Joe Condit is a man on fire for his faith. Along with numerous business ventures in which he serves Catholics, Joe also has an intense fervor for the pro-life roots of life as he has always known it. You see, Joe is glad to let you know that his parents met at a pro-life rally and that throughout the years that followed, it has been family tradition — extending even to aunts and uncle and cousins — that helping in all areas of the pro-life arena was just what one does.
So, it is no surprise that in these last few crucial days before the presidential election, Joe has put all his own interests and endeavors on a back burner to answer a call for which he has great passion. Joe, an Ohio resident, recently joined forces with Jason Jones, the founder of www.justonejudge.com. Their goal is to bring an awareness of how this election will ultimately affect our nation as a whole but, also, to ask his fellow Catholics to consider ways in which their vote ought to reflect Church teachings on abortion.
As a Catholic, Joe takes seriously the belief that we are all personally accountable for our choices and our actions. While Joe applies this to his own life, he has decided to apply it to politics as well. www.justonejudge.com is a site where there is an opportunity to support the teachings of the Catholic Church both by casting a pro-life ballot but also by holding the elected officials accountable once in office. The site offers a petition for voters eager to do just that: make politicians accountable.
My path crossed Joe’s in a very round-about way and yet quite without coincidence. Catholic Exchange will soon be launching a woman’s channel called “Today’s Catholic Woman,” which I will have the honor of coordinating. With that role in mind, I happened to be speaking with Matt Swaim, the producer of Brian Patrick’s show on Sacred Heart radio. Matt and I were confirming plans for me to have a regular spot on Brian’s show where I would share the things that Catholic women were thinking about, commenting on, and discussing with one another on Today’s Catholic Woman. At the end of the conversation, Matt mentioned Joe Condit and the site www.justonejudge.com, created in response to the Church’s teaching on abortion. It is a site meant to empower those supporting life issues. At Matt’s suggestion I spoke with Joe for awhile and felt his real sense of passion. I think our conversation is worth sharing.
Cheryl: What has made you put life and career “on hold” right now to bring www.justone judge.com to light?
Joe: This election is, and will be, the most critical election of our time in regards to the fight against abortion. If we do not get a judge in the Supreme Court that will push the vote in favor of pro-life, we will have lost THE BEST chance to begin the end to abortion since it was legalized. For that reason alone, and for the JustOneJudge.com campaign, it is well worth me putting my personal life on hold for such a short amount of time. What a small sacrifice to make for something that could be so great. I look at this chance as our only chance, and every American citizen who believes in the respect for human life hopefully realizes the same.
Cheryl: You readily admit that people may feel they are choosing “the lesser of two evils” and yet they still ought to know the great need for casting a ballot that supports life. How do you see signing the petition on www.justonejudge.com as helping those who feel that frustration?
Joe: The growing frustration of many voters is a major reason why this www.justonejudge.com campaign was created, to help ease some of that frustration and to assure voters their vote WILL make a difference. The JustOneJudge.com petition will go straight to DC where it will hold the winning candidate accountable for his promises. The JustOneJudge.com online petition will remind the new president that we, the pro-life voters, were the reason he obtained the presidential seat! That petition will scream, “Please give us the judge you promised that will support pro-life and tip the courts to end Roe vs Wade.” I urge everyone to do their part and sign the JustOneJudge.com online petition.
Cheryl: You spoke of voters needing to make a pledge to themselves. What do you mean by that?
Joe: Voters need to step back from all the media confusion, complex issues, propaganda, and recognize that we have an extremely rare opportunity to make a difference on THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE that exists, ending abortion. By signing the online petition the voter endorses the JustOneJudge.com fight to make sure the new president (should we elect a pro-life president) keeps his word, giving us a Supreme Court Justice who believes in ending abortion. In addition, I ask all my fellow pro-life voters to use the JustOneJudge.com petition as a practice vote, pledging to themselves that they will vote pro-life this election and urge all of their friends to as well.
Cheryl: You and I spoke at length about the ways in which abortion is not on the same playing field as war or other social issues. This seems to be a critical message for Catholics to hear, especially since the Church teaches that abortion is an intrinsic evil. Could you please share how this election, and your site www.justonejudge.com, can make a difference for the future of this intrinsic evil?
Joe: This election decides the president who will appoint the next several justices of the Supreme Court. That will be the most powerful presidential decision, when it is exercised. www.justonejudge.com is THE movement trying to make a difference by doing everything possible to help people understand the importance of a pro-life vote and, then, hold the new president accountable for a pro-life judge. We are certain JustOneJudge.com will make a difference by raising awareness and educating people about the fight for a new pro-life Supreme Court justice.
Cheryl: You come from a family who gives much in the way of time and resources for pro-life causes through individual assistance. How has this affected you?
Joe: I have had tremendous role models in my family when it comes to being Pro-Life. My family is full of lawyers who have performed countless free legal work for the fight against abortion. My uncle and my grandfather were both arrested once for praying in front of an abortion clinic, something I am very proud to share. They are the reasons I am so passionate about this cause and so thrilled to have the opportunity to serve God and the innocent unborn.
