Catholic bishops: Don’t vote for candidates like Obama

by NW Spotlight

A document from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) being distributed in churches today directs Catholics to disqualify a candidate if that candidate has a position on an issue which supports an “intrinsic evil.” Defining “intrinsic evil”, the USCCB writes “There are some things we must never do, as individuals or as a society, because they are always incompatible with love of God and neighbor. These intrinsically evil acts must always be rejected and never supported. A preeminent example is the intentional taking of human life through abortion. It is always morally wrong to destroy innocent human beings.”

While the USCCB document doesn’t name candidates, President Obama is strongly pro-abortion. He is endorsed by pro-abortion groups Planned Parenthood and NARAL. Oregon Catalyst contributor Larry Huss wrote last Wednesday, “Mr. Obama is undoubtedly the most vigorous advocate for abortion on demand that has ever held the Office of President. So radical are his views and actions supporting abortion on demand that he was the sole vote while serving in the Illinois legislature to allow medical personnel to kill a baby born alive as a result of a botched abortion.”

The USCCB also defines “euthanasia, human cloning, and destructive research on human embryos” as “intrinsic evils”. President Obama supports destructive research on human embryos.

This document from USCCB represents a continuing shift. The USCCB has been criticized in the past for being too liberal and Democratic-leaning. Some of their past workers have gone on to provide Catholic cover to pro-abortion candidates and pro-abortion groups. The shift by the USCCB began earlier this year in reaction to threats to religious freedom by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.