In an unusual turn of events, a church in San Diego has raised eyebrows with its recent bulletins, hinting that voting for Democrats could lead to eternal damnation. Typically, church newsletters focus on community prayers and reminders about Sunday potlucks, but the Immaculate Conception Parish took a more controversial route.
On October 16, a flyer titled “Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics” was included in the weekly bulletin. This notice claimed that Democratic positions on issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, euthanasia, and human cloning contradicted Catholic teachings. The flyer warned that voting for Democrats constitutes a “mortal sin,” leading to hell upon death. It stated, “Immediately after death, the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell.”
Two weeks later, another bulletin contained an article alleging that Hillary Clinton was under Satan’s influence, attempting to sway voters on abortion. It was a rather sensational assertion, likening the situation to a moment of clarity where the simplest explanation might just be that a nefarious force was at play.
This has sparked considerable controversy, as IRS regulations prohibit tax-exempt organizations like churches from endorsing political candidates. The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego quickly disavowed the flyers and articles, asserting that they do not reflect official church teachings. Bishop Jonathan Greene stated through a spokesperson, “While we offer a moral perspective on public policy issues, we do not endorse specific candidates or engage in political activities.” Moreover, he emphasized, “Voting for Democrats is not a mortal sin, and our church does not take stances on political parties.”
So, who authored these contentious pieces? The diocesan office claimed that the October 16 flyer was inserted without the pastor’s knowledge, while the article from October 30 originated within the parish, although the authorship remains unclear.
Pastor Samuel Hayes acknowledged to the media that he hadn’t reviewed the controversial flyer and admitted it “went a little beyond” his expectations. Nevertheless, he has been vocal about his belief that voting for Democrats could lead parishioners astray. He had previously addressed the same moral issues in a homily, arguing against voting for candidates who support those positions, regardless of their other appealing policies.
As for the other bulletin piece suggesting Clinton’s association with Satan, the diocese contended that there is no official Catholic teaching regarding national debt or the Second Amendment, categorizing them as civil matters rather than religious. Interestingly, it turns out Pastor Hayes himself wrote that article, although he clarified that he never instructed parishioners to avoid voting for Clinton specifically, instead suggesting context might have been lost in interpretation.
In a surprising twist, recent polling indicates that Trump holds significant support among Catholics, with a notable 20-point lead over Clinton. This situation has certainly stirred the pot, raising questions about the intersection of faith and politics.
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In summary, a San Diego church bulletin has sparked controversy by warning parishioners against voting for Democrats, labeling it a mortal sin. The diocese quickly distanced itself from the messages, highlighting the importance of separating political affiliations from church teachings.