Franciscan University Students Attend a Catholics for Obama Event

Inside Catholic ^ | Posted on October 02, 2008, 6:48 AM | Deal W. Hudson

[Diago]

Last evening at Carlow University in Pittsburg, the Sisters of Mercy hosted a Catholics for Obama event. I received a call from someone who attended the event who told me the “high point was when a Catholic priest urged everyone in the crowd to report any priest to the IRS and to the diocese of Pittsburgh who preaches from the pulpit that you must vote based on one issue.”

There were about 15 sisters present and three priests. Here is the description of the event sent to me by those who attended.

A paper was supposed to be delivered by Prof. Nicholas Cafardi, a professor of Law at Duquesne University. Dr. Cafardi cancelled his appearance at the event, but one of the Sisters of Mercy read his paper (it is not known whether Cafardi authorized his paper to be read at the event.) Cafardi is the second high-profile Catholic jurist to endorse Obama, Doug Kmiec being the first.

Thirteen Franciscan University Students attended the event from the Students for Life and the College Republicans (Cafardi is a trustee of Franciscan University). The purpose of their attendance was to ask thought provoking questions and to evangelize to the attendees at the event.

Students distributed literature from Priests for Life following the event. They were not allowed to bring in a video camera.

Cafardi’s paper began, “I believe that abortion is an unspeakable evil. . . . I support Obama in spite of the fact that he is pro-abortion.” He referenced the Nov. 2007 USCCB Faithful Citizenship, particularly sections 34, 35, and 42.

Cafardi claimed, “We have lost the abortion battle, and I believe we have lost it completely.”

He then criticized the pursuit of Supreme Court Justices by pro-lifers asking, “What guarantee do we have that Roe would be overturned?” and “What would be accomplished if Roe was overturned?”

He equated an “unjust war” to genocide.

He criticized the Bush administration on human trafficking, not mentioning that President Bush has done more than any other president to address the issue of human trafficking around the world.

He neglected to talk about the candidates’ stances on cloning or euthanasia.

He concluded his talk by saying, “The next president is not going to be able to affect abortion very much.”

Cafardi argued you should support a candidate that will use “government action to reduce abortions” by supporting “comprehensive approach to ending abortion.”

After the talk, the sister opened it up to questions. At this point it became evident that at least half of the attendees to this event were pro-life McCain supporters.

One priest encouraged people in the audience to turn in their priests to the IRS if they encourage parishioners to vote pro-life, or if they mention that abortion is an intrinsic evil; but they do not mention all of the other intrinsic evils.

While the sister specifically avoided calling on Franciscan students to ask questions, she did call on two students unknowingly.

John Lysaght, a sophomore at Franciscan University, offered a statement to the group saying that he is 19-years old and he is going to support John McCain because he sees the issue of abortion to be the most near and dear to his heart.

Mary Novick, a junior at Franciscan University, asked a question about two points that were made in the talk, namely, the point that the abortion battle is already lost and that the next president is not going to be able to affect abortion.

She said, “The next president may not be able to completely end abortion, but he could greatly expand “abortion rights,” as Barack Obama has promised to do with the Freedom of Choice Act.

One student, who was sitting directly in front of the sister who read Cafardi’s paper, attempted to ask a question but was being ignored. He insisted on asking her what she thought about Obama saying his biggest political regret was trying to save Terri Schiavo's life.

The sister dismissed the question saying she didn't know what he was talking about. He responded by saying, "Well ,sister, it certainly surprised me because I would have thought he could have used the opportunity to say that supporting infanticide in Illinois was his biggest regret."

That clearly infuriated her, and she said that not only did Obama not support infanticide, but also that he was being brainwashed by propaganda.

This same nun also grabbed him by the arm immediately after the talk and said very sarcastically, "Have a nice drive BACK to Steubenville!"

[jddqr]

These idiots are NOT Catholics. You can’t be Catholic and vote pro-choice.

[presently no screen name]

I wish I were there. I printed this out to give to a former Sister of Mercy. I’m sure she will thank God one more time for leaving. Strange, a cousin of mine who, also is a former nun (not the Mercy order) is a die hard liberal. And the nun is this article speaks of propaganda? LOL! Sisters of Mercy - where is the mercy for the unborn? I’m sure Rev Wright are proud of these nuns.

[presently no screen name]

I TOTALLY agree with you! For starters, they have no Godly fear and do not know HIS WORD.

[caveat emptor]

“Catholics for Obama”. Isn’t that an oxymoron?

[johnnycap]

It is impossible to be a TRUE Catholic and be for Obama. Those nuns had better stop growing hair on their legs and attending Obama rallies and get back to their vows. The priests should stop diddling little boys and dreaming about Fr. Phlager and get back to saying mass.

[spindoctor]

The Franciscan students should be applauded for taking on these pro-abortion Catholics. The nuns and priests engaged in this deception and scandal will have much to answer before God.

[Dionysius]

I asked this before on another thread regarding Cafardi, and I will ask it again. How did someone who blithely twists the doctrine of the Church to justify his own immorality become a Canon Lawyer? Is there a certification process and, if so, how did it screw up so badly?

[Diago]

Franciscan U Responds to Nicholas Cafardi Backing Pro-Abortion Obama

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 3, 2008

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Steubenville, OH (LifeNews.com) -- Officials at the Franciscan University of Steubenville are responding to criticism over Catholic law professor Nicholas Cafardi endorsing pro-abortion candidate Barack Obama. The endorsement has caused waves within pro-life Catholic circles, party because Cafardi is a Steubenville trustee.

Cafardi, the former Duquesne University School of Law dean, wrote an editorial appearing in the National Catholic Reporter saying he believes abortion is an "unspeakable evil" yet he supports Obama, who has pledged to keep abortion legal another 35 years.

Cafardi bases his endorsement on two points -- claiming the pro-life movement has "permanently" lost the abortion battle and saying voting for Obama can be justified on other political issues.

Catholic writer Deal Hudson penned a piece on how a Catholics for Obama event at Carlow University in Pittsburg where Cafardi's piece was read and subsequently challenged by Steubenville students, who attend a university known for its uncompromising pro-life position.

Steubenville officials responded to the piece with a statement about Cafardi.

"Cafardi’s defense of Barack Obama as a moral choice for Catholics reflects his views as a private citizen, and in no way reflects the views of Franciscan University of Steubenville," FUS officials said.

"Carfardi has acknowledged that in this he does not speak for the Board of Trustees, or for any representative body of the University such as administration, faculty, students, alumni, or parents," the statement read.

Franciscan University directly challenged Cafardi’s contention that the abortion battle is lost.

"Franciscan University stands with the Catholic Church in its opposition to abortion as an intrinsic evil and violation of the sanctity of human life," the school said. "The University does not believe the abortion battle is lost, but that the tide is decidedly turning in favor of life."

The college also said it agreed that, when it comes to public policy, as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has stated, “Life issues are paramount among all issues because the right to life is fundamental. All other rights are based on it.”

As a result, FUS said it encourages students to view pro-life issues "as foundational, and as issues that do not lend themselves to the prudential judgment of the voter."

Cafardi has also come under fire from Father Frank Pavone, the director of Priests for Life.

[wideawake]

One priest encouraged people in the audience to turn in their priests to the IRS if they encourage parishioners to vote pro-life, or if they mention that abortion is an intrinsic evil; but they do not mention all of the other intrinsic evils.

There are four acts that are intrinsically evil in Catholic moral theology - the four acts that Scripture characterizes as crying out to the Lord for vengeance.

They are:

(1) The taking of innocent life.
(2) Sodomy.
(3) Defrauding laborers of their earned wages.
(4) Oppression of widows, orphans or other helpless individuals who have no one to physically defend them.

An individual who supports abortion or euthanasia, promotes homosexual activity and promotes confiscatory taxation is supporting all the intrinsically evil acts that the Church condemns.

Barack Obama stands foursquare against the whole foundation of Catholic moral teaching.

[Diago]

Pro-Life Catholic Leader Says Nicholas Cafardi Wrong on Obama, Abortion

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 1, 2008

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Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A leading pro-life Catholic is taking Duquesne University School of Law dean Nicholas Cafardi to task for his recent endorsement of pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama. Cafardi joins Catholic law professor Douglas Kmiec in saying Obama isn't so bad, but Father Frank Pavone disagrees.

In an editorial appearing in the National Catholic Reporter, Cafardi contends he believes abortion is an "unspeakable evil" yet he supports Obama, who has pledged to keep abortion legal another 35 years.

Cafardi bases his endorsement on two points -- claiming the pro-life movement has "permanently" lost the abortion battle and saying voting for Obama can be justified on other political issues.

Pavone, the head of Priests for Life, tells LifeNews.com he takes exception to both claims.

"If you think the battle against abortion has been lost permanently, then you are asserting that the battle for America and civilization itself have been lost," Pavone says. "So don't trouble yourself one way or another about this election."

"In a case like that, as the bishops state in Living the Gospel of Life, the American experiment would 'no longer be worth conducting,'" Pavone says.

Pavone also rejects the view that Catholics can support Obama based on other issues apart from abortion -- saying "this analysis overlooks the fact that permitting abortion makes the common good impossible."

"You cannot be right on other issues while undermining their foundation," Pavone says -- expressing the notion that other rights and freedoms are worthless if someone is killed before birth via abortion.

Pro-life advocates say that Catholics like Cafardi need to be reminded just how pro-abortion Obama really is -- that his policies will result in 35 more years of 50 million abortions with his pledge to only appoint pro-abortion judges to the Supreme Court.

Obama has promised to sign legislation that would overturn every pro-life law across the country and cause 125,000 more abortions a year.

Karen Cross, the political director for National Right to Life, points to a speech Obama made before Planned Parenthood in 2007 promising to sign the so-called Freedom of Choice Act that would make the Roe decision federal law.

Not only would the bill make legal abortions in all nine months of pregnancy the law of the land, it would overturn every pro-life state enacted by state legislatures. That means states across the nation could no long place even moderate, common sense limits on abortions like parental notification, banning partial-birth abortions or preventing taxpayer-funding of abortions.

Eliminating those laws would obviously increase the number of abortions -- hardly consistent with Cafardi's claims.

[Dionysius]

Thanks, Diago. It is of grave concern to me that a charlatan and heretic such as Cafardi (and presumably this Kmeic character) can metriculate the earth calling themselves Canon Lawyers. Obama is evil incarnate and his loyal followers are as well, most especially when they claim they act within the teachings of the Church.

[PennsylvaniaMom]

Carlow University (fomerly Carlow College, formerly Mt. Mercy) was founded by the Sisters of Mercy (who, no doubt are rolling over in their graves right with what Carlow has become). Carlow is named for the city in Ireland their foundress came from.

The good Sisters, and the Catholic parish schools in Pittsburgh were instrumental in teaching the children of immigrants to read and write. Sadly, like most places parochial schools have closed (and many fewer young women are entering the religious life). I was taught in grade and HS by the Sisters of Mercy...some were old school and would no sooner rap you across the knuckles for not doing your homework than take any lame excuse. The older Sisters taught integrity, and a strong work ethic. In HS, (again Sisters of Mercy) I had what I can describe as 'hippie, feminist Nuns.' My HS had a business department (typing, shorthand, pre-accounting, etc.) I can vividly remember one Sister ranting against learning the business skills as prepping us for 'pink collar ghetto jobs.' Of course, pursuing a liberal arts degree (at Carlow!!!) was encouraged.

Really pretty campus (at the top of that hill...small, old gracious buildings)...but they stepped too far from the Catholicism of those who built it. Shameful.

[justkate]

The D.Ca.L. an academic degree. The prerequisites are varied but include: a Bachelors degree, an STB (Bachelor’s of Sacred Theology) which is more like a Masters Degree, the Licentiate Degree (which I think is 2 yrs.) and an STD (Doctor of Sacred Theology). In essence, the D.Can.L. is a teaching degree, the highest level of study that is reached in the field.

What one takes way from this rigorous academic program is (of course) entirely up to that individual. Much depends on those teaching the future teachers. To confuse matters more, I understand some of the “lesser” degrees can be conferred by members of the Clergy, without the academic requirement being met.

Sorry if this is more info than you needed. I suppose, in the long run, it’s much like Constitutional scholars. How can two men both read the same historical documents, the same works by other scholars, etc. & yet reach totally different conclusions re: what our Founding Fathers wrote.

[informavoracious]

God bless the pro-life students who showed up to defend innocent life. The venomous way in which some were talked to gives you a good idea of who it is these so-called sisters worship, and it’s not Jesus. 0bama’s voting history and speeches are on record, it’s not propaganda. Evil, evil people.

[Tennessee Nana]

PING

[fetal heart beats by 21st day]

When the brown-shirts come for us, I’ll remember the apostates who offered our heads to their leader.

When the brown-shirts come for them, well besides their blubbering, they will be tried in Heaven for an endless list of crimes against God and humanity.

[Oratam]

Cafardi claimed, “We have lost the abortion battle, and I believe we have lost it completely.”

Despair claims another soul.

[MHGinTN]

Ah yes, catholics for the Marxist defender of infanticide. Doesn’t sound like Catholics to me, but that’s just me. Perhaps Catholicism has become so tolerant that Satan can soon become Pope. I mean, if slaughtering alive unborn and killing via purposed induced prematuyre birth and neglect is acceptable in the catholics’ candidate, what isn’t acceptable? If Satan wore fresh paint, these catholics would be two-toned from embracing him.

[redgolum]

And this is why I keep saying that there will be a schism in the American Roman Catholic church. On one hand, you have the faithful devout Catholics like many here and my in laws. On the other hand, you have the liberal ethnic only Catholics who are like the ones in the article.

Inter-communion between the two can not last forever. The Pope is pushing VERY hard for some changes, and the American Catholic public will be forced to choose sooner or later.

[Petronski]

The priests should stop diddling little boys and dreaming about Fr. Phlager and get back to saying mass.

Nice smear. Do you have a lot of practice?

[toothfairy86]

Last week, the liberal Pittsburgh Post-Gazette posted a bunch of letters to the editor from Catholic nuns who were pro-Obama. It’s funny how whenever you bring up the abortion issue, they equate it with people getting killed in “the war in Iraq and Afghanistan”.