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U.S. Archbishop: Life Concerns Paramount And Eclipse Any Other Considerations When Voting

Political compromise possible on many social justice issues but not abortion

NEWARK, NJ, May 4, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Archbishop John Myers of Newark, New Jersey has issued a pastoral statement to the Catholics of his diocese bringing a close to many debates around abortion and its political ramifications.

"There is no right more fundamental than the right to be born and reared with all the dignity the human person deserves," says the Archbishop. "On this grave issue, public officials cannot hold themselves excused from their duties, especially if they claim to be Catholic. Every faithful Catholic must be not only 'personally opposed' to abortion, but also must live that opposition in his or her actions."

Catholics in the diocese have been given specific direction, They will no longer be left wondering which of the church's social justice stands to give first priority when casting their vote. Archbishop Myers makes it clear that life concerns are paramount and eclipse any other considerations when voting, or carrying out political duties as a politician. "As voters, Catholics are under an obligation to avoid implicating themselves in abortion, which is one of the gravest of injustices. Certainly, there are other injustices, which must be addressed, but the unjust killing of the innocent is foremost among them," says the Archbishop.

Archbishop Myers notes that the "Church's social teaching is a diverse and rich tradition of moral truths and biblical insights applied to the political, economic, and cultural aspects of our society." He adds, however, that "reasonable Catholics can (and do) disagree about how to apply these teachings in various situations." He gives the example of the preferential option for the poor and how Catholics can legitimately differ on methods to assist the poor - "both those who propose welfare increases and those who propose tax cuts to stimulate the economy may in all sincerity believe that their way is the best method really to help the poor."

The Archbishop makes a pointed distinction between such social justice concerns and matters of life. "But with abortion (and for example slavery, racism, euthanasia and trafficking in human persons) there can be no legitimate diversity of opinion," he says. "The direct killing of the innocent is always a grave injustice. One should not permit unjust killing any more than one should permit slave-holding, racist actions, or other grave injustices. From the perspective of justice, to say 'I am personally opposed to abortion but…' is like saying 'I personally am against slavery, but I can not impose my personal beliefs on my neighbor.' Obviously, recognizing the grave injustice of slavery requires one to ensure that no one suffers such degradation. Similarly recognizing that abortion is unjust killing requires one-in love and justice-to work to overcome the injustice."

Archbishop Myers also admonishes Catholics who support abortion, stating that their reception of communion, despite this state of separation from the Catholic Church, is "a grave scandal."

He concludes stating, "… we have a most grave obligation to defend all human life from the moment of conception until natural death. God help us if we fail in this most fundamental obligation."

See Archbishop Myers' full statement:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004_docs/bishopmyerstimeforhonesty.htm and
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004_docs/Myerspastoralstatment.pdf (acrobat format)

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