Elections, Conscience, and Catholics

The Catholic Thing · Oct 28, 2026 · 8m

By John M. Grondelski

Many commentators identify the origin of politicians' (especially Catholic Democrats') "personally opposed but" approach to abortion as John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign, particularly his September address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association. Carl Anderson, former Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, insists that's not quite right – at least not in a straight line, though there are similarities. His book, Conscience as a Political Problem, helpfully explains why.

Kennedy knew that there was a "Catholic vote," Democrats needed it, and JFK could…