Politicians and Catholics and Catholic Politicians: The Mess
Although, practically speaking, the 2008 presidential campaign began the day after the campaign of 2004 ended, it has lately shifted visibly and audibly into high gear. Make no mistake, that means trouble ahead for the Church.It's not only that several politicians who'd like to be president are Catholics who support legalized abortion. This truly is the Church's most excruciating political problem today, but it's hardly the only one.
That was painfully clear in the recent flap — mercifully brief — over former senator John Edwards' refusal to fire two campaign staffers who made blatantly offensive anti-Catholic remarks on their blogs. When the predictable uproar erupted, both quit, apparently by their own choice.
For Catholics, the genuinely problematic aspect of the episode concerned not the two staffers but the candidate. Edwards, a Methodist, may be a decent fellow, but his obtuseness about Catholic feelings in response to severe provocation leaves a bad taste in many mouths.
And to think — the campaign has just begun!
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It's not a fun time for Catholics in the political world. The most prominent Catholic politicians dissent from the Church on very grave issues. (I'm reminded of one thing I read that argued the surest way to promote Catholic values in the political is to not vote for Catholic politicians,) Given the candidates who are likely to be the nominees in the two major parties, it'll be tough to choose come November 2008.