Posted on 12/07/2013 6:58:22 PM PST by ebb tide
Pro-life leaders urge caution, while Pope, Cardinal Dolan praise controversial Nelson Mandela
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, December 6, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The death of South African former President Nelson ‘Madiba’ Rolihlahla Mandela on Thursday has led to an outpouring of glowing praise for the man most known for ending apartheid – a system of racial segregation. However, pro-life leaders have warned that praise from Christian leaders is inappropriate given Mandela’s role in bringing abortion-on-demand and homosexual “marriage” to South Africa.
According to official statistics, nearly a million unborn children have been killed in South Africa since President Mandela signed legislation in 1996 permitting abortion on demand two years after taking office. Same-sex ‘marriage’ was legalized in 2006, with Mandela having supported it long before its passage.
Nelson Mandela with wife Winnie and Joe Slove, head of South Nelson Mandela with wife Winnie and Joe Slove, head of South Africa Communist Party and leading member of ANC. In the face of praise for Mandela coming even from Catholic leaders all over the world, Paul Tuns, the editor of the Canadian pro-life newspaper The Interim, wrote, “A little balance is necessary in our reaction to the man who fought one injustice, but helped institute another.”
Similarly England’s John Smeaton, President of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) commented on his blog saying, “It is absolutely vital that Catholic leaders do not allow themselves to become respecters of persons, swept away by personality cults. Catholic leaders have a duty to stand up to public figures with anti-life and anti-family records, however praiseworthy their record may be on other issues.”
Smeaton’s comments came in reaction to praise for Mandela from the Bishops conference of South Africa. However, since then, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Pope Francis have also issued statements of praise for Mandela.
Pope Francis’s official statement says, “Paying tribute to the steadfast commitment shown by Nelson Mandela in promoting the human dignity of all the nation’s citizens and in forging a new South Africa built on the firm foundations of non-violence, reconciliation and truth, I pray that the late President’s example will inspire generations of South Africans to put justice and the common good at the forefront of their political aspirations.”
Cardinal Dolan’s statement calls Mandela a “hero to the world.” The Cardinal recalls the praise for Mandela from Pope John Paul II’s visit to South Africa in 1995.
That visit came before Mandela passed the law permitting abortion.
It was 1996 when Mandela signed into law one of the world’s most pro-abortion laws. Passage of the “Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Bill” was assured since Mandela’s African National Congress (ANC) refused its members a free vote on the issue of providing state-funded abortion on demand.
The same year, Mandela’s new constitution made South Africa the first country to place “sexual orientation” alongside race and religion as a restricted grounds for discrimination – something that paved the way for homosexual ‘marriage’ a decade later.
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Smeaton quotes from a book of quotations from Mandela noting his statement on abortion: "Women have the right to decide what they want to do with their bodies." In addition to his promotion of abortion, homosexuality, contraception and close ties to Communism, Smeaton notes Mandela’s formation of ‘The Elders” as a cause for concern.
In 2007, Mandela announced ‘The Elders’ as a global council of retired world leaders who would give behind the scenes advice and direction to government officials and rulers around the world. The proposal was received by pro-life leaders as being of great concern since its membership formed a ‘who’s who of the pro-abortion and pro-population-control movements.”
While during his life, Mandela denied being part of the communist party despite his friendly interaction with communist world leaders, the African National Congress revealed today that Mandela was in fact a high-ranking member of the Communist Party.
“Madiba was also a member of the South African Communist Party, where he served in the Central Committee,” said the ANC release.
Given the adulation Mandella has received from the worldwide media, it is possible that many Christians had little or no knowledge of the controversial aspects of Mandela’s life.
While it may be difficult for Catholic officials to discern how to proceed with world leaders and politicians who are pro-abortion, in 2004, the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops adopted a policy on the matter. “The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions,” it said.
I don’t expect much from Cardinal Dolan, but the Pope should know better.
Calling a terrorist a great man to suck up to the Negro race does not change his spots.
>> Calling a terrorist a great man to suck up to the Negro race does not change his spots.
You nailed it.
I’m disappointed in the Pope too. Dolan, well, we know him pretty well by now, and I am disappointed in him too — but not surprised.
No link?
There’s a lot to be concerned about from this Pope. However I think this is just boilerplate. He’s just saying what’s expected. After all, what’s he gonna say, “ I’m glad the SOB is dead”.
Yes, Pope Frankie, tell us how you REALLY feel!
The Pope, Dolan, Wuerl, Gomez (and most bishops) are not what I call “pro-lifers.”
They are opposed to abortion. If you ask them about abortion, they are against it. If you invite them to speak to a pro-life group, they will give a rip-roaring speech.
But they never, on their own initiative, inquire whether Senator Caligula, or Congresswoman Medusa, or President Dracula, is pro-abortion. They will praise such people as “good Catholics” or “devout Christians,” without a moment’s thought about abortion. Dolan has done this again and again with Democrat politicians.
May he rest in Peace would have sufficed.
Completely predictable.
Doesn’t the Catholic Church teach that one must be pro-life (anti-abortion) to be in communion with it?
What do the actions/words of these men say about their standing in the Catholic Church?
Cardinal Dolan’s statement calls Mandela a “hero to the world.” The Cardinal recalls the praise for Mandela from Pope John Paul II’s visit to South Africa in 1995.
For liberalism is what Rome effectually overall fosters .
To tell the truth on Mandella takes courage.You would need someone like Pope Benedict and Cardinal O’connor.The laity that protest outside the abortion mills have real COURAGE.
“...one must be pro-life..to be in communion?”
Yes. The church is having an epic fail. Do we leave the church now? No - the teachings/doctrine remain truth - for how long I don’t know.
Pray because we need the Church whether you know it or not.
sorry - meant to reply to Rthur McGowan
“...dolan has done this again and again...”
Hubbard as well - the Church is in bed with the democrats. However, I will not give up the sacraments over the failure of the church.
Jesus says “Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and being and love your neighbor as yourself”. Can someone please tell me where Jesus says we can support the killing of the unborn babies in the womb? The Bible states; “Thou Shalt not Kill” innocent people.
So now with the death of the 95 year old Nelson Mandela, many Catholic bishops, priests, religious and laity are ignoring the fact that Mandela promoted murdering of the babies in the womb, homosexuality and population control. All of these three actions are condemned by the Bible and the Catholic Church.
As president of South Africa, Mandela signed into law the most liberal abortion law in 1996 (Choice on Terminating of Pregnancy Bill). It replaced one of the best laws that protected the unborn in the world there in South Africa. He also taught that it was discrimination of sexual orientation to not support homosexuality. He widely promoted the use of condoms... --Fr. Peter Carota
I think a balanced response would have been sufficient.
But remember, abortion is not the main focus of the Catholic Church anymore....and who are we to judge wrt the gay lifestyle?
Smeaton’s comments came in reaction to praise for Mandela from the Bishops conference of South Africa. However, since then, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Pope Francis have also issued statements of praise for Mandela.
Pope Francis’s official statement says, “Paying tribute to the steadfast commitment shown by Nelson Mandela in promoting the human dignity of all the nation’s citizens and in forging a new South Africa built on the firm foundations of non-violence, reconciliation and truth, I pray that the late President’s example will inspire generations of South Africans to put justice and the common good at the forefront of their political aspirations.” Cardinal Dolan’s statement calls Mandela a “hero to the world.” The Cardinal recalls the praise for Mandela from Pope John Paul II’s visit to South Africa in 1995. That visit came before Mandela passed the law permitting abortion.
Ping for later
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