IN THEORY:

Republican Douglas Kmiec has written a book, “Can a Catholic Support Him? Asking the Big Question About Barack Obama.” Kmiec said Obama may have won over some Catholics in the last presidential debate when he stressed the importance of finding common ground on the abortion question and focusing on preventing unwanted pregnancies. Kmiec, who is anti-abortion, argued that it’s a more practical way to tackle the issue of abortion since, he said, it’s politically unlikely that abortion will be outlawed completely. But some Republicans, he said, are telling Catholics that supporting Obama is a sin. What do you think of the argument that we should focus on reducing unintended pregnancies instead of overturning Roe v. Wade, which would return the question of abortions back to the states?

No intrinsic evil can be supported in any way, most especially when it concerns the gravest of all intrinsic evils: taking an innocent life.

Kmiec’s suggestion is insufficient. Our Roman Catholic faith requires us to oppose abortion on demand and also to provide help to mothers facing challenging pregnancies.

The 1973 Roe v. Wade decision was and is bad morality, bad medicine and bad public policy. We cannot confine public advocacy for the unborn to reduce abortions through greater support for women.

Reducing unintended pregnancies is a necessary but insufficient response to abortion.

Similarly, the reversal of Roe v. Wade is necessary but an insufficient condition for restoring an order of justice in our society’s treatment of defenseless human life.

Both approaches to opposing abortion are essential.

The Rev. Msgr. Lawrence J. Baird

Pastor, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church

Both sides of this issue have problems. The problem with reversing Roe v. Wade is that the anti-abortion camp will believe its job is done and will rest on its laurels. In the meantime, the demand for abortions will not decrease and the care of women who choose life will not increase. That is a sin!

On the other end of the scale is the abortion-rights camp, which forfeits the dignity of human life. Then, with all the talk about caring for women, there is a massive failure to deal with the psychological care of many women who suffer emotional trauma after an abortion. They are left to deal with it on their own. This, too, is a sin!

This election a new America has reared its ugly head.

If you don’t agree with someone, then you are considered an idiot.

The same is true when speaking of spirituality; if you don’t agree, you are going to hell.

I have never been so disheartened at our culture. The worst part is that the cause suffers.

Ric Olsen

Lead pastor, The Beacon

We need to understand that candidate support is illegal for clergy in religious institutions. I am appalled that a priest would deny Communion based on a parishioner’s allegiance to a candidate.

However, I do understand that abortion is an important topic of faith for Catholics, and it is perfectly legal and appropriate for them to consider this issue in the context of their religious community.

As a woman, I do not want to see Roe v. Wade overturned, but I do feel strongly that we need to do all we can to reduce the need for abortion by lowering the numbers of unintended pregnancies.

We need comprehensive sexual education. We can do more to reduce abortions if we promote responsibility, encourage conversation, and we teach and raise consciousness about viable contraception so that abortion will not be a form of birth control.

The Rev. Sarah Halverson

Fairview Community Church