Archbishop Vlazny on Catholic Voters and Politicians

Blog reader Mark Schneider has provided us with a link to Portland, Oregon Archbishop Vlazny's statement on the reception of communion by pro-choice candidates and those who vote for them. Archbishop Vlazny says that pro-choice candidates and those who vote for them because of their pro-choice views should refrain from receiving the Eucharist. In contrast, the Archbishop says that those who vote for a pro-choice candidate despite the candidate's pro-choice position should not refrain. He says:

"Should Catholics who choose to vote for pro-choice politicians refrain from reception of the Holy Communion? If they vote for them precisely because they are pro-choice, I believe they too should refrain from the reception of Holy Communion because they are not in communion with the Church on a serious matter. But if they are voting for that particular politician because, in their judgment, other candidates fail significantly in some matters of great importance, for example, war and peace, human rights and economic justice, then there is no evident stance of opposition to Church teaching and reception of Holy Communion seems both appropriate and beneficial."

He goes on to say that those who vote for a pro-choice candidate should make their disagreement with the politicians stand on abortion abundantly clear.

Voting for a pro-choice candidate is clearly a form of cooperation with the evil of abortion. My question to readers and co-bloggers (especially those more philosophically and theologically grounded than I), is voting for a pro-choice candidate (but for other good reasons) licit or illicit cooperation with evil? Why? Bishop Sheridan appears to have concluded that it is illicit while Archbishop Vlazny appears to have concluded that it might be licit.

I look forward to learning!

Michael