Vatican newspaper publishes second story supporting U.S. bishops’ criticism of Obama

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Vatican City, May 24, 2009 / 12:40 pm (CNA).- For a second day in a row, the Vatican daily L’Osservatore Romano echoed the U.S. bishops’ criticism of Barack Obama’s pro-abortion policies, which many pro-life Catholics have claimed to be missing from previous reports in the Vatican newspaper related to the U.S. President.

The front page article, signed by Marco Bellizi and titled "the U.S. Bishops Regarding Conscientious Objection," reports on Cardinal Francis George’s statement released last Friday by the USCCB. The statement requested that President Obama deliver on his alleged commitment to respect the right to conscientious objection, a right which, according to L’Osservatore, should include "the right not to finance abortions with taxes paid to the state."

"This is a relevant issue, since following the decisions made by the new administration on ethical issues, many health workers could find themselves providing services that they do not morally accept," Bellizi writes.

The front page article in the Sunday edition of the Vatican’s newspaper quotes extensively the President of the USCCB as well as Msgr. David Malloy, General Secretary of the USCCB, who recently urged the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to respect human life at all stages.

L’Osservatore quotes Msgr. Malloy’s claim that "President Obama’s executive order of March 9" rescinded "the executive order of 2007 instructing the NIH to thoroughly explore new avenues for obtaining pluripotent stem cells without destroying human embryos… Both science and ethics have been ignored in this decision."

The two back to back articles in L’Osservatore Romano reflecting the U.S. episcopate’s critical stand to Obama have followed a series of complaints from several bishops and pro-life Catholics.

Early this week, the Vatican’s newspaper published a short news story commending Obama’s speech at Notre Dame and ignored the opposition of more than 70 U.S. bishops – including the President of the USCCB, Cardinal Francis George- to the university’s decision to honor the President despite his staunchly pro-abortion record.

The article, as well as a previous one arguing that Obama’s first 100 days in office did not confirm the Catholic Church’s worst fears about policy changes on ethical issues, had been used by pro-Obama Catholics to push the theory that "the Vatican" was somehow distancing itself from the majority of U.S. bishops.

Comments: 18

Subscriber comments:

Published by: DEIRDRE MC INTYRE
NEWARK 05/28/2009 08:14 AM EST

Obama does NOT have to be Catholic to respect life most of the tenets of any of the five great world religions have held these life issues sacred for thousands of years--He does call himself Christian and Christ said thou shalt not kill--full stop.

Hinduism is a perfect example--abortion, euthanasia, murder, suicide are sins against God. It is only in these last 2 centuries some individuals are trying to deconstruct our human family. Religion is a positive force in most people lives not the worship of politicians, fictitious vampires, singers or film stars.

Published by: Sam
Acton MA USA 05/27/2009 02:54 PM EST

Another article I read today said that Obama's speech at Notre Dame was like the seductive voice of Saruman in Tolkein's Lord of the Rings. How true! Obama's lofty rhetoric which has the effect of chloroform -- lulling us faithful Catholics to sleep while his policies murder babies! It appears that until recently he had lulled L'Osservatore Romano to sleep as well. Thank God they finally woke up! This man is evil and must be stopped.

Published by: Father Francisco
Ontario, Canada 05/27/2009 01:24 PM EST

It is easy to blame president Obama for his stand, but are we fair? Just put yourselves in his shoes: He's not a Catholic, and he sees a wide panorama of denominations with so many contradictory beliefs. And sadly, even within the Catholic Church he sees the cafeteria style that is not seriously contested. (Even 70 US bishops are still a small minority.) Whom should he follow? Be serious.

Until we put our own house in order and stand solidly together in the truth and holiness, we cannot blame anybody else but ourselves.

Our Lord is saying that the world will recognize that we are his disciples, if we are one.

Published by: brennan,pat
ledbertter,ky usa 05/26/2009 09:37 PM EST

Dear friends in Christ,
I feel you do not understand that our USA President Obama is against everything the Cathoilic Church hold sacred.
The right to life for the unborn is denied,even if a child is accidently born alive from an unsuccessful abortion, Obama voted as a senator to allow the born child to to die.
Our american taxes now go to support planned parenthood (we have no choice--they are the biggest abortion providers in the world.
Please study why our Bishops are so afraid of him

God bless the Catholic Church !
Pat Brennan

Published by: Berni D.
Hugoton 05/26/2009 05:24 PM EST

A good priest who did a series on EWTN and many retreats especially for priests was silenced after he did a priests retreat promoting returning the Tabernacle to it's rightful place in the center of the altar was silenced, no longer allowed to teach or write because a priest who had just ordered all Tabernacles taken off the altar complained. Why should not FR. Jenkins be silenced and removed????

Published by: Betty Wiggins
Utica, Ky., USA 05/26/2009 12:21 PM EST

I have been a Catholic all of my life and I just couldn't accept what the media reported that the Vatican was saying.....however, this language isn't strong enough because the media will distort this. You need to put things in a way that cannot possibly be distorted.
You are dealing with experts on changing the meaning on everything, doesn't have to have any truth to it.

Published by: tim mccarthy
chicago il. 05/26/2009 12:05 PM EST

In the article they use pro-life Catholics isn't that redundant? President has successfully split the Catholic Church with his address at Notre Shame. Those Catholics that do not practice the faith especially by ignoring Humanae Vitae and then compound their sin with sacrilege by receiving the Eucharist are very happy with their new pontiff Obama I.

Published by: Philip Beza
Mzuzu,Malawi-C.Africa 05/26/2009 05:41 AM EST

I find the view held by the the bishop absolutely intelligent and ethical.Keep up bishop!Defend the unborn life.
I'm convicted that support for the idea of abortion in any form sounds extremely repugnant.
If that is what Demos think is being liberal,then as an African,immersed in my rich cultures,I am blessed to be here.
Thanx

Published by: anthony tran van kiem
atlanta GA usa 05/26/2009 05:40 AM EST

It is comforting to watch the Vatican daily L'Osservatore Romano echoing at last the US Bishops'
criticism of President Barack Obama's pro-abortion policies. Studying the ways hostile forces are using to undermine the Catholic Church, one may deplore the fact that Caholic media have been seriously deficient in their duty to defend their Mother Church, while the inimical attacks are coming mostly from the media. We may learn a lot from our enemies.

Published by: Bob
Sedona/AZ/U.S.A. 05/26/2009 01:09 AM EST

IT'S ABOUT TIME THE VATICAN AND THIS NEWSPAPER STOOD UP TO OBAMA. HE IS ,WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE MOST PRO-CHOICE AND PRO-ABORTION PRESIDENT THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER SEEN. HE IS A DECEITFUL, LIAR.

Published by: Louis T Luca Jr
Haworth, N.J. U.S.A. 05/25/2009 08:22 PM EST

Getting angry about this ad-ministration's dangerous direction I find is counter-productive. There is only one solution, prayer and
Rosaries. The more prayer the better. I still think that God is behind this so-called messiah, because He has been offended much, and we must be chastised. Can you think of a greater horror than seeing a priest in charge of
'Our Lady's' college giving an award to a man who not only believes in abortion, but in killing any babies born alive from abortion. Can you imagine how Our Blessed Mother must feel. The only word is 'sorrowful.'

Published by: Jer Hoeser
Eau Galle, Wi., USA 05/25/2009 06:41 PM EST

I presume that some of the 70+ US Bishops who spoke out against Notre Dame inviting Pres. Obama must have called the Vatican newspaper and told them that if they didn't run this article their entire staff would be refused Holy Communion.

Published by: pete salveinini
Sunnyvale CA USA 05/25/2009 12:06 PM EST

Bravo! you had us concerned for a few days!

Published by: Keith
Essex, England 05/25/2009 09:25 AM EST

If we are to look truth in the face and criticise things which we believe cause harm then surely the Doctrine of Celibacy is a prime candidate, seeming to be the root cause of RC sexual abuse, rape of boys and the most vicious torture of children. If this were any other,less powerful and less politically connected and protected ethos, the press would talk of an international paedophile ring and be in a feeding frenzy to have such an ethos closed down. I believe that the more effective way to reduce abortions would be for priests to actually know about and set an example of married life, instead of being forever in an unnatural state, shut out from having a natural way of life, unable to ever truly understand the pressures and conflicts of married life.

Published by: Larry
Palatine, IL 05/25/2009 09:10 AM EST

This is good news. Now that the Vatican newspaper is "back in the fold" (sorry for the pun), it is time to act on Our Lady of America's request to be enthroned in the National Basilica in Washington DC.

Learn all you can about this wonderful devotion to Our Lady (Canonically-approved) under this special title at oltiv dot org and ourladyofamerica dot org .

Many blessings to all on this special Memorial Day and remember to thank a veteran for their service.

Published by: Susan
Beverly, Ma 05/25/2009 09:08 AM EST

I will not hold my breath with Obama. He says one thing and then does just the opposit. He is like a passive-agressive. The world revolves around his view and as Alinski said in Rules for Radicals you achieve what you want no matter who is destroyed. Even the unborn inocent.

Published by: Fr Sean Coyle
Philippines 05/25/2009 03:15 AM EST

Isn't it a sad reflection on our times that we have to qualify the word 'Catholics' with 'pro-life'!

Published by: Ed Barrings
Chicago 05/24/2009 10:51 PM EST

Fr. Jenkins allowed someone who supports abortion and embyonic stem cell research to "teach" to a Catholic student body. He taught that there can somehow be a "common ground" between those who want to protect the lives of the unborn and those who support their slaughter. That is wrong, erroneous, immoral and simply evil. Never should such a person be allowed a pulpit to a Catholic student body. Fr. Jenkins betrayed his trust, and the trust of the parents of ND students entrusted to his care. He also violated the US bishops' directive. When will the Holy Cross fathers retire him?

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