First off I am a practicing Catholic, in good standing with the Holy See in Rome. Long after Pres. Obama passes this mortal coil the Catholic Church will still be around.
The MSM has been squaring off the Church and our new president. The MSM is using interesting terms in describing Cardinal Staffords critique on President-Elect Barack Obama’s pro-abortion position. The reporting says it is a "scathing rant" and a "diatribe."
Umkay... Here is the audio from his speech.
A rant? A diatribe? Is there really anything new here? Obama and the Church strongly disagree on embryonic stem cell research, abortion rights and civil unions for gay couples. This this is pretty common knowledge (unless your Pelosi). I would not anticipate the Church to change stance on any of these topics anytime, Pres. Obama, being a politician may.
I feel these are very important moral arguments with harsh future implications that need to be stated and re-stated.
Civil Discourse at the highest level. CNN's 'story' is just vilification disguised as journalism.
1 comment:
Lee, I hope you enjoy this article and take it in the positive spirit in which I mean it. Point taken about Pelosi—we agree. And Reid's back. Oh, well...
I am uncomfortable about any Church dictating moral policy to government, as stated in the Bill of Rights dealing with Separation of Church and State. Not all faiths are against embryonic stem cell research, abortion rights, and marriage for gay couples. Since our forefathers fought a Revolution to ensure these rights, we must exercise caution that one person's belief does not legally conflict with another's in consideration of Constitutional law.
I spent many wonderful hours in one of the California missions even though I am not a Catholic. There are many aspects of the religion I love, such as Latin and Spanish mass, and the brilliance of the Jesuits, and certain churches I've attended that have given me spiritual strength.
You are absolutely right: how we fit morality into our government is a difficult question that cannot be significantly stated. On the other hand, I recall Christ's words: "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and render unto God that which is God's." I cannot think of a clearer argument for Separation of Church and State.
My respect goes out to you as to all people of all faith and spirituality. The issues you bring up certainly need much discussion. I'd like to share with you an article concerning the meaning of pro-life from Bishop Onaiyekan of Nigeria.
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“The fact that you oppose abortion doesn’t necessarily mean that you are pro-life,” Onaiyekan said in an interview with NCR. “You can be anti-abortion and still be killing people by the millions through war, through poverty, and so on.”
...
Onaiyekan said the election of an African-American president would have positive repercussions for America’s image in the developing world.
“It would mean that for the first time, we would begin to think that the Americans are really serious in the things they say, about freedom, equality, and all that,” he said. “For a long time, we’ve been feeling that you don’t really mean it, that they’re just words.”
Onaiyekan said he’s aware that many American Catholics have reservations about Obama because of his stand on abortion, but he looks at it differently.
“Of course I believe that abortion is wrong, that it’s killing innocent life,” he said. “I also believe, however, that those who are against abortion should be consistent.
“If my choice is between a person who makes room for abortion, but who is really pro-life in terms of justice in the world, peace in the world, I will prefer him to somebody who doesn’t support abortion but who is driving millions of people in the world to death,” Onaiyekan said.
“It’s a whole package, and you never get a politician who will please you in everything,” he said. “You always have to pick and choose.”
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