a place of politics!

if you preach love and acceptance people will illuminate with love, and that love will spread
But if you chose to instill fear and guilt this is not gods will or work as it is indeed Coming from the negative source and you need to see through this illusion!

You need to ask for assistance and to see his truth!

I think given gods guidance he would like you to focus on healing the earth from pollution and saving the atmosphere and natural conditions So you have a place to live! Do everything to stop wars and the making of weapons!
And to assist the people that are starving to death and the sick with no medical aid!

To focus so much on a condom and birth control pill at this time is quite petty I. The grand scheme of things at this given time! Get your eyes out of the books for now and focus on humanity having a chance to prosper on earth for now and then smaller issues can be aided...the earth is crumbling, the waters are warming and the people are starving!
Use common sense and not focusing on a condom that is actually indeed helping prevent diseases at the current moment and unwanted pregnancies, teaching at this current age complete abstinence is virtually unrealistic right now... There are bigger eggs to fry... Right now you are stuck in a narrow Illusion focus on the bigger tasks at hand and the rest will fall in sequence

Satan himself wants the world to end the earth to be destroyed and people to starve
And people to have no aid in illness... Do not get lost In the current land of confusion and focus on the things at LARGE right now and do not shun people away because of small things right now when the earth and people are being destroyed!

Use your extra money wisely! and more temples being built are not helping the needy!
Focus!

Now is the time to make wise choices and to change! Do not underestimate gods true will
And heart! Hear it loud and clear! Get your head out of the books as a primary focus and get your heart into the world and help heal the bitterness that is destroying all!

Do not instill fear, do not tell people they will go to hell, accept all regardless and these positive acts will multiply and people will flock together like birds of a feather,
Right now it seems as those feathers are being plucked instead of saved.

change needs to happen and you can do it! Don't get trapped in an illusion and stuck in
A moment of time when time is escaping!

Do you think when you meet your majesty and tell him you told people that they would go to hell for their sins that he will be happy to hear that? Or do you think that if you told him that you fixed a roof top or statue when there are many that he will be happy to hear that?
In your heart of hearts you can hear the truth don't let yourself be fooled!

What is a roof top that is fixed when there is no one in it?
Or should you built roof tops for people that have none?
Ask yourself these brave questions :)
vance
7 months ago
Well, I'll be darned. We actually have a Bishop who is a leader. I noticed the "Circular Firing Squad" reference. If I might use a 'Pro Football Analogy', who is responsible for the team's failure or success? The Head Coach. Yes, the players have a responsibility to play at a 100% effort but it lands on the Coach's lap. Our Bishops are our Catholic Church Coaches. I appreciate this Bishop who is one out of a few who is doing the job for which volunteered. I hope for the sake of our Church and our country that the rest of the USCCB will follow his lead.
Janusz
7 months ago
Thank you Lord for another Polish Priest coming to the rescue.....
rafaelmarie
7 months ago
THIS MAY NOT BE ENOUGH!

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH MAY HAVE TO START EXCOMMUNICATING ANYONE WHO VOTES FOR OBAMA, BECAUSE OF OBAMACARE'S FREE ABORTIONS AND THE HHS MANDATE ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

IF THEY DON'T, THE CLERGY MAY BE GUILTY OF A MORE SERIOUS SIN, AND THAT IS ALLOWING THE LAITY WHO VOTED FOR OBAMA, WHICH IS A MORTAL SIN, GO TO COMMUNION.

ALSO, IF THE LAITY WHO VOTED FOR OBAMA, RECEIVES COMMUNION IN A STATE OF MORTAL SIN, THEY THEMSELVES ARE GUILTY OF A MORE SERIOUS SIN, AND THAT IS THE SIN OF SACRILEGE.

BUT AS STATED BEFORE, THE CLERGY MAY SHARE IN THIS SIN, BUT MORE SEVERELY, SINCE THEY ARE THE SHEPHERDS.

THERE IS STILL MAY BE TIME FOR THE CLERGY TO SAVE THEIR SOULS, AND THE SOULS OF THE LAITY, BY HAVING THE HOLY FATHER IN UNION WITH ALL THE AMERICAN CARDINALS AND BISHOPS TO ADMONISH CATHOLIC VOTERS TO VOTE FOR PRO-LIFE POLITICAL CANDIDATES.

I DON'T THINK THAT WHAT i STATED IS AGAINST CATHOLIC TEACHING?

AND IF IT ISN'T, AND WE IGNORE GOD'S COMMANDMENT OF "THOU SHALT NOT KILL", MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON ALL OUR SOULS.

CONSIDER YOURSELVES WARNED!!!

Prev12 Next

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment