Check out this new election video emphasizing pro-life, anti-gay marriage positions from the conservative Catholic group Fidelis. The New York Times reports that the video, which implies support for the Republican ticket, has been posted by Catholic churches across the country on their web site. For a good example, check out the site of The Cathedral of St. Peter in Joe Biden's hometown; the site features the video on a special welcome page that appears even before the full homepage does.
God-o-Meter noticed that this video eschews the kind of red meat messages that were prevalent among conservative pro-Bush Catholic groups in 2004. It's a lot subtler, appealing to the bipartisan sensibility of many Catholics.
There's a handsome shot of John F. Kennedy, for instance.
There's another of Martin Luther King, Jr.
And one of a nuclear power plant spewing steam into the air juxtaposed with text that says "No Issue Can Be Ignored," a nod to the environmental concerns of most Catholics.
As The Times reports, liberal Catholic groups are challenging conservatives to a much greater extent than in '04. But conservative Catholic groups are clearly gaining better access to Catholic churches than in years past, as illustrated by the video gambit. So progressive Catholic groups may have plenty of catching up to do, tactics-wise.
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I'll let others speak to Church law, but Scruffy's assertion that a parish posting this video violates federal law is completely false. The remaining portion of his screed demonstrates that this is not surprising insomuch as he is perfectly keen with yapping about stuff he knows nothing about.
Scruffy writes:
What? When did he order that?
A Reuters story from last summer reports that the Pope said the church cannot be a substitute for government, but he didn't go nearly so far as to order churches to eschew politics:
I am Catholic and WILL be voting my conscience. I can work on a personal level against abortion. I hope committed gay couples get the same rights as I have. The Church will still be able to bestow the Sacrament of Marriage on only the couples we deem "eligible" (for lack of a better word).
I cannot and will not vote for McCain after voting for Bush in 2000.
All well and good - if there was not a sub-message in there seemingly telling people to vote against the pro-choice candidate and also biological research -
One of the problems with the evangelical vote - is that it is being used to pursue the interest of Big Oil and wars for oil.
They claim life is important - but what they mean is that some lives are more important - because if you can justify going to Iraq and fighting a war for oil - 4000 US troops die - and not forgetting those troops in the coalition - to secure oil contracts from a more manageable and democratic Iraq. We are looking at conflicting ideas.
In addition Sarah Palin would have an abortion if her life was endangered - so much for the sanctity of life here. In all Sarah Palin would use her right to choose in accordance with her own conscience - and this is where when it comes to a women's body choosing according to one's own conscience has to remain paramount.
I am Pro-Choice and will be voting for Obama, but that is one of the best videos from the "other side" I have ever seen. It is not just one of those Bible-bashing, holier-than-thou Pro-Life videos that we are all so tired of from the ultra-right, hyper-religious evangelicals. I am a man of faith and I found a deep and very profound message here about individual responsibility to search one's conscience. And even more profound, the video left the result of that search to the individual. I was very moved. My applause go to the makers of this video. Although I will not be voting for the same candidate that they will, I will, as they urge, be voting in the manner. And that is what will make us stronger--respect for those on the other side of the aisle. Too bad the Karl Roves and Rush Limbaughs of the world don't know how much stronger we are for respecting those who disagree.
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