Remember, Our Blessed Lord was ridiculed for dining with sinners. The problem is not that His Eminence invited Obama to dinner. The problem is that he failed to use the opportunity to openly and forcefully call him to conversion.

Right on Deal!

"Cardinal Egan enjoying a convivial evening with a presidential candidate, who, if judged by his own words, would be deemed unworthy to ″provide political leadership in a civilized democracy worthy of the name.″

Doesn't it qualify for the dictum:

Woe to you hypocrites!, who like the first positions in the banquets, dress fancy ornaments, and adore receiving reverences in the public square?"

Perhaps Archbishp Eagen was just expressing his "personal views...as a private citizen" as Archbishop Chaput has in criticizing Kmiec. If so, who cares?

Cardinal Egan smooching with Obama? Bet he's a closet democrat!

An excellent comment, it should not go unrecognized.....

I've recently wondered if those pro-life people who still plan to vote for Obama would "come out" if he were elected and start to REALLY work for life. They seem to justify voting for him with some kind of delusional platitude about how they are still welcome in the Democratic party and mysteriously believe that somehow they will have a place at the table to argue for life issues.

I am skeptical, obviously.

But I've also begun to wonder if, in the event of an anti-life President, Senate, House and Supreme Court, the rest of us will have to give up being part of "respectable" society and become the irritating voice of conscience that our nation needs. We would have lost (or forfeited) our influence in respectable society. In other words, no more bishops at head tables. Rectories become crisis pregancy centers. Notre Dame loses some TV coverage. No more behind-the-scenes gentle coddling of scandalous politicians. No more federal funds for this or that program. When speaking to respectable crowds we may have to say very unpopular, Mother Theresa-like things. Maybe try on becoming voices in the wilderness crying out "Repent!"

On the other hand, why aren't we doing this now? Why do we have to have a Democratic president to begin to truly sacrifice for holiness and conversion? Our Republican representatives are, with some notable exceptions, living quite comfortably under compromise with the culture of death. We can support crisis pregnancy center now. We can donate time, money, diapers, rooms, child care now. We don't have to wait for Obama to fulfil his campaign promise to make FOCA his first crime against humanity as president. Maybe it's time for us to start fighting now.

There is no hope of achieving common ground unless there is face-to-face civil discourse. The cardinal knows that Barack Obama is not his enemy. The cardinal knows that Barack Obama is not "pro-abortion." The cardinal knows that shunning Barack Obama will accomplish nothing but further divisiveness, the hallmark of the destructive culture wars, the flames of which are regularly fanned at Inside Catholic by blogs like this very one. My prayer is that the cardinal and the future president have many more cordial, and yes, productive meetings. Because, not talking with those with whom we disagree would just be more of the same.

Well, the cardinal was acting like a mature adult.

Carmen,

You're taking liberties with what the Cardinal 'knows'.

Watching the Cardinal's face, I felt he was very guarded. I also note that a contrast on life issues was presented with McCain's support of the unborn included in his speech, and thanking the diocese for their work in that area.

Even Al Amith was guarded in his praise of Obama while introducing him. Obama himself seemed a little uncomfortable, though I know several other of the prominent Democrats and a couple of others are also very pro-abortion.

Obama is SO pro-abortion that he can't risk calling a born alive survivor a 'baby' - just in case it may hinder his favourite 'cause'. Its not for nothing NARAL gives him a 100% rating. Its because they know who he is and are counting on him to deliver FOCA, as he has promised will be his first presidential act.

In contrast, Bush banned partial-birth abortions, which ban Clinton had vetoed. Democrats have a lot of blood on their hands. They're not alone, but they are the ones that make it their platform. Obama is the abortion 'poster boy'.

Speaking of "taking liberties." If you can know what people feel, I can know what the cardinal knows.

I think this could have been a great teaching opportunity which is the job of the bishops and cardinals. After the fun and laughter and speeches, Egan could have gone to the podium and taught what the church teaching is on abortion and on those candidates like Obama that support abortion in any form, at any time, and in any manner including partial birth and infanticide leaving a born baby to die when by the grace of God it survives abortion attempts.

Jesus I think would have taken that opportunity to try and protect the children he loves that are being butchered with the support of people like Obama and those who vote for him. Pulling the lever for Obama is the same thing as holding the scissors and pushing them into the head of an infant and sucking their brains out.

Deal, I had a similar reaction ... the visual of Cardinal Egan in his full dress as Cardinal of my Church, sharing drink, food and laughter with Barack Obama who represents the most radical opposition to my, and, I thought, my Church's pro-life teaching is, well, disturbing. I take from this very well-publicized exchange the following: you may break bread and celebrate civic life with someone who is publicly committed to federal funding for unconditional access for women choosing to kill the unborn. OKAY. That's breath-taking and I am going to pray upon the teaching of Cardinal Egan in word and deed. Is this what our episcopal leadership says we are to do: advocate for the unborn, but put down the issue on nights of celebration and humor and fund-raising to toast each other? This is hard for me. Very hard. But I have always thought we should follow our shepherds and not usurp their role - that's why God gave them to us, no? Isn't this what Cardinal Egan is telling us to do?

Carmen,

"No one is pro-abortion."

You have bought the Obama lie hook, line & sinker and now you are spreading it, too. If no one is pro (in favor of) abortion then let's stop it--now. It's a decision that humans are capable of doing.

Those in the billion dollar industry of abortion "services" are financially supporting Obama's campaign so if elected he will ensure that the industry will financially thrive & survive. Damn the infants; hike up the greed.

Obama is a walking contradiction; his words to special interest groups and to the National sector do not jive; his rhetoric & his voting record do not jive. He is the epitomy of the rainbow metaphor; changing color as he needs to "fit in" with this or that group. The man is ambition-bound; power hungry. Look out!

Shady manegerial types are in the shadows waiting to pull the strings of their smiling puppet. For a man who talks about the future, he is just forging the way for the outdated & jilted radical leftists of the 1960's & 70's. Their plan was fatally flawed then & 35-40 years later it still is.

Cardinal Egan seemed like the Figurehead representing the Church because it was a charity event that raised $4 million. Did he start the event with a prayer?? If so, what did he pray?
Hopefully he ended it with a very pointed & telling prayer as well...but the media wouldn't stick around for that. His job was to pray out loud for life. I pray that he did.

"No, it's not what you think."

Actually, it was exactly what I thought.

But you have a good question, and your unease may indeed be the movement of the spirit.

When a believer sees a grave evil and considers that not enough is being done to remedy that evil, what is that person's responsibility?

Perhaps this post is less about the political candidates and the cardinal and more about you and those who feel as you do.

One charitable evening seemingly wasted on the abortion front. Does a pro-life person give up charity dinners, vacations, concerts, good jokes, or even a well-paying job, friends, and family to go off and follow the gospel message in a radical way? Some have done it: Francis of Assisi and untold numbers of saints declared or otherwise.

A person feels the Spirit's urging in the face of a cause, and maybe it's time to get up and go. But the Christian religion--our belief in a God that leaves us with our free will--suggests that discernment is something we wrestle with primarily in ourselves.

The Holy Spirit wouldn't send you a special message about what Cardinal Egan should do. Deal, God may well be sending you this message. Since you've made the message public, I confess a little curiosity: what are you, you yourself, going to do about it?

Jesus sat with sinners. And how do we know or not if Edward Cardinal Egan slipped some words of holy wisdom in Obama's ear? I think it would be far worse to see a picture of them at opposite sides of the table not talking to one another in anger..... not conversing with sinners as Jesus did. This image would anger democrats that "Holy" people are nothing but ride arrogant judgers. I dont think people read into this as deeply as you fellow hudson :) Let us act and converse with Love, and not worry about our reputations. In the end, it is only God who's opinion on us matters.

Deal,
I liked your comments. One thing bothers me, however. Slavery and abortion are two very different issues and should not be compared, in my opinion. Abortion necessarily entails the killing of an innocent human being. Slavery, at least in its treatment of human beings, could be harsh or mild, depending on the owner (I am not justifying slavery, of course, just making an observation.). Slavery certainly involved the deprivation of one's rights, but it did not seek to kill innocent human beings (in fact, there were powerful economic incentives to keep slaves alive). I would also argue that 19th century abolitionists are more like the pro-choicers today rather than pro-lifers. This has to do with their acceptance of autonomous individualism as the only legitimate moral and social ideal.

Deal,

Thanks for this. I have been away from the computer for the last 36 hours or so, but when I first saw that image and was unable to read more in depth about it, I had the same reaction. Something about it wasn't right.

We've become so used to pretending (because we have to) that reasonable people can disagree on abortion that we sometimes forget how thick the facade has become.

I thought we had seperation of church and state. I am catholic and will not be influenced by the church telling me who to vote for or telling the next person how to vote. My vote is MY vote. I think the church is gettin toooo involved with politics.

What a shame for the entire Body of Christ that the other night for the First time in History,
the most Pro-Abortion political candidate was invited not only to attend the Alfred E. Smith Catholic Charities Annual banquet, but allowed to SPEAK ...

Pro Abortion politicians have NEVER been invited to any such function in the past.

Have Mercy on us, Lord...what have we become??

Thank you Deal for speaking up. I spent the better part of yesterday looking around the net trying to find out if I was the only one with this response: Sick to the core of my stomach. It was more than something is wrong!

I don't care who was sitting next to whom. And I don't care that they were enjoying themselves while making jokes-poking 'fun at each other'.

The fact of the matter is that 48 MILLION BABIES have died....doesn't anybody get that? And while they are pallin' around, this is going to continue. And yes, JESUS went among the sinners--to convict them---preach the gospel.

Their behavior at this event spoke volumes.

Ephesians 6:12-20

1 Timothy 5:20

2 Timothy 4:1-5

All the holy souls of aborted babies cry from heaven! Do they hear them?

PRAY! OFFER all things up! Prayer & sacrifice are our weapons!

Actually, I think that this is a good example of how we are to love one another and have good Christian tolerance of each others ideas.....Too often people think that just because some one has great personality, charm, charisma that they would make the best leader.......it is OK to like someone and not necessarily vote for them and it is OK to vote for someone that might not be the charismatic individual you wish that he might be, yet you feel he has more of what this great country needs for leadership. I think that it is times like these tht we are really all human and put on this world to live together in peace. The occasion is not intended for the candidates to advance their platforms. I agree though that what you say is true in terms of who you should "sit down at the table with for negotiations and policy making" McCain has made that clear time and time again.

Carmen,

Want to know what Obama 'feels' about something? I don't. I rely on his words and actions as indicators of what he will do. He will increase abortions. He has said so, even at the same time as he denies it.

Perhaps you believe he is putting on this pro-abortion front just to get elected, and THEN he will work against it?!


Vicki,
No one will tell you who you must vote for. The church will instruct properly formed consciences as to who a practicing Catholic may not vote for. No one will force you to be faithful. That's entirely up to you.

This is a major fund raiser - and the undercurrent in my opinion is indicative of a much larger problem within the Church. So-called Catholic colleges invite pro-abortion speakers, pro-gay marriage speakers etc. They teach other than the basic truths of the Catholic Church as stated in the Catechism, openly defy Bishops or the Holy Father and all in the name of academic freedom (money).

Jesus did eat with sinners, that is true as we know from the Scriptures, but He also had little tolerance for the 'Church' leaders of His day who, dressed in fine purple, legislated all the rules and regulations, while living the good life themselves.

We cannot get the Bishops to make a unified statement on abortion and receiving Holy Communion by 'pro-choice Catholic' politicians. The conference of Bishops is a joke and needs to be abolished. They have over and over again approved bad movies as okay for viewing (BrokeBack Mountain for one) and after a lot of screaming from the general Catholic population recanted their approval. They invested (whatever that means) in ACORN - what in the world is going on?

I for one support my parish as I should but other donations go directly to the hungry on the street personally and to organizations like the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, Missionaries of the Poor in Jamaica, Priests for Life and Human Life International.

God will be our Judge on day and I cannot speak as to what He alone will decide, but I think it may have been better to keep the dinner Catholic to include inviting guests only who support the Church's teachings and who never sway like weeds in the wind. There's a new day coming but before that, our Gethsemane.

Bishops have become beholden to politicians for the tax breaks, taxes for their Catholic Charitiy programs and now find themselves in an impossible situation - you can not serve two masters as Jesus warned - you will hate the one and despise the other.

Just because a politician puts on a tux, cracks a joke or two doesn't make him any less a promoter of mass murder of the innocent through elective abortions.

Conversion happens, not in a vacuum, but based on friendship. Cardinal Egan is doing the right thing by laying groundwork for future conversations with Senator Obama.

Just remember....there is no such "thing"...as a....Pro Choice/Pro Abortion.....Catholic Christian. They can think what they wish...and do what they want....but the Church and we too, all know better. There is right and wrong. Basic common sense, and anyone with a reasonable conscience knows most certainly that abortion is wrong and is an evil.

I know we are anxious about what is going on right now....things in our world, our country....our Church....but we most always remember to maintain some sort of peace....that Almighty God is ultimately in total charge and control. He will most certainly settle all accounts with us all someday. The good and the bad. As someone pointed out to me recently...."the weeds are being allowed to grow alongside the wheat". Oneday...there will be a harvest and the two will forever be separated.

My heart was broken to see the image of a Catholic Cardinal laughing at dinner with Obama.

We can recall the words of the Blessed Mother to the children of Garabandal in the early sixties. She said that many priests, many religious are leading many souls to perdition.

And this image was presented to the world just days before several million American Catholics will vote for and assent to abortion, the darkest sin being committed on earth.

Woe for our Church, and woe for America, a country that is about to turn its face further from God.

Carmen, are you serious? He said he would countenance the aborting of his own grandchildren if one of his daughters were unmarried and pregnant -- in his own words, "I'm going to teach them first of all about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."

Obama pledged to NARAL (America's premiere abortion advocates) that his <i>"first priority"</i> as president would be to sign into law the "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA) which would overturn all laws in all 50 states which in any way discourage abortions" including informed consent, parental notification, conscience rights for prolife doctors and nurses not to participate in killing the baby, etc.

How much more pro-abortion can you get?

Carmen is right. And the sustained campaign by Republican Catholics to divide the country and the Church over the issue of abortion is dishonorable, dishonest, and -- let's not forget -- breathtakingly ineffective in actually combatting the tragedy of abortion. Right-wing commenters here, along with this site's director/Republican advisor, seem to want to purge the flock of anyone who doesn't subscribe to their own politicized vision of church teaching. But it's discussion that we need. It's getting to the table. The candidates both oppose abortion, but they differ on the question of addressing it. Pretending someone is "pro-abortion" is a way to appeal to emotions and avoid engagement, and it will only slow down the process of addressing the issue.

When Deal repeats the charged "palling around" phrase and the tired false analogy of slavery and abortion, an analogy so dear to Republican hearts, we see how wanting for new ideas, how utterly deprived of substance, and how faithfully partisan, this column is.

Egan said he had agreed with Giuliani not to take the Eucharist, and thought mission accomplished? Do we take that as a public warning ‘or serving him the papers’?

Did he start proceedings to excommunicate… such a public, scandalous culprit?

The point here is scandal: Leading the ignorant to vote for increasing the biggest genocide known to mankind, avowing “to sign immediately upon taking office" - the Freedom of Choice Act FOCA (to eliminate all existing limitations against abortion).

We must attack the jugular: Countless rationalizations and moral equivocations that try to hide the sun with one finger: the grotesque evil of increasing with FOCA the 1.5 million butchered a year. The GOP record is a lesser evil than FOCA or not?

Clear folks? Not clear if the same scandal is exploding with Fordham’s Fr. McShane S.J., under Egan’s direct authority, proceeds to honor a major pro-abortion culprit.

And, is the same scandal noted by David: “The problem is not that His Eminence invited Obama to dinner. The problem is that he failed to use the opportunity to openly and forcefully call him to conversion”.

Thank you Mr. Hudson. As my husband and I were watching the dinner we commented how wrong it was for the laughter and jokes without any correction from the Cardinal. Does anyone remember Mother Theresa's speech with Bill and Hillary quickly sipping their water behind her as she spoke about a mother killing, "even her own child?"

Yes!

Who one hangs out with says a lot about who we are. Cardinal Egan hangs out with Obama, a supporter of legal abortion. What does that say about Cardinal Egan? He preaches publicly one thing on behalf of the Church (abortion is evil) but then smooches with a candidate who will have a hand in the deaths of millions of innocent babies. One is then left to wonder what he thinks privately. It's a contradiction to what he preaches and will causes confusion to those Catholics unsure who to vote for!

Jesus sat with sinners and even with Pharisees, but not for once did He ever condone their actions. In fact, most of the sinners he sat with were the ones "hated" by the Pharisees. These sinners joyfully heard his message, accepted the gospel, repented and changed their lives.

I have no problem with the Cardinal sitting down with people in the spirit of Christian generosity and reaching out to our leaders. But I agree with Deal, if the image many people are going to get from TV is that the Cardinal and Obama were having a jolly good time, they might think its OK to vote for Obama. On the other hand, people could also get the impression that Catholics are not narrow-minded and are willing to talk in spite of our opposition to the issues.

Lastly, for those who think Obama is not pro-abortion, please think again. His record speaks for himself. "Reducing abortions" is not going to do anything if someone really does not want to stop it.

What do we do with all the pro choice people in our lives?

I laugh and drink with some of them. They are in my family. I disagree with them and pray to win over their hearts. How can I do that if I refuse to develop a relationship with them? How will we ever win their hearts over if we do not eat and drink with them or just cut them out of our lives and damn them to hell.

Granted he didn't have to do it at such a big event.

People are assuming that there was a friendly conversation going on between Cardinal Egan and Obama. There is another perspective on that. Cardinal Egan might have been using N.Y. style, friendly sarcasm to get his point across to Obama. I was born and raised in N.Y. and have seen that happen many times, when one person was wrong and the other wanted to correct them in a joking way to keep the atmosphere light.I believe this is more like what was happening in that photo.

I really believe that public excommunications need to start soon. Kennedy, Pelosi, and all the supporters of the culture of death need to be removed from the flock until they decide to renounce their support of evil and genocide. This public scandal is confusing for many Catholics. Jesus said He came to divide. Enough with the popularity contest. We need to take a definite stand. THE RUBBER WILL HIT THE ROAD IF TED KENNEDY DIES. WILL HE BE GIVEN A CATHOLIC FUNERAL? I heard a politician in Italy was denied one a few years ago because he supported abortion.

THIS NEEDS TO BE DECISIVELY DEALT WITH. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE BISHOPS OF THE WORLD.

It would be nice if we could get a lrge amount of people to call the New York Diocease and implore the Cardinal to publically clear up any misunderstanding and confusion this event obviously sends to the public. I'll try and look up the telephone # and get back to the post.

Yes folks, life and high jinks goes on without 40 million morcellated babies in this country alone and about 3.8 billion around the world since the slaughter started. What's next?

It bothered me as well. I have never understood how so many can "agree to disagree" when the issue is the life or death of innocent human beings. The use of slavery as comparison is good. Who would publicly state that they would have to agree to disagree about the "right" to hold slaves?

I understand the argument that one can't change another's mind if one won't communicate. However, I have been very disturbed by the number of people that refer to Obama as a great guy, very nice man... even when they differ with him on politics. Why do they feel the need to do this? Obama is not a great guy or nice man. Great guys do not vote to leave born alive infants to die, no matter what the risk to an unjust "right". They do not promise unrestricted access to abortion on demand by declaring that signing the FOCA will be their first act as POTUS and it shows that they certainly don't want to reduce abortions.

Seeing this exchange reminds me of the criticism McCain and conservatives have of Obama agreeing to sit down with tyrants around the world, giving the tyrant legitimacy and credibility he does not deserve. Somehow, Cardinal Egan gave Obama credibility and legitimacy he does not deserve. It is no wonder there are so many Obama bumper stickers in Catholic Churches' parking lots.

This is what's next. Not productive? Taking up valuable space and resources? Disposed in a blink of an eye. Death is cheaper than long-term care...in the long run.

Terry Schivo died by court order, even though her parents & siblings wanted to care for her. Her husband allowed her to die of thirst while a plant by her bedside was being watered daily.

How cruel.

He had another life; wife, kids and he could have let those who loved her quietly care for her. It must have been pure torture for her family to see Terry guarded so no one would mercifully slip her a sip of cold water to drink.

If we can't recognize God's face in that of a baby, then how will we ever see Him in the physically & mentally impaired and the elderly?? It's a slippery slope. What a shame Carmen & WRS have lost their footing.

Is no one else scandalized by the simple fact of a cardinal being at a "banquet"?

In that regard, I'd have a problem if it were a picture of a cardinal sitting between Pat Buchanan and Judy Brown.

Yes, Jesus dined with tax collectors and sinnes: social outcases. (Also, it's noteworthy, that in the case of Matthew, at least, the Pharissees are making the comments *at the dinner*, implying that they're dining at his house, too).

Jesus didn't go over to Pilate's house and say, "Hey, Pontius! Let's have a $500 a plate charity banquet and have a few laughs over some booze!"

Back during the Communist persecution in Poland, there was a Cardinal who, when he moved into his new mansion, chose as his personal quarters the broom closet. This same cardinal would open the doros every morning so the poor could come and share his breakfast.

As for the conversation, I'd agree that you can never know exactly what is transpiring below the surface, and what subtle comments are being made.

Somewhere in the Bible is a story of a king who invited very wealthy and influential people to an extravigant banquet yet the people whom he invited were his enemies. The people who lived in his kingdom who were also wealthy and influential who were not invited were angry that they were left out, yet they were not the kings enemies. Once the king had all his guests seated and dining he ordered the castle sealed and no one inside could escape and he had the castle burned with all his enemies inside. Maybe speculation of intentions of the Churches decision to invite this wealthy influention enemy are pre mature

The teaching of the Church is clear on abortion. It is intrinsically sinful. The Fatihful are neither confused nor misled. It is the not so faithful who are scandalized. Those who are looking for an excuse or reason to reject the Church's teachings will grasp at apparent contradictions between words and actions and then follow the course they prefer.

But then there is another scandal present. John McCain, one of the foremost supporters of an unjust war in Iraq, was also present at that event. An unjust war is just as intrinsically wrong as abortion. Yes there is a difference as to a scale of the evil but not the nature. An unjust war, particulary a modern one, also results in death for many innocents. How many supporters of abortion turn a deaf ear to pro-life arguments concerning abortion because of their (pro-lifers) support for unjust war.

The Al Smith dinner should not have been held.

A double standard doesn't impress anyone. By the way the Republican Party for most of the 19th century was virulently anti-Catholic and wouldn't have attended a Catholic function even if invited.

Archbishop Caput of Denver, a most courageous man in publically speaking out against the evils of innocent blood being spilled, was NOT invited to the Democratic National Convention in his city in September. Wonder why?

Yet Cardinal Egan is with Obama in New York City. On my part,I no doubt, have more respect for Caput than Egan. He lessens his credibility with faithful catholics in my estimation! This is the sort of thing that has made the pro-abortion lobby bolder over the years.

We need more courageous bishops like Caput. Actions speak louder than words.

What many people don't understand, is that according to Scripture and apparently Our Lady of Fatima, WAR IS PUNISHMENT FOR SIN. I know I'm getting a bit supernatural, which is a big no-no lately... But to vote for Barack Obama because one hates President Bush is truly sad and irrational.

Obama is for abortion, allowing infanticide, and homosexual marriage - do these people really believe he'll stop all wars??? ARE THEY LOOKING FOR A PRESIDENT OR A MESSIAH? According to Obama, many believe he is the messiah. This is truly odd, to say the least, especially among Christians.

MOTHER TERESA SAID, "THE FRUIT OF ABORTION IS NUCLEAR WAR."
I hope the anti-war crowd realizes that they may be bringing on a greater war by voting for the evil of abortion.

Deal, thanks for writing about this, I couldn't agree more. There is absolutely no time for dressing up black-tie and eating a five course meal with a pro-abort on the same day 4,000 lives were lost due to that pro-abort's support.

Some of our Church leaders better get serious and start actually fighting in this battle or we will never win it, and blood will continue to be shed.

Why stop with chastising or distancing himself from Obama only? I watched the dinner on Fox's Hannity & Colmes and saw a rerun later on C-Span.

Pro-choice "Catholic" Giuliani was in attendance and was cited by Obama in his address as a cross-dressing Republican primary candidate. Shouldn't America's Mayor have been one of the first to be disciplined since as a Catholic he's supposed to "know better" than non-Catholic (and pro-Muslim?) Obama who is possibly suffering from invincible ignorance?

How about Hillary Clinton? She was addressed more than once by the speakers and was shown on camera as one of the attendees. You can't get more rabidly pro-choice than the former First Lady and current New York senator.

How about the other NY Senator Chuck Shumer? He was toasted and roasted and shown on camera. Is he pro-life (duh)?

There were a lot of people at that dinner who were not in line with Catholic teaching in a multitude of areas. And a lot of the people who were there weren't Catholic period or even Christian. (NY City Mayor Bloomberg and the aftorementioned Sen. Shumer I believe are Jewsish.)

I guess the question is... what is the point of the dinnner? What should be the point? Should it be only for orthodox Catholics in a state of grace and above a certain income level? Does the dinner table have the same requirements as the Communion table? I belive the purpose of the dinner is to raise funds for Catholic charity. If pro-choicers want to help contribute to faithful Catholic causes, why not let them?

Carmen,
It appears you have bought into the "pro-choice is not pro-abortion" lie spun by the Catholic left for several decades now. If I were living in 1860 and said I was not "pro-slavery" but rather in favor of "a landowner's right to choose to own slaves", you would laugh me out of town as being not only hypocritical but delusional.

I ask, is it "divisive" to call for the protection of the unborn and to oppose those politicians like Obama whose stated goals (ie, the Freedom of Choice Act) would lead to more abortions? If so, then call me "divisive" and I will be proud to wear that label.

Teresa,

I've been living in the People's Democratic Republic of Massachusetts for almost 12 years now, and unfortunately when Sen Kennedy meets his maker, I am not confident in our ecclesiastical leadership in making any stand of courage regarding his funeral.

I can see it now: Cardinal O'Malley on down to the lowliest pastor with an Irish surname in the Archdiocese of Boston and the Diocese of Fall River (Teddy's home diocese) will make the solemn pilgrimage to Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston to pay their respects to the media-proclaimed "liberal lion of the Senate." At the funeral and wake, there will be lots of laughter about Kennedy's Irish wit and fighting spirit. The Boston Globe and the local TV stations will be "all Teddy, all the time" coverage replete with Camelot ad nauseam references.

Nary a word will be said by either the Church leadership or the media about Kennedy's support for unlimited abortion, population control in the Third World, etc -- ie, the culture of death agenda. The scandal will go on, and yet another teaching moment will be lost to the Catholics of Massachusetts and the rest of the country.

It's sad but true. This state is lost. All we faithful Catholics who remain can do is save ourselves, our families, and our friends who have any hope of being saved.

Oops, pardon my typo. I meant to say "wear that label."

I had similar thoughts when Obama said at the dinner: "We are all children of God". I was amazed that he could say this without a shiver in front of Cardinal Egan at a Catholic function. Clearly deciding who is a child of God is above Obama's pay grade. Who is this "all" that he talks about?

But it is a difficult position to be in. Our pastor this weekend preached on the marriage amendment that is up for voting in Florida. I know many people got incensed, saying that he was directing Catholics how to vote. I think he was incredibly brave. It's the first time I've heard him take on a political subject in the 15 years I've been at this parish. But I know he's going to get a lot of flack for it...

Mr. Crews, your proclamation of the war in Iraq as "unjust" is a matter of your personal opinion (just as it would be if you declared the death penalty to be against Church teaching, which it is not).

The Church has, as you acknowledge, declared abortion to be "intrinsically wrong" (evil). There is a chasm of morality between the two. There is no double standard. Those who believe there is need to bone up on their doctrine.

I have a number of points. Firstly, it is a sad day when people who call themselves Christians look with longing to the death of another human being. You may not agree with Ted Kennedy's policies, but speaking with hope about his death is morbid, and not in the spirit of Christian love.

Secondly, I am pro-life and pray daily for an end to abortion. John McCain claims to be pro-life, but has said that he will not necessarily appoint a pro-life judge. This is what he means when he says he will not have a litmus test for appointing judges. Obama also believes that the act of abortion is terrible, but is very strongly pro-choice. But he promises to work to reduce abortion through social networks such as the 95-10 act put forth by pro-life democrats such as Bob Casey and Lincoln Davis. Certainly, this does not exonerate Obama, because abortion reduction should go hand-in-hand with anti-abortion legislation, but the work of reducing abortions is the work of saving lives. To say that Obama is 'pro-abortion' is to say that he likes the act of abortion, which is not the case and is unfair.

Finally, we, as Catholics, should also express our anger that bishops are chumming around with John McCain whose frightening foreign policy will lead us to further conflict in the middle east, and will likely lead to the death of more innocent people, who supports embryonic stem-cell research, and is strongly in favor of the death penalty. The argument that abortion is always and everywhere evil does not exonerate us from standing against war, torture, poverty, and the unfair treatment of immigrants.

Let's stop settling for the lesser of two evils. There are good things about both candidates. Certainly, there are bad things about both candidates. Whoever wins the election, as Catholics, let's call all of our elected officials to work for life, peace, and justice.

Joe -

All the wars combined in this century do not add up to the number of innocent babies butchered in this country, 5 million so far. All life is precious whether it's at home or on foreign soil. When a person signs up for the military he knows he may die in the service of his country and is willing to take that chance.

My point is the military man has a CHOICE (whether to join the military). Innocent babies are not given a choice, not even to take a first breath; they are butchered & thrown into the trash can at the will of the mother and/or society. A society that allows that to happen to it's children will not be blessed.

America is drenched with the blood of innocent babies. Under an Obama presidency, the slaughter will continue!