Catholic and Pro-Choice - A Contradiction in Terms?

As a Catholic and pro-life advocate, one of the most difficult things for me to understand is how some Catholics think that they can be pro-choice, and remain in good standing with the Church. A high profile example of such a Catholic is Rep. Patrick Kennedy (http://bit.ly/7Ao89b). There are even pro-choice Catholic organizations, such as Catholics for Choice (http://bit.ly/7JvGqV). Catholics for Choice not only supports abortion rights, but they advocate contraception use, another violation of Catholic Church teaching.

The only thing I can surmise from people and groups like this is that they must take a "pick and choose" approach to their Catholic Faith. In other words, they pick and choose which church teachings they are going to believe and follow, and disregard the teachings that don't align with their personal beliefs. While this practice appears to be somewhat accepted in non-Catholic Christian churches, it is not accepted in the Catholic Church.

As far as I know, Catholics are expected to follow all church teachings to the best of their ability. If they disagree with a teaching, it is their duty and responsibility to learn why the church teaches it. The sad fact of the matter is that sometimes when Catholics disagree with a church teaching, they don't take the time to find out the reason for the teaching. They just disregard it.

Of all the teachings of the Catholic Church, one of the core teachings is the teaching that abortion is wrong. It is a core teaching because life is sacred, and to destroy life or support the destroying of life is to commit a grievous sin against God, who is the author of life. To support abortion in any way, shape, or form is in direct contradiction to the message of Jesus Christ.

If you are a Catholic who supports abortion rights, I strongly recommend you do some research into why the Catholic Church teaches that abortion is wrong, and pray to God for deeper understanding. The Catholic Answers web site is a good place to start: http://www.catholic.com/library/Abortion.asp.

It is my prayer that everyone in the world will come to know and believe that all life is sacred and deserves protection, from conception until natural death. Peace be with you.