To the editor:
In Dan Lill’s April letter to the editor, he wondered about (the phrase) “as his supporter” if I was referring to people like Dan, who may have voted for Joe Biden, or if I was inferring that I too was a supporter of President Biden (see “Seeks aid of Biden voters,” Catholic Courier, March 2021 print edition). He wasn’t alone in his question.
So, let me make it crystal clear what I meant. I could never vote for or support someone like President Biden — or the other 13 Catholic senators — who already is using our tax money for abortions, to kill innocent, helpless pre-born children, as he did by eliminating the Mexico City Policy; he is funding Planned Parenthood, (which) performs over 340,000 abortions each year; he also wants to eliminate the Hyde Amendment; as well as to codify in law Roe v. Wade, which will kill more pre-born children and wound more vulnerable women.
That is why the U.S. Bishops state so correctly in Faithful Citizenship-Forming Consciences (#14) “Participation should help transform the (political) party to which we belong; we should not let the party transform us in such a way that we neglect or deny fundamental moral truths, or approve intrinsically evil acts.” This approach continues to happen with Catholics in both political parties.
Additionally, I found that the Bishops statement in Faithful Citizenship (#16) rings true in my experiences of presidential or legislative elections: “At this time some Catholics may feel particularly homeless, sensing that no public party and too few candidates share a consistent concern for human life and dignity.”
Father Jim Hewes
Kuhn Road, Greece
