Bishop John M. D’Arcy
Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana
Posted on 03/23/2009 1:49:42 PM PDT by NYer
CNA is reporting that Bishop will soon release a statement on the situation at Notre Dame University. Stay tuned!
In the meantime, here is the bishop's statement on Obama's decision to allow federally funding the destruction of embryonic human beings for stem-cell research
Regarding President Obama’s decision to allow federally funding the destruction of embryonic human beings for stem-cell research
March 9, 2009
On March 9, 2009, President Obama extended the ability of the federal government to directly fund the destruction of embryonic human beings in order to advance stem-cell research. We should be clear about what is happening here. The president, while claiming to separate science from politics, has, in fact, separated science from ethics. He has brought the American government into supporting the direct destruction of innocent human life.
While the Catholic Church is in full support of stem-cell research that is ethical and scientifically sound, it is opposed to all research that would use a human being — at whatever stage of development — simply as a means to an end. Embryonic stem-cell research does just this.
In addition, while President Obama declared his opposition to human cloning for purposes of reproduction, he left the door open to human cloning for the purposes of experimentation. In other words, while human beings could be cloned with taxpayer money in order to be exploited and killed for scientific research, they could not be cloned and implanted in the womb of a woman in order to be born. This is science at its very worst.
President Obama claims that his decision sets aside ideology in order to advance sound scientific research. The opposite is actually the truth. This decision by the president is an imposition of a utilitarian ideology, which allows a group of human beings that some believe do not share human dignity, to be used and exploited. Human history, of course, is rife with examples of the strong dominating the weak and defenseless. Doesn’t the promise of a democratic America — of respect for the dignity of all — hold us to a higher standard?
Recent breakthroughs in stem-cell research — including the use of adult stem cells — should actually make this question moot. Just last year it was shown that a normal human skin cell could be successfully reprogrammed into an embryonic-like cell. This holds no ethical problems. Yet, there seems to be a headlong rush to do not only what is ethically wrong, but what is likely a scientific dead end.
I pray that Congress will not act to appropriate any funds for embryonic stem-cell research and, in doing so, respect the conscientious objections of millions of American taxpayers who want to preserve, protect and defend the dignity of every human life.
If someone else posts the statement first, please freepmail me the link. Thank you!
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“Better to have a Millstone tied around your neck and thrown in the water than to lead children astray”.......I PRAY Bishop D’Arcy tells that Fr. Jenkins, who is putting POLITICS above SOULS!
Bravo!
Now disinvite the Messiah from giving the commencement address.
As morally repugnant as this is, and I have no doubts about this agenda, at least I get to say “I told you so” to a few people I know.
Murderers all
This better not be anything other than a cancellation of Barry’s visit to ND.
Seems like Bishop John M. D’Arcy is a good man.
He could simply tell the officials at NDU that he will be showing up for graduation and personally attempt to physically keep Obama from speaking; and then actually follow through. I seriously doubt Obama would speak if he knew there would be a confrontation with the Bishop.
Without engaging in outright public anti-Catholic bigotry, it’s fair to say Obama is an anti-Catholic bigot! He stands for everything the Church is against and does so in a public way.
Notre Dame should swallow its pride and cancel the invite for President Obama. Making it perfectly clear the reasons why.
Sometimes admitting you made a mistake can do more good than not making the mistake in the first place. A Notre Dame reversal would be news and highlight the Catholic Church’s position. Making it perfectly clear that there is not a “middle ground” or compromise position when it comes to life.
The Secret Service would never permit a verbal confrontation.
I pray Bishop D’Arcy has had this invitation rescinded.
Obama would back out if the Bishop took the action I suggest. It would be a public relations nightmare if the Secret Service physically touched the Bishop if he were to confront Obama.
The Bishop is not a young man and it would be a horrible thing to put those agents through. They shouldn't be provoked just to make a statement. Some of them also might be Catholic, as well.
That’s funny that this is breaking news. This is what the bishop’s communications director said earlier today when I spoke with him.
Agreed
Absolutely, but I doubt we would never know (just like the thousands at the Tea Parties). The SS no doubt would permit entry to the Bishop or some other form of intervention.
Again, 30 people boarded a bus for the “Connecticut Working Familes Party” stalking tour. There was almost that many media crews following the them; conversly, 5k showed up at the Tampa Tea Party, and if we didn’t have FReepers reporting back, you would never know about it.
So what.I vote for the Bishop to go and release the statement there.
Were the Bishop’s statement merely to announce that he has decided to officiate at the graduation Mass, and that this year it will be held immediately following the commencement ceremony, President Obama would discover that pressing business prevented his trip to South Bend.
3. Contact Fr. Jenkins: Call him at 574.631.5000, fax him at 574.631.2770, write a personal email president@nd.edu, or mail your letter to 317 Main Building, Notre Dame, IN 46556
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