Posted on 09/24/2015 5:18:43 PM PDT by ebb tide
EDITORIAL
WASHINGTON, D.C., September 24, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) -- In his historic address at the US Congress today Pope Francis focused on immigration, human dignity, poverty and the environment. Speaking before all senators hours before they vote on defunding Planned Parenthood, at no point did he mention abortion by name.
He spoke to Congress of “money that is drenched in blood, often innocent blood,” but was referring only to the sale of weapons. “In the face of this shameful and culpable silence, it is our duty to confront the problem and to stop the arms trade,” he said.
Prompting palpable joy from conservatives in the room, the pope spoke of human dignity, even of protecting and defending “human life at every stage of development.”
But after the initial applause died down following that line, the pope made no explicit reference to abortion and instead turned immediately to his campaign against the death penalty.
“The Golden Rule also reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development,” he said.
He continued:
This conviction has led me, from the beginning of my ministry, to advocate at different levels for the global abolition of the death penalty. I am convinced that this way is the best, since every life is sacred, every human person is endowed with an inalienable dignity, and society can only benefit from the rehabilitation of those convicted of crimes. Recently my brother bishops here in the United States renewed their call for the abolition of the death penalty. Not only do I support them, but I also offer encouragement to all those who are convinced that a just and necessary punishment must never exclude the dimension of hope and the goal of rehabilitation. Even the New York Times took note of the pope's unexpected change in direction, describing how, “instead of continuing on to talk about the need to end abortion, he pivots to the death penalty.”
The pope also hit hard on favored Democratic issues such as allowing immigration and accepting refugees, confronting poverty and protecting the environment from “deterioration caused by human activity.”
Many pro-life advocates oppose the death penalty, and are strong advocates for the poor, immigrants, and the environment – while holding a range of views on how to handle these issues politically.
But the speech, in the end, is a tremendous victory for Democrats and for so-called social-justice Catholics who continue to call themselves pro-life despite their support for abortion by appealing to their opposition to the death penalty and these other issues.
The only area where Democrats may have felt a sting from the pope’s address to Congress was in his reference to the family. “I cannot hide my concern for the family,” he said, “which is threatened, perhaps as never before, from within and without.”
“Fundamental relationships are being called into question, as is the very basis of marriage and the family.”
Pro-life activists in America had high hopes for the Pope’s address to Congress. In an open letter to the pope released Tuesday, Lila Rose referred to the vote to defund Planned Parenthood, noting the organization “kills over 327,000 children a year in America, leaving behind their deeply wounded mothers and fathers” and were recently shown “harvesting and negotiating the sale of the body parts of aborted children for profit.”
A tweet from conservative writer Damian Thompson in the UK was telling. “Two words I hope we hear from Pope Francis in the US: Planned Parenthood,” he wrote.
He really hasn’t said much of anything. Much like our politicians.
Did he mention Jesus?
Perfect chance for Comrade Pope to publically rebuke the Supreme Court, the President, and the pond scum of Congress for abortion, queer marriage, etc. ... but then again, you can’t really expect too much from a guy that wears dresses!
He said much of nothing. I knew the Name of Jesus Christ was not going to be mentioned. This pope said in July that it is a ‘dangerous’ temptation to believe that one can have a personal, direct, immediate relationship with Jesus outside of the Catholic church. Unbelievable. Why does he say this? I surmise because he wants glory for himself and because of $$$ from their flock. This is why CHRIST JESUS ALONE will ALWAYS get my honor, praise, and glory. No human being who claims to represent Christ, but their fruit says otherwise, will get it.
he never even mentioned God.
Ooops.
What a fake.
This pope is not a holy man. He is a Marxist who happened to find a job with the Catholic Church and has wormed his way to power.
At least he didn't defend them. He seems such a committed leftist that I thought he might.
Funny he’s scolding us, say something about the chritians being murdered by muzzies
So disappointed that he didn’t mention abortion. Our country was ready for it. With the PP infanticide, he could have leveled a decisive blow. Regardless of his misguided opinions on climate and immigration among other things, this was the church’s best chance to defend the unborn in my lifetime. He blew it. He could have softened many hearts and thereby helped save many babies.
When did this all start that world ‘heads of state’ could address us before Congress? When? Are they the effin’ UN, EU, now?
Take that crap to the house. There is a reason all of these so called “refugees” are bustin’ their asses trying to get into the U.S.
Kill a kid in less than eight months but defend a murderer from the death sentence twenty years or more.
Shillin’ for the guilty. Ignoring the plight of the innocent. That’s quite a pope.
If Jesus is against the death penalty, why did He pay it for us?
If Jesus is against the death penalty, why did He pay it for us?
Off with his head. Somebody kill this evil wicked man, obviously a worse human being than armyblackchick
Kill him i say, kill the evildoer who has given his emtire life to Christ like few others in this world, except blackarmywitchcrafter
Catholic Justices Scalia, Alito, Thomas are no-shows for the pope
https://popevisit2015.yahoo.com/post/129797498159/catholic-justices-scalia-alito-thomas-are
I’m a woman of God - not a chick. The insults are immature. Grow up. I know the truth hurts. And it appears as though you don’t care about souls, maybe even your own.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me (JESUS).” (Matthew 5:11)
Pray for your pope, he needs it. And while you’re at it, pray for yourself. I feel hatred coming from your spirit.
“If Jesus is against the death penalty, why did He pay it for us?”
Bless Him forever! These sad people who oppose the death penalty have no clue they are in direct opposition to God on the matter. They are Scripturally FOOLS, ignorant of God. Not accidentally, mind you, but deliberately as they suppress the truth in order to have for themselves a manageable god. And the arrogance! “We’re nicer than God, SEE! We love murderers, can you top that for compassion?”
Hell awaits them.
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