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Schwarzenegger: "I am ... a very dedicated Catholic, but" I support Research on Human Embryos
LifeSiteNews.com ^ | June 1, 2007 | Elizabeth O'Brien

Posted on 06/03/2007 11:57:26 PM PDT by monomaniac

Schwarzenegger: "I am a Catholic and a very dedicated Catholic, but" I support Research on Human Embryos

TORONTO, June 1, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Speaking at a press conference at the MaRS Discovery District research centre in Toronto yesterday, actor-turned California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger defended his support for embryonic stem cell research seen as controversial in light of his self-professed Catholic faith.

"I always said that you should not have your religion interfere with government policies or with the policies of the people," said Schwarzenegger. "I am a Catholic and a very dedicated Catholic, but that does not interfere with my decision-making because I know that stem-cell research, the way we are doing it in California ... is the right way to go and will save, very quickly down the line, lives and cure a lot of these illnesses," he said as quoted by the Toronto Star.

At the same event, Premier Dalton McGuinty, another politician who while referring to himself as Catholic supports abortion, backed the California Governor's stance. "I would argue ... there's one moral imperative that transcends all faiths, all culture and all traditions, it would be this fundamental desire to relieve pain and suffering and death where we find it," he said.

The supposedly "devout Catholic" Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger backed a $3 billion dollar public funding of embryonic stem cell research in his state. Last year the governor loaned up to $150 million dollars towards embryonic stem cell research.

Lawsuits challenging the public funding of the controversial research were filed by the California Family Bioethics Council, connected with Focus on the Family, as well as The National Association for the Advancement of Preborn Children (NAAPC). On Wednesday, after the court rejected final objections to the distribution of funds, the Governor commented that this "reaffirms voters' will to keep California on the forefront of embryonic stem cell research. ... Potentially life-saving science can continue without a shadow of a legal doubt."

Now that the lawsuits have been settled, as much as $300 million dollars worth of funds may be released towards research by the end of the year. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine will distribute the funds according to government Proposition 71, the "Embryo Cloning and Stem-Cell Research Bond Act". (See coverage http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/oct/04102006.html).

Unlike adult stem cells, embryonic stem cell research has proved to have fruitless medical results. Terry Thompson, attorney for People's Advocate and the National Tax Limitation Foundation, told The San Francisco Chronicler, "This establishes a precedent for well-meaning but misdirected rich people to invade the public treasury for projects of their own and parlay a few million dollars (of campaign expenses) into a few billion dollars of wasted taxpayer money."

Todd Tambery, Spokesman the archdiocese of Los Angeles, Schwarzenegger's home diocese, told LifeSiteNews.com that while Archbishop Roger Mahoney has not indicated that that Schwarzenegger should be denied Holy Communion. According to Tambery, Cardinal Mahoney has however spoken out against embryonic stem cell research.

To Respectfully Voice Concerns:

The Los Angeles Diocese 3424 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010-2202 213 637 7000 Email: info@la-archdiocese.org

Governor Arnold Swcharzenegger's Office State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-2841 Fax: 916-445-4633 Email: http://www.govmail.ca.gov

Related Coverage:

Embryo Rights Case Filed Against California Embryonic Stem Cell Initiative http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/jun/05061607.html

Schwarzenegger Supports Massive Grant for Stem Cell Research http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/oct/04102006.html


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: cafeteriacatholics; cino; conanthebarbarian; embryo; embryoresearch; moralabsolutes; prolife; prop71; schwarzenegger; stemcells
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1 posted on 06/03/2007 11:57:29 PM PDT by monomaniac
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To: monomaniac

“Thou shall not kill innocent life”


2 posted on 06/04/2007 12:08:25 AM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
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To: monomaniac

Where’s the “MORAL ABSOLUTES” ping people??
This qualifies if I’ve ever seen something qualify!

I am deeply disappointed in Ah-nold. :*(


3 posted on 06/04/2007 12:08:30 AM PDT by pillut48 (CJ in TX --Soccer Mom, Bible Thumper and Proud to be an American! RUN, FRED, RUN!!!)
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To: monomaniac

doesn’t sound very Catholic at all Arnie...


4 posted on 06/04/2007 12:09:07 AM PDT by tina07 (In Memory of my Father - WWII Army Air Force Veteran)
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To: monomaniac
"I am a Catholic Kennedy and a very dedicated Catholic Kennedy,

There, fixed..

5 posted on 06/04/2007 12:11:29 AM PDT by MaxMax (God Bless America)
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To: MaxMax

So true. You cannot be a “very dedicated Catholic” and support embryonic stem cell research.


6 posted on 06/04/2007 12:42:22 AM PDT by Roy Tucker ("You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality"--Ayn Rand)
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To: Roy Tucker
Arnold married into power, therefore, he wants to retain his power
by doing anything and everything possible.

/IMO

7 posted on 06/04/2007 12:46:52 AM PDT by MaxMax (God Bless America)
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To: monomaniac

Arnold’s play to make California a biotech center. Sadly, America is probably going to lose that particular contest.


8 posted on 06/04/2007 12:48:19 AM PDT by durasell (!)
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To: tina07

Sounds pretty Ted Kennedy and John Kerry to me.


9 posted on 06/04/2007 12:48:48 AM PDT by taxesareforever (Never forget Matt Maupin)
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To: wagglebee; little jeremiah; Salvation; NYer

(SIGH) Moral Absolutes and Catholic

Old Arnold out in California claims to be a “dedicated Catholic”, yet he proudly proclaims his support for embryonic stem cell research.

I really wish the Pope would crack down harder on these CINO politicians. He told them they are excommunicate themselves from Communion if they support abortion and disregard human life. It appears they have all given him the symbolic finger and went on their merry way. They figure he or their priest will not do anything so they will be ok. It sends a horrible message to the rest of the Church and people trying to be good Catholics.


10 posted on 06/04/2007 12:53:56 AM PDT by Pinkbell (Hunter/Thompson)
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To: monomaniac

“I always said that you should not have your religion interfere with government policies or with the policies of the people,” said Schwarzenegger.

That may play well to the crowds arnie, but its garbage! You are living in a representative democracy, the people elected you to represent them, not to parrot their viewpoints (as if you could - there are 40 million of them) Your religion, if it means anything, should color every decision in your life.


11 posted on 06/04/2007 12:56:54 AM PDT by Vanders9
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To: monomaniac
Now its only a matter of time before Bush changes his position on embryonic stem cell research and then abortion. (He's changed everything else..)
12 posted on 06/04/2007 12:58:40 AM PDT by HarmlessLovableFuzzball
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To: Roy Tucker
Catholic Doctrine. Take what you like. Leave what you don't want to eat. It's EASY! Let's just call it "spiritual smorgasbord".


13 posted on 06/04/2007 12:59:32 AM PDT by AmericanInTokyo (I propose amending the "Pray For Bush" FR link into "Pray For Bush To Grow A Brain". Muchas Gracias.)
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To: AmericanInTokyo

Nice spread.

We call them Cafeteria Catholics in my family. “A little of this, but not that. Mmmm, that looks good, but I don’t like any of that.” As you say, it’s far easier to do that than to follow a Church’s doctrine.


14 posted on 06/04/2007 1:17:22 AM PDT by Roy Tucker ("You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality"--Ayn Rand)
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To: Pinkbell

It sends a horrible message to the rest of the Church and people trying to be good Catholics.

The Pope is not an enforcer. He reminded people last month of what they already know. The message we get is that we all have free will and that even a governor can be unwise.


15 posted on 06/04/2007 2:33:12 AM PDT by rljv
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To: monomaniac

sorry arnie—you can’t have it both ways. Psst—I hear the pope is going to excommunicate you. lol


16 posted on 06/04/2007 2:53:09 AM PDT by freeangel ( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like what you say))
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To: monomaniac

NAZI, they are still out there.


17 posted on 06/04/2007 3:41:11 AM PDT by tiger-one (The night has a thousand eyes)
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To: monomaniac
"I am a Catholic and a very dedicated Catholic,..."
except for that pesky part where you have to avoid evil and do good.
18 posted on 06/04/2007 3:46:31 AM PDT by Mad Dawg (I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.)
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Schwarzenegger: "I am ... a very dedicated Catholic, but"

"I am a CINO"

19 posted on 06/04/2007 3:54:50 AM PDT by A.A. Cunningham
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To: monomaniac
“I am a Catholic and a very dedicated Catholic, but” I support Research on Human Embryos

That is so hypercritical

20 posted on 06/04/2007 4:24:07 AM PDT by garylmoore (Faith is the assurance of things unseen.)
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