Bishop Eruptions, Part II and the Way Out (Biden)

http://www.ewtn.com/news/blog.asp?blogposts_ID=521&blog_ID=2 ^ | September 18, 2008 | Raymond Arroyo

[Salvation]

Bishop Eruptions, Part II and the Way Out

Thursday, September 18, 2008

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At the last tally, fourteen bishops raised their voices to correct and admonish Senator Joseph Biden's twisted notions of Church teaching about when human life begins. His "Meet the Press" statements drew the ire and fire of bishops across the country, not because they relish political skirmishes, but because the very teaching they are bound to protect was being distorted.

One interesting aside: Sen. Biden made reference to the hallowed "Cuomo Doctrine"-- that tired notion used by politicians of all stripes which maintains that one can have a moral position so long as they dare not "impose" it upon anyone else. IE: represent me please, but leave your conscience at the door. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver directly challenged the Cuomo Doctrine when he wrote: "Resistance to abortion is a matter of human rights, not religious opinion. And the senator knows very well as a lawmaker that all law involves the imposition of some people's convictions on everyone else. That is the nature of the law. American Catholics have allowed themselves to be bullied into accepting the destruction of more than a million developing unborn children a year. Other people have imposed their 'pro-choice' beliefs on American society without any remorse for decades."

This is the second Bishop Eruption of this campaign. The first was instigated by Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi on "Meet the Press" several weeks ago. Pelosi is now apparently committed to "conversation" with her Archbishop about her theological musings on life. The Obama campaign is probably hoping that she spends more time in her Archbishop's parlor and less time on the set of "Meet the Press" in the coming weeks.

The bottom line is this: Democrats are in a very perilous position going into this election season. They could very well alienate millions of Catholics, an historic Democratic constituency by forcing "abortion rights" to the fore and trying to argue their legitimacy using Catholic teaching. Coupled with the Palin effect, this strategy could have long term consequences for the party.

It is a pity that in American politics we cannot have substantive discussions about the economy, education, foreign policy, and poverty because it is necessary to spend time arguing over elementary things such as when life begins. Hasn't science already cleared this one up? What next: Is the world flat? I'm sure if we dig through enough archives we can find some saint questioning the earth's shape too. ( Google Doctors of the Church and flat earth and get back to me.) Democratic strategists often tell me that the Republican party uses the issue of life as a wedge. I always say: take it away from them. It is time for both parties to take this issue of life off the table, and the best way to do that is to guarantee the Constitutionally protected right to life for all. It is such a simple thing, and politically viable. Reason demands that we insure the life of all citizens before we debate how that citizenry should thrive. This is the only way that we as a society will ever "move on" to other issues. The Bishop eruptions will likely decrease as well.

[Salvation]

Sorry, he lists no Bishops in a list. But I think we can refer to the list for Pelosi. See it below.

Raymond Arroyo

Raymond Arroyo is an internationally recognized, award-winning journalist, producer, and bestselling author, seen each week in more than 100 million homes around the globe on EWTN. He has worked for the Associated Press, the political columnist team of Evans and Novak, and as a Capitol Hill Correspondent.

As host and creator of EWTN’s international news magazine, "The World Over Live", Arroyo has nterrogated the leading figures of the day. Highlights include: The first, exclusive, sit down interview with Mel Gibson on the set of his film, “The Passion of the Christ” and a landmark interview with Pope Benedict XVI: the only English language conversation ever recorded with the pontiff.

Arroyo and his work have been featured on "The Today Show", "Good Morning America", "Hannity and Colmes", "Access Hollywood", “CNN Headline News”, "The Laura Ingraham Show", and other programs. His writings have been published by Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, The Financial Times, and The National Catholic Register. A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Arroyo is author of the New York Times Bestsellers: Mother Angelica: The Remarkable Story of a Nun, Her Nerve and a Network of Miracles (Doubleday) and Mother Angelica''s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spiituality (Doubleday).

[Salvation]

I believe these also apply to Biden. Other CINOs.

Updated: American Bishops who have spoken against Pelosi

Here is the complete list of American bishops who have responded to Nancy Pelosi's comments so far:

1. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver was the first American bishop to respond
2. ... Bishop James Conley, his auxiliary, joined him
3. Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington DC responded twice, first in a press release and second in a statement to The Hill. He has also appeared on Fox News, I am told.
4. Cardinal Justin Regali of Philadelphia, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued this statement through the USCCB website...
5. ... Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, chairman of the Committee on Doctrine, joined him
6. Cardinal Edward Egan of New York publised a strongly worded statement of his own
7. Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo issued a letter correcting Pelosi's claims
8. Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh and...
9. ... Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs have chimed-in
10. Archbishop Jose Gomez of San Antonio, CNA reports has added his voice ...
11. ... Bishop Oscar Cantu, his auxiliary bishop, has joined him
12. Bishop William Murphy of Rockville has published an extensive letter
13. Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa has a detailed response
14. Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas has joined the USCCB's efforts
15. Bishop Gregory Aymond of Austin is on-board
16. Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston mentions the USCCB on his blog
17. Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando has written at length
18. Archbishop John Nienstedt of Saint Paul/Minneapolis challenges Pelosi's statement
19. Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, President of the US Bishops, has weighed-in
20. Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, OR publishes in the Catholic Sentinel
21. Bishop Jerome Listecki of La Crosse, WI responds in a word document
22. Bishop Richard Lennon of Cleveland, OH will comment in his September 5th column (PDF)
23. Bishop Ralph Nickless of Sioux City, IA has one of the very best responses I've read
24. Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco has invited Pelosi to a "conversation"
25. Bishop Glen Provost, LA: "Catholic Church clear on when human life begins"
26. Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn: "Judging the Candidates"

{Last updated on September 10th.}

Notes:

• Previous #23 has been removed. Bishop Joseph Gossman of Raleigh, NC is actually the bishop emeritus, and the new bishop, Michael Burbidge has not, to my knowledge, made a personal statement.
• Previous #16 has also been removed, it was an erroneous duplication of current #13.
• #26 was added September 10th, although he published his column September 6th

[Salvation]

Our Lady's Warriors.Dissent>Speakers and Authors

Abortion and Euthanasia
Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE)	Catholic politician who votes for abortion in contradiction to Church teachings. One of American Life League's "Deadly Dozen."

[Palladin]

Thanks for this thread.

I am happy that the Bishops are FINALLY speaking out against these Catholic-in-Name-Only politicians.

[Salvation]

Amen, agree with you all the way!

[onedoug]

Arroyo, Jew bump!

[Salvation]

**At the last tally, fourteen bishops raised their voices to correct and admonish Senator Joseph Biden’s twisted notions of Church teaching about when human life begins.**

Wondering who they are?

[ardara]

What has happened with the meeting between Pelosi and Archbishop Niederauer?

[Salvation]

Hasn’t come out yet. All I found last night was a slight mention of their talking. Hmmmm.

Perhaps NYer has found some feedback on it.