Posted on 2/18/2009, 5:34:48 PM by NYer
In my piece for Pajamas Media, I said that basically, the meeting between The Pope and The Pelosi would produce no fireworks, and that “…the impact of this meeting may not be felt until it has been forgotten.”
Well. Not quite. The Vatican - clearly as aware as Pelosi of the power of an image - made a point of releasing no photo, as “the encounter was private” and the pope “briefly greeted” Pelosi and did not mention any other subject they may have discussed.:
Benedict spoke of the church’s teaching “on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.” That is an expression often used by the pope when expressing opposition to abortion.
Benedict said all Catholics—especially legislators, jurists and political leaders—should work to create “a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development.”
Pelosi could not immediately be reached after the 15-minute meeting, which was closed to reporters and photographers. The two met in a small room of a Vatican auditorium after the pope’s weekly public audience.
Pelosi’s camp released a statement of its own, with no mention of the pope’s remarks:In an e-mail issued by her office, Pelosi did not mention the allusion to abortion. She said it was with “great joy” that she and her husband, Paul, met with Benedict.
“In our conversation, I had the opportunity to praise the Church’s leadership in fighting poverty, hunger and global warming, as well as the Holy Father’s dedication to religious freedom and his upcoming trip and message to Israel,” she said.
I am reminded of Peggy Noonan’s great essay of her audience with John Paul II, which seemed much more joyful than what seems to have passed between Benedict and Pelosi.
If anyone was expecting any sort of insta-conversion on Pelosi’s part, that was a foolish wish. Tough and proud, there was no way the Speaker was ever going to walk out and proclaim her views “changed” on anything. But to me, it is telling that Pelosi did not even acknowledge the pope’s remarks on the sanctity of life - it suggests that his words hit their mark, and that the loving wound of instruction is too tender for her to touch.
The things that singe our consciences are the things we try to dance around, or ignore outright.
So, yes, Pelosi’s deliberately choosing to mention only her remarks, and not Benedict’s is telling, indeed. As American Papist writes, “But what, Madam Speaker, did the Pope say to you?”
I agree with Deacon Greg who writes:
Not insignificantly, the AP is reporting that the meeting was closed to reporters and photographers. More as this develops. And, I think, it will. Stay tuned.
Yes, I believe this story will “develop” over time. Read the invaluable John Allen, who knows:
While the Vatican typically puts out brief declarations after the pope meets with a head of state, encounters with lower-level officials are generally considered private. Doing so in this case thus suggests that the pope wanted to make a point.
…
Not only was it unusual to issue a statement after a meeting with an official who’s not a head of state, routine Vatican declarations after diplomatic meetings also generally sum up the range of issues discussed rather than concentrating on a particular point.In that sense, the statement can only be read as a rejection of Pelosi’s statements last summer, and, in general, of her argument that it’s acceptable for Catholics in public life to take a pro-choice position.
In a somewhat related story, the introduction of embryonic and fetal stem cells into the human body is still producing nightmares. I still say such pure and innocent life is too near the secrets of God and Creation for us to mess with. But mess, they do.
Also writing:
Damian Thompson: “Recovery Begins: Pope slaps down ghastly Pelosi”
Ed Morrissey: Pope to Pelosi: “Study more!”
Kathryn Jean Lopez on Benedict’s teaching moment
Gateway Pundit: Will Pelosi Heed Benedict? Not today, at least.
Irene Lagan: Pope was stern with this “duplicitous” woman.
Whispers In the Loggia: “Ardent Catholic” gets a talking to
Michelle Malkin: A Vatican Smackdown
Good assessment with plenty of links to other blog coverage on today’s failed photo op.
Surprised they didn’t use the trap door trick so that as she approaches the Pope the floor is released and she falls into the Catacombs never to be found again.
Nah, the company there would be too good for that one. V’s wife.
I don’t know. I don’t think that woman has a conscience. The proof will be her actions when she returns. I’m hopeful but...
But not innocent human life? A glaring and calculated omission. And a dishonest one if the Pope mentioned it.
I think it is time for serious Catholics in parishes where the “Catholic” proaborts receive Holy Communion to publicize the fact, not receive in these churches themselves, and urge others not to receive. A poster on a telephone pole will go a long way teaching the faithless priests a lesson.
Gotta love the alliteration in the headline.
She had her ass handed to her. When the Vicar of Christ tells you to straighten up, it would be very wise to do so.
(Note...the other articles included has some 'interesting' info as well)
You mean ... "And a dishonest one since the Pope mentioned it." She was trying to spin her way out of an embarrasing encounter. I have no doubt she considers herself an 'ardent' Catholic; but she is ignorant of the Catholic faith. In her ignorant imaginings she probably expects that some future pope will 'turn things around' and bring the Church into step with modern times.
B16 gave Pelosi a chance to recant, but she didn’t.
Prayers up for her because she has made “other” than Christ her choice. His Holiness doesn’t need to pronounce excommunication because she has done so herself.
With every Eucharistic reception, she sentences herself.
NRO takes a hopeful guess as to what happened...:
Pope: Perhaps this will aid your studies. (The papal secretary hands the Pope a book). Some light reading for your flight home. It is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I edited. Do you have a copy?
Pelosi: No. I mean — not one that I have read. (Nervously looking to Rep. George Miller for help) Yes, I have a copy that is still in its cellophane wrapper.
Pope: I have taken the liberty of marking a few passages for you. I believe this section which reads, “Human life must be respected and protected from the moment of conception,” might interest you.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NDkyMjE1ZmMyMTBkNDY0ZWMyZGZmOWZlZWNhMmZkZTE=
Great article with links. Thanks for posting. Pelosi and the anti-truth propagandists spinning the pope. Priceless!
PIGLOUSY was Destroyed by The Pope and will be saying “Hail Marys!” for Eternity before she gets up the first step out of Hell towards Pergatory let alone making that first step toward Heaven! Looks like She Cooked her Own Goose Well on this Visit!:-)
:o)
You are so correct!
With a maiden name like D'Allesandro, Pelosi is an ardent Catholic in the same way most mafia dons are ardent Catholics.
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