Trying to compose a thread on US politics and the Catholic vote... Realizing in the process just how much I hate US politics. I hate US politics with the passion of 1000 burning suns. 1/

This is probably going to be a VERY unpopular take.

When I see US Catholic voters going all-in on Biden or Trump, I worry that in the process, they seem to forget or downplay the fact that they're supporting a VERY flawed candidate, from a Catholic perspective. 2/

I embrace and promote the principle that one can vote for a candidate who holds immoral positions for "proportionate reasons."

But that doesn't mean that Catholic voters have to go "all in" on that candidate, or that they should demonize everyone they disagree with. 3/

Catholic Trump supporters. I get it. The Democratic position on abortion is awful and extreme. Trump, meanwhile, is at least paying lip service to the pro-life cause. And he might enact some policies that will restrict abortion. He even promises to defund Planned Parenthood. 4/

I also understand why the "abortion rates went down under Obama/up under Trump" argument is unpersuasive: (1) it's ultimately utilitarian, considering (2) the Democratic Party promotes abortion as a positive good & absolute right.

Ignoring that fact would be irresponsible. 5/

But Catholic Trump supporters usually fail to acknowledge that (1) their candidate is obviously a narcissist & likely a sociopath, (2) clearly adopted his position on abortion as a matter of political expedience, not principle, (3) holds terrible, anti-Catholic positions on a 6/

host of other issues, (4) he has a very poor grasp on Christian morality (and certainly doesn't live it) (5) He is a pathological liar. (6) he leverages/indulges conspiracy theories, racism, and the alt-right fringe for political advantage, 7/

(7) he serves as an embarrassing indictment of the impotence of the pro-life movement, (8) this shows that the alliance of pro-life Catholics with the GOP and Religious Right has unfortunately not resulted in a greater embodiment of Catholic teaching by the GOP, but less. 8/

Catholics should take these factors (and many more) into consideration as we form our consciences & decide our vote.

"Proportionate reasons" isn't simply a numbers game. If it was, Catholic teaching would say so. It doesn't. It's a factor, but not the only one. 9/

Likewise, those Catholics who do vote for Trump should be cognizant of the many problematic issues with the candidate and party they support. I suppose it's the nature of politics, but unreserved support of Trump by Catholics is extremely problematic to me, as is the 10/

condemnation of those Catholics who discern differently in good conscience.

That said, Catholic Biden supporters should not dismiss the gravity of the Democratic party's position on abortion. Abortion may not be THE preeminent issue, but it is certainly *A* preeminent issue. 11/

Catholics cannot downplay or ignore the fact that Biden & the Democratic party support a position on abortion that, as our faith teaches us, supports a grave violation of human rights, and is seriously problematic.

Arguments about abortion *rates* don't address the elephant 12/

in the room: that the position of the Democratic party is that access to abortion is a positive good, should be unrestricted, should be free, and they will passionately fight any attempts to regulate or restrict it. Additionally, democratic candidates dismiss any role for 13/

the views of pro-lifers in their party.

That should trouble Catholic consciences, at least a little. And in that sense, Catholic Biden supporters should have some sympathy for those who are unable to support him in good conscience. 14/

I guess during election season, the vitriol is to be expected (and I've probably opened myself up to receive some now myself), but, to paraphrase Pope Francis, the Church forms consciences, it doesn't replace them. 15/

Catholics are to participate in the political process, but we are truly political orphans. We shouldn't forget that in favor of blind partisanship.

When we vote, we must do so with our eyes open, cognizant of the reasons for our vote & the flaws of our chosen candidates.

16/16

PS - that's not to say you can't be openly supportive of candidates or be happy if they win or sad if they lose. My point is that when participating in the political process, Catholic voters can't lose sight of our faith, which should always come first.

PPS - honestly surprised that my thread -- which was written primarily with Fr. James Altman's offensive and inappropriate videos supporting Trump in mind -- has received criticism mostly from the left.