Catholic Politicians.Org

Resources for
Catholic Americans/American Catholics
who love their country and their faith

"For we have in our hearts a law written by God. To obey
it is the very dignity of the human person; according to it we
will be judged" (Vatican II Documents: Gaudium et spes).

David A. Myers

(This essay will be published in the next issue of Just Good Company)

David A. Myers is a Jesuit priest and attorney.  He is a member of the Oregon Province and serves the people of Guadalupe, Arizona and the surrounding Phoenix area.  He studied humanities and philosophy at Gonzaga University, and theology at the University of Toronto.  He earned his doctorate in law at Arizona State University.

     He taught physics, math and latin at Seattle Prep, and now teaches Native American Religions, World Religions and Logic in the Maricopa County Community College system.  He was recently a visiting professor of English at Universidad Mariana, Pasto, Colombia.

     David Myers started political asylum projects for Central American refugees in Florence, Arizona and Oakdale, Louisiana.  He helped train attorneys for the Haitian refugee project in Maimi.   He represented over 500 refugees in Immigration Court.

     He has received special recognition from the State Bar of Arizona, Maricopa County Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, Arizona State University College of Law, and the Thomas More Association of Arizona.

     He is also a Yaqui Matachini dancer.

Dave Myers: Kerry Promoter

I am a John Kerry promoter.  I am a Jesuit priest and a lawyer.  I believe in truth, in peace and in the right to life.

John Kerry and the Democratic party are the closest to my ideals.  George Bush and the Republicans are far away.

I live in the Yaqui Indian/Mexican-American town of Guadalupe, which touches Phoenix, Arizona on its southeast corner.  We are 6,000 people.  We have the highest voter registration and turn-out percentage in the state.  We are highly politicized and we care!

I preach at home and in two neighboring parishes.  I preach on the Gospel.  Jesus says we must love each other and share.  George Bush says we should bully each other and accumulate the world’s wealth for America’s richest.  He is wrong.  I try to bring Jesus to the people, in church and on the street.

John Kerry says he opposes abortion.   George Bush has personally authorized the killing of over 50,000 men and women in Iraq.  Over 1000 of them were Americans.  Who supports the right to life?  At the Prayers of the Faithful, I make sure we pray not only for slain Americans, but also slain Iraqis.

I am deeply committed to the right to life: both “innocent” lives and the lives of the rest of us.  Human life before birth is sacred and human life after birth is more sacred.  Killing people in wars is wrong.  Starving people with inhumane economic structures is wrong.  Denying health care is wrong.  Using educational deprivation to create pools of cheap labor is wrong.

I am an habitual truth teller.  George Bush is an habitual liar.  When I hear a lie, I believe I am obligated to correct it with the truth: No Child Left Behind has left our children behind and has caused an educational and economic maelstrom; the average worker’s wages are going down, not up; unemployment is extremely high; the Arizona border is not secure from terrorists and immigration reform is needed immediately.

When taking on the great Republican propaganda machine, it is wise to have your ducks in a row.  I find “The Daily Mislead” (<www.Misleader.org>) a reliable source of information.

Isn’t it ironic that Dan Rather must apologize for relying on unsubstantiated reports on National Guard duty, but George Bush can defend his manipulation of substantiated reports on the need to invade Iraq.

But wait a minute!  Who am I to be using the clout of the Society of Jesus and the Catholic Church to bastion my beliefs?   Indeed, who am I to be using membership in the State Bar of Arizona to fortify my message?

My membership in these groups for many years are signs of my personal commitment to causes that I believe to be noble.  They do not define me.  I am part of their definitions.

A friend who is a retired judge, and former Jesuit gave me a Kerry bumper sticker, which I proudly fly on the rear window of my imperfectly rebuilt Subaru Outback, along with the Quaker’s banner: “War is Not the Answer.” This is important.  Most of the people I serve recognize my car.  I want to be clear on where I stand.  I hope I will inspire them.

I believe the mass is the communal meal of Jesus’ people.  Those who attend share his commitment to mutual respect and sharing.  Most of those who attend wish to receive Jesus in communion with the others.  I do not sit in judgment of their worthiness.

Aha! You want to test me: What if George Bush came forward to receive?    — Now, what good, cunning lawyer would respond to a hypothetical? —

I have served Guadalupe and the Phoenix area as a priest for 30 years and as a practicing attorney for 20 years.  I charge my clients what they make per hour: “My hour for your hour” If I don’t get enough to live on, I do not get mad at my client, I get mad at his employer.

My mission is to bring Christian principles to the judges and lawyers of Arizona and the nation.  I believe we are making progress.  Not all lawyers are greedy ogres.  

“There is nothing to fear but fear itself” said Franklin Roosevelt.  George Bush is trying to market fear as the reason to retain him.   The Christian response is to encourage peace and confidence in our Lord.  We never need be afraid.  God protects us.   Don’t be afraid; go out and vote for the man who wants to bring us peace.

VOTE KERRY!

David A. Myers, S.J.
Guadalupe, AZ