Posted on 03/10/2009 4:03:04 PM PDT by kellynla
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's lifting of restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research puts him at odds with Pope Benedict and the American Roman Catholic Church.
After Obama signed the order on Monday, the Vatican and U.S. Church leaders condemned the move. One commentator said the test of "a real democracy" was its defense of the most defenseless.
Obama's executive order reversed and repudiated restrictions placed on the research by his predecessor, George W. Bush, freeing labs across the country to start working with the cells, which can give rise to any kind of cell in the body.
Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' committee on pro-life activities, called Obama's decision "a sad victory of politics over science and ethics."
"This action is morally wrong because it encourages the destruction of innocent human life, treating vulnerable human beings as mere products to be harvested," he added.
The Catholic Church, other religious groups and pro-life advocates oppose such research -- which scientists hope can lead to cures for diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's -- because it involves the destruction of embryos.
The Catholic Church supports adult stem cell research, which has made advances in recent years, because it does not involve the destruction of embryos.
An article in the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano on Tuesday said "a real democracy" should be founded on protection of human dignity in every phase of its existence.
Separately, Osservatore's editor-in-chief Gian Maria Vian told an Italian newspaper that Obama "cannot claim a monopoly on being the Good Samaritan" by saying he supports embryonic stem cell research in order to help alleviate human suffering.
"Does that mean those who oppose embryonic stem cell research want to prolong human suffering?" Vian said.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
ping
The Pope has my blessing to curse Ears
Like Obama cares
Probably makes him feel like a big man.
Like any muslim would care what the Pope thinks. ;-)
Touche!
I wonder what Allah thinks about this?
He also ENDED Pres. Bush’s order FOR SUPPORT of ADULT STEM CELL research....http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2203672/posts
Like a muslim disagreeing with the Pope is something new.
exactly. Not only that, I believe B. Hussein is anti-catholic anyway. Just my opinion.
Oh! I didn’t know that.
Thanks for the link.
That One has always been at odds with the Pope.
Scientists hope can lead to cures for blah, blah, blah.
Nonsense. What they want to do legitimize abortion by association.
Here's a few reasons I give that they want to restart embryo research.
(a)As I stated, the legitimization of abortion.
(b)Grant money.
(c)To make money.
(d)To make more money.
Here's an open ended question.
When was the last time a cure was discovered for an illness? Not treating symptomology, but an actually cure?
actual cure, apologies.
Obama is telling the Pope that he is not as popular as Dear Leader. After all, Obama won.
How dare the Pope criticize the Magic Zer0!......the benevolent well.
The Pope is SO closed minded
(paraphrased quote from Queen Pelosi)
I hope the Catholics who voted for odumbo are feeling guilty now
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