Murder of Michigan pro-lifer a ‘non-story’ for Obama Catholics

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Jim Pouillon, known locally as

Denver, Colo., Sep 14, 2009 / 12:18 pm (CNA).- While the pro-life movement was in mourning over the weekend following the murder of pro-life activist Jim Pouillon in Owosso, Mich., pro-Obama Catholics who reacted loudly after the murder of late-term abortionist Dr. George Tiller have completely ignored the death of the peaceful pro-life activist.

Catholics United, a small group of pro-Obama Catholics that has been actively involved in the abortion debate, completely ignored the murder of Pouillon on its website, while only few hours after Tiller’s murder on May 31, its executive director Chris Korzen issued a statement expressing his “shock” following the abortionist’s murder.

“Although the motivations behind this crime are uncertain, many believe Dr. Tiller's death is related to his controversial role as an abortion provider. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dr. Tiller's loved ones during this time of grief,” Korzen said at the time.

“We fear,” Korzen added, “that this murder is a byproduct of increasingly hateful and intolerant language on the part of some militant opponents of legal abortion – language that has often sought to demonize people like Dr. Tiller to the point of dehumanization.”

Nevertheless, 72 hours after the murder of Pouillon, Korzen's site still features a post on Catholics United’s support for Obama's health care reform as its top entry.

Moreover, the day after the shooting of the Owosso pro-lifer, Korzen’s only statement was a condemnation of the massive “tea party” held in Washington D.C., which he called a “right-wing rally.” “We’d like to have an honest debate… I don’t see a lot of substance here,” Korzen told the New York Times.

The Jesuit weekly, America Magazine, also completely ignored the murder of the Michigan pro-life activist. None of the magazine's news or blog postings made a mention of Pouillon's murder. Instead, few hours after his murder, America posted an entry from blogger Austen Ivereigh titled “Lessons in radicalism and civility.”

In his post, Ivereigh quoted former Milwaukee archbishop Rembert Weakland, who in his recent memoirs accused “some parts of the pro-life movement” of lacking civility.

“To an increasing extent, the pro-life movement within the church shows a desire to act in ways which break amicable and civil relations with those both inside and outside our church who favor abortion or who support compromise on this issue,” Ivereigh also wrote, quoting Jesuit professor John P. Langan.

Ivereigh was the same America blogger that, only hours after the murder of the Kansas abortionist wrote: “What Dr. Tiller did was appalling. But he had his humanitarian reasons for doing it. He was a churchgoing family man. The hostility and violence directed at Dr. Tiller made him even more determined to carry on doing what he did. He was showered with pro-choice awards and is now, in death, a pro-choice martyr.”

On June 1, Michael Sean Winters, another blogger for America Magazine, wrote: “Dr. Tiller had a family and friends who have lost their husband, father, brother and neighbor. Because the murder happened in his church, Tiller’s fellow church-goers will doubtlessly be traumatized in a unique way every time they enter the vestibule of their place of worship."

"The killing is a tragedy for the pro-life movement,” Winters also wrote. “Despite the fact that most pro-life activists are peaceful people, committed to prayer not violence, the whole movement will be tarred with this murder. The charge of hypocrisy – murdering in an effort to stop murder – will ring loud and for many it will ring true.”

Winters also pointed out that “the killing is a tragedy for the nation.”

However, 24 hours after Pouillon’s murder, Winters chose to blog about immigrants and health care.

The National Catholic Reporter has followed a similar trend. Three days after Pouillon’s murder, the Reporter did not include any news stories on the killing, and none of its bloggers mentioned the issue.

Conversely, in the wake of Dr. Tiller’s murder, the Reporter included several stories about his death, including one titled, “With abortionist dead, do conservatives share blame?”

The article, signed by Lindsay Perna and Adelle M. Banks, claimed then that “with the murder on May 31 of Dr. George Tiller, one of the nation's few late-term abortion doctors, supporters of abortion rights are questioning whether there is a connection between his death and the rhetoric of the anti-abortion movement.”

“More to the point,” the authors wrote, “would Tiller have been a victim if anti-abortion groups had not made him so prominent?”

Jeffrey Wess, an analyst for Politics Daily, observed on Sunday that President Barack Obama issued his condolences after Tiller's murder before nightfall the same Sunday.

“Let's grant that Dr. Tiller was famous before he was killed and that nobody much outside of Owosso had ever heard of Pouillon a week ago. And let's also grant that nobody has come up with any connections thus far between the suspect in Pouillon's murder and any organization with any stand concerning abortion,” Wess wrote.

“But Pouillon is sure famous now. And two days after his murder, I can find few statements about it, pro forma or otherwise, on any of the websites of any of the prominent organizations that support abortion rights,” Wess wrote in his column titled “Where Are the Condemnations of Abortion Protester James Pouillon's Murder?”

“Not NARAL. Not NOW. Not Planned Parenthood. Not Catholics for Choice,” he added.

Wess observed that, unlike the Obama Catholics, on Sunday evening, more than 48 hours after the killing of Pouillon, President Obama at least released a one sentence statement: “The shooting last week in Michigan was deplorable. Whichever side of a public debate you’re on, violence is never the right answer.”

Meanwhile, on Sunday, several pro-life organizations and hundreds of pro-lifers held a special memorial service for Jim Pouillon during a prayer vigil at the Capitol, which Jim had planned to attend.

The 27-hour prayer vigil, part of a national campaign called “Abortion is Not Health Care,” started on Sunday, September 13 at 7:30 p.m. and will end today at 10:00 p.m.

Comments: 22

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Elizabeth Semenchuk
North Royalton 09/15/2009 08:06 PM EST

Murder is murder no matter who does it, whether it's killing an adult or an unborn child.

Published by: Michael Austen
Pembroke, ON, Canada 09/15/2009 01:02 PM EST

Gary; You are quite mistaken to say that the shooting was a random act of violence. The murderer premeditated three seperate shootings (completing 2 of them) on three men who all knew each other. The murderer was going after Jim Pouillon. I feel the need to point out these facts for the record.

Published by: Qualis Rex
san mateo/ca/usa 09/15/2009 12:36 PM EST

Gary, no disrespect but you have heard what the media want you to hear. There has been very little mainstream coverage here and we're only getting bits and bites. The killer could have been a ranting abortion supporter and made a statement to that effect, but we would most likely never hear it since it does not fit in with the current "mood". I'm sure this was intentionally spun to be a "random act of violence" as you say.

Published by: Ed
Minneapolis MN 09/15/2009 12:27 PM EST

Why would a website that is intended to be Catholic post an article with a headline which appears to be designed to rile up base emotions. What is the intent when using the term "Obama Catholics"? It sounds like a gratuitous slur worthy of a tabloid. How could such a headline lead to building up the Body of Christ? On the contrary, might it not possibly be a near occasion of sin for those prone to anger?

Published by: Doug
Portland OR USA 09/15/2009 12:07 PM EST

It should come as no surprise that those on the left politically, and those in the Church that espouse heretical views are silent on one murder and incensed by another. After all the goal of unfettered abortion must not be derailed. When one is an orthodox Catholic the murder of any person is cause for reflection and condemnation, unfortunately those that advocate for abortion take the position that the killing of the innocent is a goal that must be achieved. It is difficult to espouse murder on the one hand, and then condemn it with the other hand. Pilate would have been very proud of Catholics for Obama, as they line up at the basin to wash their hands. With apologies to Macbeth, out damned spot.

Published by: TomG
USA 09/15/2009 08:39 AM EST

The murder of this gentle soul, reprehensible as all murders are, seems to have been simply a grudge matter. Presumbably - and weirdly - any "pro-choice" person has his murderous bloodlust satisfied by the slaughter of the innocents. I mean, how you gonna top that?

Published by: Jim
TX 09/15/2009 02:17 AM EST

Further, you say "when [pro-lifers] commit violent acts, or conduct their campaigns to further the pro-life cause in ways contrary to the precepts of their faith, that is worthy of comment, especially by others of the same faith on a Catholic blog. The same does not apply to people of no faith or who are opposed to Catholic precepts. That's why the murder of Tiller was worthy of comment (by me on America) and the murder of Pouillon was not." Yet, most abortion proponents would describe themselves as non-violent and would say that violence goes against their life principles, if not against precepts of faith. I believe they would claim to be as devoted to non-violence as any pro-lifer--Catholic or non-Catholic. Therefore, a violent act by a pro-abortionist against a pro-lifer is as hypocritical and as worthy of note as the reverse. Either this must be true or we must assume that the pro-abortionists have less dedication to non-violence in order to excuse them of hypocrisy. Do you assume that? Finally, the question of moral conscience--that is, the question of who is more worthy of blame and reproof for an act of violence --has no bearing on the question of whether or an act of violence by either party should be condemned as wrong and inexcusable in itself. The answer to that second question is always a firm "Yes." So in spite of your comment I find myself asking, where? Where, on your Catholic blog posts, is that firm "Yes"?

Published by: Jim
TX 09/15/2009 01:54 AM EST

Mr. Iveriegh, You defend yourself fairly regarding the time of your post on civility in relation to your hearing of Jim Pouillon's murder. However, I am saddened and I find it strangely contradictory when you voice your opinion as a journalist that you "didn't think it was worth commenting about." Certainly, you love all men enough to comment civility and incivility in general and in our society. Do you not love all men at least enough to extend condolences about a tragedy that surrounds a debate you are so strongly involved in? And while your job as a blogger on a Catholic blog might concern the acts of Catholic individuals more immediately than non-Catholic ones, I would ask if you consider your job to consist only of criticism for Catholics who go astray and not also compassion when one or many of them are wounded?

Published by: Qualis Rex
san mateo/ca/usa 09/15/2009 12:35 AM EST

"Catholics" united is full of hypocrites. I found there site as I was outraged that during the 2008 election campaign McCain accepted the endorsement of a blatant anti-Catholic pastor. I shared their outrage and sentiment that McCain should disavow this pastor. And when he so publicly did, "Catholics" united didn't make so much as a mention of it. It was all propaganda, feigned outrage and crocodile tears. This is their M.O. for any perceived indignity against the Democratic party, which they obviously cherish above the church of which they purport to be a part.

Published by: gary
Lawrence, Ks 09/15/2009 12:17 AM EST

AS I understand it from what the murderer of Jim Poullion said, he did not kill him because of his pro-life stance, but rather because of his intollerance for what he thought were excessive protesters. He said he was tired of everyone protesting period. He in no way identified himself as one who was from the pro-choice movement. Thus this appears to be an act of random violence by a sick individual, not as someone who was trying to do do a reverse Scott Roeder. I am, as most everyone else who writes on this blog anti-abortion, but I do not think it fair in lieu of the facts to criticize the pro-choice movement in this case. If the killer had identified himself as someone who was angered by pro-lifers or was in some way seeking vengeance for the death of Tiller, then obviously, just as pro-life leaders did, an appropriate response similar to those of the pro-life movement would have certainly been not only in order but essential. I certainly haven't heard any shouts of joy from pro-choice leaders over this incident. Murder is murder, and is never condonable. I certainly long for the day as does most all Catholics and others do when women will simply see their unborn as babies, and not just fetuses. We can change laws,(and should), but abortion will never cease until we change people's hearts and minds.

Published by: Austen Ivereigh
UK 09/14/2009 06:58 PM EST

John Davis: I certainly don't recognise Catholics for Choice as Catholic -- they promote abortion. So yes, I'd agree. Dr James, I'm not sure what you're accusing me of rationalizing, but whatever it is, why don't you come out and say it?

Published by: Lynn
Carbondale, IL 09/14/2009 06:42 PM EST

Many have highjacked the Catholic Church for their unGodly political agendas. Sadly,the indelible mark of baptism will work for these deceived as a double-edged sword.

Published by: jim
austin, TX 09/14/2009 05:39 PM EST

'Mr. Ivereigh (below) does a nice bit of rationalizing. America Magazine, Catholics United, and the National Catholic Reporter can do nothing if not rationalize. ' Well said Dr.

Published by: Augustine
Austin, TX 09/14/2009 05:16 PM EST

How disingenious, Austen! Except that Dr. Tiller was not murdered by a pro-lifer, but by a mentally ill man, Mr. Pouillon, a disabled man, was killed by a pro-abortionist. But this converse to your rationale doesn't apply, right?

Published by: William James, PhD
Sacramento/CA/USA 09/14/2009 03:00 PM EST

Jim Pouillon gave his very life in defense of innocents, the pre-born. All we ask of our Catholic bishops is that they deny communion to politicians who favor keeping abortion legal. Compared to Mr. Pouillon's martyrdom, is that really too much to ask? Mr. Ivereigh (below) does a nice bit of rationalizing. America Magazine, Catholics United, and the National Catholic Reporter can do nothing if not rationalize.

Published by: Robertz
Kentucky 09/14/2009 02:54 PM EST

Most of the so called "Obama Catholics" have the blood of genocide of a scale never before seen in history on their hands. Their hearts are dead. Don't expect them to lift a finger.

Published by: susie
Omaha NE USA 09/14/2009 02:54 PM EST

Catholics for choice is an oxymoron. HOW TRUE! God rest the brave, generous soul of a good and humble man. We pray for your killer, that he be converted and live.

Published by: Maria Trujillo
Plantation/FL/USA 09/14/2009 02:52 PM EST

Austen, Better you had kept your mouth shut.......

Published by: Larry
Arkansas 09/14/2009 02:39 PM EST

Decent people are saddened by the death of both Jim Pouillon and Dr. George Tiller. ALL life is sacred (including those murdered by abortionists). I'm glad Catholics United and other organizations like them are being recognized for what they really are: people who are loyal to President Obama,not to the Holy Father and our Catholic faith. This President is working hard to divide he Church.

Published by: John Davis
Pittsburgh, PA 09/14/2009 02:10 PM EST

If one accepts the logic of Austen Ivereigh's post then one must conclude that if pro-lifers are people of faith, and pro-choice are "people of no faith," then Catholics for Choice are "people of no faith. Is that really what you beleive, Austen?

Published by: lh
McKinney, TX, USA 09/14/2009 01:08 PM EST

"Catholics for Choice" is an oxymoron.

Published by: Austen Ivereigh
UK 09/14/2009 01:01 PM EST

Rate: Regular

As one of the 'America' bloggers singled out for criticism for 'ignoring' the murder of Jim Pouillon, I should be allowed to respond. First, my post on civility was put up the night before I heard about this murder -- I accept the murder may have happened before I posted, but I did not hear about until the following morning (I'm in London). When I did read about it, I didn't think it affected in any way the points I was making -- which followed on from a previous post on the same subject. Third, when I did read about it, I didn't think it was worth posting on. I had nothing to say about it that wouldn't have been obvious. It was clearly a deplorable act; what else is there to say? The point you miss in this article is that pro-lifers act (most, anyway) in the name of God and faith; that is their primary motive (which is incidentally why I, too, am strongly anti-abortion). And that is why, when they commit violent acts, or conduct their campaigns to further the pro-life cause in ways contrary to the precepts of their faith, that is worthy of comment, especially by others of the same faith on a Catholic blog. The same does not apply to people of no faith or who are opposed to Catholic precepts. That's why the murder of Tiller was worthy of comment (by me on America) and the murder of Pouillon was not.

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