October 23, 2013
This column by Archbishop Charles Chaput does not specifically cite the recent, splendid article by Bishop Robert McElroy, but it can be understood as a response to that article nonetheless.
Needless to say, I think +McElroy has the better of the argument. I agree with +Chaput that our concern to protect the unborn is foundational, but I do not concur that it must necessarily take priority over every other political concern.
In the realm of politics, a variety of issues come into play: Is there a viable political and/or legal strategy to achieve a given objective? What will persuade those who currently disagree or are ambivalent? &c.
Moral clarity does not necessarily yield political clarity: This is the thing that +Chaput does not grasp.
