Head Knight of Columbus hopeful about upcoming Benedict XVI - Obama meeting

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Pope Benedict / President Obama

Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI during his meeting with organizations for inter-religious dialogue
Speech of Pope Benedict XVI at President Shimon Peres' Residence
Meeting with a group of disadvantaged young people of the rehabilitation community of the University of Notre Dame in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Sydney
Ecumenical Meeting in the Crypt of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney

CNA STAFF, Jul 9, 2009 / 08:09 am (CNA).- Knights of Columbus leader Carl Anderson has expressed his hopes that the meeting between U.S. President Obama and Pope Benedict XVI this Friday will be a "wonderful opportunity" for sharing the Catholic faith. In an interview with CNA, Anderson said that the meeting will be a chance for the Pontiff to clearly explain Church teaching on a wide range of topics.

"I think it is always a wonderful opportunity when a Head of State meets with the Holy Father," Anderson told CNA. "Obviously, the relationship between the United States and the Vatican is very important, is very complex," he noted.

Anderson said that the upcoming meeting "provides the Holy Father with an opportunity to make clear why the Church’s teaching covers a broad spectrum, why it arises from a consistent ethic and a consistent view of the person, and why it is that those in public policy, such as the President, whether he’s a Democrat or a Republican, should try to understand the foundation for the Church’s teaching."

He went on to explain that if politicians and public figures understand this crucial foundation, hopefully they can then "understand what’s built upon the foundation, specific ethical positions or recommendations."

Anderson is hopeful that the meeting will allow the Pope to share the truths of the Catholic faith with Obama, whose early months in office have given him a reputation for violating Church teaching on fundamental issues such as abortion, same-sex "marriage" and embryonic stem cell research.

"A new president represents new opportunities," Anderson told CNA. "He has a new chance to chart different kinds of discussions on health care, immigration, peace, dealing with the Middle East situation."

He added that the Vatican should "encourage a consideration of those kinds of issues from the perspective of Catholic social doctrine, as well as fundamental issues such as abortion and the role of population control in foreign policy and economic development."

Nonetheless, Anderson stressed the idea that all these social issues are connected, pointing to Benedict’s new encyclical, "Caritas in veritate" (Charity in truth). He explained, "The Pope makes very clear that authentic economic development, human development must include respect for the unborn child, respect for the institution of marriage as between a man and a woman, and hopefully they will have the opportunity to speak at length about those issues."

"It’s not enough that we respect those who disagree with us," Anderson concluded, explaining that we need to "make clear the teaching of the Church in a way that’s respectful, but nonetheless in a way that we hope will be persuasive."

Comments: 14

Subscriber comments:

Published by: beau
us 07/22/2009 05:56 PM EST

meeting of pope and gov. leader is always rewarding.its always bias and with respect to those accross the world and beyound.when it comes to life the pope has always a 100% genuine solution to the problem,he even made a his vows and oath to do this for all.he is an excellant source to recieve counsel from especially on gov. level.

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe 07/21/2009 08:01 AM EST

I guess I'm starting to think more like the Vatican than as 'an American'. Our loyalty is to God first and formost--America will fade away someday but God is eternal.

Published by: John Haydukovich
Saint George, UT USA 07/10/2009 12:26 PM EST

Our Knights of Columbus leader is so in the tank for Obama it is sickening.

The best he can come up with that Obama has a "reputation" for abortion, stem cell killings ...

Where is the courage in that?

I am a Knight (so far) but my political dissent against this largely Pro Obama Pro Democrat organization may make me quit.

By the way ... someone should tell the Pope and Carl Anderson that CAPITALISM (with all it's greed and sin) has lifted humanity out of poverty NOT SOCIALISM!

Sorry ... I can't find common ground with the President that Father John Corapi comments on as "No president in history has been so damaging to the cause of respect for life than this one, and he’s only just begun. His constant and unwavering support for the right to choose the homicide of abortion is a matter of record—and not only abortion, but partial-birth abortion, infanticide, fetal stem cell research, and even removing the right of medical professionals to act in accordance with their conscience marks him as a singular enemy of essential elements of the Catholic Church’s moral teaching."

My advise to Carl Anderson - Get out of the business of promoting President Obama.

Let us have Wisdom and pay attention.

Published by: R. W. Vacek
Sugar Land, Tx 07/10/2009 10:32 AM EST

Let us all offer this prayer to St. Paul for the conversion of President Barack Obama, concluding with an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be to the Father.

O. St. Paul the Apostle, great convert, preacher of truth and Doctor of the Gentiles, intercede for us to God, who chose you.

You are a vessel of election, O St. Paul the Apostle, preacher of truth to the whole world.

O God, You have instructed many nations through the preaching of the blessed apostle Paul. Let the power of St. Paul's intercession bring about the conversion of President Barack Obama to the fullness of Your grace. Help the president to recognize the personhood of all human beings--born and preborn. Help us who venerate St. Paul's memory this day to continually seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we work to spread Your truth. Amen.

Published by: Theresia Lawrence
San Antonio, Texas USA 07/10/2009 09:07 AM EST

I am very grateful to Mr. Carl Anderson and the K of C for their stance of hope and encouragement. The world along with the Church is in deep pain over the moral and ethical decline in our society that is backed up and enforced by our government and laws. Our children and families are particularly the victims. Yet, faith invites us to hope and love leaves the space to trust in God and His powerful mercy. Let us all pray, hope, beleive and love. TLC

Published by: TonyC
Memphis,TN 07/10/2009 06:55 AM EST

Pres. Obama, with his sense of hubris, will probably let the Holy Father know that he (Obama) commands the loyalty of more Catholics in the USA than he does. Sad but possible.

Published by: Jim Schwarz
New London MN 07/09/2009 10:37 PM EST

Under the philosophy of “A hand up not a hand out” , CCHD (The Catholic Campaign for Human Development) heavily funded Developing Communities Project which provided President Obama his first community organizing job. CCHD also contributed to ACORN’s Project Vote which Obama headed and used in his climb to the Illinois legislature. Catholic money was the fuel which energized Obama’s ascendance to political power. Perhaps Pope Benedict can enlighten him that the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human being which are under direct attack world wide by his abortion policies are at the foundation of the principles of Catholic social teaching from which he benefitted. We funded CCHD precisely because we value life and the dignity of the human being.

Published by: Eric
Hutchinson, MN 55350 07/09/2009 05:31 PM EST

President Obama has a very warped sense of Christian morality and a very malformed conscience. Meeting the Pope won't change his mind about anything because he's an arrogant narcissit who care very little about what others think of him. In his mind he IS the Messiah.

Published by: albert marek
dallas tex. USA 07/09/2009 04:28 PM EST

What are the "wide range of topics" Mr. Anderson wishes the Pope discuss with Obama? The crucial topics are abortion, same sex marriage, stem cell research,euthanasia, and human cloning. these topics are considered intrinsic evil by the Catholic Church and must always be opposed. The Pope must inform Obama that there can be no "common ground" on these topics as far as the Catholic Church is concerned.Other topics such as health care, economy,welfare,environment, taxes,middle east, immigration (I assume illigal immigration)etc. can have common ground for discussion but why bother. There is no Catholic position on any of these topics.Obama needs to know the Catholic Church can never compromise on issues that are considered intrinsic evil.

Published by: GEORGE LATO
AUSTRALIA 07/09/2009 04:14 PM EST

Probably neither side will convince the other of their own views. Nevertheless, the UPSIDE of such a meeting far exceeds the downside and some good will result.

Published by: diane smith
california 07/09/2009 02:13 PM EST

I SHARE OTHERS' FEARS: the only way anyone can get thru B.O.'s thick skull is with a 2X4. (Of course B.O.'s Creator might have an advantage but there must be a 'willing reception'.)

I fear B.O. will be just like Pelosi and unfortunately use the visit as a photo op.

Everyone, please offer at least one prayer for a resulting turn-around of B.O.'s anti-life actions.

Published by: Dave Autrey
Myrtle Point, OR 07/09/2009 02:00 PM EST

The fatal flaw in Mr. Anderson's optimism is the idea that Obama has any tolerance for the ideas of others. Obama has HIS agenda. End of story.

Published by: henry hemberger
finksburg md usa 07/09/2009 01:23 PM EST

I wish it would work. But i doubt it. The POPE SHOULD BE VERY CAREFUL WHAT HE SAYS TO THE PRESIDENT. His politics are way to liberal. sincerely h hemberger

Published by: Frances Boudreaux
Hot Springs Village Arkansas 07/09/2009 12:05 PM EST

Very interesting. Carl Anderson has a lot more faith than I do about this meeting. To many of us it looks like a public relations stunt on the part of Obama to make himself look good to the Catholics who voted for him. The Pope would have to spend more that a few minutes or hours in order to change the mind of such a radical socialistic minded man. The U.S. certainly needs a lot prayers by the Pope. We are in a critical mess to put it lightly.
It is about to get even worse. God help us---as only he can at this point.

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