His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church’s consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death which enjoin all Catholics, and especially legislators, jurists and those responsible for the common good of society, to work in cooperation with all men and women of good will in creating a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development.
Will this have much influence on our nation's third-ranking abortion fan? I'm not holding my breath; however, hope springs eternal. . .even in politics.
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday told U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic who supports abortion rights, that Catholic politicians have a duty to protect life "at all stages of its development," the Vatican said.
Pelosi is the first top Democrat to meet with Benedict since the election of Barack Obama, who won a majority of the Catholic vote despite differences with the Vatican on abortion.
The Vatican released remarks by the pope to Pelosi, saying Benedict spoke of the church's teaching "on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death." That is an expression often used by the pope when expressing opposition to abortion.
Benedict said all Catholics—especially legislators, jurists and political leaders—should work to create "a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development."
Pelosi could not immediately be reached after the 15-minute meeting, which was closed to reporters and photographers [HA! So much for the photo-op. There'll be no campaign posters touting the Holy Father's visit with Pelosi flying around SanFran in 2010. Good for them]. The two met in a small room of a Vatican auditorium after the pope's weekly public audience.
A number of the bishops in the United States have questioned Pelosi's stance on abortion, particularly her theological defense of her support for abortion rights.
Benedict has cautiously welcomed the new Democratic administration, although several American cardinals have sharply criticized its support of abortion rights in a break from former President George W. Bush.
Pelosi had meetings with Italian leaders the past few days, including Premier Silvio Berlusconi.
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Now the choice for her becomes crystal clear. Even her pope has told her exactly what her responsibilities are, and she must choose to obey or to be in undeniable disobedience. Plausible denial is out the window and she must choose. I will pray that her heart is softened and opened to what she is truly doing.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for reporting this.
ReplyDeleteWe can hope that maybe something is sinking in.
I will leave it at that.
It is quite disheartening when we, Catholics, have the blessings and the richness of our faith, and many have spoken out against these evils, that it is our very own Catholics in politics that are our worst enemies.
I am very curious to how she will respond now! Will we see a change in her? Could she possibly listen to the Church and convert, then converting some of her colleagues?
ReplyDeleteI just heard a quote that St. Augustine said, "Heretics are zealous, while Catholics are lazy."
So much work left to be done!
God bless
BOA!
ReplyDeleteI was hoping he would have the Swiss Guards lock her in the Vatican dungeon until she comes to her senses. However the Pope appears to prefer a gentler approach. I shall pray it bears fruit.
ReplyDeleteThe Pope must exhibit the gentleness of Christ's Vicar on Earth, so Pelosi didn't receive the bitchslapping many of us hoped for. After all, he has to preserve appearances.
ReplyDeleteBut I still dream he'd take a copy of Humanae Vitae and a quart of holy water, puree them in a blender and have the Swiss Guards Patrick spoke of hold her down while he administered an enema.
Something I didn't know, Pelosi had met with her Bishop on the 8th to discuss her proabortion stance.
ReplyDeleteShe has been instructed. She refuses to submit/change her stance.
I'm betting that the missed photo-op could really hurt Pelosi. I know it sounds jejune, but I think a pro-life congressman should bring up the missed photo-op every day in Congress. I think that for a politician, it would have a sting that she would particularly feel. My hope is, of course, that such hurt would awaken her and bring about her conversion to the pro-life cause and make her a better Catholic.
ReplyDeletethat was classy.
ReplyDeleteI'm gaining more and more respect for Pope Benedict.
The pope handled this situation perfectly, I think. I doubt we will see many more pro-abort US politicians scrambling to get an audience with the Holy Father.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to hear how Pelosi will twist this admonishment on the Sunday talk shows...no doubt it will be amusing.
Subvet,
ReplyDeleteAs a pro-life Catholic woman, I find your language, first, demeaning to women in general, and second, damaging to a cause I assume you believe in, that of the dignity of each human being.
Humanae Vitae is a wise and wonderful document. So is Mulieris Dignitatem.
Our human enemies are made in the image of God. I urge you to follow the Pope's example and oppose Pelosi's views without attacking her human dignity.
Monika
P. S.
ReplyDeleteI just visited your blog and read your post against the racially offensive political cartoon that targeted Obama. Apply your own argument there to the sexist language and imagery you used in your comment.
I know you were meaning to be funny. But as you pointed out in your blog, some things cross the line.
Monika