Posted on 04/19/2008 5:09:38 AM PDT by NYer
WASHINGTON, April 18, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - President George W. Bush addressed the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast just after 8:30 this morning, in a speech filled with glowing references to Pope Benedict XVI. "It's not every day you get to be the warm-up act to the Holy Father," began the President jovially, referring to the fact that the guests would soon be viewing a live broadcast of the Pope's remarks to the United Nations.
"This has been a joyous week," said the President beaming and eliciting applause. "It's been a joyous time for Catholics - and it wasn't such a bad week for Methodists, either," he added. "The excitement was just palpable. The streets were lined with people that were so thrilled that the Holy Father was here. And it was such a privilege to welcome this good man to the United States."
The President seemed at a loss for words as he recalled his meeting with the Pope at the White House. "For those of you on the South Lawn - who saw the South Lawn ceremony live, it was - what an unbelievable - it was just such a special moment," he said. "And it was a special moment to be able to visit with the Holy Father in the Oval Office. He is a humble servant of God. He is a brilliant professor. He is a warm and generous soul."
The President specified the attributes which he appreciates in Benedict XVI. "He is courageous in the defense of fundamental truths. His Holiness believes that freedom is the Almighty's gift to every man, woman and child on Earth. He understands that every person has value, or to use his words, 'each of us is willed, each of us is loved, [and] each of us is necessary.'"
"The Holy Father strongly believes that to whom much is given much is required - and he is a messenger of God's call to love our neighbors as we'd like to be loved ourselves," said Bush.
As he has done on previous occasions, the President tied his own work to promote life, to the Pope. "One of the blessings of being the President is I get to see firsthand how people are motivated by the fundamental truths articulated by the Holy Father," he said.
"Together, over the nearly seven and a half years we've worked to uphold the dignity of human life. Over the last - over the last years, my administration has put a stop to U.S. tax dollars funding foreign groups that perform or promote abortions. We've worked together to protect unborn victims of violence, and to end the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion. We have stood fast in our belief that promising medical advances can co-exist with ethical medical practices."
The President also appealed to the Pope's stands as he enumerated his administration's work to promote Catholic education, religious freedom, and faith-based charity.
Bush concluded with a heartfelt thanks for the prayers of Catholics for his Presidential mission and also by offering a prayer for the Pope.
"This is a prayer breakfast. And this is a perfect place for me to say how much I appreciate the prayers of the people for me and Laura. I can't thank our fellow citizens enough for taking time out of their lives to lift us up for prayer. I have finally begun to understand the story of the calm and the rough seas and I believe - I believe in my heart of hearts that it's because of the prayers of my fellow citizens," he said.
"And today with the trust in the Lord's wisdom and goodness, I offer prayers of my own: for each gathered in the room, for the safety and success of the Holy Father's visit, and for God's continued blessings on our great land."
I’m impressed! (none of my protestant friends have ever referred to the Pope as “Holy Father”)
Clearly President Bush is a more discerning fellow than some Freepers.
Yes, the President loves Pope Benedict, as do I.
And tell me again - those who claim President Bush has disappointed us ..... betrayed us even.....
How can they dispute this?
“Together, over the nearly seven and a half years we’ve worked to uphold the dignity of human life. Over the last - over the last years, my administration has put a stop to U.S. tax dollars funding foreign groups that perform or promote abortions. We’ve worked together to protect unborn victims of violence, and to end the barbaric practice of partial-birth abortion. We have stood fast in our belief that promising medical advances can co-exist with ethical medical practices.”
Praise and Thank God that President Bush and Pope Benedict see, understand, and proclaim the infinite value of human life!
President Bush’s administration has made many important strides in this area - especially his signing of the congressional ban on Partial Birth Infanticide....but also in his standing firm against the spread and taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research....
Both - men of God - dynamic yet “meek” in the truly Biblical and Godly sense of the word!
Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the world...
THANK YOU for your beautifully stated comments — I couldn’t agree more!
Two giants of history, right here, right now; two men sent of God, one the Vicar Christ, the other, a civil leader.
I have never felt more honor in my life; as a Catholic, as an American. Catholic Texans must be doing backflips.
It is the best of times, it is the worst of times.
in agreement - alleluia, alleluia, alleluia
I still like this President. :)
Me too. ;^)
He’s a good man, dare I say. I hope the Holy Father keeps John McCain in his prayers as well.
History will have a much kinder take on President Bush than he’s suffered during his terms in office. He knows that.
In the same way that Pope John Paul II and President Reagan are now recognized for their accoplishments which were not acknowledged during their time working together, so too will be President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI.
Only a good, kind and forgiving God would take care of His people who have shown little to no appreciation in return.
That’s so true. I miss JPII and RR. Bush and Benedict are a good combination.
President Bush has been disappointing on some levels, but human beings tend to be that way. Given the alternatives I think we did pretty well.
Pope Benedict appears to be stepping back from the liberalism which has infested the Church for many years. We now (in musical liturgy) can call God “He” and “Him” again, and use the words “man” and “men” where they were originally written (words had been made gender neutral in many songs).
For a while a couple of years back it looked as if the Lord’s Prayer would soon be addressed to “our Parent which art in Heaven”.
It is a title, like president. Come to think of it, I seldom hear radical leftists refer to George W. Bush as president!
I have heard (secondhand) that the Methodist churches in D.C. have been extremely hostile to him personally -- to the extent that he was singled out for chastisement during the sermon. So he has been going to St. John Episcopal, which is more or less the White House church, but I doubt he would be happy there, given the implosion of that denomination.
The President's brother is Catholic, so who knows? I hope he finds a happy church home with us. (Is there a Catholic parish near his ranch in Texas?)
******************
I love it! :)
I miss him already.
A gift from his brother Jeb, a Catholic convert.
Beautiful icon. I hope Our Blessed Mother guides him home.
And Jimmy Carter also still has his fans.
You are very welcome. How blessed we have been in this country to have had President Bush in office these almost eight years. How very very much we will miss him when he leaves office. It is an ache to even think about it.
I am sure there is one in Waco, Texas.
No shortage of parishes there!
you can always check on www.masstimes.org.
Sure. I heard that Mrs. Bush wants to move back to Dallas. So no shortage there either! :)
But that ranch is so beautiful! I would want to live there for always and always and always, as one of Kipling’s characters says.
That’s where the President wants to live, but Mrs. Bush reportedly would like to be back amongst her friends and girl things, like shopping etc. Can’t say I blame her. But I am with you the ranch, would be where I would go.
Well, now George has God's endorsement for open borders that he's been waiting for.
The “liberalism” of which you speak came about when certain bishops ‘interpreted’ the documents of VCII to suit their agenda. We have seen the “fruit” born of those interpretations and its sour. Pope Benedict, on the day of his election, committed himself to demonstrating the proper manner in which the framers of those documents intended. He is a tremendous blessing to the Church.
And, your neighbor can facilitate that by visiting when invited, not raiding your medicine cabinet, and going home at an appropriate time.
Tony Blair has already converted, so maybe he’ll follow Blair’s lead.
It would not suprise me if President Bush could be looking at conversion, or at least look at becoming Catholic via the Anglican usage rite, which has at least a few parishes in TX.
“And, your neighbor can facilitate that by visiting when invited, not raiding your medicine cabinet, and going home at an appropriate time.”
I second that motion.
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