Posted on 04/16/2004 10:56:23 AM PDT by Coleus
Cardinal Egan:
Pro-Abort Catholic Pols
Are within Their "Rights"
On June 12, 2001, Cardinal Egan spoke at St. Joseph’s Church in Kingston, hosted by the Ulster County vicariate. I work as music director at St. Joe’s in New Paltz, so I was invited to attend, along with my Pastor, Fr. Maurice Moreau, several members of our choir, and others who have an official capacity in the parish. I had heard some things Egan was purported to have said about politicians having a “right” as Americans to be pro-choice. I will return to that later.
As a pro-life activist, I was determined to question him on his commitment to the issue. I notified Fr. Maurice, and several of the others that I would be doing this. When he began to speak, however, he seemed so dynamic, so passionate, that my defenses went down, and I was sure that I had been wrong about him!
So when I asked the questions, it was with affection and respect. The narrative went as such:
“Your Eminence, what are your plans to continue and foster the pro-life effort in the Archdiocese?”
He immediately came back with
“Well, I never use a religious approach.”
He also addressed the priests, prior to the statement, and said, “Now some of you will get mad at me for this!” But, he said:
“Apart from the Faith, there is much controversy over when life begins. Science cannot tell us for sure. Is it a human life at six weeks? At six months? Science cannot tell us.”
He continued that he uses the “Deer in the Forest” analogy, i.e., a hunter is not sure if what is moving in the bushes is a person or a deer, therefore “He may not kill it.” And this is what he said over and over, Rod. If we “are not sure, we must not kill it!”
I stood up again and responded, “Your Eminence, with all due respect, science does know when life begins. I use science and fetology all the time, and have never lost a debate. The only time there is ‘doubt’ is when we are talking about abortion.”
I also said, that in vitro fertilization has settled the argument: the scientists involved certainly can tell us “when human life begins.” Then he changed his approach.
“The problem with the abortion issue is you pro-lifers. You are disorganized, work at cross-purposes, and are therefore ineffective.”
I stood up and said, “Respectfully, that is not true, Your Eminence. We all have the same goal, but work in different facets of the issue; my group (STOPP) targets PP, others attend to crisis pregnancy, others more in the political field, but we are not working against one another.” Then I said,
“But if you feel that we need more unity, perhaps you could help us by providing a voice!”
That was end of it. He had no more comment. Later, I asked all those who were with me, “Did I hear what I thought I heard?” All responded, “Yes, you did.”
Over two hundred people, including my own pastor, witnessed this exchange. The meeting’s organizer, as well as five people I had spoken with at the time, including the Vicariate’s lay contact, Tom Conway, have more recently corroborate my report of my brief dialogue with Cardinal Egan.
My subsequent research has revealed that Egan constantly uses the “deer in the forest” argument, primarily for his relations with non-Christian groups. Tom Droleskey has quoted him (and notes from the ex-employee of Catholic New York, John Burger, concur) to the effect that he gives pro-abort “Catholics” like ex-mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and Governor George Pataki a pass, saying that their “pro-choice” stands are their “rights as American Citizens.”
No wonder he risks angering his priests by not using a “religious approach”! Speaking with others who remember Egan from his previous post at Bridgeport, Connecticut, I have learned that this is hardly a novel approach for our new Prince of the Church.
In Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Helen Westover
Founder and Director
Mid-Hudson Stop Planned Parenthood
PO Box 1803
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
helenrose234@yahoo.com
The Bible and homosexuality [Kerry thinks the bible is for homosexuality]
Catholic Pro-Abortion, Pro-Homosexual
Catholic and 100% Pro Abortion
CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
DOCTRINAL NOTE
on some questions regarding
The Participation of Catholics in Political Life
Living the Gospel of Life:
A Challenge to American Catholics
A Statement by the Catholic Bishops of the United States
Faithful Citizenship:
Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium
An Old Testament, Litany of Life
Canon Law and Abortion
Sign Petition: To Excommunicate
The Gospel of Life--Evangelium Vitae
Herod's Heroes, Sign Petition
“The problem with the abortion issue is you pro-lifers. You are disorganized, work at cross-purposes, and are therefore ineffective.”
My subsequent research has revealed that Egan constantly uses the “deer in the forest” argument, primarily for his relations with non-Christian groups. Tom Droleskey has quoted him (and notes from the ex-employee of Catholic New York, John Burger, concur) to the effect that he gives pro-abort “Catholics” like ex-mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and Governor George Pataki a pass, saying that their “pro-choice” stands are their “rights as American Citizens.”
Ping. (As usual, if you would like to be added to or removed from my "conservative Catholics" ping list, just send me a FReepmail. Please realize that some of my "ping" posts are long.)
The LEFTISTS always admire STYLE over SUBSTANCE!! Now we know where the Cardinal's allegiance lies!
To me, that right there says it all. If not for us pesky pro-lifers, everything would run soooo smoothly....I do not that he does NOT include himself in that group. God Himself will parse the Cardinal's words...
[W]here did [Cardinal Egan] SAY that "Catholic" pro-abort politicians had a right to be such?I don't see anything in the exchange that explicitly mentions "Catholic" pro-abort politicians, but the following excerpt from the letter references them:
My subsequent research has revealed that Egan constantly uses the “deer in the forest” argument, primarily for his relations with non-Christian groups. Tom Droleskey has quoted him (and notes from the ex-employee of Catholic New York, John Burger, concur) to the effect that he gives pro-abort “Catholics” like ex-mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and Governor George Pataki a pass, saying that their “pro-choice” stands are their “rights as American Citizens.”
Given some of the controversies reported about his role in covering up molestation scandals, there should be serious and grave questions about this man and where his agenda comes from. It doesn't seem to be from the Holy Spirit.
You're absolutely right, Unam...life does begin at conception. Unless I am wrong--and I very well could be, I'm certainly no biologist--unique DNA is created at conception. Unique DNA, unique individual. Its black and white. Church elders who are intent on introducing grey to the issue are making me want to run from the church.
I think the emphasis back then was to avoid making "victims" of the pro-aborts. There were cases of Bishops castigating candidates who then went on to win based on their "victim of the Church" status. Liberals love being "victims."
Also, in today's uncertain times amid the awareness of--and repugnance for---liberals trashing of our culture--- the climate is more conducive to enriching public life through religious beliefs.
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