Opinion: President Obama Insults Catholics, Nominates Gov. Sebelius to HHS
Kathleen Sebelius's nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services should be strongly opposed.
The marvelous developments in intra-uterine surgical proceedings and sonogram technology are only two of the scientific facts which accuse us of our National crime. We are engaged in a horrid contemporary version of playing with words in an effort to mask the evil. Abortion is a sin against solidarity. It is killing our neighbor, not loving them.
PrintIt appears that the release of news was timed to occur on the same day that “Catholics United”, a group which works in concert with “Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good”, launched its new web site entitled “Catholics for Sebelius”. On that advocacy site this group stretches accuracy beyond anything they have done before. They argue that this Governor who has been told by her Bishop, Joseph Naumann, to refrain from presenting herself for Holy Communion until she takes “the necessary steps for amendment of her life which would include a public repudiation of her previous efforts and actions in support of laws and policies sanctioning abortion” is an acceptable choice for Catholics.One is welcomed to this site with these words “Catholics across the nation are rallying behind the nomination of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Here you'll find information about Gov. Sibelius' record on issues important to Catholics, and an opportunity to register your support for her nomination.”
Let me begin with words from Francis Cardinal George which expose the error behind this organization’s claim: “Catholic Social thought is built upon the foundational truth that every single human life has an inherent human dignity and must be respected and protected. The unborn child, who is alive and is a member of the human family, cannot defend himself or herself. Good law defends the defenseless. Our present laws permit unborn children to be privately killed. Laws that place unborn children outside the protection of law destroy both the children killed and the common good, which is the controlling principle of Catholic social teaching. One cannot favor the legal status quo on abortion and also be working for the common good."
This Secretary designee, if confirmed, will make the major decisions concerning health care right when major changes in the delivery of health care services loom. She is, in my opinion, a WRONG choice for Catholics and for the true common good. Under her leadership this administration will insist that the voluntary taking of innocent human life in the first home of the whole human be considered a “medical procedure” and covered in health programs. This Governor vetoed legislation to limit abortions and held a fundraiser for notorious abortionist George Tiller who is now on trial for 19 criminal charges related to his performance of late term abortions.
“Catholics United” has a serious problem. First, Many will rightly ask whether they are being faithfully “Catholic” in taking this position? The teaching of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church on this matter is absolutely, unequivocally clear. Are they trying to confuse? Second, I maintain that this appointment does not promote the Common Good. They attempt to paint anyone who opposes this nomination and their errant position as “right wing” and against the much needed reform of our health care system. Because of that, let me explain my own positions. I am neither “right wing” nor am I an opponent of a major revision of our health care system. I have always called my self a “Whole Life/Pro-Life” Catholic Christian and citizen. I am Pro-Life, Pro-Marriage and family, Pro-Freedom (rightly understood), Pro-Poor and Pro-Peace.
I have written regularly about the true meaning of the phrase “the Common Good”. I have proposed that Catholic Social teaching should form a framework within which faithful Catholics, other Christians, other people of faith and all people of good will work together to truly build a just society, a civilization of love. My efforts have placed me, at times, outside of the realm of acceptability in both major political parties. They have elicited opposition from the so called “right”, the so called “left” and many others in between. For example, my opposition to capital punishment has not found an ear in the leadership of either major political party in the US. My opposition to the initial foray into Iraq as having been unjustified under any interpretation of the so called “just war theory”, placed me in opposition to the growing number of “neo-cons” on the “right” and their colleagues, the “neo-liberals” on the “left”. I have dared to express concerns that if a market economy places profits over people, families and the common good, it can devolve into what the late Servant of God John Paul II rightly called “savage capitalism”.
“Catholics United” as well as “Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good” argue that when ...
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Obama anouncement to nominate another Catholic to do his dirty works shows how much hate he has for the Church and its teaching. Everything he does, is well calculated. It is not by chance that he appoints all those Catholics in positions that he knows, would anger the faithful. I bet he is laughing at us. How sad. Just to show you how vindictive he can be.
Reach out and personally support one woman who is pregnant and for any number of reasons believes abortion is her only realistic choice. Provide money for food, an apartment, education, counseling, etc. Then support another and another and another until there are no woman left who believe they have no choice other than abortion.
For the love of God and of His people, choose the beatitudes instead of political rhetoric, often based on nonsense and which demeans us all - all of humanity. Those who put on white hats and anoint themselves the "good Catholics" and place vile labels on those who approach this sad situation differently with love and discretion and respect debase the lives not only of the unborn but of the living who choose to help pregnant mothers and babies rather than engage in hateful speech. It is divisive and does not help one single human life.
Rather than rallying the generous who see the divine in every human life, it makes one wonder why we would want children born into a world where self-righteous bickering and condemnation from the powerful has become even remotely acceptable let alone "worthy." Not in my book. Not by a long shot!
Hello Paul,
Tell me. If you say that your numbers don't lie regarding abortion, and that is what you base your stance on, then could you please tell me the chances that Catholicism - the early Christian Church - had at succeeding as a continuing religion? I'm sure we could estimate.
Or what are the numbers that Jesus calculated as He bore his heart to God in the Garden of Gethesemane to determine whether or not He should go through with the Crucifixion?
What about the numbers that Elijah calculated when he stacked the logs on top of each other, drenched them in water, and still expected that God would light his pyre on fire?
Did Daniel have any numbers when he slew Bel? What of Solomon; did he rely on statistical data when ordered the guard to split the infant in half before the real mother appeared?
Or Paul, when he made his way to Rome? But why talk of Paul? What about Peter? What were the numbers that Peter relied upon when he turned back around to be crucified? Did Abraham need numbers to figure that God wouldn't let his only son be sacrificed instead of a Ram?
For all your boasting of being an MIT undergrad, what you lack is the understanding that God did not make you so that you might create a box to which you might contain and dictate to him what ought to be and what ought not to be.
I could never understand these "catholics" who claim to be Catholics, and yet, they issue forth such protestations of "disagreement" with the Pope. You are not Catholics, but Protestants, and you politicize your stance. Allow me to share some numbers with you, Paul.
When Peter told Ananias and his wife to sell all that they had and bring it to the Church, he found them to be lacking in the gold that the brought back. Both of them lied, because their own numbers were more important to them than the command of the head of the Church. They were struck dead instantly.
I won't judge you to be a "good man", nor a "bad one". However, what I do know is that Good men seek what is "Good", and they recognize that when "Truth" is revealed to them, they have a duty to defend "Truth". There is no relativity in Truth. If you cannot listen to the Truth being spoken by the successor of Peter and accept it, then you really ought not call yourself Catholic.
Dear
Paul and others,
If you believe that there is nothing wrong with abortion, please
Pray and ask God for humility, wisdom, and inspiration.
abortion is unacceptable.
to abort is to kill your baby.
enlightenment will require a great deal of humility, so please pray. Do not let your ego stand in the way. I am sure that you are right on many other issues. I believe that you do love God. But we are human and can be mistaken and confused. God inspires and forgives those who repent and work for good.
Pray and ask God good questions.
May God help us love him, increase our faith, and guide us in everything that we do and stand for.
Peace
Let us pray for each other.
God speaks clearly if we listen.
And let us remember that God has already triumphed over evil and that God's love is victorious since ever and forever. God saves the souls of all who are aborted. God is taking care of everything in the eternal sense.
It is our joyful work to praise God and give him thanks. It is our joyful work to surrender our ego and ask God to forgive, correct, and guide us.
It is our joyful work to be as good as we can in every thought, word, and action and to always press on in hope. It is our joyful work to inspire others and to help who we can.
God is love, hope, and kindness. Jesus is humble. God forgives those who repent and work for good.
Let us be grateful and appreciate all of the blessings in our lives, for we have so much more than we need. Let us work to feed the millions who are starving. Let us work for what is good. Let us open our heart's door and let God's light shine through us.
p.s. if you would like to be added to a short daily email list of scripture and inspirational wisdom, send me an email at aalvarez@knox.edu
God bless
I dont know if this will go in but I will say this as best I can being only a laywomen.
The evil one is having its last hoorah. For how long I dont know.
People forget that the existence of a real evil creature in this world exists.
Its a mystery I cant explain fully and never will--that left to God.
Keep in mind it the evil creature will use anyone inside and outside the church to try to fool you, trip you up and make you think its not real.
It will use anything in this world artificial or otherwise to make you think its good when the Church says its got a downside as well.
It, the creature we call Satan, hates the Catholic Church with a passion.
If it sees anyway to get at the Church in way, shape or form including our own people it will use them to do it.
Its that crafty and it doesnt care about you, me or the person its using to get what it wants.
Whats it want?
It wants to hurt the Lord more than it want to hurt you and me because it knows that the Lord will watch out for us because we cant do it alone.
Its hate for us and for the Trinity and our beliefs runs deeper than the darkest soul every could.
So brothers and sisters watch our for each other and try to "hear" your Lord in your hearts and souls for the good He wants for you.
We're in those times. I dont know anything about the "End times" but I know that He isnt here and I know that he warned us what that thing is. He said never fear and that means turn to Him with all your hearts and souls.
Love in Christ Brothers and Sisters and never fear even in the darkest hours.
Contrary to public opinion Im told Catholics do read and study the Bible.
You cant serve one thing and not the other or you will hate one and love the other.
Were not perfect but we also know that without life as Mother Teresa said a country cannot survive. (Not necessarily her exact words but close.)
As one person put it the other day we as a Christian community are supposed to rebuke a brother or sister when they are against the the teachings of Christ.
So there is a difference between judging and rebuking.
Judging I believe in this case is when you dont believe in something yet you condone it anyway. Then you look at someone who is doing the same thing and are disapproving of them.
So one then has to pluck out the splinter etc etc.
If one doesnt understand the Catholic faith I suggest respectfully you read the Catechism, go to priests for life and see who we are.
Do some researching and surf the site. Learn for yourself what were all about.
We as Catholics should be paying attention to what Holy Father is saying.
He is our Peter on this earth and our teacher of the faith.
The Catholic Church is vast and more than what people see.
You cant be Catholic and Pro-Choice its that simple.
Im well aware that some of our brothers and sisters are using contraceptives and thumbing their nose at the Magesterium and Holy Father because they dont wish to take the time to learn about Natural Family Planning.
Im well aware that some of our brothers and sisters also have had abortions because they didnt know what else to do.
I do not judge the people but I hope I do understand and follow the Catholic teaching.
Im also aware that abortion isnt just a religious thing. For example:
What I dont understand is how can a women who is pregnant and then murdered with her foetus be called a double homocide?
Yet we are considered legal when we take the life of the foetus in the womb before it has had a chance at life.
Is there a double standard here or are we just a confused society?
The Church is not perfect but Christ's teaching is.
She the Church has always tried to teach the truth about life issues whether we were interested enough to learn or not.
She doesnt push anything on anyone but if asked she tries to teach the truth.
My hope is that they all our brothers and sisters who are in the world have a conversion of heart, soul and mind from the prayers of the faithful.
About the Internet it is addicting and I see why the Vatican brought it up.
If its necessary for your work thats fine but when one gets on one does notice that time goes by fast.
Just because its going to happen doesnt mean its good for you.
As for how human we are the Church knows this. She knows we are sinners and she knows we can reconcile with the Lord if we want to.
I am outside of the Catholic community, but have been following some of the recent headlines from your pope as well as headlines on the matter of our Kansas Governor about to make a move in her political career. It seems to me that this community is against her being in this new position based on the possibility that she may have an impact on abortion related laws. It also seems apparent that this community is shunning her for using the mind that God gave her to choose what her standing is on a sensitive subject from many religious, political, and personal points of view. It seems to me that your religious community needs to be careful not to judge others that are doing their job the best they can(something that people are not in the position to do). The fact is that if someone is in the position where they are considering abortion of a pregnancy for whatever reason will either do it or not in a sanitary medical facility or not. I think this is something that she recognizes and knows that its going to happen legal or not and she's standing firm on her decision no matter how much mud is thrown by the community because she's there to improve the country's residents' quality of life and try to make everyone happy, a political, religious, and personal impossibility.
As if it matters, I do not support abortion, however I do not discount it because there are some applications it may become necessary in people's personal life to save their own life. Those who have abortions done, in medical atmosphere or not, have to live with what they have done and will have their judgment day by God.
In conclusion it would be a wise decision to look at the lack of impact your "good acts" and "tradition" is having on the inevitability that the woman is going to do her job as she sees fit. Finally, I see that your religious community wants everyone associated with it to have the same stand on all issues in the world today. The ones who have a different stand from the group are scrutinized and shunned by most of the members of your group.
It has gotten to the point where your church's highest ranking member is also suggesting how your people live your life on the computer with social networking and text messages. What happened to studying the Bible, learning how Jesus lived his life and died for our sins once and for all, and living our lives as best we can as the flawed humans that we are
When a fella comes along like these "Catholics for Abortion If Chosen" it's easier to not have to worry about forgiving them and this kind. Paul doesn't need admonishment as much as he needs sympathy. I think he's one of those about whom Jesus said, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." It's more out of pity. Sadly, there are many "Catholics" out there who REALLY DO believe that Obama and his "vision" will change the world so that we don't need a law governing the murder of a pre-born. It's about as naive as thinking we can go back to Eden. But Eden is closed, and now we need laws to protect rights and the weak. These laws will be broken at times, no doubt. We cannot judge a person morally after the crime, but it's still a crime. Those who can't abide by the law are the ones Jesus came for. He came to save sinners. He didn't come to make a utopian world where we will obey natural laws only when we feel good and comfortable and economically satisfied. When I hear people like this I'm reminded of the Beattles and their song "Imagine." How many times does John Lennon say "imagine all the people...."? For these Cookaholics for Choice, I'm sure "all the people" has limited meaning. They don't really mean ALL THE PEOPLE when they argue. You can't debate these folks for very long before you realize they're going to have to learn the Truth the hard way, when their utopian society crumbles. (btw, can anyone tell me where in Scripture is "the common good" mentioned?)
President Obama or any other advocates of pro-abortion or any other anti-life advocates must in themselves reflect whether such moves they have made or will be making are lawful, that is for the common good and not against life or else they condemn their very own dignity and that they remain to be animalistic beings who are irrational in themselves.