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Giuliani won't talk of pope, abortion
News Day ^ | May 10, 2007 | BY CRAIG GORDON

Posted on 05/10/2007 3:15:32 AM PDT by Jim Robinson

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Rudolph Giuliani said yesterday that his differences with the Catholic Church over his support for abortion rights are between him, God and his spiritual adviser, not Pope Benedict XVI - seeking to avoid a head-on confrontation with the pontiff over the issue that has bedeviled Giuliani's campaign.

The pope took a hard line against Catholic politicians who vote in favor of abortion rights, saying Mexican lawmakers who did so lost the right to Communion and may have even excommunicated themselves.

Giuliani himself declined to respond directly to the pope's comments and wouldn't answer questions about whether he believed his support for abortion rights could damage his standing in the church.

"I don't get into debates with the pope," Giuliani told reporters.

"Issues like that for me are between me and my confessor. ... I'm a Catholic and that's the way I resolve those issues, personally and privately," he said. "That's what religion is all about - it's something that's between you and your conscience and God and then whoever your spiritual advisers are."

The Giuliani campaign last night deflected questions about Giuliani's spiritual advisers and whether he takes Communion - saying, as the mayor did, that those are private issues.

Giuliani took a different approach in 1996, when he criticized the Vatican for attacking then-President Bill Clinton's decision to veto a ban on late-term abortion. Giuliani said the church's "direct involvement in politics is not a good idea, because I think it confuses people."

This time, the pope's comments - while not directly about American politicians - threaten to insert a religious element into the debate in Republican circles over Giuliani's pro-abortion-rights stance.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: abortion; catholic; elections; giuliani; prolife
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To: A Navy Vet
I don't "hate" Jesus. I believe him to be the most compassionate, tolerant, understanding person who ever lived. That said, I have NO real proof that he is the son of god. What? Some superstitious flat-worlders claim so?

Okay, that's cool. But what do you really know about him? What did he do or say that causes you to believe he's compassionate and tolerant?

I'll tell you what I mean. Here are some of his statements, paraphrased. Read them, digest them, and tell me what sort of person would say these things:

"Yeah, I remember when Satan was kicked out of heaven. That was quite a sight."

"I was there with the Father when he was making the world. I existed before the universe did."

"I am the way, the truth and the life, NO ONE can come to the Father except through me." [emphasis mine]

"If you want to follow me, you must hate your mother and your father."

Do these sound like the sayings of a tolerant, compassionate man?

And as for proof that he was God, how do you explain the four accounts of his resurrection, the accounts that he appeared to as many as 500 people at a time, and the sudden explosion of the church? (Remember, these were people who had a MUCH harder time than you and me, culturally and religiously, accepting the idea that God could become a man.)

I agree with you that no man can comprehend such a purpose, at least not without help. But a purpose suggests someone behind that purpose. And I do believe, that if God wants to communicate with us, He can find a way. Agree?

When he communicates with you, how will you respond?

21 posted on 05/10/2007 10:01:55 AM PDT by Silly (http://www.sarcasmoff.com)
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To: NYer; narses; Salvation

Catholic ping.

Anyone remember how Giuliani criticized the Pope on abortion during Clinton’s time in office?


22 posted on 05/10/2007 11:20:07 AM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007 (Why vote for Duncan Hunter in 2008? Look at my profile.)
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To: Jim Robinson
Issues like that for me are between me and my confessor.

Like this guy has a "confessor"!

23 posted on 05/10/2007 11:29:10 AM PDT by madprof98 ("moritur et ridet" - salvianus)
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To: Jim Robinson
"Issues like that for me are between me and my confessor. ... I'm a Catholic and that's the way I resolve those issues, personally and privately," he said. "That's what religion is all about - it's something that's between you and your conscience and God and then whoever your spiritual advisers are."

Hey Rudy--when was the last time you went to Mass, let alone confession? It's all an act with this guy. He's no more Catholic than Jim McGreevey who claimed that his mother said rosaries for him during the 2001 NJ governor's race. Of course, now we know why she was praying for him.

"Catholics" like Rudy need to be publicly excommunicated. They use their "Catholic" status to win votes among the ignorant and yet their public policies could not be more at odds with what the Church teaches.

Sadly, I have no hope that Cardinal Egan has anything like the spine necessary to excommunicate a 'star' like Rudy.
24 posted on 05/10/2007 11:36:27 AM PDT by Antoninus (P!ss off an environmentalist wacko . . . have more kids.)
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To: sgtbono2002
Although they are all technically excommunicated automatically ,I will believe the Pope means business when he makes a public comment excommunicating those who are known to be guilty.

That's not the Pope's role. It's Rudy's bishop's role. And Cardinal Egan is not a great bishop, even if he plays one on TV. I can't wait for him to hit 75.
25 posted on 05/10/2007 11:38:07 AM PDT by Antoninus (P!ss off an environmentalist wacko . . . have more kids.)
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To: Jim Robinson

Giuliani must go to the same priest/confessor as Tony Soprano.


26 posted on 05/10/2007 11:38:14 AM PDT by Palladin (All warfare is based on deception. --Sun Tzu)
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To: narses; NYer; Salvation

ping to the pingers


27 posted on 05/10/2007 12:01:11 PM PDT by Ransomed (Son of Ransomed says Keep the Faith!)
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To: Jim Robinson
That's what religion is all about - it's something that's between you and your conscience and God and then whoever your spiritual advisers are.

So obviously Rudy does not consider the Pope one of his spiritual advisers. It would be interesting to know who those advisers really are.
28 posted on 05/10/2007 12:15:01 PM PDT by gpapa
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To: Mrs. Frogjerk

Kennedy, Rudy, Kerry and how many other “Catholic politicos”, claim to be such and still fight for abortions?
The Pope should grow a set and excommunicate ALL politicians who espouse abortion or vote for such.


29 posted on 05/10/2007 1:43:47 PM PDT by Joe Boucher
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To: Jim Robinson
That's OK, the pope will talk about him. LOL!

Pope's Words on Abortion Nudge, But Don't Shake U.S. Political Races

Pope's Words on Abortion Nudge, But Don't Shake U.S. Political Races

Thursday, May 10, 2007

 
WASHINGTON —  Pope Benedict XVI's agreement that Roman Catholic politicians in Mexico City who voted to legalize abortion should be denied the rite of Communion could have an effect on the 2008 presidential race in the United States.

The pontiff's comments put five of seven Catholic candidates at odds with their church.

 

30 posted on 05/10/2007 9:55:31 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Joe Boucher
Dissent.Speakers and authors Check here for their names.

List doesn't have Giuliani, however. (In my opinion, he should also be listed.)

31 posted on 05/10/2007 10:18:41 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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