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Bishop Martino Writes Another Letter to Senator Casey
Catholic Online ^ | 2/27/09 | Deacon Keith Fournier

Posted on 02/27/2009 10:41:08 AM PST by tcg

My letter of January 30 urging you to rescind your vote on the Mexico City Policy was in no way mistaken regarding the nature and the effect of President Obama’s order to rescind America’s long-standing policy to avoid using U.S. tax dollars to support organizations that promote abortion abroad. It is imperative that this fact be made known to the public.

It is also imperative that there be utter clarity when it comes to the teaching of the Church on matters that pertain to the taking of innocent life and the special responsibilities that fall to you, Senator, as a lawmaker to oppose abortion and other clear evils.

In closing, I refer you to the words of Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to President Obama urging him to retain the Mexico City Policy.

The Mexico City Policy “. . . has wrongly been attacked as a restriction on foreign aid for family planning. In fact, it has not reduced such aid at all, but has ensured that family planning funds are not diverted to organizations dedicated to performing and promoting abortions instead of reducing them. Once the clear line between family planning and abortion is erased, the idea of using family planning to reduce abortions becomes meaningless, and abortion tends to replace contraception as the means for reducing family size. A shift toward promoting abortion in developing nations would also increase distrust of the United States in these nations, whose values and culture often reject abortion, at a time when we need their trust and respect.” (January 23, 2009).

(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: abortion; bishopmartino; prolife; senatorcaset
It is a matter of deep concern that your recent vote against the Mexico City Policy is continually misrepresented by your staff as a pro-life vote.
1 posted on 02/27/2009 10:41:08 AM PST by tcg
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To: tcg

Where does it tell the good senator the penalties or sanctions (in this life) that will come as a result of his failure to heed Church teaching and Church doctrine?


2 posted on 02/27/2009 10:56:03 AM PST by Redbob (W.W.J.B.D.: "What Would Jack Bauer Do?")
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To: Redbob

Casey is the epitomy of an empty suit.


3 posted on 02/27/2009 10:58:09 AM PST by CPT Clay (Drill ANWR, Personal Accounts NOW ,)
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To: Redbob
“Where does it tell the good senator the penalties or sanctions (in this life) that will come as a result of his failure to heed Church teaching and Church doctrine?”

Funny.....it doesn't say! While I am happy with the message, it is curiously devoid of specific consequences. Makes me wonder if this is still simply posturing on the part of the Church. After all, where were they when they could've been warning their flock (esp. 53% of them)of what would happen to them if they supported this baby murderer in chief. Does anyone besides me think that possibly a treat of excommunication would've been a powerful deterrent?

Militant

4 posted on 02/27/2009 11:01:29 AM PST by militant2 (President George W. Bush: "No child left behind"; obama: "No child left alive!")
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To: militant2
Bishop Martino has been very vocal in telling Scranton area Catholics that abortion is sin and voting for pro abort politicians is sinful as well.

He is being "crucified" for doing so.

The most recent flap is his calling out a local Catholic college and its diversity department for inviting a pro gay marriage speaker.

The next controversy may involve St Pat's day. Talk is local pols like Casey may be denied communion if they show up at mass.

Martino is taking a lot of heat for his moral stands. But he is standing firm.

I'm not Catholic but I admire the guy.

5 posted on 02/27/2009 11:19:17 AM PST by NEPA (Save a cow, tip a beer)
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To: NEPA

Well, at least he’s taking risks and giving the right message. I suppose a “call to action”, in terms of specific sanctions or consequenses may need to come from higher up (so to speak!).

Militant


6 posted on 02/27/2009 11:39:28 AM PST by militant2 (President George W. Bush: "No child left behind"; obama: "No child left alive!")
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To: tcg

Casey was supposed to be anti-abortion. If I remember correctly, he was not welcome at the DNC because he was pro-life. He campaigned as pro-life. Now he’s pro-abortion. Goes to show you, you can’t trust Democrats to be who they say they are. He truly is an empty suit and a hypocrite.


7 posted on 02/27/2009 12:11:28 PM PST by rtbwood
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To: rtbwood

It was his now deceased father, the former Governor, a TRUE Pro-life Democrat, who was not allowed to speak at the Democratic convention. Unfortunately the son only claims to be “pro-life” as this latest action shows.


8 posted on 02/27/2009 12:34:30 PM PST by tcg (TCG)
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To: militant2; Redbob
letter

official notice

9 posted on 02/27/2009 3:09:45 PM PST by A.A. Cunningham
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To: tcg
The Bishops need to keep this up. That One needs to receive a letter from each Bishop at least once a month. And each Bishop needs to do what Bishop Martino did, and write the Representatives and Senators in their Archdioceses, so that there will be NO ambiguity about what the Church teaches, and what is expected of Catholic legislators.

If the legislators write back in wishy washy language, as did Senator Casey, the Bishops need to respond, making the second letter public, as did Bishop Martino. This would ensure that the Legislators couldn't claim they didn't know what the Church teaches, because it would be there, in public, for all to see.

10 posted on 02/27/2009 3:28:06 PM PST by SuziQ
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