Dear Timothy:

Catholics are free to vote for any candidate who does not support intrinsic evils such as abortion, same-sex marriage, etc.

While Christianity can thrive under any governmental system, the system of government that respects freedom of religion, freedom of speech, civil and human rights, an open and free market, regulated capitalism, the dignity of the human person, and that recognizes that it is God who gives us rights and man who constitutes law to protect those rights through limited government, bests facilitates the Christian message and ethic. In other words a limited government that is a constitutional republic like our forefathers envisioned is the kind of government that is best for the Christian spirit and practice.

That sort of government is the kind of government that has been under attack by the Progressives since Teddy Roosevelt and has flowered it sulfuric flower in Obama. It is interesting to note that 19th century liberals were for limited government and were more like libertarians are today.

As to the second question, bishop after bishop has said, and I have repeated over and over on these Q&A's and in my blogs, that any Catholic who votes for a pro-abortion, pro same-sex marriage candidate is gravely sinning.

I will take it further that, since the Democratic Party supports abortion and same-sex marriage as part of its official platform, that no Catholic, nay, no Christian of any stripe, can remain a Democrat and remain a Christian in good standing, and shall remain a Democrat upon pain of grave sin.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary