Scranton has been called “the town where a vote for Obama is an offence against God” – where voting Democrat is often a marker of social class and family tradition rather than ideology. Now that their bishop has forbidden them to support pro-choice candidates, some Scranton Catholics, like their counterparts across the nation, are conflicted.

Canon lawyer, journalist and author Pete Vere has worked for the Scranton diocese, among others. Speaking in his capacity as a canon law professor, he explains why clarity on the abortion issue matters in the 2008 election.

“Catholics are the biggest block of swing voters in the U.S.,” he told FrontPage Magazine, “and have generally determined the outcome of every U.S. presidential election for the last generation. However, neither party truly represents Catholic teaching, so every election cycle Catholics begin weighing issues” again.

He explains that “evangelicals take a more horizontal view of the issues,” whereas “for Catholics the issues are hierarchical” with abortion at the top of the list.