New Orleans priest to speak at ND demonstration
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New Orleans, La., May 17, 2009 / 02:29 pm (CNA).- This afternoon a priest and graduate from Notre Dame who serves as principal for a predominately black New Orleans high school will be speaking at a demonstration on campus today as President Obama arrives in South Bend.

Father John Raphael, a 1989 graduate of Notre Dame, told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that though he is thrilled of the election of a black man as President of the United States, he firmly disagrees with Obama’s pro-abortion stance.

It is because of Obama’s stance on abortion, that Fr. Raphael felt compelled to speak out at the demonstration organized by NDResponse.

The priest elaborated on his pro-life beliefs in a February 7 column in the New Orleans archdiocesan Clarion Herald.  

He explained that his pro-life beliefs have old been strengthened from the history of slavery.

“If we believe that slavery was wrong, if we believe that segregation was wrong, if we would never support a politician who upheld these odious practices, then we must believe that abortion is wrong and actively fight to protect the unborn, regardless of who occupies positions of leadership,” he wrote.

“If abortion is OK, then slavery was OK because it was always a matter of choice – the choice of those who were in control,” he continued. But if these things were wrong because they deprived men and women of human and civil rights, then how much more is that act wrong and offensive to God which deprives an innocent human being of his or her very life?”

He asked: “Are we are willing to stand up for the unborn today as our forebears stood up for us?  If we are not, then unto what purpose is our faith? In the end, we must be accountable to God and there is no doubt where he stands: ‘Before I formed you in the          womb, I knew you, before you were born, I consecrated you, a prophet to the nations, I appointed you’ (Jer 1:5).”

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Jacqueline Kruger
Florham Park, NJ 05/18/2009 11:39 AM EST
Congratulations Father John Raphael for your courage to speak the truth. This is what Jesus would do. Apparently, Catholic Universities, for example, Notre Dame, Georgetown and Trinity believe that they (humans) have more to say than Christ. What wide path are they on?
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Published by: Theresia Lawrence
San Antonio, Texas USA 05/18/2009 10:22 AM EST
Thank you, Father Raphael! I( deeply appreciate your comparison of abortion to slavery. We can choose life or death, God grant us the grace to choose life. There are so many life issures that need to be addressed, and not one should be ignored -or life denied on any level. Yet, it seems an unthinkable tragedy that a Mother's womb is not a safe haven for an infant. Yes, so many Mother's, so many pregnant women are victims of horrendous abuse, they need our help, but so does the infant they carry... we would not think of killing fthe Mother, but so many would kill the baby. God be merciful, shine His light and love in every mind and heart. Dearest God, let the babies live, comfort and strengthen every Mother to face the life and love she carries.
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