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According to Michael Paulson of the Boston Globe, there has been quite a flurry of statements coming out about this issue: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles_of_faith/2008/08/catholic_bishop.html.
Speaker Pelosi’s spokesman, Brendan Daly, e-mails the following statement in response to the bishops:
“The Speaker is the mother of five children and seven grandchildren and fully appreciates the sanctity of family. She was raised in a devout Catholic family who often disagreed with her pro-choice views. After she was elected to Congress, and the choice issue became more public as she would have to vote on it, she studied the matter more closely. Her views on when life begins were informed by the views of Saint Augustine, who said: ‘…the law does not provide that the act [abortion] pertains to homicide, for there cannot yet be said to be a live soul in a body that lacks sensation…’ (Saint Augustine, On Exodus 21.22) While Catholic teaching is clear that life begins at conception, many Catholics do not ascribe to that view. The Speaker agrees with the Church that we should reduce the number of abortions. She believes that can be done by making family planning more available, as well as by increasing the number of comprehensive age-appropriate sex education and caring adoption programs. The Speaker has a long, proud record of working with the Catholic Church on many issues, including alleviating poverty and promoting social justice and peace.”
The choice of ascribing to the views of the Catholic Church are not for people to decide. The Catholic Church is NOT a democratic republic, it is a patriarchy led by the Magisterium. 2,000 years of study outweigh Speaker Pelosi’s reading of St. Augustine’s letters or Confession. In addition, family planning to Speaker Pelosi equals contraception such as condoms, the Pill and other means contrary to the teaching of the Church. Can we stand to have cafeteria Catholics running the government?
I compliment the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Chaput and others for coming out against the Speaker’s statement. Their responses are long over due and should not stop with just the Speaker’s comment. Apparently there are others who are ready to support her (see the excerpt on the same web site by Jon O’Brien, the president of Catholics for Choice.) Apparently they haven’t done enough research either!!!
On Sunday, August 24, 2008, Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke with Mr. Tom Brokaw on NBC News’ Meet the Press discussing Senator Obama and his run for the Presidency. Mr. Brokaw asked her a very pointed question regarding how she would help Senator Obama if asked about the topic of the abortion. The following is a clip of the interview and portion of the transcript directly from NBC:
“(Videotape, August 16, 2008)
PASTOR RICK WARREN: At what point does a baby get human rights, in your view?
SEN. OBAMA: Well, you know, I think that whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity, you know, is, is above my pay grade.
(End videotape)
MR. BROKAW: Senator Obama saying the question of when life begins is above his pay grade, whether you’re looking at it scientifically or theologically. If he were to come to you and say, “Help me out here, Madame Speaker. When does life begin?” what would you tell him?
REP. PELOSI: I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long 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. As I say, the Catholic Church for centuries has been discussing this, and there are those who’ve decided…
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. And we want abortions to be safe, rare, and reduce the number of abortions. That’s why we have this fight in Congress over contraception. My Republican colleagues do not support contraception. If you want to reduce the number of abortions, and we all do, we must–it would behoove you to support family planning and, and contraception, you would think. But that is not the case. So we have to take–you know, we have to handle this as respectfully–this is sacred ground. We have to handle it very respectfully and not politicize it, as it has been–and I’m not saying Rick Warren did, because I don’t think he did, but others will try to.”
Respectfully, she was absolutely wrong on the Roman Catholic Church’s position as they vehemently oppose abortion and have since the early Church opposed abortion and any means to abortion. To support this argument, I quote directly from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
2270 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person – among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth.
2271 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:
You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.
God, the Lord of life, has entrusted to men the noble mission of safeguarding life, and men must carry it out in a manner worthy of themselves. Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.
As another ardent Catholic, I would expect her, as a very public figure, to correct this mistake just as publicly as she made it and reconsider her voting record positions. The simple research does not support her comments nor her voting record as it relates to abortion.
Today Nanny took all of us into Boston for a picnic in the Public Garden and for a ride on the swan boats. Of course we read the Robert McClosky book before the swan boat rides.
So Jamie and some of the neighborhood kids put on a puppet show for Olivia and me.
The only problem is I had no idea what the show was about. :^)
Grumpy came to visit today and took Jamie for a ride on the Harley before leaving. Jamie had fun!
Tonight we are at the Atlas Pyrotechnics Festival of Fireworks in Jaffrey, NH. Basically it is everything they have and then some for an incredible show!
On Saturday, Jamie and I had our first trip to Fenway Park together to see a double-headed with the Lowell Spinners and then the Pawtucket Red Sox. It was great to be in Fenway again and be able to have Jamie experience history and see some future Boston Red Sox players.
Capping off a challenging week, my beautiful wife chose an incredible meal of grilled ribeye, crashed potatoes, corn on the cob, tomatoes with basil and balsamic vinegrette and Nickel & Nickel Harris Vineyard Merlot. Want to come over for leftovers?
My sparkling blue eyes? My golden curls?
My other half was inspired the other day to waxing poetry? Was it Keats, Byron, or Shelley that inspired him?
It was his lunch!
*Sigh* I don’t even think I made his lunch that day.
I love you my other half!
