Catholic Bishop Criticizes Republican Candidate Rudy Giuliani on Abortion

Life News ^ | 6/4/07 | Steven Ertelt

[wagglebee]

Providence, RI (LifeNews.com) -- A Catholic bishop has issued public comments rebuking Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, who is Catholic, for his pro-abortion position. Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island described Giuliani's position on abortion as "pathetic," "confusing," and "hypocritical."

The critique came in his weekly column 'Without A Doubt' that runs in 'The Rhode Island Catholic' newspaper.

In his column Bishop Tobin exposes the hypocrisy of the "personally opposed, but ... " position employed by many Catholic politicians.

"Rudy's explanation is a classic expression of the position on abortion we have heard from weak-kneed politicians so frequently in recent years: 'I'm personally opposed to but don't want to impose my views on other people.' The incongruity of that position has been exposed many times now," Tobin writes.

"[His] public proclamations on abortion are pathetic and confusing. Even worse, they're hypocritical," he concludes.

Tobin makes it clear that Giuliani's pro-abortion position disqualifies him from receiving his support.

"I would never support a candidate who supports legalized abortion," Tobin said.

The column goes on to cite John Paul the II in his encyclical 'The Gospel of Life,' and a recent pronouncement from the Bishops of the United States on the obligations of Catholic politicians to defend human life.

"Rudy’s preposterous position is compounded by the fact that he professes to be a Catholic," Tobin writes.

"As Catholics, we are called, indeed required, to be pro-life, to cherish and protect human life as a precious gift of God from the moment of conception until the time of natural death. As a leader, as a public official, Rudy Giuliani has a special obligation in that regard," the bishop added.

Joseph Cella, the head of the Catholic pro-life group Fidelis, thanked the bishop for his strong remarks.

"Bishop Tobin's words serve as an authoritative and unambiguous reminder to Giuliani and all Catholic politicians of their moral obligations as Catholic public leaders to defend human life," he said. "His column also offers yet more support to the argument why faithful Catholics should reject Giuliani's candidacy."

[wagglebee]

"I would never support a candidate who supports legalized abortion," Tobin said.

Every Catholic and evangelical leader in the country needs to publicly say this.

[wagglebee]

Pro-Life Ping

[wagglebee]

Stop Rudy Ping

[wagglebee]

Catholic Ping

[JoanneSD]

Lets hear the same rebuke for the Democrats

[ethics]

What about Patrick Kennedy from Rhode Island?

Haven’t heard this Bishop critisize one member of his diocese?

[Sam Ketcham]

I clean and clean my ears but I hear nothing about Kennedy, Kerry....

[elizabetty]

Lets hear the same rebuke for the Democrats

Where have you been? It happens all the time.

Some were saying Kerry and Kennedy should not receive communion or even be excommunicated.

[wireman]

Catholic Bishop Criticizes Republican Candidate Rudy Giuliani on Abortion

Shocking!!!

[the invisib1e hand]

I like Rudy. I love the Church. I’m glad someone called him on this.

[George W. Bush]

article: "Rudy's explanation is a classic expression of the position on abortion we have heard from weak-kneed politicians so frequently in recent years: 'I'm personally opposed to but don't want to impose my views on other people.' The incongruity of that position has been exposed many times now," Tobin writes.

"[His] public proclamations on abortion are pathetic and confusing. Even worse, they're hypocritical," he concludes.

I think we'll see more of this from evangelicals and Catholic leaders. It'll be a trickle, then a stream, then a flood until he just drops out.

[cpforlife.org]

Pro-Life PING

Please FreepMail me if you want on or off my Pro-Life Ping List.

[RichardMoore]

If by some odd quirk the republican party gives Gulianni the nomination they will be handing the presidency to the likes of Hillary. It's a question of which morally inept person do you want running the country.

But I think that Fred Thompson already has this thing in his pocket since he is a member of the CFR.

[NYer]

Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[chatham]

Hey Bishop Tobin, How about the Senators next door in Massachusetts, Kennedy and Kerry.
What is your position on them.

[AnAmericanMother]

The reason the bish is after Giuliani at the moment is that the Giuliani campaign sent him a personal invitation to an expensive fundraiser. It's like inviting Simon Wiesenthal to a Holocaust deniers' conference.

In other words, they asked for it. And somebody on Giuliani's campaign staff is an idiot.

[Jaded]

Burke?

[Jaded]

Archbishop Burke has publicly said he would refuse politicans communion.

[right-wingin_It]

I noticed today (Tuesday), that this news has now been splashed on FOX News Channel.

"Pontius Guilianus" ?

[right-wingin_It]

I wasn’t refering to the last line in my post that I wrote. I just meant that Fox News was reporting on the story.