It has been interesting to read the outcry against the Catholic Church regarding John Kerry's stand on abortion rights. Kerry is promoting himself as both a supporter of abortion rights for women and a practicing Catholic. Kerry's supporters are angered at Catholic bishops for requiring politicians who promote themselves as Catholic to adhere to Catholic teachings in their professional lives.
I would like to ask these supporters, "If Kerry were to base his presidential campaign on the Republican platform, would Democrats still support him as the Democratic candidate for president?" My guess is that they would not. The Democratic Party would insist that Kerry campaign on the principles of the Democratic platform or face losing their endorsement. Why then do these same people want to condemn the Catholic Church for questioning Kerry's commitment to his faith?
The dignity of all life from the moment of conception is one of the basic principles of the Catholicism. If Kerry wants to campaign on a woman's right to choose to have an abortion, he is obviously out of step with the Catholic Church.
While Kerry is free to choose whether or not he supports abortion rights, he is not free to do so and remain in good standing with the Catholic Church.
Catherine R. Lundberg
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Fargo
