Is Rick Santorum Catholic?

Some Ron Paul supporters are questioning the faith and pro-life credentials of Rick Santorum.  Here are just a few comments taken from Rick Santorum’s Facebook page.

1.) Sylvia  You sir, are no CATHOLIC. Shame on you!

2.) Sylvia  Pro life???????? You gotta be kidding. We are in so much trouble. Ron Paul help us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3.) Jonathan  he's anti god, anti love and he doesnt care if the old or poor has heating

4.) Scott  ‎@Michael Yeah he's a great catholic if youre an american. but if youre muslim, hide your family. He's become just as big of a disgrace to the faith on the right, as pelosi has become to the left.
Sorry, but it had to be said.

Where do I even begin?  First of all, I have nothing against Ron Paul personally.  I disagree with some of his political views, but he seems a like a decent human being.  However, some of his rabid followers and supporters are simply crazy.  I believe the above comments only further confirm this conclusion.  Let me address each of the comments above very briefly.

1.) Sylvia, who are you to say that Rick Santorum is not Catholic?  Was he not baptized into the Catholic faith?  Does he no longer attend mass or profess a belief in Catholicism?  Your statement is untrue.  Rick Santorum is a very faithful Catholic who frequently attends mass, and it is very evident that his faith is a very important part of his life.  It would be one thing to say that in your opinion a couple of his political policies may not be consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.  I would disagree with that assessment, but you would be free to your opinion.  However, to say that the man is not Catholic is both insulting and flat out wrong!  Shame on you, Sylvia, for your false accusation against of Rick Santorum. 

2.) Rick Santorum is pro-life.  I really shouldn’t even have to address this because he has been so clear and outspoken about pro-life issues, but for Sylvia’s sake I will say a few words.  In fact, Rick Santorum is the one presidential candidate that time and again brings up pro-life issues in debates, in town hall meetings, at crisis pregnancy centers, and virtually everywhere he goes.  He is a pro-life champion.  It really is ridiculous to question his pro-life credentials.  Even Rick Santorum’s greatest critics will acknowledge that the man is passionately pro-life.  The plea for Ron Paul to help us really sounds desperate.  It almost sounds like this lady worships Ron Paul.  I hear this a lot from Ron Paul supporters; Ron Paul is the most pro-life candidate because he delivered over 4000 babies.  I think it’s wonderful that he delivered so many babies, and I don’t question that Ron Paul is pro-life, but the fact that he delivered babies does not make him pro-life.  There are  abortion doctors that also deliver babies.  Does that make them pro-life?  Rick Santorum is a father of 7 children.  To me, that is the most clear indication that a man is pro-life.  What are the candidate's policies and how will those policies help protect life?  Ron Paul thinks these issues should be resolved by the state, but Rick Santorum believes that no state has the right to deny any person the right to life.  Which of those beliefs and policies is more pro-life?  Rick Santorum is clearly the most pro-life candidate in this Republican Presidential primary.  

3.) Ok, this one doesn’t even warrant a response.  Next.

4.) Scott is all over the place.  Let me try to respond to each of his points individually.  First, Scott suggests that Santorum is a great Catholic if you are American.  This comment makes absolutely no sense.  I guess I would say to Scott that I am an American, and I believe Santorum to be a good and faithful Catholic.  I am not sure that the fact that I am American has anything to do with it, but other than the fact that his comment makes no sense I don’t really have anything else to say.  Then Scott says that if you are a Muslim, hide your family.  This is just a ridiculous statement that once again makes no sense whatsoever.  Is he suggesting that you are either American or Muslim?  I don’t get it.  I happen to be a Christian living in America, but there are hundreds of thousands of Muslims that are also Americans.  Additionally, it is absolutely ridiculous to say that Muslim families must hide in fear of Rick Santorum.  He has no hatred or agenda against peaceful Muslims.  He is very concerned about the radical element of Islam, which is determined to do any and everything to destroy and kill us who they label as infidels.  The fact that Rick Santorum is aware of this threat and steadfast in protecting the citizens of the United States does not in any way suggest that he hates Muslims.  Rick Santorum believes in the freedom of all people to freely practice their religion.  Lastly, Scott attempts to compare the faith of Rick Santorum to Nancy Pelosi.  This comparison is so off base.  Rick Santorum does not defiantly, openly, and publicly state false beliefs and statements about Catholicism in direct conflict with the USCCB on the foundational teachings of the Catholic Church unlike Pelosi.  Pelosi actively promotes abortion, gay ‘marriage’, and other anti-Christian positions despite the very clear teachings of the Catholic Church against these fundamental issues.  She promotes these things while at the same time trying to justify her evil positions as ‘catholic’ positions.  Pelosi dangerously tries to mislead Catholics and all voters, and she misrepresents the teachings of the Catholic Church even on the most important issues such as abortion and marriage.  Rick Santorum does none of the above.  It is so refreshing to have a Catholic politician like Rick Santorum who actually believes in the essential teachings of the Catholic Church and strives to live a Catholic life both privately and publicly.

 

I have no problem with people who disagree about a candidate’s political positions.  However, it upsets me greatly when people make such false and completely ridiculous statements about a candidate’s faith.  I find it amusing that Rick Santorum, who is the most consistent and passionate pro-life social conservative, is being criticized by some as not being pro-life.  Rick Santorum is a faithful Catholic who actually believes in and promotes the essential teachings of the Catholic faith, unlike many politicians who tout their Catholic faith despite actively promoting agendas that are in direct conflict of essential teachings of the Catholic faith.  My prayers go out to Rick Santorum as he continues his candidacy for the President of the United States.  My God bless him and his family throughout this campaign.  Rick Santorum is a trustworthy, social conservative family man, and I am praying that if it is God’s will that he will be our next President.

God bless,

Mike