 
March 2010
14:52 GMT-05:00
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Vatican newspaper praises and criticizes Obama in two separate news stories
 President Barack Obama
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.- Today the daily edition of L'Osservatore Romano provided two different stories related to President Obama, one slightly positive on his visit to Notre Dame, and another one strongly critical on his stand regarding embryonic stem cell research. The first article, titled "Obama in search for common ground," reports on President Obama's speech at Notre Dame. "The search for common ground seems to be the road chosen by the President of the United States, Barack Obama, to confront the sensitive abortion issue," L’Osservatore says. The Vatican newspaper also says that Obama chose the ceremony at Notre Dame to restate his position that FOCA "is not a priority for his administration." "Strong polemics have marked the weeks following the invitation to President Obama made by (ND) President, Fr. John Jenkins. And also yesterday, as was completely predictable, demonstrations were not missing." L'Osservatore acknowledges. But the article also highlights Obama's invitation "to Americans of all faiths and ideological convictions to hold hands in a common effort to reduce abortions." A few pages later, L'Osservatore Romano dedicates another, far more critical article of Obama's stand on embryonic stem cell research, marking a clear departure from the somewhat positive evaluation the newspaper recently made of the President’s first 100 days. The article, titled "Campaign in the US against stem cells," features the effort launched by the U.S. bishops, especially the web site of the USCCB, to oppose Obama's new policy regarding the use of embryos for scientific research. "According to the new guidelines," the Vatican newspaper says, "after President Barack Obama reversed the decision of the Bush administration regarding the ban on (federal funding for) embryonic stem cell research, for the first time taxpayers' money will be used to kill human beings in embryonic state to obtain stem cells." In the article, L'Osservatore Romano extensively quotes Cardinal Justin Rigali and Archbishop Charles Chaput, one of the most vocal critics of Obama’s anti-life policies. "The Archbishop of Denver –the Vatican newspaper says- insists that 'American public life cannot function if we keep our religious beliefs in the closet … the US does not need to be a Christian country, but it cannot survive if it is not open to solidarity and faith." "Finally," L'Osservatore’s story concludes, "Archbishop Chaput expressed his perplexity regarding the White House opening speech of the U.S. President Barack Obama, the day of his installation, regarding the role of science in society. 'Science’ said the Archbishop of Denver, ‘has to be at the service of human dignity, but will never be above or outside God's moral judgment. Jews, Protestant, Catholics and other believers have a common treasure to protect: faith in God, and we must defend Him with mutual respect without excuses, alibis or conflicts'." By expressing strong support to the U.S. bishops and quoting Archbishop Chaput’s recent conference at the Becket Fund dinner, L'Osservatore Romano has put to rest speculation that the Vatican was being "unsupportive" of the American Bishops' strong criticism to Obama's anti-life policies. Visit our Notre Dame photo gallery: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/obama_notredame/Subscriber comments:
Published by: sandou cyril
tamilnadu, india 05/29/2009 12:44 AM EST
l'osservatore romano has maintained a diplomatic stand by publishing two different articles one expressing the stand of the catholic church and the other on obama. i feel that it is a stand which draws a thin line between our ethical beliefs (catholic) and diplomatic relations.
Published by: Delia Mendoza
New York 05/20/2009 10:08 AM EST
Most respondents seeem to know the basic teachings of the Church. The vast majority of Catholics do not. I agree with with Mr. Snow of Lord's Valley, PA. Sound catechesis esp. in the family, is critical to Christianity. We have to get back to the basic source of grace: sound catechesis,prayers esp. the Holy Rosary, Sacraments: Holy Mass and Confession. Only God can bring the grace of conversion. Throughout the Church's 2000+ years, the Holy Spirit has raised up holy men and women who helped change hearts. There's hope. "Where sin abounds, grace is even more!" Let's each light a candle starting in our own little world - the family.
Published by: Walt Mather
Bradford 05/20/2009 08:50 AM EST
There is no such thing as "common ground" on objective truth. Either one believes a child in the womb has a God-given right to live or they don't.
Published by: Elija
Jerusalem 05/19/2009 10:35 PM EST
Addition from Elija:
Barack Obama is right in the fact that we should not demonize each other. We have a wonderful teaching in our Holy Church: to be in love with the sinner and to be in distance to the sin. This allows and asks an approach to a person in love and respect. So we have to say in love and truth: Mr. President: Abbortion is a terrible sin and there is no way to support this sin from a goverment. We as faithful Catholics can not be won for a politic which is not only failing to protect innocent life but spreading the culture of death! So we will pray for you but resist against this false way not only in USA!
Published by: Elija
Jerusalem 05/19/2009 09:33 PM EST
What is to say? Thanks God that at least some Americans and bishops are seeing what is going on in USA. It is hurting to see a Vatican-paper supporting the politic of Pr.Obama instead of warning the believers. It is hurting that Notre Dame is giving audience for a man installing Anti-life-politics in deeds trying to hide this in moderate words.
We have to resist world-wide against this growing influence of an Antichrist-Spirit. May the Holy Spirit show us how we can better unite for this aim in his Love and wisdom!
Published by: Mary M
Shawnee Mission/KS 05/19/2009 08:25 PM EST
For a (half) black man to say:"We can reduce abortions" is so oxymoronic! The 14th amendment would not exist if we said:"Ok, slave owners, can you reduce the slaves you have?"!!!!!
The appearing impotence of the Vatican is appalling!
Published by: David S Johnson
St.Louis,Missouri,USA 05/19/2009 04:14 PM EST
Hitler spoke of a final solution,that included the extermination of Jews and Catholics who disagreed as to their "subhuman nature".
Obama speaks of "Common Ground" and "reasonable discussion" regarding a culture of death for the young and old. The Vatican sees hope in Obama not having a high priority for"FOCA"forcing Catholic to do murder as he decrees. Satan is confronting the Roman Church and neither the Holy Father or his princes are inclined to do battle. The time is near and Christ,The Father and the Holy Spirit will judge very cruely but fairly all those who lay down with scratch.
Published by: Rafael de Cardenas
Oklahoma city,Ok USA 05/19/2009 03:08 PM EST
As a catholic and an American of Cuban Heritage I can not help but remember it was the Catholic Church in Cuba that fought Socialism at the beginning of the revolution. What is going to happen next invite the Castro brothers to speak about human rights perhaps using Hugo Chaves as their opening act.
Published by: Cynthia
Miami, Fl - USA 05/19/2009 01:12 PM EST
OR used to be the Pope's newspaper or so we lay people thought. It now seems to be in the hands of different reporters and their ideas. I wish somebody would write something to undo the terrible confusion promoted by Archbishop Fisichella's March article about the 9 year old Brazilian girl's abortion. It seems things are getting a bit out of control in the OR.
Published by: Beans
Mullica Hill, NJ, USA 05/19/2009 12:31 PM EST
Embryonic stem cells are too radical and can become cancerous...stem cells taken from other sources are more reliable and DO NOT kill an innocent child! Obama can preach "common ground" all he wants...when it comes to issues of life, there are only 2 choices-life or death! Where can there be "common ground"??
Published by: Kyle
Pelham, NH 05/19/2009 07:38 AM EST
how discouraging that the Vatican pulls an "Obama" and says two completely different things on one subject. And how confusing, the Devils strongest weapon! Would the Vatican praise Hitler in any way shape or form? What if he said " I know Catholics don't support the killing of Jews, but....we can still find common ground" I am appauled at this! And Notre Dame! This year alone, more souls will be deprived of life than all of the lives lost during the Holocaust. Thanks to Obama's policy's. Catholics have gone soft and so have our leaders....hmmmm what to do next.......
Published by: Mark
Ellicott City / Maryland /USA 05/19/2009 07:10 AM EST  Rate: Excellent
As a convert to Catholicism more than 30 years ago, I find Catholic support for this President - a shrewd and cunning politician who has been an ardent facilitator of the continuation of "partial birth abortion" - reprehensible. When the Church comes calling for me to show up for a Pro-Life rally next time, I'll have the bitter memory of Notre Dame's honoring this President and the recalcitrance of the Catholic establishment in taking a stand against ND. This was little more than a cheap trick to defuse the passion and conviction of the Life movement, happily accomodated by the powerful Chicago connections of many on the ND Board. And many Catholics fell for it. Kennedy-Kerry-Mikulski-Pelosi and like minded celebrants are laughing all the way to communion. A sad moment.
Published by: Denise Weisbrodt
Sanford, MI, USA 05/18/2009 10:13 PM EST
As an American Catholic, I'm very disappointed. Our bishops should have received clear and unequivocal support from Rome, as they criticised the honor given Obama by Notre Dame. The very fact that so many American Catholics support anti-life policies is evidence that the Church must take a stronger stand against this evil.
Published by: BobN
USA 05/18/2009 10:10 PM EST
What amazes me is that the Church seems to be powerless to deal with Fr. Jenkins. He appears to be an autonomous being able to do and say what he wishes. I believe in free speech but when the faith is involved and our Catholic identity is threatened some action should be take to stop or prevent further damage.
Isn't there something in Canon Law that allows a priest to be censured?
Published by: Robert Matzinger
Taylor/Michigan/USA 05/18/2009 10:08 PM EST
Obama has never revealed any "plan" for reducing abortion! His only suggetion right now is that maybe someone can find some way to lower the killing of the unborn! Wow - what an accomplishment! And how does he intend to decide "which" unborn life is killed - and which one is not? Perhaps he has decided to play God and thats acceptable? What ever happened to the notion that the life of all the unborn are sacred and deserve protection?
Obamas view seems to be that we should accept some murder as acceptable. But this is totally contrary to Christs view of life and we Catholics cannot be swayed by his message that it is acceptabe for us to allow some abortions, some murders to take place! We simply cannot accept his view that some of life is expendable for the sake of his political career! We are in a battle here not only for the souls of the unborn, but our very own!
Published by: T. Arden
SF, CA 05/18/2009 09:46 PM EST
None Supplied said "Please try to keep an open mind. Embryonic stem cell research is being pursued to help the living."
Simply put, life is expendable if your goal is to help others live. Embryonic stem cell research has been around for over two decades. Private funders have given up years ago. Now the objective is to have taxpayers indefinitely fund the research/destruction of human lives. Existing stem cell research has always provided more promise. Instead you choose to take life.
Published by: A Catholic Mom
Baton Rouge, LA 05/18/2009 09:36 PM EST
Notre Dame has disgraced its Catholic Identity and has violated the Apostolic Constitution of ExCorde Ecclesiae where John Paul II begged Catholic Universities to promote the culture of life and the teachings of the Gospel. President Jenkins should be fired. The students who boycotted the graduation are heroes. Obama is promoting the culture of death right at the front door of the Catholic University. Please pray for Catholic Universities to be courageous and stand up for Christ. (not cover up symbols of Christ as even Georgetown University did at Obama's request!)
Published by: Jesse
Hammond, IN 05/18/2009 09:06 PM EST
Don't know if anyone has noticed, but Obama keeps using the same speech anytime he speaks about his abortion beliefs. His common ground words are a simple deception to persuade ill informed catholics. His plan is to increase abortions and his actions prove it. Once again, our government is paying for abortions abroad, all thanks to obama. I feel much sorrow over the situation at ND. I think we've lost that University and we will continue to lose our institutions if our bishops don't muster the courage to put an end to this. God bless.
Published by: William H. Phelan
Madison NJ 05/18/2009 09:06 PM EST
Of course there are two different slants in the articles. Would you want to be a fetus waiting for Catholics to rescue you? Of course not.
Published by: psalm
Detroit/MI 05/18/2009 07:52 PM EST
What is "common ground" in regards to abortion. One side believes that it is always morally wrong to intentionally kill an unborn child and the other side doesn't. Either that or the other side knows it's morally wrong but thinks women should have the right to choose to kill their unborn child.
Warm and fuzzy words about reducing abortions do nothing to stop the killing now. All it does is to elude the basic principle that all human life from conception until natural death has value. The pres is such a talented speaker that he can basically say to the country that he believes it is ok to kill unborn children and people still fall over themselves in adulation because the message is wrapped up in an attractive package. Actions over words. What are his actions? Radically pro-abortion. No amount of rhetoric can hide this fact for anyone thinking clearly. Should we have merely "reduced" slavery? On this issue, it's time for many people to wake up to reality.
Published by: Russell E. Snow
Lords Valley, PA 05/18/2009 07:42 PM EST
50 years ago the average 8th grade Catholic knew more about his or her faith than most adult Catholics today. The modernist chickens have come home to roost. Many, perhaps the majority of Catholics, no longer think with the mind of the Church, which is the mind of Christ. The only remedy is sound Catechesis based upon the Cathechism of the Catholic Church. Bishops should mandate that it must be taught in all parishes in their dioceses. Fat Chance.
Published by: John
IL 05/18/2009 06:25 PM EST
It looks like a few people at the Vatican press office have also fallen for the rhetoric and lies. They need to listen to Archbishop Burke, Chaput, Martino, etc., who know and understand what really is going on over here.
Published by: JAY BECKER
AKRON OHIO USA 05/18/2009 06:17 PM EST
Shame on the Vatican this man Obama wants no dialogue-- he said he doesn't want his kids "punished with a baby"
Published by: David Werling
South Bend/Indiana/USA 05/18/2009 04:46 PM EST
Would it have been OK to simply work for the reduction of, say, slavery? Would it have been OK to simply work for a reduction of civil rights abuses? Gee, would it have been OK to work for a reduction of the amount of Jews sent concentration camps?
NO! LR is off the rails... still. What a pity. The Pro-life movement gets kicked in the pants by Jenkins, and then by Rome. Notre Dame weeps.
Published by: Jim Kennedy
Honolulu, HI, USA 05/18/2009 04:14 PM EST Rate: Regular
I have never been so proud as an alum of the University of Notre Dame!
ND president Father Jenkins had the fortitude and wisdom to invite President Obama to be yesterday's commencement speaker. The pressure to revoke the invitation was intense. Fr. Jenkins is to be commended for not being intimidated and swayed by either Church or university donor constituencies. As former ND president Fr. Ted Hesburgh once said, and was recalled yesterday, ND has the responsibility to be a lighthouse, a beacon true to its Catholic values, but also to be a crossroads where those of differing beliefs are peacefully allowed to enter intellectual discourse. To be sure, at times differences will appear to be irreconcilable. However, let us not condemn the whole when there is so much good in another. As President Obana wisely suggested yesterday, let us use resepcetful words and not charicature others of different beliefs. May God bless Notre Dame, Fr. Jenkins and President Obama. Jim Kennedy '69 Honolulu, HI
Published by: John
England 05/18/2009 03:14 PM EST Rate: Very Good
The problem with Obama's plan for reducing abortions is that it'll involve teaching kids excessive sex education, involving a step-by-step guide as to how to put a condom on.
Little does he realise that by telling kids how to use a condom, they're going to be more likely to use them. More sex leads to more pregnancies, which leads to more abortions. Furthermore, hasn't Obama cut funding for abstinence education in public schools? So his plan: teach kids how to have sex, teach them about the 'different loving relationships' and implicitly tell them that abstinence isn't the solution. Guess what, Obama? It's not going to work. I come from England and we have the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe thanks to these liberal, morally relativist policies.
Published by: Guillermo Bustamante
Perú 05/18/2009 03:07 PM EST
The Notre Dame scandal should be a MAJOR WEAPON to be used by dear Abp. Burke in Rome, for purging the hundreds of lukewarm (and I'm being gentle) bishops, and millions of Cafetería Catholics in USA.
Please support his efforts in talk the talk AND walk the walk.
Published by: None Supplied
USA 05/18/2009 02:26 PM EST Rate: Bad
Please try to keep an open mind. Embryonic stem cell research is being pursued to help the living. Try to remember Galileo and Father Georges Lemaître. The church has come a long way, let's keep going into the future with open minds and open hearts.
Published by: Dr. W. Luckey
Front Royal, VA 05/18/2009 02:15 PM EST Rate: Excellent
I am sorry to see that the very bright folks at OR fell for President Obama's nonsense that he would like to see the number reduced in the United States. Actions speak louder than words. I economics, when the price goes down, demand goes up. The president, allowing taxes funds to be supplied for abortions, etc., make the abortions cheap, and raises the demand for those who might be discouraged by the cost. This will increase the number of abortions, which he promised NARAL and others he would work for.
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