Seems like every time elections roll around, we hear candidates for high political office, especially for US President, publicly discussing how their religious values are so important to them. This applies to both Democratic and Republican Party candidates. The most recent example of this was former Vice President Gore's 45 minutes, 'pouring out his heart' interview with important religion reporters at the White House. This was the second such occasion that Mr. Gore chose to focus attention on religion in one week. Just a few days earlier he revealed his deeply held religious principles at a Salvation Army Center in Atlanta. Gore talked about a "new partnership between government and faith based organizations," and said that he would even give these groups more federal money. Mr. Gore said to the audience, "If you elect me president, the voices of faith based organizations will be integral to the policies set forth in my administration. Faith is the center of my life. I turn to my faith as the bedrock of my approach to any important question in my life". It sounded good; almost exactly what Pat Robertson said when he ran for president. It sounds good, but what does it really mean? Is this newfound religion or political rhetoric? Does it mean we will protect innocent human life? Does it mean that we support the stability of the family and the dignity of the poor and needy? Does it mean that we will strive to have a foreign policy that stands up for human rights and religious freedom not just for big economic trade deals? That's what America once stood for. Let me state clearly that although mentioning Mr. Gore, it is both Republicans and Democratic politicians who try and manipulate the Catholic voter.

The former Vice President apparently impressed the reporters present. A New York Times reporter at the White House interview with Mr. Gore even wrote that the V.P. was able to quote several renowned religious scholars and the reporter went on to describe this in his article as, "extraordinary for a major American politician."

I don't think I would go so far as to describe Mr. Gore's ability to mention religious scholars as being "extraordinary for a major American politician." I would probably agree however, he was well prepared for the interview, and to his credit. Something I do find "extraordinary" however, is why is that when a member of the Catholic Church or a public figure speaks out on life and death issues; they are often unfairly and severely criticized in the media. Have you noticed that when Pope John Paul II or Cardinal Law speaks out against the death penalty, they are praised in the media, but when they talk about abortion and the culture of death, they are criticized for getting involved in politics and the charge of separation of church and state is inevitably and bogusly raised. I recall hearing a national feminist spokesperson once refer to U.S. Senator Pat Moynihan of New York as "the progressive conscience of the Senate". A short time later, after he voted to ban partial birth abortions and even calling it "infanticide", he then was referred to as being "old and out of touch" by this same feminist spokesperson.

A question that I believe needs to be answered by Catholic voters in this country, then an observation and lastly a suggestion.

Do Catholics no longer care, that unlike other important groups in America such as Jews, blacks, women, the Hollywood elite, gays and lesbians, that Catholic voters are no longer taken seriously. They are either taken for granted or ignored by the Republican and Democratic parties? Except of course, during the campaign season when the candidates give Catholic voters 'lip service' about how concerned they are about their issues.

My observation is despite the fact that the Catholic vote is potentially one of the largest and most important voting blocs in America today, because of the divisions among Catholics; their potential influence has been reduced to one of almost non-significance. The editors of a prominent Catholic magazine recently stated "that Catholic voters seem fragmented and not motivated by their religious beliefs when they enter the voting booth."

Syndicated journalist Robert Novak once said that Catholics should be put in two voting categories, active and inactive. I would agree, but I'd add a third, just don't care. Active Catholics are usually older; more dedicated and practice their religion. They vote and they are committed to the principles of Catholic social teaching. They also faithfully listen to their church leaders closely. The non-active Catholics are usually younger, more influenced by secular society, the media and with being politically correct.

There are over 65 million Catholics in the United States. My suggestion is, that concerned Catholics must actively get involved in civic and political affairs to help restore political creditability on those important public issues, which go to the core of the values to the Catholic faith. We should withhold our support for either political party, until they start demonstrating their respect for the principles and teachings of the Catholic faith. Yes I realize, I am a life long Democrat and you may be a Republican. But, we must first be loyal American Catholics. It's time we let our elected officials know how we feel, and more importantly, what we believe. If they ignore us, as most of our present Catholic elected officials do, we must be ready to make them pay the price. We must hold their feet to the fire like the other groups I mentioned do. If we don't, we will continue to be taken for granted and our Catholic elected officials will continue to ignore us and our strongly held beliefs. We should, just like our Irish forbearers did, learn to use the voting booth to send a clear message.

Raymond L. Flynn
Chairman
Catholic Citizenship

Read more about Ray Flynn in:
Speech at the 2006 March for Life Rose Dinner
Catholic Men's Quarterly
South Boston Online

Ray Flynn is also the author of two books: "John Paul II : A Personal Portrait of the Pope and the Man" and "The Accidental Pope".
Order these books through Amazon.com by clicking the links below.