"So when does a baby get human rights Speaker Pelosi?"
Her BOLD reply on Meet the Press (8/24/08):
"I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time."
Oh really? Anyone who knows the teachings of the Catholic Church is well aware that her following further response proves that she needs to hit the books for real this time:
"And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition. And Senator--St. Augustine said at three months. We don't know. The point is, is that it shouldn't have an impact on the woman's right to choose. Roe v. Wade talks about very clear definitions of when the child--first trimester, certain considerations; second trimester; not so third trimester. There's very clear distinctions. This isn't about abortion on demand, it's about a careful, careful consideration of all factors and--to--that a woman has to make with her doctor and her god. And so I don't think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins."
Oh yeah, it definitely got worse:
MR. BROKAW: "The Catholic Church at the moment feels very strongly that it..."
REP. PELOSI: "I understand that."
MR. BROKAW: "...begins at the point of conception."
REP. PELOSI: "I understand. And this is like maybe 50 years or something like that. So again, over the history of the church, this is an issue of controversy. But it is, it is also true that God has given us, each of us, a free will and a responsibility to answer for our actions."
So now we have politicians who rant and rave about separation of church and state claiming to be theologians! (Oh I'm sorry, I meant that she "studied the issue for a long time!")
So what do the Bishops (a.k.a. - "teachers") of the Roman Catholic Church have to say on the topics of abortion and receiving Holy Communion?
Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl (Archdiocese of Washington D.C.) -
"In a release issued Monday night, Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl said Pelosi's comments on 'Meet the Press' on Sunday 'were incorrect.' Wuerl noted that Pelosi responded to a question on when life begins by mentioning she was Catholic.The release quoted Pelosi as saying the church has not been able to come with a definition of when life begins. 'After Mr. Tom Brokaw, the interviewer, pointed out that the Catholic Church feels strongly that life begins at conception, she replied, "understand. And this is, like, maybe 50 years or something like that. So again, over the history of the church, this is an issue of controversy," ' the release said.Wuerl strongly disagrees.He said, 'We respect the right of elected officials such as Speaker Pelosi to address matters of public policy that are before them, but the interpretation of Catholic faith has rightfully been entrusted to the Catholic bishops. Given this responsibility to teach, it is important to make this correction for the record.'Wuerl pointed out that the Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear, and has been clear for 2,000 years. He cited Catechism language that reads, 'Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception … Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.'" http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/archbishop-pelosis-comments-on-abortion-are-false-2008-08-25.html
Archbishop Charles Chaput (Archdiocese of Denver) -
"A leading Catholic bishop delivered the opening statement of the quadrennial debate over whether or not pro-abortion Catholic politicians should receive communion. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver says Barack Obama's running mate Joe Biden should refrain from the sacrament.
Biden is a pro-abortion Catholic and has a long voting record of supporting abortion and opposing any sensible limits on it.
In an email sent Sunday to the Associated Press, Archbishop Chaput said Biden should following the teachings of the Church by opposing abortion or voluntarily refrain from receiving communion.
Not doing so would be 'seriously wrong,' he said.
'I certainly presume his good will and integrity and I presume that his integrity will lead him to refrain from presenting himself for Communion if he supports a false "right" to abortion,' the Catholic leader added.
Chaput told AP he would likely try to speak privately with Biden to encourage him to reform his abortion views or not receive the sacrament." http://www.lifenews.com/nat4200.html
Archbishop Raymond Burke (former St. Louis Archbishop -- now the prefect of the Vatican's Apostolic Signature) -
"In the new comments, Archbishop Raymond Burke, the prefect of the Apostolic Signature, said all Catholics -- but especially politicians -- should not receive communion.
Archbishop Burke also issued a challenge to ministers to make sure they are not providing the sacrament to pro-abortion lawmakers who have not repented from their position, which is at odds with the pro-life teachings of the Catholic Church.
Communion should be denied to pro-abortion politicians 'until they have reformed their lives,' he said, in the interview with Radici Christiane magazine.
'Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ unworthily is a sacrilege,' he warned. 'If it is done deliberately in mortal sin it is a sacrilege.'
Archbishop Burke discussed 'public officials who, with knowledge and consent, uphold actions that are against the Divine and Eternal moral law.'
'For example, if they support abortion, which entails the taking of innocent and defenseless human lives. A person who commits sin in this way should be publicly admonished in such a way as to not receive Communion until he or she has reformed his life,' he told the publication.
Burke said not denying communion makes a bad witness to other Catholics and the public.
'If we have a public figure who is openly and deliberately upholding abortion rights and receiving the Eucharist, what will the average person think?' he explained. 'He or she could come to believe that it up to a certain point it is okay to do away with an innocent life in the mother’s womb.'
The Vatican official said the intent of the communion denial is more about spiritual than political issues.
'It is not with the intention of interfering in public life but rather in the spiritual state of the politician or public official who, if Catholic, should follow the divine law in the public sphere as well,' he said.
'Therefore, it is simply ridiculous and wrong to try to silence a pastor, accusing him of interfering in politics so that he cannot do good to the soul of a member of his flock,' he said as a warning to media outlets and abortion advocates who criticize them.
Moreover, Burke added, 'If a person who has been admonished persists in public mortal sin and attempts to receive Communion, the minister of the Eucharist has the obligation to deny it to him. Why? Above all, for the salvation of that person, preventing him from committing a sacrilege.'" http://www.lifenews.com/int886.html
Cardinal Edward Egan (Archdiocese of New York) -
"Like many other citizens of this nation, I was shocked to learn that the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America would make the kind of statements that were made to Mr. Tom Brokaw of NBC-TV on Sunday, August 24, 2008. What the Speaker had to say about theologians and their positions regarding abortion was not only misinformed; it was also, and especially, utterly incredible in this day and age.
We are blessed in the 21st century with crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers. No one with the slightest measure of integrity or honor could fail to know what these marvelous beings manifestly, clearly, and obviously are, as they smile and wave into the world outside the womb. In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons. They are not parts of their mothers, and what they are depends not at all upon the opinions of theologians of any faith. Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being 'chooses' to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name." http://www.archny.org/news-events/news-press-releases/index.cfm?i=8803
Cardinal Justin Rigali (Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Chairman of the U.S. Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities) and Bishop William Lori (Diocese of Bridgeport and Chairman of the U.S. Bishops Committee on Doctrine) -
"Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U. Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William Lori, chairman of the Committee on Doctrine, said her answer 'misrepresented the history and nature of the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church against abortion.' They noted that the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, 'Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.' And the prelates explained: 'In the Middle Ages, uninformed and inadequate theories about embryology led some theologians to speculate that specifically human life capable of receiving an immortal soul may not exist until a few weeks into pregnancy. While in canon law these theories led to a distinction in penalties between very early and later abortions, the Church's moral teaching never justified or permitted abortion at any stage of development.' These mistaken biological theories became obsolete over 150 years ago when scientists discovered that a new human individual comes into being from the union of sperm and egg at fertilization. In keeping with this modern understanding, the Church teaches that from the time of conception -- fertilization -- each member of the human species must be given the full respect due to a human person, beginning with respect for the fundamental right to life." http://www.zenit.org/article-23474?l=english
And here's what the Catholic League recently had to say, "Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: 'Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.' It also says, 'teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.' Looks like Pelosi didn’t study the subject long enough. But not to worry: We are sending her a copy of Catholicism for Dummies today (the Catechism is like maybe a bit advanced).
Whether Joe Biden is as ignorant of what his religion teaches remains to be seen. What is not in doubt is the enthusiasm which NARAL showed when he was selected to join the ticket. The radical pro-abortion group was delighted, as were the radical pro-abortion delegates to the Democratic convention: as reported in today’s New York Times, 64 percent of Americans reject abortion-on-demand, yet only 23 percent of the delegates do. It is only fitting, then, that NARAL’s president will speak today at the Convention and Planned Parenthood’s president will speak tomorrow.
So there we have it: the man running for president on the Democratic ticket supports selective infanticide, his running mate is a pro-abortion Catholic, the delegates are wildly out of step with Americans on abortion and the Speaker of the House hasn’t a clue what her religion teaches on the subject."
And these people are leading or are seeking to lead our country! God save us all!
Her BOLD reply on Meet the Press (8/24/08):
"I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time."
Oh really? Anyone who knows the teachings of the Catholic Church is well aware that her following further response proves that she needs to hit the books for real this time:
"And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition. And Senator--St. Augustine said at three months. We don't know. The point is, is that it shouldn't have an impact on the woman's right to choose. Roe v. Wade talks about very clear definitions of when the child--first trimester, certain considerations; second trimester; not so third trimester. There's very clear distinctions. This isn't about abortion on demand, it's about a careful, careful consideration of all factors and--to--that a woman has to make with her doctor and her god. And so I don't think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins."
Oh yeah, it definitely got worse:
MR. BROKAW: "The Catholic Church at the moment feels very strongly that it..."
REP. PELOSI: "I understand that."
MR. BROKAW: "...begins at the point of conception."
REP. PELOSI: "I understand. And this is like maybe 50 years or something like that. So again, over the history of the church, this is an issue of controversy. But it is, it is also true that God has given us, each of us, a free will and a responsibility to answer for our actions."
So now we have politicians who rant and rave about separation of church and state claiming to be theologians! (Oh I'm sorry, I meant that she "studied the issue for a long time!")
So what do the Bishops (a.k.a. - "teachers") of the Roman Catholic Church have to say on the topics of abortion and receiving Holy Communion?
Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl (Archdiocese of Washington D.C.) -
"In a release issued Monday night, Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl said Pelosi's comments on 'Meet the Press' on Sunday 'were incorrect.' Wuerl noted that Pelosi responded to a question on when life begins by mentioning she was Catholic.The release quoted Pelosi as saying the church has not been able to come with a definition of when life begins. 'After Mr. Tom Brokaw, the interviewer, pointed out that the Catholic Church feels strongly that life begins at conception, she replied, "understand. And this is, like, maybe 50 years or something like that. So again, over the history of the church, this is an issue of controversy," ' the release said.Wuerl strongly disagrees.He said, 'We respect the right of elected officials such as Speaker Pelosi to address matters of public policy that are before them, but the interpretation of Catholic faith has rightfully been entrusted to the Catholic bishops. Given this responsibility to teach, it is important to make this correction for the record.'Wuerl pointed out that the Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear, and has been clear for 2,000 years. He cited Catechism language that reads, 'Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception … Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.'" http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/archbishop-pelosis-comments-on-abortion-are-false-2008-08-25.html
Archbishop Charles Chaput (Archdiocese of Denver) -
"A leading Catholic bishop delivered the opening statement of the quadrennial debate over whether or not pro-abortion Catholic politicians should receive communion. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver says Barack Obama's running mate Joe Biden should refrain from the sacrament.
Biden is a pro-abortion Catholic and has a long voting record of supporting abortion and opposing any sensible limits on it.
In an email sent Sunday to the Associated Press, Archbishop Chaput said Biden should following the teachings of the Church by opposing abortion or voluntarily refrain from receiving communion.
Not doing so would be 'seriously wrong,' he said.
'I certainly presume his good will and integrity and I presume that his integrity will lead him to refrain from presenting himself for Communion if he supports a false "right" to abortion,' the Catholic leader added.
Chaput told AP he would likely try to speak privately with Biden to encourage him to reform his abortion views or not receive the sacrament." http://www.lifenews.com/nat4200.html
Archbishop Raymond Burke (former St. Louis Archbishop -- now the prefect of the Vatican's Apostolic Signature) -
"In the new comments, Archbishop Raymond Burke, the prefect of the Apostolic Signature, said all Catholics -- but especially politicians -- should not receive communion.
Archbishop Burke also issued a challenge to ministers to make sure they are not providing the sacrament to pro-abortion lawmakers who have not repented from their position, which is at odds with the pro-life teachings of the Catholic Church.
Communion should be denied to pro-abortion politicians 'until they have reformed their lives,' he said, in the interview with Radici Christiane magazine.
'Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ unworthily is a sacrilege,' he warned. 'If it is done deliberately in mortal sin it is a sacrilege.'
Archbishop Burke discussed 'public officials who, with knowledge and consent, uphold actions that are against the Divine and Eternal moral law.'
'For example, if they support abortion, which entails the taking of innocent and defenseless human lives. A person who commits sin in this way should be publicly admonished in such a way as to not receive Communion until he or she has reformed his life,' he told the publication.
Burke said not denying communion makes a bad witness to other Catholics and the public.
'If we have a public figure who is openly and deliberately upholding abortion rights and receiving the Eucharist, what will the average person think?' he explained. 'He or she could come to believe that it up to a certain point it is okay to do away with an innocent life in the mother’s womb.'
The Vatican official said the intent of the communion denial is more about spiritual than political issues.
'It is not with the intention of interfering in public life but rather in the spiritual state of the politician or public official who, if Catholic, should follow the divine law in the public sphere as well,' he said.
'Therefore, it is simply ridiculous and wrong to try to silence a pastor, accusing him of interfering in politics so that he cannot do good to the soul of a member of his flock,' he said as a warning to media outlets and abortion advocates who criticize them.
Moreover, Burke added, 'If a person who has been admonished persists in public mortal sin and attempts to receive Communion, the minister of the Eucharist has the obligation to deny it to him. Why? Above all, for the salvation of that person, preventing him from committing a sacrilege.'" http://www.lifenews.com/int886.html
Cardinal Edward Egan (Archdiocese of New York) -
"Like many other citizens of this nation, I was shocked to learn that the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States of America would make the kind of statements that were made to Mr. Tom Brokaw of NBC-TV on Sunday, August 24, 2008. What the Speaker had to say about theologians and their positions regarding abortion was not only misinformed; it was also, and especially, utterly incredible in this day and age.
We are blessed in the 21st century with crystal-clear photographs and action films of the living realities within their pregnant mothers. No one with the slightest measure of integrity or honor could fail to know what these marvelous beings manifestly, clearly, and obviously are, as they smile and wave into the world outside the womb. In simplest terms, they are human beings with an inalienable right to live, a right that the Speaker of the House of Representatives is bound to defend at all costs for the most basic of ethical reasons. They are not parts of their mothers, and what they are depends not at all upon the opinions of theologians of any faith. Anyone who dares to defend that they may be legitimately killed because another human being 'chooses' to do so or for any other equally ridiculous reason should not be providing leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name." http://www.archny.org/news-events/news-press-releases/index.cfm?i=8803
Cardinal Justin Rigali (Archdiocese of Philadelphia and Chairman of the U.S. Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities) and Bishop William Lori (Diocese of Bridgeport and Chairman of the U.S. Bishops Committee on Doctrine) -
"Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the U. Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William Lori, chairman of the Committee on Doctrine, said her answer 'misrepresented the history and nature of the authentic teaching of the Catholic Church against abortion.' They noted that the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, 'Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.' And the prelates explained: 'In the Middle Ages, uninformed and inadequate theories about embryology led some theologians to speculate that specifically human life capable of receiving an immortal soul may not exist until a few weeks into pregnancy. While in canon law these theories led to a distinction in penalties between very early and later abortions, the Church's moral teaching never justified or permitted abortion at any stage of development.' These mistaken biological theories became obsolete over 150 years ago when scientists discovered that a new human individual comes into being from the union of sperm and egg at fertilization. In keeping with this modern understanding, the Church teaches that from the time of conception -- fertilization -- each member of the human species must be given the full respect due to a human person, beginning with respect for the fundamental right to life." http://www.zenit.org/article-23474?l=english
And here's what the Catholic League recently had to say, "Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says: 'Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.' It also says, 'teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable.' Looks like Pelosi didn’t study the subject long enough. But not to worry: We are sending her a copy of Catholicism for Dummies today (the Catechism is like maybe a bit advanced).
Whether Joe Biden is as ignorant of what his religion teaches remains to be seen. What is not in doubt is the enthusiasm which NARAL showed when he was selected to join the ticket. The radical pro-abortion group was delighted, as were the radical pro-abortion delegates to the Democratic convention: as reported in today’s New York Times, 64 percent of Americans reject abortion-on-demand, yet only 23 percent of the delegates do. It is only fitting, then, that NARAL’s president will speak today at the Convention and Planned Parenthood’s president will speak tomorrow.
So there we have it: the man running for president on the Democratic ticket supports selective infanticide, his running mate is a pro-abortion Catholic, the delegates are wildly out of step with Americans on abortion and the Speaker of the House hasn’t a clue what her religion teaches on the subject."
And these people are leading or are seeking to lead our country! God save us all!
1 comment:
Her comments were truly laughable. Even more so that they invited poor Bob Casey Jr. to speak so that they could appear to tolerate differing opinions, yet castrate the man by never ever intending to actually do one thing to honor those differing views.
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