He said his effort had “absolutely” reached out to Catholic organizations such as Priests for Life.
“Should the meeting happen, and we hope and pray that it will, our delegation will clearly have a strong Catholic representation.”
Mahoney commented that Obama has repeatedly said he wanted to reach out to those with different views
“Just today he expressed that same issue when many in the gay activist community and progressive community expressed outrage that Rev. Warren would be delivering the invocation at the Presidential Inauguration.”
“He reiterated how important it was to hear from those with different views.”
“We have a fairly good opportunity for the president-elect to reach out to us,” Mahoney continued.
However, he noted that some of Obama’s “greatest supporters” are those who are strongly favor abortion rights.
“Will the president-elect sit down with women who have been bruised by abortion?” he asked, also questioning whether he would meet with those who assist crisis pregnancy situations.
“We have to move forward, taking the president-elect at his own word.”
“I don’t want to go in with any preconceived ideas. In New Hampshire in January, he said he would sit down with the pro-life community. We tried to work that meeting, and couldn’t. But I think now is the right time.”
“If President-elect Obama is interested in reducing the number of abortions, in speaking to people opposed to abortion, now is the time.”
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Let’s hope these are serious words and not promises that will be broken after the inauguration.
Rev. Mahoney explained to CNA how the pro-life delegation could work with Obama on abortion.
“The main body [of the delegation] would be those who work in medical clinics and crisis pregnancy centers, and with women who are post-abortive.
“First of all, we would tell him about the tragedy and horror of abortion. We would let him hear these women’s compelling stories and we would let him know that we can work together not just to reduce abortion, we must end abortion.”
Rev. Mahoney compared ending abortion to racism.
“We do not want to reduce racial attacks, we want to end racism in America.”