US Conference of Catholic Bishops responds to Joe Biden

American Papist ^ | September 10, 2008 | Thomas Peters

[NYer]

As I predicted last night, the US Bishops have published a response to Senator Joe Biden.

{update: the text is now available on the homepage of the USCCB website.}

Here it is (underlining mine):

BISHOPS RESPOND TO SENATOR BIDEN’S STATEMENTS REGARDING CHURCH TEACHING ON ABORTION

WASHINGTON - Cardinal Justin F. Rigali, chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Bishop William E. Lori, chairman, U.S. Bishops Committee on Doctrine, issued the following statement:

Recently we had a duty to clarify the Catholic Church’s constant teaching against abortion, to correct misrepresentations of that teaching by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on “Meet the Press” (see: here). On September 7, again on “Meet the Press,” Senator Joseph Biden made some statements about that teaching that also deserve a response.

Senator Biden did not claim that Catholic teaching allows or has ever allowed abortion. He said rightly that human life begins “at the moment of conception,” and that Catholics and others who recognize this should not be required by others to pay for abortions with their taxes.

However, the Senator’s claim that the beginning of human life is a “personal and private” matter of religious faith, one which cannot be “imposed” on others, does not reflect Catholic teaching. The Church teaches that the obligation to protect unborn human life rests on the answer to two questions, neither of which is private or specifically religious.

The first is a biological question: When does a new human life begin? When is there a new living organism of the human species, distinct from mother and father and ready to develop and mature if given a nurturing environment? While ancient thinkers had little verifiable knowledge to help them answer this question, today embryology textbooks confirm that a new human life begins at conception (see www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/bioethic/fact298.shtml). The Catholic Church does not teach this as a matter of faith; it acknowledges it as a matter of objective fact.

The second is a moral question, with legal and political consequences: Which living members of the human species should be seen as having fundamental human rights, such as a right not to be killed? The Catholic Church’s answer is: Everybody. No human being should be treated as lacking human rights, and we have no business dividing humanity into those who are valuable enough to warrant protection and those who are not. Even this is not solely a Catholic teaching, but a principle of natural law accessible to all people of good will. The framers of the Declaration of Independence pointed to the same basic truth by speaking of inalienable rights, bestowed on all members of the human race not by any human power, but by their Creator. Those who hold a narrower and more exclusionary view have the burden of explaining why we should divide humanity into the moral “haves” and “have-nots,” and why their particular choice of where to draw that line can be sustained in a pluralistic society. Such views pose a serious threat to the dignity and rights of other poor and vulnerable members of the human family who need and deserve our respect and protection.

While in past centuries biological knowledge was often inaccurate, modern science leaves no excuse for anyone to deny the humanity of the unborn child. Protection of innocent human life is not an imposition of personal religious conviction but a demand of justice.

Masterful. My comments wouldn't really add anything.

Total number of bishops who have spoken (counting Abp. Wuerl's comments to his priests and Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa's statement - in both cases scroll down the page): 7:

• Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver
• Bishop James Conley of Denver
• Bishop Fran Malooly of Wilmington, DL (Biden's diocese)
• Cardinal Justin Rigali
• Bishop William Lori
• Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, DC
• Bishop Edward Slattery of Tulsa

update: The AP picked up the story, and Drudge linked to it.

[NYer]

Thomas Peters further notes:

Open thread: Kerry v. Biden

In recent decades, the American bishops have fought a defensive war against pro-abortion Catholic politicians, giving up one strategic position after another.

John Kerry battled them to a near-total defeat in 2004. But victory breeds indolence: pro-abort politicians could afford to push the boundaries because they had no reason to expect resistance, and they didn't have to be particularly smart or careful about how they waged their war of dissemination.

All that changed when Nancy Pelosi made her outrageous claims on Meet the Press - she pushed the American bishops so close to the brink that they finally took a stand and fought back. She had pushed too far, and had left her flank open for a counter-attack. Seeing their opening, a few brave bishops led the charge, and as these leaders emerged, others were quick to join them.

Like any rally, it gained strength and inertia, so that when Joe Biden attempted to re-draw the line and re-establish the boundaries (boundaries that had been secure and familiar to John Kerry), the American bishops didn't stop.

Want to see what I mean? Look at what John Kerry was saying unchallenged several years ago, and compare it to what Joe Biden said on Sunday. They're not so different. The difference is that the US Bishops, because of Pelosi, were already engaged actively in the debate when a pro-abort Catholic politician made the "I can't impose my personal belief" argument.

With the publication of yesterday's statement by the USCCB, the American Bishops, for the first time in years, are waging an offensive (as opposed to defensive) war on behalf of unborn children in this country.

May they be commended, and the Holy Spirit thanked.

[frogjerk]

Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J. said the same exact thing about Senator Biden on EWTN last night.

[frogjerk]

I have to give it to Tom Brokaw, he kept asking Biden about this and Biden's votes that were pro-abortion. Biden just kept digging.

Biden is getting hit from the ground and from above on abortion. His defense is unsustainable.

[AbeKrieger]

This will potentially cost them thousands of votes. Not the abortion issue itself per se (those lines were already drawn), but Biden’s statements on Church teachings that he’s making up out of whole cloth.

[djrakowski]

the American Bishops, for the first time in years, are waging an offensive (as opposed to defensive) war on behalf of unborn children in this country Thank God for these faithful bishops!

[OpusatFR]

Kerry and the democrats weren’t quite this blatant last time.

This time, the lot of them are attempting Hegelian tactics to form a concensus to drive change within the church to suit their agenda.

The BIG problem for the left is the Church is a monarchy with Christ at its Head. The other problem is their denial of the Holy Spirit within the Church protecting and guiding it.

The whole lot are materialists.

[NYer]

I caught part of his program but missed that statement. His guest tonight is ... Raymond Arroyo! They will be discussing “Mother Angelica’s Private and Pithy Lessons from the Scriptures”. I have both of his books on Mother. This should be a good program.

[frogjerk]

I caught part of his program but missed that statement. His guest tonight is ... Raymond Arroyo! They will be discussing “Mother Angelica’s Private and Pithy Lessons from the Scriptures”. I have both of his books on Mother. This should be a good program.

I wouldn't be surprised if they hit on Biden again tonight.

[Straight Vermonter]

I think the new bishops that our Holy Father has given us have made a big difference.

[ardara]

Thank God Cardinal McCarrick has retired and kept his mouth shut so far.

[NYer]

Thank God for these faithful bishops!

Some are and some ... well ... but I do believe we are witnessing the fruits of Pope Benedict's meeting with them earlier this year. Following Vespers, he addressed all the bishops.

"Is it consistent to profess our beliefs in church on Sunday, and then during the week to promote business practices or medical procedures contrary to those beliefs? Is it consistent for practicing Catholics to ignore or exploit the poor and the marginalized, to promote sexual behavior contrary to Catholic moral teaching, or to adopt positions that contradict the right to life of every human being from conception to natural death? Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted. Only when their faith permeates every aspect of their lives do Christians become truly open to the transforming power of the Gospel. "
FULL TEXT

And there it is ....

[djrakowski]

It’s true that some are less than impressive, but at least we’ve had over 20 of them publicly rebuke Pelosi. One such rebuke appeared on the webpage of the USCCB (to which our archdiocesan website linked).

It’s a good start, IMO.

BTW, I’d like someone like Chaput to replace Maida here in Detroit.

[maryz]

modern science leaves no excuse for anyone to deny the humanity of the unborn child. Protection of innocent human life is not an imposition of personal religious conviction but a demand of justice.

I'm glad they're stressing this. I occasionally see a women's magazine, and a number of times I've seen quotes from women who say, well, no, they'd never have an abortion themselves because they think it's wrong, but they don't feel they have the right to impose their views. One assumes these women are included in the polls -- branwashed as they are by the "personally opposed, but" trash. I don't blame them nearly as much as the politicians (and the silent bishops); they don't seem to be analytical thinkers -- more lambs led astray.

[Salvation]

In my opinion, all these Bishops who spoke out against Pelosi, also apply to Biden.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Updated: American Bishops who have spoken against Pelosi

Here is the complete list of American bishops who have responded to Nancy Pelosi's comments so far:

1. Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver was the first American bishop to respond
2. ... Bishop James Conley, his auxiliary, joined him
3. Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington DC responded twice, first in a press release and second in a statement to The Hill. He has also appeared on Fox News, I am told.
4. Cardinal Justin Regali of Philadelphia, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued this statement through the USCCB website...
5. ... Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport, chairman of the Committee on Doctrine, joined him
6. Cardinal Edward Egan of New York publised a strongly worded statement of his own
7. Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo issued a letter correcting Pelosi's claims
8. Bishop David Zubik of Pittsburgh and...
9. ... Bishop Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs have chimed-in
10. Archbishop Jose Gomez of San Antonio, CNA reports has added his voice ...
11. ... Bishop Oscar Cantu, his auxiliary bishop, has joined him
12. Bishop William Murphy of Rockville has published an extensive letter
13. Bishop Edward Slatter of Tulsa adds himself to the list
14. Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas has joined the USCCB's efforts
15. Bishop Gregory Aymond of Austin is on-board
16. Bishop James Slattery of Tulsa has a detailed response
17. Cardinal Sean O'Malley of Boston mentions the USCCB on his blog
18. Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando has written at length
19. Archbishop John Nienstedt of Saint Paul/Minneapolis challenges Pelosi's statement
20. Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, President of the US Bishops, has weighed-in
21. Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, OR publishes in the Catholic Sentinel
22. Bishop Jerome Listecki of La Crosse, WI responds in a word document
23. Bishop Richard Lennon of Cleveland, OH will comment in his September 5th column (PDF)
24. Bishop Ralph Nickless of Sioux City, IA has one of the very best responses I've read
25. Archbishop George Niederauer of San Francisco has invited Pelosi to a "conversation"
26. Bishop Glen Provost, LA: "Catholic Church clear on when human life begins"

{Last updated on September 9th.}

Note: #23 has been removed. Bishop Joseph Gossman of Raleigh, NC is actually the bishop emeritus, and the new bishop, Michael Burbidge has not, to my knowledge, made a personal statement.

[Salvation]

1:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2271  (618 bytes )  preview document matches 1 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2271.htm

97%

2:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2272  (580 bytes )  preview document matches 2 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2272.htm

96%

3:

CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2322  (290 bytes )  preview document matches 2 From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice (GS 27 § 3), URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2322.htm

96%

4:	CCC Search Result - Paragraph # 2274  (554 bytes )  preview document matches gravely opposed to the moral law when this is done with the thought of possibly inducing an abortion, depending upon the results: a diagnosis must not be the equivalent URL: http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2274.htm

[djrakowski]

Excellent... thanks. I taught a lesson on abortion in my apologetics class earlier this year, and provided the students with a list of all the paragraphs in the CCC mentioning abortion.

[djrakowski]

Excellent... thanks. I taught a lesson on abortion in my apologetics class earlier this year, and provided the students with a list of all the paragraphs in the CCC mentioning it.

[bronxville]

Brilliant video:
http://www.catholicvote.com/

It’s on Life, Faith and Values.

Very well done!

Our Bishops are stepping up to the plate and have now placed themselves in the line of fire. God Bless them.

[RobbyS]

Every four years, the “spirit of Vatican II” liberal priests get four years older/go to their eternal rewards. That’s why I hope that Pope Benedict lives to be a hundred, or at least 90. He is of their generation and God willing he will outlast them all. Unfortunately, many of their acolytes c wormed their way into the hierarchy before, say, 1992, men like Mahoney. But I hope that men like him see which way the winds of change are blowing.