The following comes from a February 29 Renew America article by Matt C. Abbott:
It’s looking more and more like the next presidential election will be Hillary Clinton versus Donald Trump, though it’s not a given at this point. I asked one faithful (retired) bishop and a few faithful priests for their thoughts on whether Catholics should support Trump if he does end up being the GOP nominee.
Rene Henry Gracida, bishop emeritus of Corpus Christi, Texas, wrote:
“I honestly do not know at this time what I will do next November as I stand in the voting booth. At the present time I do not believe that I could bring myself to vote for either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, if they are the Democrat and Republican nominees.
“The old axiom that one must choose the lesser of two evils is false since the more fundamental principle is that one ought never to choose evil. I have toyed with idea of writing in the name of Ted Cruz, if it is possible to do so, in order to prove to God and my conscience that I did not vote for evil.”
Father Vincent Fitzpatrick wrote:
“I would say yes, because at least Trump says he’s pro-life, and cannot possibly be as pro-abortion as Hillary. Hillary is deeply, deeply embedded in the pro-abortion movement. Also, Hillary will bring 7000 pro-abortion Democrats to Washington with her, and Trump will bring about 7000 Republicans to Washington. A large part of that Republican crowd will be pro-life.
“There’s no evidence that Trump longs to go down in history as a traitor, which would be his fate if he takes pro-abortion actions in office. He has been explicit about ending the persecution of Christians in America, and Obamacare and the HHS Abortion Mandate are prime examples of that – and he has promised to end those, too.”
Father Richard Perozich wrote:
“The best qualified candidate is one who supports life from conception until natural death, sexual expression between only a man and a woman in marriage for life, and rejects embryonic stem cell research, human cloning and euthanasia – the non-negotiables.
“The Catechism of the Catholic Church rejects socialism, communism and unbridled capitalism. After these, issues on immigration and government spending on social programs are within the preference of the voters.
“Hillary Clinton’s statements show that she opposes the non-negotiables. Donald Trump has made aggressive statements that cause me some concern; but if it be between him and Mrs. Clinton, because of his [more recent] public statements in line with Catholic teaching on the non-negotiables, I as a Catholic could vote for him.”
Emeritus Bishop Gracia’s pronouncement is meaningless. He declares both Clinton and Trump “evil,” because he says so, and Cruz “good,” because he says so.
Most probably his statement has to do with the location his Bishopric – Texas – same as Cruz, who is his leader – rather than reality.
Would that anyone else of us could likewise get our Bishop to declare us “all good.” To take the Bishop’s view, evidently, “St. Cruz” also probably does not need Confession either like the rest of us. Baloney.
If Rubio would drop out of the race, which in a sane world he would, Sen. Cruz would be trouncing Trump and would definitely defeat the Clinton woman. You people act like it was a done deal that Trump would be facing Bloody Hillary. Read this little piece if you think Cruz isn’t good enough. What a bunch of Chicken Littles. California is so cut off from whats going on in the world.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/ted-cruzs-astonishing-credentials
Trump is a billion times better than Hillary. Clinton is totally pro sodomite, pro abortion, anti family, and just plain demonic and satanic, in addition to being a chronic liar. I would prefer Dr. Ben Carson, Cruz or Rubio, but it looks like Trump will be the front runner. I have a suspicion that the hierarchy will endorse and support Hillary.
mrs. Clinton will have my vote, this is the united states of America not some third world nation. how dare you call mrs. Clinton nsmes you sound like some right wing person and I bet you are not born in the usa, well I am in 1938
If you can vote for a guy who refuses to disavow the KKK, then you are kidding yourself if you think you are pro-life, or voting in accords with the teaching of the Church.
“Disapproving” of a defunct organization like the KKK is like disapproving of Napoleon’s invasion of Russia: bad act, dead actor. I say that as one who doesn’t like Trump. Could we spend some time beating up live villains, like ISIS or Planned Parenthood?
I hate to break it to you, Tom Byrne, but KKK is not a defunct organization. And there are plenty of white supremacist hate groups just like it all over the country. They may not wear white hoods, but they are just as dangerous.
So YFC, are you going to vote for pro-abortion Hillary Clinton?
Ah there it is YFC your cardinal sin and that of the Left, the accusation of racism. While you promote lifestyle that condemn souls to hell and support abortion, you complain because Trump didn’t disavow a nobody White Nationalist. Meanwhile Hillary is in love abortion her and lesbian (yes she is) gang of ghouls will slaughter children at the altar “choice” just for the fun it.. you are a pathetic leftist…and will be driven out the Church
Trump has disavowed it over and over again.
There is no reason for Trump to “disavow” David Duke’s support. Trump didn’t solicit Duke’s support and he has no reason to reject it. Trump is blameless and it is only a problem for liberal cutthroats who will use any non-issue to discredit a man they hate.
Allan, Is that why he had to get a public lecture by the Speaker of the House? Is Paul Ryan a liberal cutthroat?
Paul Ryan is an establishment Republican. The finger wag was necessary for appearances for everyone, including voters, already knew of Trump’s disavowal. Southern politics at its best, folks.
I’m waiting for Cruz to denounce Goldman Sachs and the American union agenda they push, complete with open borders. St. Cruz’s spouse, his better half, mind you, is an execute at Goldman Sachs and a signatory to proposals that are anything but pro-USA.
At the same time, YFC, you may want to stop repeating the lie that Trump didn’t disavow the KKK. The farce of that charge is laughable – especially as Marco repeats it in an attempt to paint Trump as a con-artist while at the same time being a politician – the walking embodiment of con-artist. Laughable.
Pres. Barach Obama, Sec of State Hillary Clinton, and former Pres Bill Clinton
in 2010 EACH individually eulogized Senator Robert Byrd (Democrat) as “my friend.” Hillary even called him her “mentor”.
SENATOR ROBERT BYRD (D) had been a known leader of the KKK in WVA.
Byrd recruited 150 of his friends and associates to create a new chapter of the Ku Klux Klan in Sophia, West Virginia before being elected to the Senate.
Trump donated to group that promotes homosexuality to 5-year-olds, ‘fisting’ in middle school
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/donald-trump-donated-to-group-that-promotes-homosexuality-in-kindergarten-f?
Donald Trump donated $30,000 to homosexual activists, including a $20,000 grant to an organization that promoted “fisting” to middle school students, recommended books excusing homosexual pedophilia, and proclaimed its mission is “promoting homosexuality” in the public schools to children as early as kindergarten.
According to a 990 form filed with the IRS, the Donald J. Trump Foundation donated $20,000 to the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) in 2012 and another $10,000 to Gay Men’s Health Crisis.
Kevin…
Trump is a Trojan Horse in the Republican Party. He is a 100% counterfeit; a total fraud. With all due respect, but anyone that considers themselves a Conservative and votes for Trump is an idiot and a fool.
And the GOP is a Trojan horse to conservatism, playing the flipside to the Dem coin wherein issues are just used as wrangling points with neither side solving the problem. Great bones.
The total fraud is the bluster from the GOP that their only concern is to save the American people. Sorry, but politician is pretty much interchangeable with con-artist in today’s dictionary.
Dr. Judy Meissner– Remember in 1964, the unrealistic, eccentric extremist, Barry Goldwater, whom the Republicans unwisely chose, as their presidential candidate?? They lost by a heavy landslide! Americans may play with certain types of colorful extremist candidates– but in the end, I doubt most Americans will seriously vote for them, as a presidential candidate! Trump will probably lose to Clinton– and oh, what a TRAGEDY!!
P.S. I agree, Dr. Judy Meissner– Trump is a Trojan Horse, and totally unfit to be a serious Presidential candidate. Desperate American citizens are listening to his big-mouthed baloney, deceiving themselves. They will all be so sorry, in the end!!
Good for you.
Paul Singer gave $2.5 million dollars to Marco RUBIO’s PAC “Conservative Solutions”. You can find this on the net filed with the FEC.
Paul Singer funded the “gay marriage initiative” in NY.
” Billionaire Who Funded Same-Sex Marriage Endorses Rubio”
https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/11/02/kiss-of-death-billionaire-who-funded-gay-marriage-endorses-rubio/
The political soap opera begins to unfold tonight. It will be Clinton vs Trump. If the Republicans don’t unite and stand behind and vote for Trump, Hillary will win, and it will be our fault for letting her do so. No vote for Republican is a vote for Hillary. Just like the “band-wagon” of folks who wanted to be a part of history to elect the first “black” (no purebred –he’s half white you know) president, regardless of what he wrote and said promoting his vision of “Dope and Strange” i.e. socialism/communism; so to will these naïve masses vote for the first woman to become president of these United States with no regard to her ruthless power grab, her incompetence, her criminal record, and her failed political record (e.g…
There is NO SUCH THING– as the “lesser of two evils!” Either something is evil– or it is not! Since the filthy 1960’s, there is often NO ONE FOR ME TO VOTE FOR!! I am a Catholic– and have what is called, a “MORAL CONSCIENCE!!” HOW ABOUT OTHER AMERICANS?? WHERE ARE THEIR MORAL CONSCIENCES?? Whenever I have the situation of “NO ONE TO VOTE FOR,” I call up the parties with candidates on the ballot, and I also call up the local U.S. Elections Office, and make a big complaint! Sometimes, people will give me the reply, “I, TOO, AM LKE YOU– WITH NO ONE TO VOTE FOR!!”
Just to say this aloud– neither Clinton nor Trump are MORALLY- DECENT AMERICANS!! NEITHER ONE!!
Being a Christian does not qualify a person for anything but heaven. It is a mistake to use only Christian morality to make a decision about leadership, since most of the Christians I know do or should be going to weekly confession. But more importantly, being President requires a collection of talents and gifts that Trump has demonstrated and Cruz and others have not…including HRC regardless of their stance on moral issues.
Sorry, Dr. Williams– but you are 100% WRONG!! America is NOT some sort of HEDONIST, IMMORAL, UN-CHRISTIAN, PAGAN land, of CORRUPT CITIZENS!! America is a Nation based on our precious Judeo-Christian Biblical heritage! We are “ONE NATION UNDER GOD!!” All citizens should attend the church/synagogue of their choice– so, you had better find one!! And it better form you and your family, in a good, solid, Biblically-based MORAL CONSCIENCE!!
This is not going to be a good voting season. The choices are horrible! God help us!
I doubt that Senator Cruz would go to “Confession”. He is a practicing Southern Baptist.This election: “He
This Presidential election: “Heads they win, tails I lose”. Except for Senator Rubio, all bad options.
I’m not happy with Trump. He is a pragmatist without core beliefs. That said, I will vote for him because he is not owned by donors and lobbyists. My preference would have been for Cruz but deep research shows he has ties that are unacceptable.
Yes, I am irate that Trump has made donations to disgusting organizations, and yes, I am irate that he imagines Planned Parenthood has helped millions of women. Those non-abortion services provided by PP are readily available from non-abortion providers.
Yes, Trump is scary but again, donors and lobbyists do not own him. For me, that’s a powerful reason (althought not a not a very good reason) to vote for him.
…and yet Cruz, despite the way he portrays himself with regard to PP, states the following:
“Now, listen, I have been a conservative my entire life,” Cruz said. “I have never met anybody, any conservative, who wants to ban contraceptives. As I noted, Heidi and I, we have two little girls. I’m very glad we don’t have 17.”
So, in practice, he thinks Planned Parenthood does some good. No doubt there are those who frequent PP who only want 2 and not 17 children.
That’s why I’m for the pragmatist who isn’t presenting himself as a religious leader.
Trump said he will NOT fund Planned Parenthood as long as they continue with abortions.
.
This is better than the GOP Congress who funded PP in the $ 1.1 Trillion Dollar Omnibus spending bill which passed both the Senate and House – Dec 18, 2015 – our Tax Dollars.
Hillary received the highest Planned Parenthood award – the Margaret Sanger Award in 2009 for her strong support for abortions and PP.
The subtitle of this article describes the dilemma clearly: Faithful Catholics may be forced to make a hard decision next November! The comments posted illuminate some of the challenges of being a one issue voter. Many of Mr. Trump’s proposals appear to be contrary to Catholic teaching; for example, sending illegal Mexican aliens back to Mexico. The impact on millions of families and the resources required to implement this policy would be significant. Is this approach consistent with the call by Pope Francis for a Year of Mercy? Also, is a bigger wall an effective solution to the problem? Is a wall compatible with American values? Mr. Trump appears to have flip-flopped on his abortion position. Can he be trusted?
Trump’s positions on ILLEGALs is not against Catholic teaching at all.
In fact immigrants are required to obey the law, and this does not exclude immigration laws. CCC # 2241.
Regarding resources, it costs $54.5 BILLION each year to support illegals.
” The Fiscal Cost of Unlawful Immigrants and Amnesty to the U.S. Taxpayer”
https://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/05/the-fiscal-cost-of-unlawful-immigrants-and-amnesty-to-the-us-taxpayer
The USA is a debtor nation – $19.34 TRILLION in debt (not including State or local government debt). We are required to pay our debts. CCC 2411.
Recall, all you who were born Catholic, but baptized Democrat, that the KKK was a branch of the Democrat party. No Republican was officially listed as being one. All the famous recent KKK members, such as Wallace, Byrd, and others were not Republicans but high ranking Democrats. Trump has distanced himself from Duke, but does not want to get dirty while being coerced by pigs to join in the game.
This is funny– but do you recall, back in the presidential race of 1964, when many traditional Southern Democrats all of a sudden turned Republican, because Barry Goldwater voted against the Civil Rights Act?? The KKK also backed Goldwater, although he was not as extreme as the KKK. Like Trump, he was a bigot in many ways, and an eccentric, right-wing extremist!
P.S. That is so funny– “born Catholic, baptized Democrat!” LOVE it! That fits many Obama supporters!
Usually I agree totally with the Knights of Columbus TV ads trying to help the Christians in the Middle East. The latest one is slanted, though. It mentions several presidential candidates, including Clinton, but does not mention Trump. This is not accurate as Trump has called Isis evil, and it seems to say that Clinton is more against Isis than Trump. Watch the ad and see for yourselves.
Any one that doesn’t want to vote for Donald Trump has two options. Either vote for Hillary Clinton or stay home. In that case, there are only two Catholic options. Either don’t vote for anyone for President or stay home. Unfortunately, many voters who claim to be Catholic will vote for Hillary Clinton. There are some people who post on this site that I suspect will vote for Hillary Clinton .
Because of the deafening silence of the American bishops, most Catholics have no idea the responsibility they have in the presidential election. Trump might not be the best, but he is a billion times better than Hillary or Bernie. Since the bishops are more concerned with illegal aliens, and not with abortion and Obamacare, many Americans are confused. Confusion and chaos comes from Satan, and he seems to be running the USCCB. Ave Maria Purrissima !
newly released emails of Clinton machine vs Catholics needs to be carefully understood!! Trump may have been right on re Clinton’s hatred in her heart!!