Posted on 08/11/2007 9:07:16 PM PDT by monomaniac
By Elizabeth O'Brien
ATLANTA, Georgia, August 9, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Republican governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, brother of President George Bush, described his "faith journey" to audiences at a Catholic conference this summer, emphasizing that faith and politics should not be separated.
The devout Catholic and pro-life politician received a standing ovation from a crowd of families, children, priests and young people before he even began his speech at the 11th Youth and Family Encounter conference at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The event was sponsored this July by the international Catholic lay movement Regnum Christi.
He underlined the fact that leaders should not separate their faith from their political careers. "I don't know how one can do that," he said. "As governor I didn't do that. I tried not to."
"I don't think you can separate your personal faith from your public actions, and I don't think you need to. I think transparent, openly expressing your faith is a good thing."
He also stated, "Jesus was my best political advisor."
Describing the narrow Republican win for the State of Florida in the 2000 Presidential Elections, Bush said that he prayed while the voting was taking place. "I prayed in the governor's mansion at 2 o'clock in the morning when it was total chaos," he said as the crowds broke into applause.
"For a public servant, you are constantly tested, and if I did not have my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I would have been exhausted in the first year of service," he said.
Bush spoke about the fact that the government provides millions of dollars towards abstinence programs and crisis pregnancy centers. In addition, he encouraged partnership between the government and faith-groups, stating, "One of the first lessons I learned as governor was partnership where you can tear down barriers that allow people to act on their faith is important," he said. He also emphasized the importance of respecting the rights and dignity of immigrants, the disabled and people of all ages.
Jeb Bush was closely involved in the case of Terri Schiavo in 2004 as governor of Florida. Putting his own words into practice, Bush signed Terri's law - a move approved by the State legislature - that would remove her from her husband's authority and thereby protect her life. Bush also appealed the Supreme Court to change its mind when it struck down the law (see http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/oct/04100602.html).
Read related LifeSiteNews:
US President Endorses Catholic, Pro-Life Brother Jeb for President
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/may/06051005.html
I hope that my Catholic friends hold Rudy’s feet to the fire regarding his religion (or lack thereof).
Rudy is not a Catholic.
I respect Jeb as a Christian, but allowing religion to influence government would only allow government to influence religion. It’s always a bad idea.
No he is not, but he CLAIMS to be and I hope that my Catholic friends continue to point this out.
Good gosh, I sure feel ignorant. I had no idea Jeb Bush was a Catholic. I thought he was a Protestant. Where have I been on that?
I hope you and your Catholic friends don't give us Hillary.
I believe he was raised Protestant, but his wife is Mexican and I am assuming Catholic. Apparently, Jeb converted.
Rubbish. Jeb Bush did nothing to save Terry Schiavo, other than posture.
He could have intervened and allowed independent physicians to examine her to finally determine, once and for all, if she was in a vegetative state or not. (This need not have taken more than a couple of weeks.) After years and years of her case, a couple of more weeks wouldn’t have mattered.
But Bush was more politico than churchman. (Ditto for the local bishop, who chose to be conveniently absent viewing destruction in Indonesia, rather than in his home diocese with a major moral crisis in the making.)
If his last name was not “Bush,” he would be our presidential candidate. Too bad!
Not commenting on his stand on the issues - just that he converted to Catholicism in 1995. Google it.
Ah, the “Hate Hillary” fetishists appear! You guys would nominate Jim McGreevey just so you can defeat the “evil” Hillary! Get a life!
You apparently have little appreciation for who Hillary really is and your use of personal attacks as opposed to reasonable discourse may be an indication why.
No. Hillary is a very smart liberal Democrat. Nominating an ethnically challenged Lawn Guyland greaseball creampuff who’s greatest achievement in life is alienating his children and making a glorified stump speech in front of some burning buildings is not a good idea.
I am not promoting Rudy, I am only saying that he is far better for the country than Hillary. In fact, your condemnation of him makes me like him even more. Many think he could have beaten Hillary for Senator had he run. Hillary is not smart so much as she is cunning and willing to do anything to win.
Rudy was losing in the polls when he dropped out. Between the drama with his mistress and the Louima case, he was dropping like a stone in a river.
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