Posted on 07/10/2009 4:24:34 PM PDT by presidio9
Pope Benedict XVI gave President Barack Obama a Vatican document on bioethics, he was trying to be clear with him about church teaching and open a path to further dialogue, the Vatican spokesman said.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the spokesman, told reporters after the meeting between the pope and the president that, in giving Obama the document July 10, "the intention was not to be divisive or political, but for clarity and objectivity; to say that, for us, this is extremely important."
Pope Benedict gave Obama the document "Dignitas Personae" ("The Dignity of a Person"), which was published in December by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
In discussing issues such as abortion, artificial fertilization and stem-cell research, the document started with two fundamental church teachings: that the human being is to be respected and treated as a person from the moment of conception and that responsible human procreation occurs in an act of love between a man and a woman in marriage.
"There was no intention to be polemical," Father Lombardi said. "I do not agree with the idea that the pope was trying to point out their differences."
"It is important to talk about these things and to find a path to dialogue," he said.
The spokesman said Pope Benedict told him after the meeting that he felt Obama listened carefully, and the pope said that "the president explicitly expressed his commitment to reducing the number of abortions" and demonstrated his attentiveness to the church's concerns on a variety of moral issues.
In a briefing aboard Air Force One for reporters accompanying Obama to Accra, Ghana, Denis McDonough, deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, said the president and the pope had an extensive conversation about bioethics and abortion.
McDonough said the president emphasized his interest in finding common ground on reducing abortion and that Obama said he was looking forward to reading "Dignitas Personae."
Father Lombardi said the Vatican is very well aware of and supports the U.S. bishops in their efforts to try to convince the Obama administration to respect human life.
But, he said, the Vatican did not consult with the bishops in preparing for the visit, which the pope had been looking forward to for months.
"The election of Obama had an impact of global importance" and his policies have been known and followed "by everyone, including the pope and the (Vatican) secretary of state," Father Lombardi said.
"I think here we are talking about a level of attention and knowledge that I would say is very broad," he said.
Has Obama ever had an “honest” dialogue with anybody?
Honesty is not in the Rules for Radicals handbook.
The Pope really promotes the good side of people and overlooks the bad in people doesn't he?
Obama's vote on Partial Birth Abortion, his vote in IL on live birth abortions, his providing fedeaal funds for abortion, and his avid support of FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act), all combine together to tell you that Obama is an abject liar when he tells the Pope he wants to "reduce" abortions.
But the Pope knows this and its why he is seeking "honest" dialog, and also why he gave Obama the gift he did today.
Honest? His Excellency doesn’t want much huh.
Ah, good luck with that.
Unfortunately, Mr. Obama and the Pope diverge right there as he won't say when life begins, but openly supports its destruction in the womb. He has also enforsed recreational sex. Our President has no common ground with Catholicism on life issues. In fact, he openly opposes the Church.
He has a wonderful Role Model for that.
He tried but he lied when he answered.
Fat chance. Carter wanted 'honest dialogue' with the Soviets too. So what?
It is acceptable and encouraged for muslims to lie to the infedel. ozero is a muslim and will lie to the Pope just as he lies to us. Captian obvious moment here.
Are you comparing Pope Benedict XVI to Jimmy Carter?
Bear in mind that the Vatican has outlived the Roman Empire, Charlamagne, the Holy Roman Empire, Imparial Spain, the British Empire, Napolean, Mussolini, Hitler, and the Soviet Union (to name a few). The Pope can't force Obama to do anything, but he can do everything in his power to save the man's soul. At the moment, Barak Obama is on his way to Hell for the rest of eternity when he dies.
Hah, honest is not in O’s vocabulary
The turkey has had nothing but grief on this trip. No swooning crowds and no swooning world leaders. Everyone has his measure.
Well...now....seems the Pope DOES believe in miracles.
This openly accepting of Obama into the Vatican causes confusion in the already confused flock of the Church.
The best way to have dealt with him would have been to close the door in his face.
I think it would be safe to say that Obama has no common ground with the Bible.
he won't say when life begins,
It's above his pay grade.
The Pope works for free, and yet he still manages to come to the logical conclusion on when life begins.
On day one we have a living functioning organism with it's own sex and DNA, unique in the history of all mankind.
I don't see what the debate is.
"Honest"? ... That'll be a trick!
If the Pope figures a way to get something honest of of Bozo then I hope he lets the rest of us in on it.
LLS
I agree 1000%!
LLS
>This openly accepting of Obama into the Vatican causes confusion in the already confused flock of the Church.
The best way to have dealt with him would have been to close the door in his face.
This is spot on. What was it, 53% of the Catholic vote went to 0bama. You could almost say that the Catholic vote DELIVERED 0bama.
I always keep a lookout for bumper stickers on cars at church and never saw an 0bama sticker. Lots of McCain/Palin stickers but then again I am in the midwest.
But after the election I couldn’t help but to look at others with suspicion.
I agree though, the Pope should have cited 0bama’s record on abortion and called him out on it.
I read a long time ago that infidels should be lied to as much as possible to achieve the goal of islam, the take-over of the world. To lie is the very most gentle of their tactics. Beheading being on the other end of the scale.
They don’t ask if the infidel voted for Bush or not before they saw of the head of the infidel. The libtards don’t get that yet.
O sent M home so he would not offend his muslim brothers. He knew that most Sheeple would just think M wanted to shop some more in France on her way back to the USA. He ditched her PDQ and even grew facial hair (what little he could muster in a few hours) to appear more acceptable to his muslim audience.
I don't think it takes being Pope to know when life begins.
Why this dialogue on life issues? Render unto Ceasar that which belongs to Ceasar and unto God that...
But also remember that nothing belongs to Ceasar unless it is approved by God. Geez, why make things so complicated when they are not.
How does anyone of any religion lie to the Pope?
I wish the Pope good luck, the current squatter soiling the Whitehouse has not spoken one word of truth since entering office.
Nope. Brain waves have been measured in the womb at 28 weeks. Therefore even an unborn child knows at some point that he or she is alive, just like he or she knows discomfort. Last I heard, unborn children have an even lower paygrade than popes.
Nope. Brain waves have been measured in the womb at 28 weeks. Therefore even an unborn child knows at some point that he or she is alive, just like he or she knows discomfort. Last I heard, unborn children have an even lower paygrade than popes.
Perhaps you would be more comfortable with a pope that acted less like Jesus and only hung out with the virtuous?
LLS
I don't know where you go the idea that anybody thought the Pope was Jesus. Most likely from some ingnorant person with a deep hatred of Catholicism I suppose. The Pope takes his direction from Jesus (no, not literally professor), as all honest Christians do. He just happens to be a lot better at it that you or I. That's how he got to be Pope. A lot better than you, I guess, because he still knows the difference between Satan and a sinner. Jesus Christ reached out to the men who played dice at His feet. He led by example, and he would have called Barak Obama a friend.
LLS
Do yourself a favor: If you can't think of anything interesting or relevant to say, just keep your mouth shut. Your mama should have told you that a long time ago. My post contained nothing that any sane person might find profound or controversal. You wanted to insult me, but you couldn't think of a single intelligent rebuttal, so you posted the lamest cop-out I have ever seen in my ten years on FR. Every bit of what I posted to you was fair and honest. I took pains to keep it that way. Your response to it was uncalled for, making the desperation obvious. You should have gone with your first inclination to not respond at. But since we're past that point, and you've already called me insane and stupid I think you owe me an example from my post that justifies your sudden uncristian reaction. Whatever hateful denomination it is that you belong to, I'm sure glad I missed it.
All kidding aside, this thread really attracted some charmers, didn't it?
Who claimed otherwise?
Anyone?
It is because of jerks like this, and the moderators who enable them, that I run in to Catholic Conservatives now and then who say things like “Free Republic? Isn’t that place filled with Neo-Nazis who hate the Church?” OK, maybe that’s an exageration, but this place HAS had a reputation among Catholics who blog.
I confess that I am mystified at the numbers of posters of other faiths who feel compelled to visit threads that involve Catholicism and then behave as many of them do.
Perhaps they are drawn to the Church somehow, in ways that cannot be easily explained. I don't know.
I do know that we are fortunate to have some truly dedicated and seemingly almost tireless defenders of the faith whom I respect greatly. I count you among them.
Thanks, friend.
LLS
You were the one that compared the Pope to Jesus... see what I mean about your cognitive skills.
LLS
Presidio9 did. You can bank on one thing... I will NEVER grace another one of these threads. I am not anti Catholic in any way... my own brother and his family are Catholic and I attend Church with them at times and enjoy it very much... I am ALWAYS welcomed... but not here... many of these threads contain major anti Christian actions and words.
LLS
No, he didn't.
*****************
Grace has nothing to do with it.
Now ALL that I did was ask a simple question followed by a small pondering statement... ALL three of you had the opportunity to respond in earnest, but you would rather lump me in with some sicko anti Catholic bigot... which I am not... and you cannot find any bashing of the Church in the tens of thousands of posts that I have made here over the years. I have been accused of bigotry here in this thread and both of you have been eager to join in... so be it. Tell me this... what in that simple question and statement was so abhorrent.. so much a blaspheme that I deserved the treatment that you all have given me? Why? Because I dared to ask a simple question that still puzzles me. I guess two centuries ago you guys would have burned me at the stake... again... how Christian.
LLS
Tuesday, July 14, 2009 7:28:32 AM · 38 of 43
LibLieSlayer to presidio9
You are being a jerk... plain and simple. Shut me up big boy... go ahead and prove to me your Christian credentials. I am in no way looking down on Catholicism... and I respect the Pope... but you do have a problem with understanding the meaning of my post and I have had far too many real life necessities interfere with my time, and that is why I chose to let it pass. You are correct about one thing... I should not have posted to you because the evil in your heart and the chip on your shoulder make it impossible to communicate with you. Some Catholic you are... NOT!
LLS
Sunday, July 12, 2009 9:17:26 AM · 32 of 43
LibLieSlayer to presidio9
I do not know where to start with your skewed reality and poor cognitive skills... so I just will not.
LLS
Friday, July 10, 2009 8:17:02 PM · 19 of 43
LibLieSlayer to presidio9
I wonder if he realizes he is talking to one of satan’s favorites? I just don’t know about this Pope.
LLS
*************************
What was that you were saying?
LLS
I made one simple point: no one said the pope is, has been, or will be Jesus.
We are all called to be Christ-like—to emulate Him in our own small and imperfect ways—and “like Jesus” is the term presidio used.
Benedict is a sinner just like the rest of us, as I’m sure he would happily admit.
******************
You're not gaining a lot of credibility here.
Wow.
"The Pope is not JESUS... never has been... never will be. I don't know where you go the idea that anybody thought the Pope was Jesus. Most likely from some ingnorant person with a deep hatred of Catholicism I suppose."""""*****
"""""***** Do yourself a favor: If you can't think of anything interesting or relevant to say, just keep your "mouth shut". Your mama should have told you that a long time ago. My post contained nothing that any sane person might find profound or controversal. You wanted to insult me, but you couldn't think of a single intelligent rebuttal, so you posted the lamest cop-out I have ever seen in my ten years on FR. Every bit of what I posted to you was fair and honest. I took pains to keep it that way. Your response to it was uncalled for, making the desperation obvious. You should have gone with your first inclination to not respond at. But since we're past that point, and you've already called me insane and stupid I think you owe me an example from my post that justifies your sudden uncristian reaction. Whatever hateful denomination it is that you belong to, I'm sure glad I missed it."""""*****
A real Christian response there... I am insane... derides my Mother... tells me to shut up... and accuses me of being a member of some "hateful denomination". Do any of you speak English around here? I am done... if I offended your Catholic sensitivities, I deeply and sincerely apologize to each and every one of you... for that was not my intent... but I learned that to dare to ask an honest question brings about responses that are not equal to the perceived crime. I am out of your lives forever. Sad, because I would bet we share much in Christ.
LLS
It late, so I only have time to respond to one post this evening/early morning. The reasoning here is the most obviously in need of correction. Your problem here is that you read what you believed to be true about Catholics, instead of what was actually contained in the post. People like you, who harbor inane resentments towards Catholics often assume that Catholics worship the Pope, bow down to him, or are otherwise commanded by him. It's not true, of course, but it certainly helps fuel petty prejudices.
In this case, you even provided the line that you took exception to, but you still misread it. Then you made a lame comment about my cognitive skills and accused me of comparing the Pope to Jesus.
To repeat the line in question: "Perhaps you would be more comfortable with a pope that acted less like Jesus and only hung out with the virtuous?” In fact, I did not "compare the Pope" to Christ. I pointed out that all Christians strive to ACT like Christ. The Pope of Course, as the leader of the Christian Faith (according to Sts Peter & Paul anyway) needs to be someone who sets the example when it comes to Christlike behavior. Even somebody who hates Catholics would acknowledge this. My line and this whole concept are so ridiculously simple that my only possible conclusions are that you are extremely dumb or you have been purposely trying to pick a fight from the beginning. In later posts you question my Christianity and my Catholicism, and yet you seem to be completely unaware that there's a difference between acting like Christ and actually being Christ. Again, the whole point of being a Christian is to act like Christ. Pope Benedict XVI is a man who sins and will one day die, not the Son of God. There can be no comparing the two. Your accusation is incongruous.
At this point, I see it as a toss-up between extremely dumb and trolling for a fight with Catholics.
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