Six Vatican Ambassadors Start Catholics for Romney Outreach

LifeNews.com ^ | 7/31/12 | Steven Ertelt

[Mrs. Don-o]

Former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican
Dr. Mary Ann Glendon

Six former Vatican ambassadors have banded together to lead a new outreach for Mitt Romney presidential campaign to encourage Catholic voters to support him over pro-abortion President Barack Obama in November. The issue of abortion is one of the reasons for their decision to endorse Romney, as they explain in a new letter announcing the effort.

Catholics for Romney National Co-Chairs and Former U.S. Ambassadors to the Holy See include Frank Shakespeare, Tom Melady, Ray Flynn, Jim Nicholson, Francis Rooney, and Mary Ann Glendon. Together, they wrote the following letter supporting the former governor:

Fellow Catholics,

We are all called to advance the moral teachings of Christianity in the life of our country. Where the stakes are highest – in the defense of life, liberty, and human dignity – we have a duty to act that is greater and more urgent than allegiance to any political party.

In the election of 2012, this conviction has united all of us – each a former ambassador of the United States to the Holy See – in support of Governor Mitt Romney’s candidacy for president. Whatever issues might dominate the presidential campaign from now until November, our concerns lie with fundamental rights, beginning with religious liberty.

While the current administration has brought our first freedom under direct assault by imposing government mandates that completely disregard religious conscience, Governor Romney believes that freedom to live one’s faith is essential to liberty and human fulfillment. And he has pledged himself to removing those federal mandates immediately.

While the current administration has now put its weight on the side of those who propose to redefine the meaning of marriage itself, Governor Romney has stood firm in defending this sacred institution. In the White House, just as he did in the Massachusetts State House, he will defend the institution of marriage before the Congress, the courts, and the country.

Where the current administration has shown its sympathy for the pro-abortion lobby, Mitt Romney will be a faithful defender of life in all its seasons. And he understands the special duty of people of faith to serve in this cause. As Governor Romney recently said, “From the beginning, this nation trusted in God, not man. Religious liberty is the first freedom in our Constitution. And whether the cause is justice for the persecuted, compassion for the needy and the sick, or mercy for the child waiting to be born, there is no greater force for good in the nation than Christian conscience in action.”

These are the words of a man we believe can be a great force for good in this nation. We are Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, but on this question we are united in faith and in action. We urge our fellow Catholics, and indeed all people of good will, to join with us in this full-hearted effort to elect Governor Mitt Romney as the next President of the United States.

National Co-Chairs, Catholics for Romney

Frank Shakespeare (U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See 1986-1989)

Tom Melady (U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See 1989-1993)

Ray Flynn (U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See 1993-1997)

Jim Nicholson (U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See 2001-2005)

Francis Rooney (U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See 2005-2008)

Mary Ann Glendon (U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See 2008-2009)

[Mrs. Don-o]

These are not Vatican appointees: these are U.S. appointees, ambassadors TO the Vatican. Five appointed by Republicans, one (Ray Flynn) apointed by Democrat Clinton.

Obviously not "pro-Romney" sop much as "Anti-Obama". This is getting interesting.

Check out:

http://www.mittromney.com/coalitions/catholics-for-romney

Glendon is the one who refused to attend the Notre Dame graduation in 2009 --- not even to pick up her Laetare Medal --- because she would not appear on the same dias as Obama.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Glendon is the Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard University, and faculty advisor for Harvard Stedents for Life.

One classy lady.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Glendon is the Learned Hand Professor of Law at Harvard University, and faculty advisor for Harvard Stedents for Life.

One classy lady.

[Verginius Rufus]

I was wondering who was missing (the ambassador during Clinton’s second term). Turns out it is Lindy Boggs, the widow of Hale Boggs and mother of Cokie Roberts. She is 96—I don’t know what kind of condition she is in but presumably too much a part of the Democratic establishment to support the Catholic Church over the Democratic Party.

[dennisw]

I could care less if Joseph Smith’s ghost is whispering in Mitt’s ear. I want Obama out out out....The rest falls into place after this

[manc]

this admin has started a war against Catholics, they have gone after religious freedom with their homosexual agenda, tax paying abortion, contraception , sterilization etc

[ConservativeDude]

I always sort of liked Ray Flynn’s chutzpah, even when he was very much a Democrat.

I like him more now!

[Kansas58]

Good! thanks for the post

[DoughtyOne]

If I could believe anything Mitt says, I’d be happily voting for him. I like what he’s been saying quite a bit. I just don’t trust the guy.

I am glad these people are coming out for him. One thing is certain, he couldn’t possibly be worse than Obama when it comes to the right to life.

If he lives up to his word, I’ll vote for him the second time around, when he has proven he means what he says.

I just can’t vote for a big-government statist dingbat, until he proves to me that he’s a changed man.

If only we had nominated a good person this time.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[verga]

If I could believe anything Mitt says, I’d be happily voting for him. I like what he’s been saying quite a bit. I just don’t trust the guy.

I am not thrilled with Mitt either, but we already know that Obozo has it out for all Christians. Imagine for a moment how unleashed he will be if he does not have the threat of an election to lose over his head.

[basil]

Amen to that!

This may be another one of those elections where I have to hold my nose to vote—but I’ll do it! We need every vote we can muster to beat out obammy!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Mrs. Don-o]

I know what you mean.

But I look at it this way. Obama is, as we speak, bashing our house down with a wrecking ball. After the first week of November we know he's bringing in demolition experts with dynamite.

Even if Romney is just "pretending" to be a "builder" but actually is in league with the destroyers -- but with a crowbar --- I say vote for the guy with the crowbar. It gives us a better chance to fight.

With Obama in a second term? No chance at all.

[Old Sarge]

Thank you for the ping, Mrs. D, but yeesh...

Governor Romney has stood firm in defending this sacred institution. In the White House, just as he did in the Massachusetts State House, he will defend the institution of marriage before the Congress, the courts, and the country.

Willard was ultimately responsible for same-sex "marriages" taking place in MA. He created these "marriages" through an unconstitutional and illegal directive to his Department of Public Health, and threatened to fire any Town Clerk or Justice of the Peace who failed to implement the "new law".

Where the current administration has shown its sympathy for the pro-abortion lobby, Mitt Romney will be a faithful defender of life in all its seasons.

RomneyCare mandated $50 abortions, and he favored legalized abortion during his runs for the Massachusetts Senate and governorship. He has an opinion that changes with the seasons.

he has pledged himself to removing those federal mandates immediately.

No, Willard has pledged to remove AND REPLACE those mandates. Replace them with what? Follow the template from RomneyCare.

These, my fellow Catholics, have forgotten Exodus 20:16 - Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

[Tennessee Nana]

I stood arm in arm with the precious Catholics at a Pro-Life rally outside Madison Square Garden 20 years ago the week Clinton was nominated...

I do hope these people have really thought this through...

I dont believe Willard will be much better than Obama on abortion and gay issues...

His actual track record stinks..

[Mrs. Don-o]

I know what you mean, OldSarge, I really do, because I've been listening: and I'm glad you posted here.

You are correct --- but, not to quibble over mere wording --- it might be a matter of "bearing (a dubious) witness" in favor of your neighbor. They (the ambassadors) are, in a calculated bet, taking Romney at his word.

It may well be that Romney is lying, but (my comment above) even if he is, he's measurably less dangerous than Obama at this point. WHOEVER gets in, we'll have to tie them up with a non-veto-able, non-RINO House and Senate.

And between the two of them --- it IS between the two of them-- I'll vote for Romney just to be able to throw a punch at the Obamanation. It's as simple as that.

[Marine_Uncle]

Hopefully the efforts underway not only in the Roman Catholic Church but as well many of the Protestant denominations will pay off in November. As you say, it is not only the wrecking ball but cases of dynamite ready to really put a hurting on America.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I actually know what you mean. But consider mine at #14 nd #17.

Even if Romney does "hate" us--- which is arguable --- he doesn't hate us like Obama does.

Obama has the knife to my throat. The thought of that focuses my mind.

[Old Sarge]

I can appreciate your view, Mrs. D, but let’s face a fact: what’s the over-under that in addition to a Willard win, the House stays Republican and the Senate gets won?

I remain unconvinced that Bishop Willard will remain true to the statements he’s made on his endless campaign road-show, which is now six years old and counting. I look at his actual deeds while in the State House and the Governor’s mansion.

For “by their deeds shall you know them”...