In a recent newspaper interview, Father Ronald Cioffi, an official with the Diocese of Trenton, stated that it is alright for a Catholic to vote for a pro-abort if they have a moral reason to do so. He stated that this decision could be based on the candidate’s stand on other moral issues. As I stated in an earlier column, this is not the teaching of the Church.

Abortion is identified as “intrinsically evil” which means it is in a very specific category that requires a very deliberate response by a Catholic voter. This category is reserved for only the most heinous of crimes and activities. For example, euthanasia would also be included in this category.

Another issue that was addressed in the newspaper story was the role of conscience in determining which candidate to support. The story did not explain that a Catholic’s conscience must be well formed, meaning that it must have a foundation in the teaching of the Church. In other words, a well formed conscience should not lead someone to believe that killing babies is OK.

The Bishop of Trenton, John Smith, rebutted the article based on its incomplete explanation of the role of conscience for the Catholic voter. He also mentioned that there is a hierarchy of values which Catholic voters must factor into their decision making. He did not identify these values but did refer to the USCCB’s document, Faithful Citizenship.

At the same time that Bishop Smith was issuing his explanation, his associate, Father Cioffi, was on Al Kresta’s radio program addressing the controversy over the newspaper article. On this program Father Cioffi mentioned the hierarchy of values that a Catholic must consider when voting. He said that those values which are “intrinsically evil” must be given a priority when voting. So far, so good.

Unfortunately, he went on to identify those issues which he considers to be intrinsically evil. Here are the issues he identified: Abortion(correct), euthanasia(correct), racism(racism?), and unjust immigration policies(what!?).

So here we have the bishop of Trenton attacking the newspaper for bad reporting while his associate is on the radio saying that unjust immigration policies carry the same moral weight for the voter as killing innocent babies. And by the way, just what is an unjust immigration policy anyway? The Church has clearly identified and defined abortion as an intrinsic evil. I don’t recall any Magisterial teaching that clearly identifies or defines unjust immigration policies.

This November many Catholics throughout our nation will go out and vote for the rabidly pro-abort Barack Obama. Perhaps they will vote for him because he favors open borders. Perhaps they will vote for him because they like his stand on affirmative action. Regardless, they will be voting for one of the most high profile and dedicated baby killing proponents this country has ever seen. For this we can thank the Father Cioffi’s of the world who continually muddy the water over the issue of abortion.

I’m sure the illegal Mexican immigrants who are flooding this country will be very grateful to him. Meanwhile, the innocent babies will continue to be slaughtered. The seamless garment wins again.