Perhaps they can no longer smugly snicker up their sleeves, take the Catholic vote for granted and play us for suckers. They can no longer ridicule other Christians and pro-lifers while claiming to be "compassionate" and "for the children" as they condone scissors being driven into infants' skulls, their brains sucked out and the unborn chopped into pieces and sucked out of their mothers with industrial strength vacuum machines. They are on the wrong side of history. In no small part thanks to John O'Connor, the future belongs to life.
AWESOME!
Nice thought but it isn't likely to happen. Cardinal O'Connor and Mother Teresa displayed tremendous leadership qualities -- they clearly defined their positions and used all opportunities to advance them. Furthermore, they both had national media exposure. Here's the quote that sums it up:
"What a great legacy he has left us in his constant reminder that the Church must always be unambiguously pro- life."
Sorely lacking in the U.S. today are nationally recognized Catholic Bishops who clearly advocate Catholic moral theology at every public opportunity. Witness, as an example, the failures of Cardinal Maida to publicly and personally advance any pro-life message or even to counter the public pro-choice opinions of some of his own pastors during the recent Grandholm campaign for governor. Cardinal Maida isn't alone here. I can't think of a single bold, pro-Catholic statement made by a Cardinal in many years.
Catholics react strongly and favorably to leadership whenever it is demonstrated. We are looking for a shepard -- not a head sheep.