Bishop Serratelli urges Catholics to stay away from Obama

NorthJersey News ^ | 10.21.08 | SACHI FUJIMORI,

[Coleus]

In his weekly column last week, Bishop Arthur Serratelli urged Catholics against voting for Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee, based on his pro-abortion stance. "Every vote counts. Today, either we choose to respect and protect life, especially the life of the child in the womb of the mother or we sanction the loss of our most basic freedoms," wrote Serratelli in his column that appeared on the Roman Catholic Diocese of Paterson Web site.

Stopping short of mentioning the Illinois senator by name, Serratelli, nevertheless, criticized his legislative voting record on abortion issues. "In 2002, as an Illinois legislator, the present Democratic candidate voted against the Induced Infant Liability Act," wrote Serratelli. The bill, which was defeated in the Illinois Legislature, addressed the status of a fetus born alive during an abortion procedure. The bishop's move has rankled some who argue for a clear separation of church and state. Religious and educational institutions that receive federal tax-exempt status are not permitted to make public statements that endorse or oppose candidates.

"His statement clearly goes over a forbidden line by urging opposition to a candidate," said Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a national watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Lynn, who read Serratelli's column, said he will file a complaint with the Internal Revenue Service.

In dioceses nationwide, a battle for the Catholic vote is ensuing between conservative and liberal Catholic groups. Serratelli is among several Catholic bishops, including the bishop of Scranton, who have stepped into the political arena by issuing statements against voting for a candidate who supports abortion rights.

Serratelli, in his column, also compares Obama to Herod, a murderous Roman ruler who beheaded John the Baptist based on a promise the disciple made. If elected president, Obama has promised to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, a bill that would expand abortion rights. At the same time, liberal Catholics are using this election to highlight high-impact issues such as poverty, ending the war in Iraq and the environment. Catholics across the Paterson Diocese were divided about how much prominence to give abortion over other political issues. Most agreed that the political opinions of Catholic clergy do not influence their voting decisions.

Jerry Flach, a Catholic from North Haledon who supports Obama, said she was angry after reading Serratelli's column. "I was upset first and foremost that he brought politics into the mix," she said. Flach, who supports abortion rights but also attends Catholic Mass every Sunday and takes Holy Communion, said supporting life goes beyond the abortion debate. "What about food for families, an energy policy that supports the future, and the war in Iraq?" she questioned.

William and Frances Gulino, a retired Wayne couple, said they can't support Obama because of their strong opposition to abortion. William, who hasn't decided whether he will vote for Republican presidential nominee Arizona Sen. John McCain, said he never hears political sermons from the Catholic pulpit. But occasionally, the weekly church bulletin publishes columns stating that abortion is wrong.

When deciding how to vote, Joe Manzo of Paterson said he follows his own conscience. Manzo said there are many other pressing issues beyond abortion, which he is opposed to. "Judging from the terrible destruction of the past eight years, we're due for change," he said. Manzo said his Catholic friends all say that life is sacred and should be protected, but they disagree with how abortion should be legislated. "If you make it illegal, it will go underground and will result in more deaths," he said.

Geraldo Alcartara of Paterson is strongly opposed to abortion, but will vote for Obama in November, because of other pressing issues such as the Iraq war and the downturn in the economy. "I cannot follow everything that priests say," Alcartara said.

[DarthVader]

“Joe Manzo of Paterson said he follows his own conscience.”

He is following his own lusts and doctrines of demons.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

No, I didn’t vote for Obama. I voted for Alan Keyes, actually surprised he was on the ballot.

Well he's certainly a lot better than Obama. I'm not much of a McCain fan to be honest but an Obama presidency is just too unacceptable.

[Cicero]

The Catholic bishops have been more outspoken this year than they have ever been before, especially right before an election.

If Obama the Baby Killer is elected, I can foresee all out war and persecution of Catholics in our future. Well, what will be will be. Better to be persecuted than to bow down to the Antichrist or sacrifice to idols.

No, I’m not an end-times man. But it sure seems as if Obama is actually modeling himself on the Antichrist. Strange times.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

If not it’s in the works.

[wombtotomb]

THANK YOU BISHOP! You have helped to restore some light in a weary world.

[narses]

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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment

Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment

Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

Obama Doesn’t Want His Daughters Punished with a Baby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNzmly28Bmg

CNN on Obama’s Infant Born Alive Act Rejection

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPZCXcTwZPY

Jill Stanek on Obama and Born Alive Infant Protection Act (MUST SEE)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIdbYjmbFzo

Obama Cover-up Revealed On Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Bill

http://www.nrlc.org/ObamaBAIPA/ObamaCoverup.html

Explosive Audio Found Obama arguing against BAIPA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypDwNpgIUQc

Babies left to die!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIdbYjmbFzo

[Kaslin]

Thanks for the ping

[narses]

Spread the word.

[AKA Elena]

Oh, perhaps as I reread what I wrote, you thought I was disagreeing with Bishop Serratelli -- by no means, I just pointed out my frustration from years gone by.

I certainly am aware that the reproach was long in coming as are all of the other fine words that FINALLY are being spoken to the laity, by many (not enough) of the USCCB.

I am, most unfortunately, in the ARCHDIOCESE OF LOS ANGELES and under the direction and directives of Cardinal Mahoney.

Our parish has not even spoken of the evils of abortion even when it is October and the month of speaking out for the Rights of the Unborn, let alone spoken of the intrinsic and absolute evil of voting for politicians who promote this murder in any way.

[Antoninus]

Would that ALL our bishops had the courage of Bishop Serratelli!

God bless him!

[tuckrdout]

May the Lord richly bless him, and provide more Bishop’s like him!

[Salvation]

[TAdams8591]

"His statement clearly goes over a forbidden line by urging opposition to a candidate," said Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State"

Oh really??? When was the bishop given powers enjoyed by one of the three branches of government?

It is separation of the POWERS of church and state. Bishops have the right to say whatever they feel is in the best interest of the souls of their church. And neither the government or anyone else has the moral authority to stop them.

[TAdams8591]

It is separation of the POWERS of church and state. It sickens me that they can’t get this straight.

[Ransomed]

“And yet, thousands (if not millions) of Catholics will likely vote for Barry just because he has a “D” after his name on the ballot. What’s up with that? My family background is mostly Catholic and many of them vote straight party ticket for the Dems no matter what. My mom was even that way till somewhere around Reagan’s second term (I helped convince her to see the lies the Democrats were spewing). I just don’t get it.”

It’s the bishops fault. Including the Pope. They refuse to use discipline to teach the Church position on baby butchery. They present the correct teaching perfectly, that any support of baby butchery seperates one from the body of Christ. But they don’t seem to enforce this simple teaching on Catholics who dig baby butchery or who proclaim publicly that this butchery is kosher with Church teaching. The hierarchy who shmooze with pro-baby butchery folks or let the pro-baby butchery crowd state that they are in Communion with the Church with impunity seem to get passes. No one seems to know if this is because the top hierarchy are trying to avoid a schism, they are ignorant of such scandal, or some mind-bending secret reason that would outway the benefits of cracking down on pro-baby butchery Catholics. You are not alone in “not getting it”. I keep my head down, write letters, and trust in the Sacraments. It will be the Church despite the stiffs and my lack of understanding.

Freegards

[AliVeritas]

FYI

America’s Choice Now

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2111943/posts

Please pass it on. Obama at Planned Parenthood, his own words.

[baa39]

Some of these bishops are finally starting to sound Catholic. I wonder if Randall Terry’s small booklet, “A Humble Plea,” has influenced any of them? He uses the Herod comparison too, which of course is relevant to abortion because of the slaughter of the innocents, not only John the Baptist. Some of the good bishops lately sound almost like they are quoting Randall Terry.

Every Catholic, or even protestants, you won’t regret this: send in a buck donation and get this booklet, it’s unlike any “prolife” literature you’ve read, and then give to your priest. website: humbleplea.com.

If you’re active in prolife it will clarify how we can win. If you’ve never participated, it will give you ideas. This booklet has electrified me and I’m no longer intimidated by my deadbeat bishop, our timid priests, and my leftist Catholic friends. The “Bishop Killing” first chapter alone is worth the read!

[baa39]

It’s been posted here and there on FR past few days. I emailed to my friends and was surprised to get replies of “beautiful” and “amazing” and “moved to tears”. With my priest’s permission, our parish webmaster also posted the link to the video on our church website!

If people are afraid to send stuff that’s too “in your face” to their undecided or pro-Obama friends, this video is a good alternative. It’s hardly even political, more an historical and philosophical mini-docudrama. I don’t see how it could offend anyone, but it could open their eyes.

[bmwcyle]

ping

[glide625]

“post-viability abortions”? I’m no genius but if a human being has reached the stage of “viability”, it would seem to me that post-viability abortions are nothing more than “murder”.