U.S. bishops warn Obama on abortion issues

[Liberal_in_LA]

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE4AB9MR20081112

U.S. bishops warn Obama on abortion issues
Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:31pm EST By Michael Conlon, Religion Writer

CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. Catholic bishops told President-elect Barack Obama on Wednesday his election was not a referendum on abortion, even though a majority of Catholics helped elect him despite an abortion rights stand the bishops oppose.

In particular, the bishops said, they were alarmed that his election might provide support for federal legislation which could overturn all state-level restrictions on abortion.

"The recent election was principally decided out of concern for the economy, for the loss of jobs and homes and financial security for families, here and around the world," Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in a statement issued on their behalf.

"If the election is misinterpreted ideologically as a referendum on abortion, the unity desired by President-elect Obama and all Americans at this moment of crisis will be impossible to achieve," he added.

"Aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion," George said.

The bishops, ending their semi-annual meeting in Baltimore, had directed George to issue the statement after discussions indicating their frustration and fears about the abortion issue.

[aquamarina]

1. Dear Cardinal Francis George

Please just SHUT UP!

[Wapsie B]

2. Yeah well Franky you need to worry about the child molesters in your ranks

more than you need worry about the feti.

[Sal Minella]

3. President Obama will have more important things to worry about than what a bunch of bishops think.

With all the terrible things going on in the world that the Catholic Church could actually help with, they choose instead to push for ever-accelerating overpopulation.

They fear "attacks on the free exercise of their religion" -- but support laws that prevent women from exercising any control over their own bodies.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,

or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ."


That, Bishops, is called separation of church and state...

[spag68]

5. Cardinals

And yet they wonder why church membership and attendance are falling. I agree with post #1, he should just STFU.

[JDwho]

6. Do bishops and Cardinals by the name of Francis George now have a womb?

Just asking, because if they do, a lot of people in the government want to tell you what to do with it. I'm sure you're fine with that. No? No womb? Then, I agree with the first post. Hush.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[drmeow]

8. Dear Catholic Bishops

1) You are dead wrong. Every poll indicates the majority of American's support a woman's right to choose so overturning state-level restrictions on abortion will do absolutely no f**king damage to unity and might even strengthen it.
2) What happens in our government is none of your f**king business thanks to the 1st Amendment.
3) What I do with my body is even less of your f**king business.
4) Free exercise or their religion means they don't have to have an abortion, it has nothing to do with anyone else.

Please excommunicate me now so that I can claim to be a fully excommunicated Catholic rather than merely a recovering Catholic.

[SeattleGirl]

9. Dear Bishops:

Keep your bible off my body.

Sincerely,

SeattleGirl

[firedupdem]

10. They need to worry about all the terrorized children they have molested

over the years and let Obama run the country.

[defendandprotect]

11. "Christian Taliban" does aptly describe the arrogance if this all-male church ...!!

[Kerrytravelers]

12. Decent Americans warn U.S. Bishops to stop allowing pedophiles to fill their ranks.

Let's take care of the children we have before we worry about the future potential children that aren't gestated and born yet.

Just sayin'... :eyes:

[RB TexLa]

13. And an unjust war as declared by two Popes, torture, social justice, worker's rights, protection of

God's creation, all of that was included?

If the church wants to end abortion it needs to focus where many of us Catholics focus and that is preventing unwanted pregnancies and working toward a world where people making their choice know there is a supportive community ready to actually be a community for them. No one, not even the church can suspend the laws of economics if there is a demand for abortion there will be a supply.

[gratuitous]

14. The correct answer for Mr. Obama

"Thank you for your input, Cardinal George. How many votes did you get in the general election? Uh huh. I see. Now, what were you saying about a mandate?"

[Swamp Rat]

15. The Flying Spaghetti Monster warns U.S. bishops about child molestation.

They better stop or else.

[Warren DeMontague]

16. Dear Bishops: Deliberate conspiracy to help pedophiles escape law enforcement is a crime.

http://www.americablog.com/2005/04/ratzinger-accused-of-cover-up-in.html

http://web.archive.org/web/20020607141945/http://abcnews.go.com/sections/2020/DailyNews/2020_Vatican_coverup_020426.html

[RJ Connors]

17. I was unaware that Catholic Bishops had any political power.

Oh wait, they don't. So realistically these guys are just farting in the wind. How cute. :nuke:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

18. The disconnect between the church hierarchy and Ameriacan catholics continues to grow

it seems.

Many Catholics I know are pro choice. While they themselves would not have an abortion, they do not feel their beliefs should be a cornerstone to set US policy on. But among the Catholics in my parish, abortion concerns take back seat to other social concerns like poverty or war. I belong to a liberal parish, though.