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Pope and President on Abortion
By Jacqueline L. Salmon
One take on the Obama-Benedict XVI visit this afternoon: "astonishing," from Stephen Schneck, director of the Life Cycle Institute at Catholic University.
Several things stood out to Schneck. One, the language around abortion. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told reporters after he was briefed by the pope that "Obama told the pope of his commitment to reduce the number of abortions and of his attention and respect for the positions of the Catholic Church."
But Obama's people have repeatedly stressed that Obama is committed to reducing the "need" for abortions, not the number. Big difference there for a lot of people.
Second, Obama's assurance to the pope that he would read the Vatican document on bioethics, presented to the pope, on the plane to Africa. "Dignitas Personae" (dignity of a person) condemns abortion, artificial fertilization and embryonic stem-cell research.
"He sure seems to signal to the Vatican that they are going to attend and listen" on these issues, said Schneck.
It was a far different picture of Obama's relationship with Catholics than before his speech/honorary degree at the University of Notre Dame commencement, when more than 60 bishops wrote letters objecting to the event and Catholic protesters turned the area around Notre Dame into a circus.
"What a long way we have come in two months," said Schneck. He predicts we'll see a "pragmatic, businesslike and cordial" relationship between the Vatican and Obama--unlike relations between Obama and some American Catholics.
By
Jacqueline L. Salmon
|
July 10, 2009; 5:17 PM ET
| Category:
God in Government
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Posted by: GaryPernice | July 12, 2009 7:04 PM
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Pope and President on Abortion
It appears that President Obama has spent his adult political career as a “pro-choice” candidate and officeholder. Benedict XVI, as with his predecessor Pope John Paul II, is staunchly “pro-life”.
I tend to believe that how we conduct ourselves as a culture and a nation on the issue of the unborn and philosophy of “the dignity of life” has an impact on society far beyond abortion. Believing that a nation that establishes policies that minimize the need or desire for abortions and maximizes the desire or willingness to take pregnancies to full term is a morally and socially stronger nation, it follows that any encounter with Pope Benedict XVI and influence he may have upon President Obama to soften our President’s previous stance favoring abortion should be viewed as a positive encounter.
Let’s see if Mr. Obama revises his public stance on abortion. I my hope is that the Pope has made an impact that will have tangible results on this issue.
Thanks to Jacqueline L. Salmon for bringing this story to your readers.
Gary J. Pernice
Platinum Business Group, Ltd