Posted on 06/03/2007 11:57:26 PM PDT by monomaniac
Schwarzenegger: "I am a Catholic and a very dedicated Catholic, but" I support Research on Human Embryos
TORONTO, June 1, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Speaking at a press conference at the MaRS Discovery District research centre in Toronto yesterday, actor-turned California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger defended his support for embryonic stem cell research seen as controversial in light of his self-professed Catholic faith.
"I always said that you should not have your religion interfere with government policies or with the policies of the people," said Schwarzenegger. "I am a Catholic and a very dedicated Catholic, but that does not interfere with my decision-making because I know that stem-cell research, the way we are doing it in California ... is the right way to go and will save, very quickly down the line, lives and cure a lot of these illnesses," he said as quoted by the Toronto Star.
At the same event, Premier Dalton McGuinty, another politician who while referring to himself as Catholic supports abortion, backed the California Governor's stance. "I would argue ... there's one moral imperative that transcends all faiths, all culture and all traditions, it would be this fundamental desire to relieve pain and suffering and death where we find it," he said.
The supposedly "devout Catholic" Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger backed a $3 billion dollar public funding of embryonic stem cell research in his state. Last year the governor loaned up to $150 million dollars towards embryonic stem cell research.
Lawsuits challenging the public funding of the controversial research were filed by the California Family Bioethics Council, connected with Focus on the Family, as well as The National Association for the Advancement of Preborn Children (NAAPC). On Wednesday, after the court rejected final objections to the distribution of funds, the Governor commented that this "reaffirms voters' will to keep California on the forefront of embryonic stem cell research. ... Potentially life-saving science can continue without a shadow of a legal doubt."
Now that the lawsuits have been settled, as much as $300 million dollars worth of funds may be released towards research by the end of the year. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine will distribute the funds according to government Proposition 71, the "Embryo Cloning and Stem-Cell Research Bond Act". (See coverage http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/oct/04102006.html).
Unlike adult stem cells, embryonic stem cell research has proved to have fruitless medical results. Terry Thompson, attorney for People's Advocate and the National Tax Limitation Foundation, told The San Francisco Chronicler, "This establishes a precedent for well-meaning but misdirected rich people to invade the public treasury for projects of their own and parlay a few million dollars (of campaign expenses) into a few billion dollars of wasted taxpayer money."
Todd Tambery, Spokesman the archdiocese of Los Angeles, Schwarzenegger's home diocese, told LifeSiteNews.com that while Archbishop Roger Mahoney has not indicated that that Schwarzenegger should be denied Holy Communion. According to Tambery, Cardinal Mahoney has however spoken out against embryonic stem cell research.
To Respectfully Voice Concerns:
The Los Angeles Diocese 3424 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010-2202 213 637 7000 Email: info@la-archdiocese.org
Governor Arnold Swcharzenegger's Office State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-2841 Fax: 916-445-4633 Email: http://www.govmail.ca.gov
Related Coverage:
Embryo Rights Case Filed Against California Embryonic Stem Cell Initiative http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jun/05061607.html
Schwarzenegger Supports Massive Grant for Stem Cell Research http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/oct/04102006.html
“Thou shall not kill innocent life”
Where’s the “MORAL ABSOLUTES” ping people??
This qualifies if I’ve ever seen something qualify!
I am deeply disappointed in Ah-nold. :*(
doesn’t sound very Catholic at all Arnie...
There, fixed..
So true. You cannot be a “very dedicated Catholic” and support embryonic stem cell research.
/IMO
Arnold’s play to make California a biotech center. Sadly, America is probably going to lose that particular contest.
Sounds pretty Ted Kennedy and John Kerry to me.
(SIGH) Moral Absolutes and Catholic
Old Arnold out in California claims to be a “dedicated Catholic”, yet he proudly proclaims his support for embryonic stem cell research.
I really wish the Pope would crack down harder on these CINO politicians. He told them they are excommunicate themselves from Communion if they support abortion and disregard human life. It appears they have all given him the symbolic finger and went on their merry way. They figure he or their priest will not do anything so they will be ok. It sends a horrible message to the rest of the Church and people trying to be good Catholics.
“I always said that you should not have your religion interfere with government policies or with the policies of the people,” said Schwarzenegger.
That may play well to the crowds arnie, but its garbage! You are living in a representative democracy, the people elected you to represent them, not to parrot their viewpoints (as if you could - there are 40 million of them) Your religion, if it means anything, should color every decision in your life.
Nice spread.
We call them Cafeteria Catholics in my family. “A little of this, but not that. Mmmm, that looks good, but I don’t like any of that.” As you say, it’s far easier to do that than to follow a Church’s doctrine.
It sends a horrible message to the rest of the Church and people trying to be good Catholics.
The Pope is not an enforcer. He reminded people last month of what they already know. The message we get is that we all have free will and that even a governor can be unwise.
sorry arnie—you can’t have it both ways. Psst—I hear the pope is going to excommunicate you. lol
NAZI, they are still out there.
"I am a CINO"
That is so hypercritical
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