Pelosi Spokeswoman About-face: Catholic Church Clear on Life Teaching, But Catholics Need Not Listen

LifeSiteNews ^ | 8/27/08 | Kathleen Gilbert

[wagglebee]

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 27, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A spokeswoman for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi defended the speaker's position as a "pro-abortion Catholic", not because the Church is unclear on when life begins, as earlier stated, but because Catholics routinely contravene "clear Catholic teaching" against abortion.

In a statement praising Pelosi's appreciation for "the sanctity of the family," Brenda Daly, speaking for Pelosi, said, "While Catholic teaching is clear that life begins at conception, many Catholics do not ascribe to that view."

In the controversial interview on NBC's Meet The Press that spawned Daly's statement, Pelosi had said,  "The Doctors of the Church have not been able to make that definition [of when life begins]," and called it "an issue of controversy" throughout the history of the Church.  "St. Augustine said at three months.  We don't know," said Pelosi.

Brenda Daly's statement says that Pelosi is not justified in her pro-abortion stance due to vague Church teaching, but on the basis that many other "Catholics" also violate Church teaching.

Susan A. Fani, Director of Communications at the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, questioned the strength of Pelosi's newest argument: "So what?" she said.

"There are plenty of Catholics living a life rife with sin that seek to justify their behavior by saying they disagree with the Church on the source of their delinquency.

"Maybe that's the source of Pelosi's confusion - she really doesn't understand the difference between the teaching authority of the Catholic Church and the DNC."

Pelosi's new statement comes after a torrential response from Church officials condemning Pelosi's blatant misrepresentation of Church teaching and history, sparking coverage of the issue in several major news sources. (See LifeSiteNews.com article: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08082601.html)

Eighteen members of the House of Representatives have signed a letter to Pelosi exhorting her to back down from her misrepresentation of Catholicism and criticizing her statements that "mangle Catholic Church doctrine." (For the full letter, see: http://www.stoppingtoaskfordirections.blogspot.com/)

American Papist's Thomas Peters, the Catholic blogger who has followed closely what he calls "Pelosi-Gate", considers Pelosi's "absurd" comments a boon for Catholic bishops, who now have the ball "back in their court." 

Peters says that because Pelosi continued to defend her statements, the bishops now "have the stage, an attentive audience, and a winning position."

To view Peters' blog, visit: http://www.americanpapist.com/blog.html

Related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

"Catholic" Speaker Pelosi Denies that Catholicism Condemns Abortion
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08082502.html

Cardinals, Bishops and Congressmen Slam Pelosi on Abortion
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08082601.html

New York Cardinal - Pelosi Not Worthy of "Providing Leadership in a Civilized Democracy"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08082605.html

[wagglebee]

In a statement praising Pelosi's appreciation for "the sanctity of the family," Brenda Daly, speaking for Pelosi, said, "While Catholic teaching is clear that life begins at conception, many Catholics do not ascribe to that view."

The left will NEVER understand that disagreeing with what is and isn't sinful DOES NOT make a difference!

[wagglebee]

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[wagglebee]

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[Ann Archy]

Nancy is dancing on the trapdoor of HELL!

[G Larry]

“While Catholic teaching is clear that life begins at conception, many Catholics do not ascribe to that view.”

Well then sweetheart.....THEY ARE NOT CATHOLIC!!!!!

[Enchante]

"While Catholic teaching is clear that life begins at conception, many Catholics do not ascribe to that view."

just an aside: the dumb cluck does not know what the word 'ascribe' means! Maybe she meant to say 'subscribe'

as·cribe

1. To attribute to a specified cause, source, or origin: "Other people ascribe his exclusion from the canon to an unsubtle form of racism" (Daniel Pinchbeck). See Synonyms at attribute.

2. To assign as a quality or characteristic: was quick to ascribe jealousy to her critics.

[MPJackal]

“”There are plenty of Catholics living a life rife with sin that seek to justify their behavior”

So they admit that abortion is sin, they just don’t care.

[Wil H]

many Catholics do not ascribe to that view."

The Spokeswoman is a moron . It's SUBSCRIBE not ASCRIBE..

That notwithstanding, what she was trying to say is "we socialists believe in moral relativism - if it feels good - do it."

That'll go down well with the Catholic Church.

[Jacquerie]

Hitlerism defined Jews and others as subhuman. Thus, it was acceptable to exterminate them.

Over 40 million. Here. These United States. Oh, and our Constitution was raped in the process to accommodate the murderers.

[cpforlife.org]

Pro-Life PING

Please FreepMail me if you want on or off my Pro-Life Ping List.

[43north]

Hey, hey, hey... settle down here. Ms. Pelousy is the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and a dhimmiecrat socialist which obviously makes her SMARTER THAN THE POPE!

Just ask her...

[jwalsh07]

In a statement praising Pelosi's appreciation for "the sanctity of the family," Brenda Daly, speaking for Pelosi, said, "While Catholic teaching is clear that life begins at conception, many Catholics do not ascribe to that view."

Only the stupid ones that have major problems with the English language like this dolt.

[xtinct]

I blame the Catholic Church for this disgusting debate.

If they would do the right thing and excommunicate maggots like Pelosi, Kerry, Kennedy, and their ilk, perhaps lapsed Catholics would come back to the Church.

The Pope is being a hypocrite with mixed messages about abortion.

No one is going to take the Church seriously if they continue this song and dance.

[Argus]

“Catholics” who don’t agree with bedrock Catholic principles are known as “Episcopalians”. I’d invite Nancy to start worshipping at their church down the street where she can celebrate abortion, gay marriage, lesbian archbishops, and whatever other heresies and pagan rites her little heart desires.

[hunter112]

They cannot afford to excommunicate the CINOs. They'd lose a lot of money if the cafeteria catholics just moved on.

In the RCC, everything's for sale, annulments, indulgences, and the pretense that you're a good Catholic.

[LauraJean]

What, the 10 Commandments are really the 10 suggestions.

[keepitreal]

“While Catholic teaching is clear that life begins at conception, many Catholics do not ascribe to that view.”

This is the answer of someone that is intellectually dishonest on the level of a child. “My parents say it’s wrong, but all the kids say it’s okay, so it’s okay.” Be honest, Nancy, and say, “I don’t really believe in the tenets of the faith, but I am a cultural Catholic and/or I remain a Catholic for purpose of garnering votes.”

[Candor7]

Nancy is dancing on the trapdoor of HELL!>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I disagree, I believe she is already there.

Obviously there are two kinds of Roman Catholics:

1) Ones who are liberal socialists who " don't have to listen," to the Holy Father, who are in favor of illegal aliens having carte blanche in the USA, and who are essentially liberal socialists, created in part by the machinations of the commie padres from the jungles of various Middle and South American missions.

2) Ones who are orthodox and understand the principle of sacred promise involved with the spiritual duty of the religion.

The question is, " When will the Holy See get serious about it?" Its only a matter of time.

[boomop1]

Pelosi, burn baby burn.

[Right Cal Gal]

If they would do the right thing and excommunicate maggots like Pelosi, Kerry, Kennedy, and their ilk, perhaps lapsed Catholics would come back to the Church.

They certainly should, since they'd excommunicate anyone who followed their logic and laws and obtained an abortion.