MUSINGS: VOTING A PRO-ABORTION CANDIDATE IN THE PHILIPPINES

MUSINGS: VOTING A PRO-ABORTION CANDIDATE IN THE PHILIPPINES 

In defense of BBM, his apologists would quote the words of Cardinal Ratzinger to justify their position that in certain circumstances a Catholic may vote a pro-abortion candidate. Cardinal Rarzinger says, “When a Catholic does not share a candidate’s stand in favour of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation, which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons.”

Though not comprehensive, but let me offer the following notes:

1. There is no circumstance or reason that can justify the direct killing of the unborn. Abortion, in the constant teaching of the Church, can never be justified. Rape and incest, for example, are not sufficient to end the life of the unborn. There are other acceptable interventions (moral, psychological, etc.) available. 

2. It is never permissible for a Catholic to vote for a pro-abortion candidate because the candidate is pro-abortion. Such act would be considered “Formal Cooperation” to something that is intrinsically evil (abortion). The candidate would push for its legalization once elected.

3. Now, a Catholic may vote a pro-abortion candidate, but votes for such candidate for other reasons. Such act is considered “Remote Material Cooperation.” However, as Cardinal Ratzinger notes, such remote material cooperation can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons. That one may vote for a pro-abortion candidate because of proportionate reasons means that other candidates support policies that are equally evil to abortion or outweigh it. 

4. Moral issues do not have the same moral weight. In the Philippines, what reasons could be given, being supported by other candidates, that are proportionate to the intrinsic evil of abortion??? Reasons such as same-sex union, death penalty, territorial disputes, or any similar pressing societal issues in this country and in our times are simply lacking in proportionality.

5. Since abortion has been defined by the Church as a serious sin and intrinsically evil, the question we have to honestly ask ourselves as we choose our candidate: WHAT REASONS DO WE HAVE THAT COULD POSSIBLY OUTWEIGH OR COULD BE PROPORTIONATE TO JUSTIFY A CATHOLIC VOTING FOR A PRO-ABORTION CANDIDATE??? If there is none, then, those who vote such a candidate are his accomplices in killing innocent and defenseless unborn. 

PS: 

Ang aborsyon ay isang uri din ng pagnanakaw: (1) ninanakaw ng tao mula sa Dios ang kapangyarihan sa buhay, at (2) ninanakaw ng tao ang buhay ng isang inosente at walang kalabanlabang tao sa sinapupunan ng kanyang ina. 

Kung hindi nirerespeto ng isang kandidato ang inosenteng buhay ng sanggol, ilang inosenteng buhay pa kaya ang kaya nyang kitilin, patayin?!?