Paul Ryan on social justice - how his Catholic Faith shapes his public policy views

From an interview he gave recently at the Values Voters Summit in Washington.

Sent to me by my friend Chris Bell.

Paul Ryan Exclusive: Explains How His Catholic Faith Shapes Public Policy Views

Now what we believe as practicing Catholics, as conservative Catholics is that our job is to go after the root cause of poverty, to try and eradicate poverty. When we talk about ideas, principles like subsidiarity in conjunction with solidarity and preferential option for the poor, what that means is we believe in civil society. We believe in individuals in their community and solidarity with one another working to create a better common good for everybody; helping people in need, protecting the voiceless like the unborn.

These things are central to who we are and the notion that you can divorce these principles, these matters of faith between private life and public life, that doesn’t jive with the thinking of a Catholic. And so sure there are differences of opinion on how to achieve an end. We believe in attacking the root cause of poverty not simply treating the symptoms so it’s more tolerable and that means having a vibrant civil society.

Comments

[Noreen comnolly]

Actions speak louder than words. Even the bishops slammed his budget. By the way I am a practicing catholic

[tom faranda]

Really Noreen? You are factually incorrect. His own Bishop defended him, as did Dolan in NY.

Here's Morlino in his diocese - http://www.madisoncatholicherald.org/bishopscolumns/3366-bishop-column.html

"Vice Presidential Candidate Ryan is aware of Catholic Social Teaching and is very careful to fashion and form his conclusions in accord with [its] principles. ... I mention this matter in obedience to Church Law regarding one’s right to a good reputation."

And

"As one looks at issues such as the two mentioned above and seeks to apply the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, Catholics and others of good will can arrive at different conclusions. These are conclusions about the best means to promote the preferential option for the poor, or the best means to reach a lower percentage of unemployment throughout our country. No one is contesting here anyone’s right to the basic needs of food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, etc. Nor is anyone contesting someone’s right to work and so provide for self and family. However there can be difference according to how best to follow the principles which the Church offers."

As a self-proclaimed "practicing Catholic" I am sure you're aware of this, also from Morlino's column -

" In these most fundamental matters, a well-formed Catholic conscience, or the well-formed conscience of a person of good will, simply follows the conclusions demanded by the ecology of human nature and the reasoning process. A Catholic conscience can never take exception to the prohibition of actions which are intrinsically evil. Nor may a conscience well-formed by reason or the Catholic faith ever choose to vote for someone who clearly, consistently, persistently promotes that which is intrinsically evil."

Ahh! "Intrinsic evil." What could the Bishop be referring to?