Pope Francis and the 2024 US Election
Dear Editor: In a recent interview, Pope Francis is quoted as saying, “In political morality, it is generally said that not voting is bad, not good: one must vote.
“And one has to choose the lesser evil.”
In this interview, he acknowledges that abortion is killing, but he also says that the one who throws out migrants is anti-life.
Some people might think that he is equating throwing out migrants to the grave offense of abortion.
To understand this dilemma better, we need to go to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC).
Abortion is gravely contrary to the moral law (CCC 2322) for which the Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication. “Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense.” (CCC 2272) Articles 2270-2275 provide more explanation, including the responsibilities of civil society and political authority.
What does the catechism say about the migrant?
Article 2241 states that while we are obliged to welcome the foreigner to the extent we are able, it adds, “Political authorities, for the sake of the common good, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical conditions, especially with regard to the immigrants’ duties toward their country of adoption. Immigrants are obliged to respect with gratitude the material and spiritual heritage of the country that receives them, to obey its laws, and to assist in carrying civic burdens.”
Ask yourself, does unrestricted immigration without regard to our laws benefit the common good?
Pope St. John Paul II noted, “It is impossible to further the common good without acknowledging and defending the right to life, upon which all inalienable rights are founded and from which they develop.”
“One may never do evil so that good may result from it.” (CCC 1789)
So Happy You Celebrate Their Important Lives
Dear Editor: It’s wonderful that The Tablet honors these dedicated women with obituaries (Sister Rosamond O’Keefe, Sept. 21).
Even if we didn’t know them personally, it’s inspiring to learn about their lives of dedication.
Bill Powers
Chapel Hill, NC
Many Important Issues in This Election
Dear Editor: Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio says (Walking With Migrants, Sept 7), “Never before has immigration become a key issue in a presidential election.”
I wish he also mentioned never before has abortion become the key issue in a presidential election.
Edward Pisano
Dyker Heights
Editor’s note: Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio’s “Walking With Migrants” column specifically focuses on immigration issues.
We Must Protect the Police
Dear Editor: On Aug. 15th, Democratic City Councilwoman Nantasha Williams from St. Albans sponsored Resolution 0532, calling on the state legislature to require police officers to maintain personal liability insurance.
Her argument is that police misconduct in 2024 has cost the city $82 million. And as Councilman Bob Holden points out, the police are already subject to the ending of qualified immunity.
Instead of backing Councilman Holden’s pursuit of ending “sanctuary city status” in the city and calling on Mayor Eric Adams to urge the Biden administration to close the border now and save us billions of dollars and lives being spent on illegal, unvetted migrants, they continue to hammer away at the only protection of law and order for all New Yorkers.
One can urge their assemblyman and state senator and tell them to vote “no” and remind them that, unlike the councilman, you don’t live in a cocoon with special police protection but in the real world where an alert, trained, competent, and uncompromised police force is needed.
Thomas and Constance Dowd
Oakland Gardens