If you still haven't read Render Unto Caesar. . .

You probably should read it.

He doesn't tell us to be Democrats. He doesn't tell us to be Republicans. He tells us that "the most powerful 'political' act Catholics can make is to love Jesus Christ, believe in his church, and live her teachings. . ." (73-74).

He goes on to say that we must engage the public square - and even the world.

On poverty, he says that "we can choose to ignore that [Christ told Peter to feed his sheep]. All of the damned do"(37).

On racism and abortion, he says "Catholics who know their faith know that publicly opposing racism and publicly opposing abortion flow from the same Catholic beliefs about the human person" (59).

And on that most difficult question of whether or not a Catholic can vote for a pro-choice candidate when there is a pro-life candidate on the ballot, he says it would have to "be a reason we could, with an honest heart, expect the unborn victims of abortion to accept when we meet them and need to explain our actions - as we someday will" (229-230).

I urge you to get the book. It is full of zingers like these. If you are like me, you won't be able to put the book down and his words will stay with you long after you finish the last page.