A town where voting for Barack Obama is an offence against God (barf alert)

National Post ^ | 10/11/2008 | Kelly McPharland

[markomalley]

Ann Conway, an engaging 38-year-old mother of six, including triplets, sits at the dining-room table of her mother, Anne Ruddy. They live across the street from one another on a leafy hill overlooking the city of Scranton.

It is the Irish Roman Catholic home in which Ms. Conway was raised to be a true daughter of the Church. It was the home, too, of fiercely loyal Democrats, like most Catholic homes in the region. But things are changing and this is in evidence on this rainy autumn night.

The two women talk about the race between John McCain and Barack Obama, and how the issue of abortion is playing into it. Both look strained when they discuss how they might vote. The issue runs so deep Ms. Conway believes voting for a pro-abortion candidate like Mr. Obama -- something she might reluctantly do because she wants to end the war in Iraq -- is likely an offence against God.

“If I do end up voting for Obama, then I’ll go to confession after and tell the priest my sin,” she said.

(snip)

As for the Bishop’s letter and the influence of the Church in this election year, she considers it best to just ignore it.

“It’s Catholic guilt conscience. And Catholic guilt conscience is a terrible thing.”

[markomalley]

Ms. Conway, got some news for you...unless you genuinely regret your act (i.e., contrition), you can go to confession all you like...it won't do you a danged bit of good.

[just me]

Voting for abortion is against God. Babies are not a punishment, they are a gift..

[rsobin]

I tell all of my dim friends that if they vote for Obama they are doing Satan’s work.

[Darkwolf377]

something she might reluctantly do because she wants to end the war in Iraq

So I guess this woman would put a pillow over her kid's face because she wanted to end his sore throat?

[Darkwolf377]

When do we see the article about the black churches where it might as well be a sin to vote other than Obama?

[DGHoodini]

And isn’t that every town in the entire U.S.ofA.???

[Northern Yankee]

“It’s Catholic guilt conscience. And Catholic guilt conscience is a terrible thing.”

No Ms. Conway... guilt is a reminder that you have a conscience.

[TLEIBY308]

Most of Scranton will vote Dem,they always do.Most of us rural gun totting hicks will vote Rep,we always do.

[Allegra]

The issue runs so deep Ms. Conway believes voting for a pro-abortion candidate like Mr. Obama -- something she might reluctantly do because she wants to end the war in Iraq --

Oh, for crying out loud...pay attention, Mrs. Conway! The war is almost ended anyway - victoriously as opposed to surrendering disgracefully as the Democrats would have done. Turn off American Idol or Oprah and do some thinking once in a while. What - yuo want to get that clueless thug in so he can surrender before our troops wrap it up?? Good grief.

You'd better hope you can continue to go to confession if That One gets into office.

[littlehouse36]

“Pro Life Democrats” need to understand that abortion is the logical end to their political philosophy.

[olezip]

The two women talk about the race between John McCain and Barack Obama, and how the issue of abortion is playing into it. Both look strained when they discuss how they might vote. The issue runs so deep Ms. Conway believes voting for a pro-abortion candidate like Mr. Obama -- something she might reluctantly do because she wants to end the war in Iraq -- is likely an offence against God.

Life long Democrats really need to take a moment to look where voting for pro abortionists has led the nation -- a culture of death, euthanasia, gay marriage, moral relativism, and more entitlements for them. Will greed and avarice take our nation to glory? Or will it take our nation to One World Government, reparations, UN "back dues," increased "contributions" to the IRS?

To me, it is a no brainer.

[Gemsbok]

Wake-up Mrs.Conway,
America’s daily abortion tally surpasses her overall death toll in Iraq.

Can someont do the calculation on how many children have been aborted since the start of the Iraq war?

She needs to place value on every Soldier’s life because they were not in vain.
She can not say the same of the millions of lives that were never given a chance.

[Emperor Palpatine]

Any Catholic who votes for Obama commits a mortal sin.

Period.

[Northern Yankee]

You both are missing the point.

No ma'am... I don't think I am missing the point. (In all due respect.) As a Catholic I hear too often from others that the Catholic church lays on its faithful, guilt. The statement couldn't be further from the truth.

We are reminded by our church that truth matters. Voting for someone who encourages abortion is an act against what we are called to defend as Catholics and as Christians. We do the will of God, not our will.

The Bishops are trying to remind the faithful that our duty first is to the teachings of God. When Catholics, or others, oppose this they are not only in violation of the church doctrine, but also the sanctity of life.

Hope that helps.

God Bless.

[Lucas McCain]

I can assure you that voting for BO is an offense against God per se, regardless of the town.

[LilRhody]

Number of Abortions Performed in the United States
(AGI) (CDC)
1973 744,600 615,831
1974 898,600 763,476
1975 1,034,200 854,853
1976 1,179,300 988,267
1977 1,316,700 1,079,430
1978 1,409,600 1,157,776
1979 1,497,700 1,251,921
1980 1,553,900 1,297,606
1981 1,577,300 1,300,760
1982 1,573,900 1,303,980
1983 1,575,000 1,268,987
1984 1,577,200 1,333,521
1985 1,588,600 1,328,570
1986 1,574,000 1,328,112
1987 1,559,100 1,353,671
1988 1,590,800 1,371,285
1989 1,566,900 1,396,658
1990 1,608,600 1,429,577
1991 1,556,500 1,388,937
1992 1,528,900 1.359,145
1993 1,500,000 1,330,414
1994 1,431,000 1,267,415
1995 1,363,690 1,210,883
1996 1,365,730 1,221,585
1997 1,365,730 1,186,039
1998 1,365,730 884,273*
1999 1,365,730 861,789*
2000 1,312,990 857,475**
2001 1,303,000& 853,485**
2002 1,293,000&
2003 1,293,000&&
2004 1,293,000&&

&AGI estimate
&&NRLC base figure
*excludes NH, CA, AK, OK
**excludes NH, CA, AK

40+ MILLION ABORTIONS SINCE 1973
4,000 each day

[LilRhody]

Number of Abortions Performed in the United States
(AGI) (CDC)
1973 744,600 615,831
1974 898,600 763,476
1975 1,034,200 854,853
1976 1,179,300 988,267
1977 1,316,700 1,079,430
1978 1,409,600 1,157,776
1979 1,497,700 1,251,921
1980 1,553,900 1,297,606
1981 1,577,300 1,300,760
1982 1,573,900 1,303,980
1983 1,575,000 1,268,987
1984 1,577,200 1,333,521
1985 1,588,600 1,328,570
1986 1,574,000 1,328,112
1987 1,559,100 1,353,671
1988 1,590,800 1,371,285
1989 1,566,900 1,396,658
1990 1,608,600 1,429,577
1991 1,556,500 1,388,937
1992 1,528,900 1.359,145
1993 1,500,000 1,330,414
1994 1,431,000 1,267,415
1995 1,363,690 1,210,883
1996 1,365,730 1,221,585
1997 1,365,730 1,186,039
1998 1,365,730 884,273*
1999 1,365,730 861,789*
2000 1,312,990 857,475**
2001 1,303,000& 853,485**
2002 1,293,000&
2003 1,293,000&&
2004 1,293,000&&

&AGI estimate
&&NRLC base figure
*excludes NH, CA, AK, OK
**excludes NH, CA, AK

40+ MILLION ABORTIONS SINCE 1973
4,000 each day

[Salvation]

**As for the Bishop’s letter and the influence of the Church in this election year, she considers it best to just ignore it.**

You had better not ignore it unless you want to end up in hell. Even going to Confession doesn’t work when a person refuses to repent and change their ways. And that sounds like it describes this woman to a ‘T’.

[Salvation]

Updated: American Bishops who have spoken against Pelosi

Here is the complete list of American bishops who have responded to Nancy Pelosi's comments so far:

1. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver was the first American bishop to respond
2. ... Bishop James Conley, his auxiliary, joined him
3. Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington DC responded twice, first in a press release and second in a statement to The Hill. He has also appeared on Fox News, I am told.
4. Cardinal Justin Regali of Philadelphia, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued this statement through the USCCB website...
5. ... Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, chairman of the Committee on Doctrine, joined him
6. Cardinal Edward Egan of New York publised a strongly worded statement of his own
7. Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo issued a letter correcting Pelosi's claims
8. Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh and...
9. ... Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs have chimed-in
10. Archbishop Jose Gomez of San Antonio, CNA reports has added his voice ...
11. ... Bishop Oscar Cantu, his auxiliary bishop, has joined him
12. Bishop William Murphy of Rockville has published an extensive letter
13. Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa has a detailed response
14. Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas has joined the USCCB's efforts
15. Bishop Gregory Aymond of Austin is on-board
16. Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston mentions the USCCB on his blog
17. Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando has written at length
18. Archbishop John Nienstedt of Saint Paul/Minneapolis challenges Pelosi's statement
19. Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, President of the US Bishops, has weighed-in
20. Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, OR publishes in the Catholic Sentinel
21. Bishop Jerome Listecki of La Crosse, WI responds in a word document
22. Bishop Richard Lennon of Cleveland, OH will comment in his September 5th column (PDF)
23. Bishop Ralph Nickless of Sioux City, IA has one of the very best responses I've read
24. Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco has invited Pelosi to a "conversation"
25. Bishop Glen Provost, LA: "Catholic Church clear on when human life begins"
26. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn: "Judging the Candidates"

{Last updated on September 10th.}

Notes:

• Previous #23 has been removed. Bishop Joseph Gossman of Raleigh, NC is actually the bishop emeritus, and the new bishop, Michael Burbidge has not, to my knowledge, made a personal statement.
• Previous #16 has also been removed, it was an erroneous duplication of current #13.
• #26 was added September 10th, although he published his column September 6th