Dear Theresa,

My take on your question is if you were not angry with this, you would need help.

Anybody who would support (with a vote) someone who supports the practice of prenatal homicide and the changing of marriage's definition to include people of the same sex, is objectively complicit in the grave evil that severely erodes society.

The sad reality you sense is that we now live in a country whose majority supports a culture of death as a sign of wisdom, not psychological neurosis.

What you need to do is to take your hurt and use it in a constructive way. Perseverance is a great indicator of character. Keep praying and receiving the sacraments, and channel your energy to bringing truth and justice to a world that desperately needs it. Discern your gifts and talents and then know that God is on your side in the small way you bright light into the darkness.

And remember Mother Teresa's very important line:

Christ doesn't call me to be successful, He calls me to be faithful.

Peace,

Paul

Hi Theresa,

I empathize with your anger and as a practicing Catholic have to shake my head at the scandal of 50% of our Church, claiming to be Catholic, yet voting for a staunch supporter of abortion and so-called "gay marriage". There is no such thing as gay marriage; neither two men nor two women can bring forth new life.

Addressing your question:

I was hurt really badly a few years ago by a pastor but what I told him in Confession is:

Hey, if Confession and the Eucharist can't mend me, I don't know what can : )

My point: In each of the seven sacraments, Our Divine Lord touches our soul which resides in our frail human body. This is one of the main reasons I feel fortunate to be a Catholic. Upon reflecting on the results of the election, my personal opinion is the root of the problem is five fold:

1. Catholic cardinals and bishops who are scared to tell their pastors and priests to talk about Catholic social issues from the Sunday pulpit for fear of loosing their tax-exempt status and not explaining to their pastors and priests what they can do within the guidelines that would allow them to keep their tax-exempt status.
2. Pastors and priests who are scared to talk about Catholic social issues from the Sunday pulpit because they are concerned about loosing money from the collection plate over people leaving the parish on social issues.
3. Poor catechesis at the CCD or parish level that has been infiltrated by liberal CCD books, materials, and teachers, but most of all ...
4. Poor Catholic parenting, where, for the parent, being their child's "best friend", is more important than instilling Catholic values. The very first Catholic Christians known as the Early Church Fathers would have died for the faith rather than compromise it. It is very clear the Church needs Catholic parenting classes badly.
5. The possibility of:
   • legal Catholic immigrants voting, not based on Catholic faith and morals, but based on what will keep their family and friends here illegal in the USA, or
   • illegal Catholic immigrants, who know they can't vote until they are legal United States citizens, voting illegally, not based on Catholic morals, but based on what will keep them or their family and friends here in this country.
     

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, under the duty of citizens

2241 The more prosperous nations are obliged, to the extent they are able, to welcome the foreigner in search of the security and the means of livelihood which he cannot find in his country of origin. Public authorities should see to it that the natural right is respected that places a guest under the protection of those who receive him.

Political authorities, for the sake of the common good for which they are responsible, may make the exercise of the right to immigrate subject to various juridical [legal] 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.

Hmmmm.

• I wonder why we haven't heard this section of the Catechism from the pulpit?

Let me leave you with two questions:

1. How many Catholic Christians in the United States see themselves as:
   
• Catholic Americans, rather than
• American Catholics?
  
2. How many Catholics in the United States would be willing to die for their Catholic faith in the United States?
   

I rest my case.

Mike