Catholics can vote for the common good

At a Sept. 1 rally in Ohio Township, sponsored by Vote Common Good and PghCatholics4Biden, a Donald Trump supporter interviewed at the rally by the media stated that a Catholic cannot vote for Joe Biden because he supports abortion. Mr. Biden, like about 75% of Americans according to a 2019 Marist poll, support a woman’s right to choose and oppose overturning Roe v. Wade. Catholics appear to be evenly divided on this issue, even though Catholic social teaching strongly condemns abortion. The reason for this may be that being pro- life means more than being against abortion.

Catholics who support Donald Trump on this single issue are on a slippery slope since he fails the litmus test on practically every other tenet of Catholic social teaching. The Catholic Church teaches that voting is a moral action and inspires supporting candidates who seek the common good. Catholic social teaching advocates for the dignity of the human person, especially children; the protection of our planet; the right of workers to organize and seek just wages; an economic system that does not promote disparity between the rich, middle class and poor; a health system that is affordable and comprehensive; and an end to racial and ethnic discrimination.

Not only has this president failed on these basic tenets of Catholic social teaching, he is amoral. He promotes white supremacy and racial injustice; disparages scientists and doctors in their efforts to quell the pandemic, resulting in the deaths of nearly 200,000 Americans and economic strife in the past five months; praises authoritarian leaders, especially the communist thug Vladimir Putin; maligns and bullies those who question his policies or with whom he disagrees; and is patently untruthful, demonstrating a complete lack of empathy for Americans and leadership.

So I have concluded that a Catholic can vote for Joe Biden and for the common good. JOHN PILLAR

Scott

The writer is a member of Vote Common Good and PghCatholics4Biden.