The Catholic Vote: A Guide for the Perplexed

"The Catholic Vote, A Guide for the Perplexed," is a book that requires the reader to be prudent about using Catholic Social Teachings when evaluating who to vote for. This is a surprising read, which will cause one to review what the Church teaches in the area of voting. It makes one think outside of the Democrat and Republican mold. If one wishes to just get the bare-bones of this book read chapter 4 and chapter 5. Enjoy.

I am a high school theology teacher who has long been looking for a Catholic (as opposed to Republican or Democratic) examination of the Church's teachings on citizenship and a thoughtful analysis of how to apply those teachings to the real world. Yes, I've read the U.S. Bishops letter on "faithful citizenship," but it reads like what it is - the product of a committee. Clarke & David Cochran's "The Catholic Vote" is, by far, the most balanced guide I've encountered. If you want a screed, Catholic Answers puts out a voter's guide that probably should be paid for by the Republican Party. They list five "non-negotiables" - five intrinsic evils - that should determine how one votes, they claim. Conveniently, all five are part of the traditional Republican platform. All the rest of the issues are dismissed as being "prudential judgments." This might sound good at first examination, but why did they pick just those five? Torture is an intrinsic evil, but that's not mentioned. As the Cochran book says, "While the Catholic Answer guide minimizes the role of prudence in its five 'non-negotiables,' on other issues it invokes prudence to set aside entire areas of Church teaching." If you're a good Catholic who doesn't want to be a shill for either party (I'm a registered Independent, BTW), this is the book to read.