No, the New Libertarian Party Is Not an Option for Catholics!

The basic problem with the LP, as with all Left-wing groups, is a faulty, anti-Catholic philosophical anthropology. They believe in the perfectibility of man in the temporal sphere. Whilst there are many points in their current platform that Catholics would agree with, there are also many points that are anti-Catholic and anti-morality. Here are a few.

From the Platform of the Libertarian Party, adopted in May, 2022.

In the first paragraph of the section on Individual Liberty, we read:

Individuals own their bodies and have rights over them that other individuals, groups, and governments may not violate. Individuals have the freedom and responsibility to decide what they knowingly and voluntarily consume, and what risks they accept to their own health, finances, safety, or life.

Whilst abortion is not mentioned in the platform any longer, as Mr Sammons points out in his essay, I don't see how this paragraph can be read in any other way than granting a 'right' to abortion.

In the fourth paragraph of the same section, we are presented with this:

Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the government’s treatment of individuals, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration, or military service laws.  Consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships. Until such time as the government stops its illegitimate practice of marriage licensing, such licenses must be granted to all consenting adults who apply.

Am I the only one who reads this as a license for 'gay marriage',  'polyamorous' relationships, 'gender fluidity', etc.? I'm sure that no believing Catholic can agree that 'Government does not have the authority to define, promote, license, or restrict personal relationships, regardless of the number of participants'!

In paragraph eight of the same section, the platform states:

We oppose the administration of the death penalty by the state.

This, of course, contradicts the teaching of Holy Scripture, the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and the unchanging Magisterium, which has been amply demonstrated in recent years over Francis's attempt to 'change' the Church's Teaching on capital punisment.

Section two on Economic Liberty is essentially all in opposition to the Papal Social Magisterium going back to Popes Leo XIII and Pius XI, but it has a few glaring problems as well. For instance, paragraph ten says:

The Libertarian Party supports the decriminalization of prostitution. We assert the right of consenting adults to provide sexual services to clients for compensation, and the right of clients to purchase sexual services from consenting sex workers.

And, finally, in the seventh paragraph of Section Three on Securing Liberty, their underlying Left-wing anarchism is revealed:

Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of individual liberty, it is the right of the people to alter, abolish, or withdraw from it, and to agree to such new governance, or none, as to them shall seem most likely to protect their liberty.

This, of course, contradicts Holy Scripture which in many places refers to the power of the State being granted by God. And when St Peter says 'Fear God. Honour the King' (II Peter 2:17) he obviously assumes a lawful government.

So, as I said, there is much to agree with in the Libertarian philosophy as presented in the Party Platform, but I cannot see it as an alternative for the Catholic voter.