Recently, Pope Francis made some "comments" when asked by reporters on a plane back from his 4 nation missionary journey in Asia, that sound blunt when it comes to our current presidential election here in the United States. Since what I (and some of you) read about his comments, was reported through the filter of particular journalists' bias on subjects and candidates, one has to be careful about reflecting on what the pope said. One quote from the pope has him say in regards to the two main presidential candidates that "Both are against life, be it the one who kicks out migrants or be it the one who kills babies." There are some, of course who might conclude or want to argue that since he spoke of migrants first, that according to its place in what he said, it is the first and most important issue that should be considered before going to the polls to vote. That, of course, should not be concluded. Instead, it should be pointed out that the pope has not mixed words when it comes to the intrinsic evil" of abortion since it kills a human being. "Performing an abortion is killing a human being. Whether you like the word or not, this is killing." "The Church does not allow abortion because it is killing. It is murder" This is backed by the bishops of the United States that the issue of abortion is the "preeminent priority" for American Catholics in general and in those who are hopefully planning to exercise their right and duty to vote. This is stated clearly in its published teaching "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" which I urge you to pull up online and read or re-read before making choices of what and who to vote for in the upcoming election. Asked what voters of the United States should do at the polls, Pope Francis firstly recalled the civic duty to vote. He said "One should vote, and choose the lesser evil. Who is the lesser evil, the woman or the gentleman? I don't know. Everyone in their conscience should think and do it" I assume he's referring to voting and voting not from a "feeling" but from a properly formed conscience that seeks "THE TRUTH" from God that we have through divine revelation (the bible) and the Tradition of the Church. It is not up to the pope, our bishops, priests, and deacons who teach and preach in public to tell the Catholic (or the whole electorate) who to vote for! It is important that the Church's leaders make it clear that the right to life and dignity of the human person from conception until natural death comes first and only after this, other issues that promote the common good, solidarity and subsidiarity as presented by our Church's teachers and teachings. PLEASE take the time to read these inserts which will continue over the next four weeks in our bulletin.

I believe, if given the chance to clarify or expand on what he said, that the pope would refer not to the candidates as evil, but rather the positions they hold and/or act on which are against life as being evil and bringing harm (in one instance death) to human beings. I hope and pray we all discern what is the greater evil and speak out at the polls and long after the election is over and the winners are sworn into office.