Abortion: It’s more complicated than you think

Abortion is an enormously complicated issue. There are so many factors to consider, from the morality of the act itself, to the lives and wellbeing of the unborn child and of the mother. Abortion laws and policies are now taking shape across various states. Much of the media’s attention and public debate has focused on a relatively small number of medical complications during pregnancy, and exceptions to abortion bans. So, what does a just and moral abortion law–one that protects both the unborn child and the mother–look like? In this final episode of season two of Voting Catholic, Sebastian Gomes speaks with three guests about what's at stake in the 2022 midterms regarding abortion: Marcia Lane-McGee is a podcaster and vice president of New Wave Feminists. Jacqui Oesterblad is a recent graduate of Yale Law School, who wrote an article for America titled, We need to talk about ‘life of the mother’ exceptions in abortion law. Richard Doerflinger worked for 36 years at the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is a fellow with the De Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture at the University of Notre Dame, and an adjunct fellow in Bioethics and Public Policy with the National Catholic Bioethics Center. He wrote an article for America titled, The U.S. bishops aren’t the extremists in the abortion debate. Follow America's coverage of the 2022 Midterms Watch People of God: How Catholic Parish Life is Changing in the United States Support Voting Catholic and access all of America's content by becoming a digital subscriber Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Between January and October 2022, more than 500 mass shootings occurred in the United States. And those traumatic events account for only a fraction of the gun violence plaguing the nation. But they also unsettle the consciences of millions of people, and in an election year, that can catapult the question of gun laws and policies to the top of a voter’s priorities. In this episode of Voting Catholic for the 2022 Midterms, Sebastian Gomes speaks to Patrick McCormick, a Professor of Religious Studies at Gonzaga University specializing in Christian and Medical Ethics and Catholic Social Teachings, and to Gustavo García-Siller, the Archbishop of San Antonio who ministered to the victims' families of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 2022. They explore the data on gun violence, the potential policy questions related to guns, and America's unique attachment to guns which, according to McCormick and Archbishop García-Siller, reveals a form of theological and spiritual idolatry. Follow America's coverage of the 2022 Midterms Catholic leaders react to Texas school massacre: ‘Don’t tell me that guns aren’t the problem.’ Watch People of God: How Catholic Parish Life is Changing in the United States Support Voting Catholic and access all of America's content by becoming a digital subscriber Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From gas to groceries, inflation is hammering Americans’ pocketbooks in 2022. Polls show that the economy, specifically inflation, is the top voting issue for Americans. So what does Catholic social teaching have to say about inflation at this critical moment? And what moral and economic questions should Catholic voters be asking of the incumbent Democrats and the Republicans looking to shift the balance of power in Congress? In this first episode of season two of Voting Catholic, Sebastian Gomes speaks to Catherine Orr, a mother of three children in a two-car household, and Tony Annett, an economist and Gabelli Fellow at Fordham University and the author of Cathonomics: How Catholic Tradition Can Create a More Just Economy. Follow America's coverage of the 2022 Midterms Watch People of God: How Catholic Parish Life is Changing in the United States Support Voting Catholic and access all of America's content by becoming a digital subscriber Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the series finale, Sebastian speaks with Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego, a leading voice on Catholic Social Teaching in the American hierarchy. How should Catholics prioritize the issues? And what does it really mean to form your conscience? Bishop McElroy is the author of two books: The Search for an American Public Theology and Morality and American Foreign Policy. US Bishops teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics: "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" Stay up-to-date with America Media's coverage of the 2020 election: www.americamagazine.org/newsletters You can support this media ministry at www.americamagazine.org/donate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Catholic Bishops teach that abortion is a preeminent voting issue for Catholics, because it directly attacks life itself. Do Catholics agree? And should it take precedence over other life and death issues?  Aimee Murphy is the Executive Director of Rehumanize International. Visit her white paper and presentation here.  Learn more about Tricia Bruce’ study: “What Americans Really Think About Abortion” US Bishops teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics: "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" Stay up-to-date with America Media's coverage of the 2020 election: www.americamagazine.org/newsletters You can support this media ministry at www.americamagazine.org/donate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A perennial social crisis affecting many other issues. Pope Francis has called for a poor church for the poor. What does poverty in America look like in 2020? And will the political parties finally tackle the issue plaguing tens of millions of Americans?  Guest Links: Jennifer Wells is the Senior Regional Organizer with Community Change org US Bishops teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics: "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" Stay up-to-date with America Media's coverage of the 2020 election: www.americamagazine.org/newsletters You can support this media ministry at www.americamagazine.org/donate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A highly politicized issue that is central to the teaching of Pope Francis. The science and the moral framework are clear. Will American Catholics respond at the voting booth?  Guest links: Martha Shulski serves as the state climatologist for Nebraska. Dan Misleh is the founding Executive Director of Catholic Climate Covenant. Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment:  ‘Laudato Si’ US Bishops teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics: "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" Stay up-to-date with America Media's coverage of the 2020 election: www.americamagazine.org/newsletters You can support this media ministry at www.americamagazine.org/donate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A tenet of the constitution and central teaching of the Catholic Church. Is it under threat in 2020?  Guest Links: George Weigel is the Distinguished Senior Fellow and William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Read more on Melissa Buck’s case at Beckett.  US Bishops teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics: "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" Stay up-to-date with America Media's coverage of the 2020 election: www.americamagazine.org/newsletters You can support this media ministry at www.americamagazine.org/donate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2020 was a year of reckoning for racial injustice in America. Catholics of color are calling for the church to look in the mirror. Will the church respond and take a prophetic stand?   Guest Links: Andrew Lyke’s Marriage Ministry to Black Catholics: Arusi Network  Dr. Tia Noelle Pratt US Bishops teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics: "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" Stay up-to-date with America Media's coverage of the 2020 election: www.americamagazine.org/newsletters You can support this media ministry at www.americamagazine.org/donate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The coronavirus pandemic has exposed the American healthcare system. How can Catholics vote to ensure that no one is denied access to care? Guest links: Sr. Mary Haddad is the president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association.  Dr. Rhonda Meadows is the president of Population Health at Providence and CEO of Ayin Health Solutions.  US Bishops teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics: "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" Stay up-to-date with America Media's coverage of the 2020 election: www.americamagazine.org/newsletters You can support this media ministry at www.americamagazine.org/donate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices