Spring Break
Catholic Bishops warn against abortion rights expansion
Daniel Burke/Religion News Service
Issue date: 11/30/08 Section: Divine Intervention
The leading U.S. Catholic prelate warned earlier this month that President-elect Barack Obama's promise to unify the country would be shattered if he pursues policies to increase access to abortion.
"If the election is misinterpreted ideologically as a referendum on abortion," said Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, "the unity desired by President-elect Obama and all Americans at this moment of crisis would be impossible to achieve."
"Aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion," George said.
George's statement was unanimously approved by nearly 300 bishops in a closed-door session at the end of the bishops' semi-annual meeting, according to church officials.
After an election in which 54 percent of Catholic voters backed Obama, who supports abortion rights, over the strenuous objection of some church leaders, the Catholic prelates gathered here were eager to reassert themselves as teachers of the faith.
"The intention is to clarify the commitment of the bishops to participate in the public life of the country," George said.
The cardinal added that Catholic officials may meet soon with leaders of the incoming Obama administration.
Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, an outspoken anti-abortion advocate among the bishops, said the statement was also directed at the nation's 67 million Catholics.
"It's a message to the people of the church that we're not going to give up on the abortion fight until abortion is no longer accepted as part of our culture," Chaput said in an interview.
George said the bishops look forward to working with Obama on reforming immigration laws, promoting peace, and improving access to healthcare and quality education.
But throughout the week, the bishops expressed alarm at hints that the President-elect will loosen federal spending restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, which the church considers tantamount to abortion, as well as Obama's campaign promise to support the Freedom of Choice Act.
"If the election is misinterpreted ideologically as a referendum on abortion," said Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, "the unity desired by President-elect Obama and all Americans at this moment of crisis would be impossible to achieve."
"Aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion," George said.
George's statement was unanimously approved by nearly 300 bishops in a closed-door session at the end of the bishops' semi-annual meeting, according to church officials.
After an election in which 54 percent of Catholic voters backed Obama, who supports abortion rights, over the strenuous objection of some church leaders, the Catholic prelates gathered here were eager to reassert themselves as teachers of the faith.
"The intention is to clarify the commitment of the bishops to participate in the public life of the country," George said.
The cardinal added that Catholic officials may meet soon with leaders of the incoming Obama administration.
Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver, an outspoken anti-abortion advocate among the bishops, said the statement was also directed at the nation's 67 million Catholics.
"It's a message to the people of the church that we're not going to give up on the abortion fight until abortion is no longer accepted as part of our culture," Chaput said in an interview.
George said the bishops look forward to working with Obama on reforming immigration laws, promoting peace, and improving access to healthcare and quality education.
But throughout the week, the bishops expressed alarm at hints that the President-elect will loosen federal spending restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, which the church considers tantamount to abortion, as well as Obama's campaign promise to support the Freedom of Choice Act.
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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