Spring Break
Catholic Bishops warn against abortion rights expansion
Daniel Burke/Religion News Service
Issue date: 11/30/08 Section: Divine Intervention
That legislation, introduced in 2007, would remove all federal and state restrictions on abortion and codify Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. However, it never left House and Senate committees and would need to be introduced again when the new Congress convenes in January.
Still, George devoted a sizable portion of his two-page statement to denouncing the legislation, known as FOCA, saying that it would "coerce" Americans into subsidizing abortion with their tax dollars, outlaw parental notification laws and "have lethal consequences for prenatal human life."
The law would also threaten the Catholic healthcare system, which George said comprises about a third of all U.S. hospitals, and force doctors to perform abortions against their will, according to the cardinal.
"The danger the bishops see at this moment is that a bad court decision will be enshrined in bad legislation that is more radical than the 1973 Supreme Court decision itself," George said.
The Catholic prelates debated the proper approach to take with the incoming Obama administration, as President Bush, who was seen as a church ally on the "life issues," prepares to leave the White House.
A vocal minority of bishops stood in public sessions to urge for a strident, uncompromising approach to laws and politicians -- especially Catholics-- who support legalized abortion.
"I think any bishop here would consider it a privilege to die tomorrow to bring about the end of abortion," Bishop Robert Hermann, interim leader of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, said during a recent floor debate.
"We should be willing to spend the end of our lives dedicated to ... bring(ing) about the end to this genocide."
Bishop Joseph Martino of Scranton, Pa., the hometown of Vice President-elect Joe Biden, sought support for enforcing church penalties on Catholic politicians who, like Biden, support some abortion rights.
"As someone who has spent most of my life in diplomacy, I would say we have to make clear what we believe, but work with those who don't share our views in a persuasive manner," said Archbishop Timothy Broglio, a former Vatican ambassador who now heads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.
Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie, Pa., said George's statement generally captures both camps of bishops. "It sends the right tone to the incoming administration that they have our prayers and support but at the same time we, as bishops, have an abiding commitment to defending life."
Still, George devoted a sizable portion of his two-page statement to denouncing the legislation, known as FOCA, saying that it would "coerce" Americans into subsidizing abortion with their tax dollars, outlaw parental notification laws and "have lethal consequences for prenatal human life."
The law would also threaten the Catholic healthcare system, which George said comprises about a third of all U.S. hospitals, and force doctors to perform abortions against their will, according to the cardinal.
"The danger the bishops see at this moment is that a bad court decision will be enshrined in bad legislation that is more radical than the 1973 Supreme Court decision itself," George said.
The Catholic prelates debated the proper approach to take with the incoming Obama administration, as President Bush, who was seen as a church ally on the "life issues," prepares to leave the White House.
A vocal minority of bishops stood in public sessions to urge for a strident, uncompromising approach to laws and politicians -- especially Catholics-- who support legalized abortion.
"I think any bishop here would consider it a privilege to die tomorrow to bring about the end of abortion," Bishop Robert Hermann, interim leader of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, said during a recent floor debate.
"We should be willing to spend the end of our lives dedicated to ... bring(ing) about the end to this genocide."
Bishop Joseph Martino of Scranton, Pa., the hometown of Vice President-elect Joe Biden, sought support for enforcing church penalties on Catholic politicians who, like Biden, support some abortion rights.
"As someone who has spent most of my life in diplomacy, I would say we have to make clear what we believe, but work with those who don't share our views in a persuasive manner," said Archbishop Timothy Broglio, a former Vatican ambassador who now heads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA.
Bishop Donald Trautman of Erie, Pa., said George's statement generally captures both camps of bishops. "It sends the right tone to the incoming administration that they have our prayers and support but at the same time we, as bishops, have an abiding commitment to defending life."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Nicodemus
posted 12/03/08 @ 9:44 AM EST
The Roman Catholic Church in it's arrogance have no right to warn President Elect Obama about anything, 52% of Catholics voted for him and his policies. (Continued…)
Tom
posted 12/03/08 @ 11:21 AM EST
52% of Catholics may have vted for President -elect Obama (not so of actual church-going Catholics by the way; an important distinction), but voting for and idividual DOES NOT equate with voting for ALL his policies so that addendum of Nicodemus' is simply inaccurate. (Continued…)
Hugh E. GalvinIII
posted 12/03/08 @ 10:23 PM EST
The Catholic Church has a right and responsibility
to engage in the public square when matters of faith
and morals are threatened. The Bishops have the
responsibility to protect the right to life of all
human beings from the womb to the tomb and to
protect Traditional Marriage. (Continued…)
Nicodemus
posted 12/04/08 @ 8:51 AM EST
I am astounded that Tom has taken it upon himself to decide who he thinks constitutes a "real catholic" this is typical of of the mindset of of people who insist on imposing their narrow ideologies on others. (Continued…)
Bernard McNamara
posted 12/10/08 @ 6:46 PM EST
Nicodemus, be careful about what you wish for. The bishops are obligated to speak out about life and death issues, this also means your life. 1) Read the U. (Continued…)
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