The teaching seems cut and dry—and yet there are examples of conscientious objectors, like Dorothy Day, who abstained from voting.
Explainer
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: What Pope Francis actually said about civil unions—and why it matters
Did the pope “endorse” civil unions? (Yes.) Were Francis’ words mistranslated? (No.) Is this “old news”? (Yes and no.)
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Supreme Court justices shouldn’t read the Constitution the same way Catholics read the Bible
Can textualists judges like Amy Coney Barrett take a broad view of interpreting the Bible and a narrow view of interpreting the Constitution? The short answer is yes, writes Matt Malone, S.J.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Are the viral ‘pope memes’ sacrilegious?
Twitter users swapped “pope memes” last week using digitally altered images of Pope Francis celebrating the Eucharist. Was it harmless fun or sacrilege?
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Explainer: A brief history of the Catholic Vote in the United States
The Catholic vote in the United States is neither monolithic nor static.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Is it ethical for Catholics to get a vaccine derived from abortions?
Catholic moral theology can offer some answers.
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Explainer: Amy Coney Barrett is a charismatic Catholic. What does that mean?
Pentecostal teachings went on to influence the Catholic charismatic movement that initially took hold in the U.S. in the 1960s.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Amy Coney Barrett’s relationship with People of Praise
Speculation that President Trump will name Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court has revived interest in her charismatic Catholic group. Michael O’Loughlin looks at the history—and the myths—of People of Praise.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Yes, Catholics can vote for Democrats. (They can vote for Republicans, too!)
Are the 40 million U.S. Catholics who are registered Democrats facing the fires of hell? Not according to canon law or the U.S. bishops.
Posted inExplainer, Faith
Explainer: Can a priest or a member of a religious order publicly endorse a political candidate?
Should Catholic priests or members of religious orders be endorsing political candidates? If it is allowed, is it prudent?