Many Catholics, unknowingly or not, may deem themselves to be pro-choice; that is, they want to stand up for the right for women to have access to an abortion. One of the many reasons that they misguided “catholics” have recently claimed as justification for this stance comes from a 2004 letter penned by Pope Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger.

One of the main documents that many “catholic” pro-choicers use is called “Worthiness to Receive Communion.” It was mainly written for the U.S. bishops since certain “catholic” politicians who supported abortion were said to be ineligible by some of the bishops here in the U.S. A call was sent to Rome and in mid-2004 Vatican Cardinals Francis Arizne and Joseph Ratzinger agreed with the nay saying bishops and issued 6 distinct issues that must be taken into consideration by pro-abortion politicians (indeed pro-abortion lay people as well). But, in much the same manner that Holy Scripture is taken out of context in order to proof-read a text, so too has this very important letter. The main part of the letter that abortion proponents cite is the Note Bene at the ending of the letter which states:

"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."

So, much like all relative moralism, the pro-choice “catholic” now takes whatever meaning he/she wants from the term “proportionate reasons” and justifies their stance on the grave evil of abortion. BUT, all one has to do is read the entire letter and it becomes clear that in no way is the Catholic Church promoting, endorsing or even remotely stipulating that pro-abortion politicians, as well as lay people, are correct in their personal judgment. The third paragraph is very telling:

“Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia.”

There it is in plain English. There is no legitimate diversity of opinion among Catholics with regard to abortion and euthanasia. Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. End of Story, Rome has spoken.