Obama Administration, Vatican Clash Over Abortion

Fox News ^ | January 28, 2009 | Unattributed

[Ben Mugged]

While President Obama's special envoy tries to broker peace in the Middle East and the White House dangles an olive branch before a near-nuclear Iran, a new foreign policy confrontation is in the making -- with the Vatican.

After he ended a ban last week on federal funding to international groups that perform or promote abortions, Obama is taking heat from the Roman Catholic Church, that political powerhouse based overseas.

Vatican officials said last weekend that they were disappointed by the president's decision to reverse the so-called Mexico City policy.

"Among the many good things that he could have done, Barack Obama instead chose the worst," said Monsignor Elio Sgreccia, a top official with the Vatican's Pontifical Academy for Life.

"If this is one of President Obama's first acts, I have to say, in all due respect, that we're heading quickly toward disappointment," said Monsignor Rino Fisichella, who heads the Academy.

And abortion isn't the only issue on which the new president may rile the Vatican. His positions on stem cell research, gay rights and faith-based initiatives, too, are generally at odds with the church hierarchy.

[Ben Mugged]

Vote for an abortionist, get an abortionist......

[wombtotomb]

Absolutely correct. And shame on catholics for voting for him.

[ClearCase_guy]

Of course, there is some irony here because Obama's first steps seem to be: 1) Reach out to Muslims and 2) Promote abortion.

Theoretically, Muslims oppose abortion so they ought to be upset with him. But Muslims are part of a culture of death and they don't really care if you kill kids -- heck, they do it all the time.

So the only folks who will really voice opposition to Obama are the committed Christians -- and Lord knows, no one cares what those freaks think!

[italianquaker]

Exactly and thats what I tell them now when they are all upset. Yes we can ,well yes he did now live/die with your choice.

[11th Commandment]

Absolutely correct. And shame on catholics for voting for him.

What I understand if that the bishops declared it wasn't a sin to vote for a pro abortion candidate if that wasn't the (primary) reason you were voting for that person. However in light that the Democrats intertwine abortion into every issue, how can a catholic vote for any democrat?

If you vote for a democrat because of the economy, according to Pelosi, abortion is an economic stimulus.

According to Democratic feminist, abortion is a health care issue

According to democratic environmentalist, abortion will reduce global warming

Abortion will help reduce crime

[wombtotomb]

It is a stated part of their party platform. You cannot vote for a democrat even if they are pro life due to that fact, if you really want to get down to brass tacks. Pro life democrats, at least the catholic ones, need to leave the party and become members of the party of life. THAT is how important this issue is.

There is a person on here that has the best tagline ever,
“abortion is the sacrifice to the god of convenience”. There is no other way to look at it IM not so humble O.

[NoLibZone]

Hell for the majority ( 55% ) of catholics that voted for him.

[markomalley]

Obama isn't the first president to feel the wrath of the Vatican. Pope John Paul II held President Clinton's feet to the fire over embryonic stem cell research. And both he and Pope Benedict XVI castigated President Bush for America's pre-emptive war in Iraq. But observers say the Vatican's recent criticism of Obama appears to be more intense.

"My impression is they've gotten more militant and assertive on the life issue, where they're more willing to say we're not just going to state our position and look the other way," said Richard Esenberg, a law professor at Marquette University whose expertise includes religion. He noted that Catholic politicians have been excommunicated in recent years for not supporting positions consistent with the church's teachings.

Telephone for Raymond Burke!!! Please up the white courtesy phone!!!

[wagglebee]

He noted that Catholic politicians have been excommunicated in recent years for not supporting positions consistent with the church's teachings.

Does he have a list of names? Because I would love to see it.

[markomalley]

Does he have a list of names? Because I would love to see it.

richard.esenberg@marquette.edu

Let me know what you find out!!

[yongin]

Obama will send Doug Kemic to assure the Vatican that Obama’s economic plan will reduce the abortion rate.

[NinoFan]

I wasn’t aware that any had been excommunicated. Seems like something the MSM would’ve gone nuts over if true. I’m not Catholic, but I kind of wish they would kick out some of the abortion-loving politicians, just to make a statement.

[Salvation]

Good for the Vatican.

Obama will lose this war!

[Natural Law]

We should all expect a lot more Priest / Church sexual abuse show piece prosecutions soon in response to the Church's pushing back against Obama and his pro abortion administration. Just like their predecessors in Germany in the 1930s today's socialists are aggressively seeking to undermine moral authority of the Catholic Church. Check out this Time Magazine Article from May 31, 1937 to see the script the left is following:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,847866,00.html