Wise guides?

Social justice news
November 2006

Call to Action convenes 30th annual conference
Chicago's Cardinal George calls US to relationship with the world
CRS offers trip to Africa for students who 'raise money right'
'Deplorable conditions' need political solution in Gaza and West Bank
New international trade union seeks counterforce to globalization
Oxfam on global hunger: act now or go home
UN: World not meeting pledge to slash hunger
USCCB calls for protection of Christians and other religious minorities in Iraq
U.S. stands alone in opposing small arms treaty
Wise guides?

Wise guides?
Vote! That is the only thing Catholic groups seem to be able to agree on for this midterm election. While the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops releases a comprehensive voter guide every four years for the presidential campaign, Catholic groups are jumping to fill in the hole in 2006 with unofficial guides.

All guides produced or distributed by religious organizations cannot expressly endorse a candidate or party but can review the issues that would concern religious voters. For the best and most reliable insights, the USCCB’s 2004 "Faithful Citizenship" guide offers the most comprehensive discussion of issues of concern to Catholics.

Most unofficial guides are based on “Faithful Citizenship” and purport to help Catholics decide how to vote, but with so many groups pushing their issues from different angles as the “correctly Catholic” vote, the guides can confuse more than clarify. If you’re willing to dive in anyhow, here is a by-no-means comprehensive or officially sanctioned Salt of the Earth Guide to the Catholic Voters’ Guides:

Guide	How should I vote?	Abortion?	How can I compromise?
Voters Guide for Serious Catholics from Catholic Answers Action	Vote based on candidates’ stances on abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, and same-sex marriage.	“Non-negotiable moral principle.”	Negotiable issues are the best ways to deal with: war, the death penalty, the poor, the economy, the environment, immigration, education, healthcare, and retirement security.
Voting for the Common Good: A Practical Guide for Conscientious Catholics from The Catholic Alliance for the Common Good	Learn the church’s teachings on social justice and the candidates’ positions. Apply prudence: “Which candidate will actually deliver more tangible progress for the common good?” Finally, vote based on what’s best for everyone, especially the poor and vulnerable.	Life issues (abortion, poverty, torture, and war) have more weight than other issues. Vote for pro-choice candidates if there is “proportionate reason” and they’ll work to reduce abortion, but not because they are pro-choice.	It’s all about compromise: “There is no voting formula, and there is rarely, if ever, a perfect candidate for Catholic voters.”
Voting with a Clear Conscious from Priests for life	Vote for a prolife candidate. Abortion is the number one issue, but also important are embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, and same-sex marriage. Also don’t vote to put “the pro-abortion party” into power.	You wouldn’t vote for somebody who supports terrorism. “So it is with abortion. Abortion is no less violent than terrorism. Support of abortion 'disqualifies' a candidate from public service.”	War and capital punishment may be justified and aren’t as bad as abortion and euthanasia. With no prolife options, you should “limit evil” by choosing the candidate that would do the least harm to an unborn baby if elected.
The 2006 Elections: Becoming a Global Good Neighbor from Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns	In addition to local issues, consider federal candidates’ stances on international issues. Promote peace and national security, just immigration policies, economic justice and fair trade, and the integrity of creation.	Not mentioned	Not mentioned. Just the ideals!
Voting God’s Politics from Sojourners/ Call to Renewal	Important issues: economic justice; Peace and restraint of violence; consistent ethic of life; racial justice; human rights, dignity & gender justice; strengthen families and renew culture; good stewards of god’s creation	Need to dramatically reduce abortion by preventing unwanted pregnancies, providing meaningful alternatives and supports, and reforming adoption laws.	Not mentioned. Just the ideals!

—Megan Sweas

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