(RNS) Vice president Joe Biden sits to the left of Catholic doctrine on abortion and other life issues. Fellow Catholic Paul Ryan, the newly minted GOP vice presidential candidate, sits to the right of his church on fiscal policy. If the 2012 presidential campaign proves anything, it's that there is no perfect Catholic politician. By Daniel Burke.

(RNS) House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan argues that GOP proposals to cut programs for the needy while sparing the Defense Department and taxes on the wealthy is in line with Catholic social teaching, but experts across the Catholic spectrum say Ryan gets it wrong. By David Gibson.