Politics | 02/18/2009 10:55 am
Pope to Pelosi: Catholic Politicians Should Not Support Abortion
Pope Benedict XVI wagged a finger at Nancy Pelosi this week, saying that all Catholic politicians, such as Pelosi, are responsible for protecting human life. And that includes the unborn.
Pelosi, whose support for abortion rights has been criticized in the past, met privately with the Pope for 15 minutes on Wednesday at the Vatican. No reporters were present, but Vatican spokespeople released the pope’s remarks:
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 is the highest-ranking official to see the Pope since President Barack Obama took office in January. House Speaker Pelosi arrived in Rome on Sunday and plans to spend Thursday in southern Naples.
Pelosi has spoken publicly about her pro-abortion stance in the past — despite firestorm criticisms that follow. In August, on "Meet the Press," Pelosi defended a woman’s right to choose.
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.
The Pope obviously feels otherwise.
Read more about: Abortion, Barack Obama, Catholic Church, Economic Stimulus Package, Nancy Pelosi, News, Politics, Pope Benedict XVI, Roe v. Wade, The Pope, Women's Rights
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191 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
I really don’t get Benedict XVI. Vatican II specifically recognizes the separation of church and state. Nancy Pelosi was elected to represent her constituents, and more broadly, the people of the United States. How can any legislator do that if her church can tell her how to vote?
The pope NEVER came out and said Catholics should not support politicians who support the Iraq war. No C. Bishop came out with threats against Catholic politicians who supported the war the way the did against the anti choice politicians either.
And like I said in another post… the pope is also against divorce and birth control… so where do we draw the line over the pressure we condone coming from the Catholic pope? You don’t get to cherry pick.
Typo: change "No C. Bishop came out with threats against Catholic politicians who supported the war the way the did against the anti choice politicians either." to :
No C. Bishop came out with threats against Catholic politicians who wupported the war the way they did against the PRO-CHOICE politicians either.
DeBúrca: …where do we draw the line over the pressure we condone coming from the Catholic pope?
If you don’t like the doctrines of the Catholic church, you move on to another way to worship God. The church has been stubborn in what it expects from its followers, and that’s it. Take it or leave it. I, for one, am not comfortable with the Muslim way of honoring God, so I probably would never belong to that religion, and I certainly wouldn’t waste my time trying to change it.
The Pope is not putting the pressure on anyone, he was merely making an observation.
Pelosi made a mistake. She should have stayed away from the Pope.
Libra: Good afternoon…
Good afternoon to you, too.
Just trying to remain cool while kicking the Pope and Pelosi around a little bit.
I don’t care one bit what the Catholic church doctrine says or does as far as Catholics go, to each his own… what I do care about is the pope and the bishops making public statements which try to influence our elections.
The Pope was simply telling Pelosi, who identifies herself as a practicing Roman Catholic, that she should remain true to the teachings of her religion In other words, Cafeteria Catholicism is not a viable option.
If she doesn’t agree with the tenets of the Catholic Church, she shouldn’t identify herself as such. There are plenty of other churches that might suit her better. The Catholic Church has always been clear about what they expect from those who identify themselves as such.
I am an Episcopalian married to a former Roman Catholic; we knew that it was not the right church for our our family. The Pope, however, has every right to remind those who identify themselves as Roman Catholics that there are rules they are expected to adhere to to remain in good standing.