Leonardo"s Notebook by Mattheus Mei

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Archbishop Raymond Burke just messed himself over this one

Catholics for Obama were the first folks state side to pick up the story. An African Archbishop said if he were an American he would vote for Barack Obama. His statements came as he attended and lectured at the Synod of Bishops in Rome.

Sully directs us to NCRcafe who first reported and Rocco who fleshes it out in analysis and context (worth the read). The money quotes as sully points out,

“Of course I believe that abortion is wrong, that it’s killing innocent life,” he said. “I also believe, however, that those who are against abortion should be consistent.

“If my choice is between a person who makes room for abortion, but who is really pro-life in terms of justice in the world, peace in the world, I will prefer him to somebody who doesn’t support abortion but who is driving millions of people in the world to death,” Onaiyekan said.

“It’s a whole package, and you never get a politician who will please you in everything,” he said. “You always have to pick and choose.”


I could never put it any clearer to my brothers and sisters in the faith.

Of course the usual suspects on the right have already been quick to dismiss the Archbishop as a communist in the comboxs while their leaders remain silent on the issue though Archbishop Burke, formerly of St. Louis and as the title suggests, may be upset with the African Prelate for undermining his best efforts to equate the democratic party (candidate) with death (evil).

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pledging federal funding for abortion, and promising to sign FOCA into law as president is not making room for abortion. The democratic platform states:

"The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right."

At last nights debate Senator Obama himself said that 1 or 2 seats on the Supreme court will probably become vacant. As a Catholic this is not an issue you can just turn a blind eye to.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

2273 The inalienable right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation:

"The inalienable rights of the person must be recognized and respected by civil society and the political authority. These human rights depend neither on single individuals nor on parents; nor do they represent a concession made by society and the state; they belong to human nature and are inherent in the person by virtue of the creative act from which the person took his origin. Among such fundamental rights one should mention in this regard every human being's right to life and physical integrity from the moment of conception until death."80

"The moment a positive law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them, the state is denying the equality of all before the law. When the state does not place its power at the service of the rights of each citizen, and in particular of the more vulnerable, the very foundations of a state based on law are undermined. . . . As a consequence of the respect and protection which must be ensured for the unborn child from the moment of conception, the law must provide appropriate penal sanctions for every deliberate violation of the child's rights."81

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.

There are issues that I agree with Obama and there are issues that I disagree with McCain. There are issues as a Catholic that Obama falls better in tune with me. But as a Catholic, what is more important, the right to life or if I get a little more tax money back? Who is going to preserve the right of the innocent? You honestly believe that Obama is going to reduce the amount of abortions? That is his claim, to find common ground. An Obama administration will not only set Roe v Wade into cement for years if not forever by picking justices that will follow suit but by giving federal money for abortions as well as passing the Freedom of Choice Act that would abolish any reasonable restrictions on abortions in any state. How can any practicing Catholic turn their back on the unborn?

St. Izzy said...

Obama's stances on FOCA and the Hyde amendment make it clear that he is not pro-choice, he is pro-abortion. If just these two things get done, a doctor who refuses to perform abortions for reasons of conscience will no longer be allowed to practice medicine.

I think I'm going to have to vote for the idiot torturers instead of the articulate murderers.

I don't understand how anyone can be excited about these choices. I need a drink. Or seven.