October 27, 2021 Column Father De Celles
ABOUT THE CANDIDATES. Voting is the most fundamental building block of our nation, and the foundation of all our freedoms. But so many of us don’t bother to vote, and when the rest of us do vote, we often vote based on very little knowledge of the candidates, and over secondary issues. Sometimes we even vote based on some irrelevant attribute of the candidate: e.g., their looks, color, education, and especially political party. All this, instead of finding out what the candidates plan to do in office and where they stand on the most important issues on the table.
And by “the most important issues,” I don’t mean our pet projects, but the issues that are most fundamental in maintaining a moral and free society.
Virginia State and local elections are now only 9 days away, Tuesday, November 2 (although you can still vote-early-in-person). Sadly, many Virginians will not vote in this so-called “off year election,” even though it will decide who will write most of the laws and policies that govern our daily lives, especially the lives of our children, as we elect a new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and State Delegate.
But where do the candidates stand on the most important issues facing us? Some issues may be very important but are open to debate as to the best solution. So let’s consider the issues that are really not up for debate for Catholics in the coming election.
Governor’s Race. Let’s begin with the race between Terry McAuliffe (Democrat) and Glenn Youngkin (Republican) for Governor of Virginia.
Abortion. Terry McAuliffe is pro-abortion on demand, even supporting an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia that permanently enshrines the right to abortion. Glenn Youngkin is pro-life, although he supports exceptions for rape, incest and when the life of the mother is at risk.
Parental Rights in Education. McAuliffe says, “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.” Youngkin says, “I believe parents should be in charge of their kids’ education,” and advocates school choice for parents.
Critical Race Theory in Public Schools. McAuliffe says that “it’s not taught in Virginia” and that it is just “another right-wing conspiracy.” Youngkin says, “On day one, I will issue an order banning the teaching of critical race theory in our schools.”
Transgenderism in Public Schools. McAuliffe has pledged to “implement the Virginia Department of Education’s new model policy to protect and affirm transgender students,” which states, “All students are entitled to have access to restrooms, locker rooms, and changing facilities that …. corresponds to their gender identity.” Youngkin opposes these policies. When asked, “As governor are you going to allow male students to participate in girls’ high school athletics and shower with them?” Youngkin responded, “No… we’ve just lost our whole sense of common sense.”
Covid Vaccine Mandates. McAuliffe supports requiring the vaccine for students, teachers and health care workers and supports businesses requiring them for employees. Youngkin encourages everyone to be vaccinated but opposes mandates, saying “…individuals should be allowed to make that decision on their own.” (Both Candidates have taken the vaccine themselves).
Delegate’s Race. Our parishioners live in various Delegate Districts, so it’s not practical to give a complete rundown. But let me say this about the Candidates for District 42, in which the church is located. It is safe to say that on the issues above, the incumbent, Kathy Tran, holds the same basic positions as does McAuliffe, and her challenger, Ed McGovern, holds the same basic positions as Youngkin. You will remember that in her first term, Kathy Tran introduced a bill that would allow late term abortion, even as “a woman is about to give birth.” This is just evil.
Can a Priest Endorse a Candidate? Our Bishop prohibits priests from endorsing candidates. This seems a good idea, since some priests are nuts. But, based on the above critical issues, the choices seem obvious. Just vote like a Catholic!
You Must Vote! I am confident in saying, if you are eligible to vote, it is a grave sin not to vote in this election: we cannot let the radical leftists and secularists destroy our culture, society and families. We must elect officials who will represent us and the principles that have made our state and nation great.
I THOUGHT THIS COULDN’T HAPPEN… As was reported in multiple media outlets last week (this taken from the Daily Wire):
Loudoun County Public Schools in Northern Virginia is being accused of covering up allegations that a boy in late May sexually assaulted a ninth grade girl in her school’s restroom—the nightmare scenario so often described by opponents of radical transgender school policies.
The school system allegedly covered up the incident by transferring the male student to a neighboring school where police said he was arrested after sexually assaulting another student.
In a statement to The Daily Signal on Wednesday, Loudoun County Public Schools defended itself from accusations that it improperly handled two sexual assaults in its school buildings…
“Loudoun County Public Schools is aware of the media and social media reports concerning alleged sexual assaults at two of our high school campuses,” the official statement says. “…Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office was contacted within minutes of receiving the initial report on May 28” …. LCPS does not begin its investigation until law enforcement advises LCPS that it has completed the criminal investigation…LCPS has cooperated and continues to cooperate with law enforcement.”…
The victim’s father, Scott Smith, told The Daily Wire that in late May, a boy dressed in a skirt entered a girl’s restroom at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia, and sexually assaulted his ninth grade daughter. The suspect in the case was “gender-fluid,” Rosiak reported.
Police arrested Smith during a Loudoun County School Board meeting June 22 where he and others voiced their disapproval of the school system’s new policy on transgender students. He eventually was sentenced to 10 days in jail, all of it suspended, for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Video footage shows police officers dragging the distraught and bloodied father from the school board meeting….
Police confirmed two reports of sexual assaults at Loudoun schools, in May and in October. Smith’s attorney…told Fox News that both assaults were committed by the same person, although the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office would not confirm that fact…since the suspect is a juvenile….
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office confirmed…that the Stone Bridge High School assault case was reported to the Loudoun County school resource officer on May 28 by school personnel.
The school district quietly transferred the teenage suspect to Broad Run High School after the alleged assault, Rosiak reported…
That suggests that LCPS Superintendent Scott Ziegler may have lied when he said at the June 22 school board meeting that “the predator transgender student or person simply does not exist,” adding: “We don’t have any record of assaults occurring in our restrooms.”
Oremus pro invicem. Fr. De Celles