Posted on 01/22/2009 4:15:12 PM PST by NYer
DENVER, Colorado, JAN. 22, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Charles Chaput exhorted Catholics across the United States to "let your voice supporting life be heard," in the ear of the new political administration.
The archbishop of Denver asserted this in an article published Wednesday in the Denver Catholic Register.
He began by affirming the obligation of Christians to "love their country, build on its greatest qualities and serve its best ideals."
The prelate spoke about the duty to pray for our leaders and obey the law, "insofar as the law does not violate human dignity in some systematic, gravely evil way."
He added, "When bad laws and court decisions cripple the soul of a society, Christians must work to change them as a matter both of justice and charity. Otherwise we risk colluding in the evil of their outcome.
"Obviously with families to raise, jobs to pursue and lives to live, not all Christians can be engaged in the many important issues facing our country. But we can always at least serve the truth by not lying to ourselves and to each other."
Obama
Archbishop Chaput referred to the inauguration of U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday, noting that "he was elected on a message of national renewal, unity and hope."
He continued: "These are worthy goals, and we should wholeheartedly support his administration in all these things. His inauguration marks a tremendous victory for racial justice in our country [...].
"Barack Obama's rise to the presidency reminds us that among the family of nations, the United States remains very unusual: It is still a place where people can succeed on their ability; where politics can actually matter; and where evil structures and laws can be changed by sustained, peaceful witness."
36 years ago
The archbishop turned his focus to today's anniversary of "one of the most destructive Supreme Court decisions in American history, Roe vs. Wade."
"By legalizing permissive abortion and drastically limiting voters' ability to restrict it in any way," he explained, "Roe set the foundations for an abortion industry that has wounded countless women and resulted in the killing of more than 40 million unborn children."
The prelate pointed out that "President Obama's past record of support for abortion 'rights,' embryonic stem cell research and other violations of human dignity is deeply troubling, and also deeply ironic, given his sensitivity to other human rights."
He underlined the fact that "before and during the recent election, then-Senator Obama pledged his support for a Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) that would strike down all state restrictions on abortion and sweep away the many modest but important gains made by the pro-life movement over the past three decades."
The archbishop acknowledged that the president's Catholic supporters "claim that a pro-FOCA effort is unlikely in the coming congressional session, and that the Obama administration may take a go-slow approach to the abortion issue."
He asserted: "We can hope this is true. But of course, the form and timing of FOCA-like efforts are irrelevant.
"It's the political intent behind them that matters. We have to work with what we know to be true by the president's own words.
"The Obama administration was elected on the economy, but along with President Obama's economic mandate comes his forcefully abortion 'rights' public record and party platform. Nothing in the president's words or actions has suggested a change in his fundamental goals."
Speaking up
Archbishop Chaput explained that Catholics in the United States, including those in the Archdiocese of Denver, will have the chance "to sign a petition to our elected officials opposing FOCA and asking them to respect the dignity of unborn human life."
He underlined that: "Whether FOCA actually materializes in the coming session of Congress is not finally important; the message we send is.
"In fact, with the current Congress and administration, the abortion lobby could accomplish its destructive agenda quite easily by incremental legislative and executive steps that would have a much lower profile than a 'Freedom of Choice Act,' but the same bloody effect."
"We're in a new moment for our country," said the prelate, "a moment that offers great promise, but also requires great vigilance and sustained action to defend the dignity of human life at its earliest and most vulnerable stage."
He exhorted his readers: "When you're asked to sign the U.S. bishops' petition opposing FOCA in your parish, please sign it enthusiastically and encourage others to do the same.
"This is an issue -- protecting unborn human life -- that transcends party affiliation and needs all of us as believers to speak clearly with one voice."
He's right, of course. We really need to organize ourselves and develop a systematic approach in response to what lies ahead with this administration. Any thoughts, suggestions or ideas?
Wow, 38 million dead babies and they are going to sign a petition! Amazing! I hear they might even take Kennedy, Pelosi, and Milkulski’s reserved seats at Mass away! They must be trembling in fear!!! /S
**”By legalizing permissive abortion and drastically limiting voters’ ability to restrict it in any way,” he explained, “Roe set the foundations for an abortion industry that has wounded countless women and resulted in the killing of more than 40 million unborn children.”**
Well said, Archbishop Chaput!
Perhaps the bishops could grow a sack and name names next election cycle?
How can I give suggestions when the same Christians who are opposed to abortion, stem cell research etc. voted for him?
Aside from some anonymous postings what have you done to address the problem. What would you suggest be done between not and the next election cycle?
Well. exactly what have YOU done big guy.
While Archbishop Chaput is one of the good guys, his peers are the biggest facilitators of the abortion they oppose by letting “Catholics” like Kennedy, Kerry, Pelosi, Leahy, and Biden not only support, but fund unlimited abortion and then socializing with them.
When they start publicly criticizing these abortionists and denying them sacraments they might get more support.
Let your voice supporting life be heard
Christians have an obligation to love their country, build on its greatest qualities and serve its best ideals. We also have the duty to pray for our leaders and obey the lawinsofar as the law does not violate human dignity in some systematic, gravely evil way. When bad laws and court decisions cripple the soul of a society, Christians must work to change them as a matter both of justice and charity. Otherwise we risk colluding in the evil of their outcome.
Obviously with families to raise, jobs to pursue and lives to live, not all Christians can be engaged in the many important issues facing our country. But we can always at least serve the truth by not lying to ourselves and to each other.
Earlier this week, Barack Obama became the 44th president of the United States. He is a man of extraordinary skill and intelligence. He was elected on a message of national renewal, unity and hope. These are worthy goals, and we should wholeheartedly support his administration in all these things. His inauguration marks a tremendous victory for racial justice in our country. It also serves as a fitting tribute to the memory of Rev. Martin Luther King and his struggle for civil rights. Barack Obamas rise to the presidency reminds us that among the family of nations, the United States remains very unusual: It is still a place where people can succeed on their ability; where politics can actually matter; and where evil structures and laws can be changed by sustained, peaceful witness.
This week, Jan. 22, also marks the 36th anniversary of one of the most destructive Supreme Court decisions in American history, Roe v. Wade. By legalizing permissive abortion and drastically limiting voters ability to restrict it in any way, Roe set the foundations for an abortion industry that has wounded countless women and resulted in the killing of more than 40 million unborn children. President Obamas past record of support for abortion rights, embryonic stem cell research and other violations of human dignity is deeply troubling, and also deeply ironic, given his sensitivity to other human rights.
Before and during the recent election, then-Senator Obama pledged his support for a Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) that would strike down all state restrictions on abortion and sweep away the many modest but important gains made by the prolife movement over the past three decades. The presidents Catholic supporters now claim that a pro-FOCA effort is unlikely in the coming congressional session, and that the Obama administration may take a go-slow approach to the abortion issue.
We can hope this is true. But of course, the form and timing of FOCA-like efforts are irrelevant. Its the political intent behind them that matters. We have to work with what we know to be true by the presidents own words. The Obama administration was elected on the economy, but along with President Obamas economic mandate comes his forcefully abortion rights public record and party platform. Nothing in the presidents words or actions has suggested a change in his fundamental goals.
In the coming weeks, Catholics across the United Statesincluding Catholics in every parish here in the Archdiocese of Denverwill be asked to sign a petition to our elected officials opposing FOCA and asking them to respect the dignity of unborn human life. Whether FOCA actually materializes in the coming session of Congress is not finally important; the message we send is. In fact, with the current Congress and administration, the abortion lobby could accomplish its destructive agenda quite easily by incremental legislative and executive steps that would have a much lower profile than a Freedom of Choice Act, but the same bloody effect.
Were in a new moment for our country; a moment that offers great promise, but also requires great vigilance and sustained action to defend the dignity of human life at its earliest and most vulnerable stage. When youre asked to sign the U.S. bishops petition opposing FOCA in your parish, please sign it enthusiastically and encourage others to do the same. This is an issueprotecting unborn human lifethat transcends party affiliation and needs all of us as believers to speak clearly with one voice.
Wise words.
The RC Church needs to clean its own house first such as leftest support of ACORN(in the past)and current left wing organizations AND current Missions Collection that unintentionally support Planned Parenthood and abortion in third world countries(tribute paid to the governments?) My own priest, from the pulpit, spoke about this being a “mess”...could not believe my own ears..what guts to say this last Sunday.
The USConference of Bishops has never responded to the catholicmediacoalition.com.
without a right to life there is no right to free speech,etc: the 10 amendments are linked to this God given right and therein is the problem....GOD.
The USCCB is staffed with ultra liberal Democrats most of whom were involved in far left organizations or as staffers for leftist Senators and Congressmen. They see the USCCB as another tool to advance their agenda.
And the naive bishops just go along with these guys.
unbelievable!
My priest was wise to share that the disunity of the faith led to Islam and other fractions.
God is not mocked.
We believe in the Sacraments and their authority whether or not they are faithful.
Other than helping prepare a speech that was given in front of several Bishops at a private audience this morning on this very subject...not much.
This post from OldBill has it exactly right. Just as one recent example, the “Catholic” Joe Biden, a solid pro-abortion supporter, received Communion on Sunday at Trinity Church in Washington. No word from the archbishop of Washington, Wuerl, who presumably was hiding under his desk.
I just joined the Archbishop’s Fan Club on Facebook.
Excellent points!
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