Posted on 01/06/2005 7:19:07 PM PST by wagglebee
Cardinal William Keeler wrote to members of the U.S. Senate today in anticipation of their being called upon to advise on and consent to presidential nominations for the Federal bench, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
In the letter, Cardinal Keeler rejected the view that "nominees who oppose the purposeful taking of innocent human life" are "unfit for judicial office in the United States." "By any measure," he said, "support for the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision is an impoverished standard for assessing judicial ability."
Cardinal Keeler is Chairman of the Committee for Pro-Life Activities, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. "When considering nominees the Senate should not allow itself to be held captive to such an unfair and unreasonable standard," he wrote.
This is the text of his letter:
"Dear Senator,
As you begin the work of the 109th Congress, the Senate will again be called upon to advise on and consent to presidential nominations for the Federal bench, perhaps even for the U.S. Supreme Court. "As you know, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is active in the courts on many matters, especially in cases on abortion, the death penalty, civil rights, discrimination and the role of religion in society. At the same time, it is not the practice of our Conference to take positions on particular presidential nominees. However, we want to respond to reports about the judicial confirmation process that have caused us and others serious concern.
"We are troubled by reports that national abortion advocacy groups, and even some U.S. senators, view nominees who oppose the purposeful taking of innocent human life as somehow unfit for judicial office in the United States. It is further reported that attempts would be made to deny them a vote on confirmation by the full Senate.
"Insisting that judicial nominees support abortion throughout pregnancy is wrong. By any measure, support for the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision is an impoverished standard for assessing judicial ability. For over three decades, Roe has sparked more informed criticism and public resistance than any other court decision of the late 20th century. Even legal scholars who support abortion have criticized Roe for not being grounded in the U.S. Constitution. Further, in 2000, the Supreme Court relied on Roe to rule that the gruesome and inhumane practice of partial-birth abortion must be constitutionally protected. When considering nominees the Senate should not allow itself to be held captive to such an unfair and unreasonable standard.
"There is no doubt that the Catholic Church stands out for its commitment to the right to life from conception until natural death. This ethic has profound consequences not only for abortion, but for many other areas of life, including the death penalty, the application of scientific research to human subjects, the right to adequate health care, and the role of the state in promoting the common good. Our civil society will be all the poorer if Senators, as a matter of practice, prevent a Senate vote on well-qualified judicial nominees whose consciences have been formed in this ethic.
"I pray God will bless Congress' efforts to ensure that Federal judges are persons of integrity and good character who will respect the rights of all, born and unborn.
Probably not, but at least it's good that Cdl. Keeler did this. It encourages fellow Catholics, if nothing else.
They're too worried about the potential mistreatment of terrorists to be concerned about the killing of millions of unborn children in this country. One must have one's priorities in order, you know.
Until the pro-life proponents can match dollar for dollar, the contributions (read BRIBES) of the abortion mill lobby, there ain't a prayer of changing one Rat mind.
There's millions in the slaughter industry.
It's about time and I would like to see the leaders of other Christian denominations do the same.
I'll be waiting.
What I find most disturbing is the number of prominent 'Rats who consider themselves devout Catholics.
Ping
William Cardinal Keeler,
or,
Cardinal William Keeler.
William Cardinal Keeler is the correct form.
The Novous Ordo church's idea of supporting the Laws of God! Heretics!
My guess is Newsmax and the conservatives in this country need to make sure the debate on Roe is changed. This isn't a pro-abortion litmus test (though that may be the result the Rats want)--it's a pro-ROE litmus test. The Supreme Court overturning Roe wouldn't kill abortion off. It would merely return the regulation of that practice to the states.
novus, -a, -um = new
I don't know that I approve of the federal courts guaranteeing citizens against state actions infringing some and not all of the enumerated fundamental rights, and at the same time, saying there are non-enumerated fundamental rights that it will guarantee. Either say that people in every state get all the rights in the Constitution plus some, or stay out of the states entirely. I prefer the latter, as I think the states should have a heck of a lot more power and the feds a heck of a lot less. In the world where I'm king, I would certainly not grant the federal courts oversight over what state constitutional guarantees entail, the SupCt's currently expanded powers under the supremacy clause notwithstanding.
Regardless how you spell it, it's Heresy.
**What I find most disturbing is the number of prominent 'Rats who consider themselves devout Catholics.**
True, but we got rid of Daschle.
Who will be next to go?
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