Monday, October 6, 2008

Yet Again, A Pro-Life Catholic Scholar Endorses Obama


Dr. Callahan is an author, lecturer, college professor and licensed psychologist. Her most recent book is Created for Joy: A Christian View of Suffering. This article appeared in American magazine, a national weekly published by the Jesuits.

Why Catholic Pro Lifers will vote for Obama

Dr. Sidney Callahan

Why am I as a 'mass going' staunchly pro life Catholic, voting for Obama? Of course I disagree with his views on Roe vs Wade, but I think that his policies and programs more comprehensively follow Catholic social teaching than McCain's--and they even result in fewer abortions.
There's a lot of evidence that providing aid and support for women, children and the poor, lowers the number of abortions. Pro lifers can choose to see present results rather than repeating exhortations for the future.

After all, to roll back and change laws in a democracy, the legislators, the courts and the majority of voters have to be convinced, and this process of moral reorientation on abortion can be a slow process. Think of the arguments you have with your friends and family.

In the interim, when immediate overthrow of a flawed law is impossible it is morally permissible, as John Paul II expresses it, to recognize "the art of the possible" and try to "limit the harm done by such a law."

Moreover, Catholic pro life advocates for Obama desperately want to limit the grave moral evils and dangers to life arising from pursuing preemptive wars, defending the use of torture, continuing the death penalty, and flouting of Constitutional and international law. As billions are spent on the destructive Iraq war, the needs of the poor, the ill and the schools are neglected, and the whole economic system falters....

for the rest of the article, go here: http://www.americamagazine.org/

42 comments:

shiloh said...

Obama's LOVE TRAIN is unstoppable !!!

take care, blessings

Anonymous said...

its amazing so many of the best and brightest pro-life Catholic scholars are coming out for Obama. Meanwhile, McCain uses gutter politics.

Rustler45 said...

Global Poll Finds Obama Preferred in All Countries But U.S.

A new global poll of 17 countries finds a huge preference for Barack Obama over John McCain in the presidential election in 16 of those countries. In the 17th country -- the U.S. -- McCain was edging out Obama.

FOXNews.com

Monday, October 06, 2008

Barack Obama's proclamation last July to being a "citizen of the world" was affirmed Monday as a new poll -- taken before the August conventions -- showed that in 16 out of 17 countries surveyed he was the overwhelming choice to be the next president of the United States.

The lone country to prefer a John McCain presidency: the U.S.

The Reader's Digest magazine poll, released Monday, asked 17,000 people in 17 countries, including the U.S., whom they would like to see elected president.

The poll also found that, counter to Obama's claims that America's reputation abroad is taking a beating, half of the 16 countries surveyed offered strong "pro-American" sentiments.

shiloh said...

Rust, you are misinformed ~ CNN, Gallup and Rasmussen have Obama currently leading nationally by (8) pts.

And fixednoise aka fox news is not a reputable polling organization.

btw, there's still time for you to get on the Obama LOVE TRAIN !!!

All aboard ...

take care, blessings

Rustler45 said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
shiloh said...

Rustler45 said...

SEAN NAIVELY SAID: "And fixednoise aka fox news is not a reputable polling organization."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rust, once again you are confusing user names. Please, I beseech you brother, take a vacation to rejuvenate what few brain cells you have left ...

p.s. your post was removed while I was replying, bwahaha

take care, blessings

Unknown said...

My take on this election is that it brought either the best or the worst out of people. We have to remember that once over we will be judge by how we acted. Win or lose Obama would have retained his integrity by not running a campaign of embarrassment. Can that be said for John McCain.

Rustler45 said...

SEAN SAID: "p.s. your post was removed while I was replying, bwahaha"

Of course it was. And why do you think it was removed? It I was wrong it wouldn't have been removed. This blog can stand the truth.

Anonymous said...

shiloh said : Obama's LOVE TRAIN is unstoppable !!!
----------------------------------
LOVE TRAIN? LOVE TRAIN? ....JUST WHAT KIND OF AN IDIOT ARE YOU?
LOVE TRAIN? i'm embarrassed for you. are you wearing you bannana yellow bell bottoms and thinkng of starting your own garage band. you idiot......

shiloh said...

Rust, less is more ...

take care, blessings

Rustler45 said...

Ya know Shyster, you're typical. You have done nothing in this world. You haven't raised a family. You haven't been in the military. You haven't done a man's work in your entire life. You have been sucking off mom and dad to pay for everything. They paid for your college and now here you are trying to tell the rest of us how to run the world.

You're kind of like a fly. All you do is eat garbage and bother people.

shiloh said...

So Rust, you disagree that less is more, eh.

Damn, you truly are a one trick pony !!! troll!

and speaking of typical and generalization and your ad nauseam republican projection, my (12) years in the USN tell me you are a typical rep 'chicken hawk' who would never join the military to save his life ...

and your baiting/kindergarten posts tell me you refuse to grow up and you live your life on the internet 24/7 and your projection is an indication of your pitiful life, not mine.

take care, blessings

Rustler45 said...

Nicholas P. Cafardi, Obama Supporter, Resigns from Franciscan University
By Deacon Keith Fournier
10/7/2008
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

The departure of Nicholas Cafardi removes the immediacy of dealing with the inherent contradiction of having on the Institutional Board of Franciscan University a man who has taken such a controversial position.

Advertisement
WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Dr. Deal Hudson of "Inside Catholic" reports that Dr. Nicholas P. Cafardi, noted legal scholar, former Dean of Duquesne University Law School and now prominent Catholic supporter of the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama has just resigned from his position as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Deal reports that the President of the University, Fr. Terrence Henry, TOR, received a letter of resignation from the former Dean on Monday, October 6, 2008. Cafardi was once hailed, along with fellow legal scholar Doug Kmiec, as a leading Pro-Life voice among Catholic academics.

Cafardi literally shocked the Pro-Life community when he, like Kmiec, endorsed Barrack Obama. The candidate's record on the fundamental human rights issue of our age, the right to life for every human person from conception to natural death, is completely antithetical to the teaching of the Catholic Church as well as to the Natural law which both Cafardi and Kmiec purported to champion.

The endorsement had also fueled the fierce debate among Catholics as to whether or not a faithful Catholic can legitiamtely exercise his or her prudential judgement in a manner which results in the election to office of a candidate who promises as his first act to sign the "Freedom of Choice Act".This debate is still raging with Bishops, clergy and lay leaders weighing in regularly. It may very well decide the current election.

I have been one of those engaged in this vital debate. As an Alumni of Franciscan University (1977) and a former Dean in the 1980's, I was profoundly disturbed at Cafardi's endorsement in much the same way I was at the similar endorsement and faulty "moral" analysis offered by Doug Kmiec.

This resignation came on the heels of a lecture Dean Cafardi was scheduled to deliver at Carlow College. He did not appear at the event but had his lecture, essentially stating his reasons for supporting Obama, read by a religious sister on Carlow's faculty. At that event, Franciscan University students courageously spoke out against the endorsement and exposed the strained reasoning of Cafardi.

Rustler45 said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
CatholicsForDemocracy said...

"Dr. Nicholas P. Cafardi, noted legal scholar, former Dean of Duquesne University Law School and now prominent Catholic supporter of the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama has just resigned from his position as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Franciscan University of Steubenville."

This is news? We already knew radical right-wingnuts don't tolerate any dissent from their election-year talking points.

Anonymous said...

Not surprised that FUS would force him out. The crazy right-wing is in meltdown. They are losing this election and they are losing their own best talent. Obama surges ahead with Catholic voters and the hard-edged crowd is left in the dust. They are spent as a political and moral force.

Anonymous said...

Why am I as a 'mass going' staunchly pro life Catholic, voting for Obama? Of course I disagree with his views on Roe vs Wade, but I think that his policies and programs more comprehensively follow Catholic social teaching than McCain's--and they even result in fewer abortions.
I say BULL!
Legal Analysis of FOCA by the USCCB Office of General Counsel
http://www.usccb.org/prolife/FOCAanalysis.pdf

Explosive Audio Found Obama arguing against BAIPA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypDwNpgIUQc

Moreover, Catholic pro life advocates for Obama desperately want to limit the grave moral evils and dangers to life arising from pursuing preemptive wars, defending the use of torture, continuing the death penalty, and flouting of Constitutional and international law. As billions are spent on the destructive Iraq war

Well lets see now According to numbers that I read of Iraqis killed during
War On Terror 150,000 American soldiers 4,000+
During the time of War On Terror, how many possible preborn were killed by Abortion In the U.S.A.
2003- 1,287,000
2004- 1,287,000
2005-1,206,200
Couldn’t find stats on what the & of abortions for these
years, since there havent been abortion numbers under 1 mill
for along time I am saying that at least 1 million for each year, but most likely higher.
2006 1,000,000
2007 1,000,000
What about these preborn,another time people dont vote to protect them . If Obama is president more will die because with the Democrat Majority he will be able to sign in the “Freedom of Choice Act” like hes promised!
World wide EVERYDAY 115,000 preborn babies are killed
through abortion.
An Overview of Abortion / 2-minute version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL5K8bOwdqs
Abortion in our country in ONE day kills more than those that died on 9/11.Sept.11 Deaths 2,993 (including 19 terrorists) http://www.answers.com/topic/september-11-attacks

Democratic Platform Promises, Republican Platform Rejects
More Abortion Overseas
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/oct/08100601.html

USAID Decision Points to How Barack Obama Would Fund US, Intl Abortions
http://www.lifenews.com/int948.html
Obama wants taxpayers to pay for abortion:
http://obamawantsyou.com/abortionpay.html
Abortion will go up because Obama said that the first thing he would do is sign in the “Freedom of Choice Act” which will make taxpayers pay for abortions: States that pay for more abortions is CA 94,602 and NY it says only 34,824(NY number is wrong on Guttmachers link below p27
actual amount 47,071)http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/vital_statistics/2006/table20.htm 2506
unborn babies were killed 20+ weeks, 3804 females had 5 or more previous abortions.
CA had over 200,000 abortions and NY 121,278. In 2006 taxpayers paid for 177,000 abortions which cost us 89 million dollars p18:
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/2008/01/28/or38.pdf .
Obama has voted against parental notification laws which are shown to reduce abortions in teens. If doctors cant even give a child aspirin without parents permission why can they do medical procedures and give them abortion medication to teens without parents permission.

I thought Id add this also, since people believe the lie about contraception would reduce abortions!

Fact Sheet: Greater Access to Contraception Does Not Reduce Abortions
http://www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/contraception/contrafactsheet0207.shtml

http://www.dakotavoice.com/2008/09/guttmacher-study-shows-contraceptives.html

Fran said...

Ah - the ever present FOCA card, it is always the FOCA card.

Sheesh.

That is not what I wanted to comment on- just wanted to say, great blog.

Rustler45 said...

FranIAm said... "Ah - the ever present FOCA card, it is always the FOCA card."

Well what was it you wanted us to focus on? Them big boobs in your picture? Is that where your brains are located?

Anonymous said...

RooForLife,

Is your view that based on the limit death and destruction in Iraq before and after the war, and the number of abortions in the US, that Iraq should have invaded us rather than we, them? Are you a fifth columnist for Al Quada?

Anonymous said...

Of course, Catholics have to come out in favour of Obama and his simple common decency. Somebody on my blog said he thought Cindy McCain would feel ashamed of the way McCain lets the chicken talk about Obama.

Anonymous said...

I don't get it. I really don't get it. How can you support Obama a be pro-life? He is clearly pro-abortion. Ok maybe we could argue about a middle of the road democrat or something but Mr. Obama's postions are so clearly/strongly pro Roe., pro Abortion on demand in all instances etc. I really don't get it. What on earth is going on?

Anonymous said...

Benj,

No one 100% agrees with any candidate on everything. Taken as a whole, the nation would be better off with Obama than McSame.

CatholicsForDemocracy said...

"They are liberals and they have deleted (i.e., censored) my article explaining how top psychiatrists have deemed them as mentally disordered and unable to look at logic."

I read your post about a "top psychiatrist" claiming "liberals" are mentally diordered before your post was deleted.

I think that psychiatrist needs to seperate his practice of psychiatry from the quesion of politis. He definitely needs to seperate a agenda of someone engaged in psychiatric practice from being engaged in receiving money from a politically-motivated foundation.

Anonymous said...

Kurt, I find it sad that you label faithful Catholics as the "crazy right-wing."

Anonymous said...

Kathy said...
Kurt, I find it sad that you label faithful Catholics as the "crazy right-wing."


Kathy,

I find it sad you label crazy right wingers as faithful Catholics.

Rustler45 said...

KURT SAID: "No one 100% agrees with any candidate on everything. Taken as a whole, the nation would be better off with Obama than McSame."

OH REALLY????

But so far no one in this blog has been able to tell us the "proportionate reasons" that would allow a Catholic to vote for Obamma.

It's all hogwash Kurt. Now stand up and say something else stupid for us.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Kurt, Actually, I never said that. I was quoting you.

Anonymous said...

Kurt said...
RooForLife,

Is your view that based on the limit death and destruction in Iraq before and after the war, and the number of abortions in the US, that Iraq should have invaded us rather than we, them? Are you a fifth columnist for Al Quada?

NO you dont get it.I dont think that Iraq should have invaded us.I would never work for a terrorist!!!! Abortion is a big issue because in 2 months more die from abortion in America, than all that died in Iraq from the War. With Obama as President not only would abortions go up we would pay for their deaths. We already pay for over 100 thousand abortions a year, he will have us pay for over a million a year.

Anonymous said...

I dont think that Iraq should have invaded us.I would never work for a terrorist!!!! Abortion is a big issue because in 2 months more die from abortion in America, than all that died in Iraq from the War.

So you are saying that abortion is the biggest issues, bigger than the idea of invading another country. Abortion is illegal in Iraq. Are you saying it would have been good for Iraq to invade the USA and stop the murder here? A murder far more in numbers than anything in Iraq?

Rustler45 said...

KIRT SAID: "So you are saying that abortion is the biggest issues, bigger than the idea of invading another country. Abortion is illegal in Iraq."

Kirt, are you a dimwit or what?

50 million abortion deaths compared to how many in Iraq?

Anonymous said...

50 million abortion deaths compared to how many in Iraq?

Far less than 50 million people died under Sadaam. So you are saying that America hasd no moral standing to invade a country that was killing far less people than we kill, but Iraq should have invaded the USA to stop the 50 million killings here? That is an interesting position you have.

Anonymous said...

kurt said...
50 million abortion deaths compared to how many in Iraq?

Far less than 50 million people died under Sadaam. So you are saying that America hasd no moral standing to invade a country that was killing far less people than we kill, but Iraq should have invaded the USA to stop the 50 million killings here? That is an interesting position you have.

NOBODY has said anything about Iraq should invade us. Why dont you actually read what is written!

kurt said...
I dont think that Iraq should have invaded us.I would never work for a terrorist!!!! Abortion is a big issue because in 2 months more die from abortion in America, than all that died in Iraq from the War.

So you are saying that abortion is the biggest issues, bigger than the idea of invading another country.
YES
Abortion is illegal in Iraq.
Good
Are you saying it would have been good for Iraq to invade the USA and stop the murder here?

NO that is our job! BUT NOT with any form of violence!

Rustler45 said...

KURT SAID: "...but Iraq should have invaded the USA to stop the 50 million killings here?"

HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Kurt, you're a trip. How does a dunce accidentally stumble onto something like that?

Finally we agree on something. Years ago one of my sons did a paper on justification of Cortez's conquest of Mexico under the Rules of Just War. He found Cortez was justified. We also at the time discussed that an enemy would be justified in surrounding and invading the U.S. in order to stop the murders of unborn children.

You're still a dunce though.

Rustler45 said...

RooForLife said... "NO that is our job! BUT NOT with any form of violence!"

Sorry Roo, but violence is acceptable. You are wrong about that. What do you think the Rules of Just War are all about?

Anonymous said...

Rustler45 said...
RooForLife said... "NO that is our job! BUT NOT with any form of violence!"

Sorry Roo, but violence is acceptable. You are wrong about that. What do you think the Rules of Just War are all about?

I wasnt talking about War I was talking about Americans and abortion.

Anonymous said...

Roo-

Are you saying that it is not right for us to have invaded Iraq?

Kurt

Rustler45 said...

"I wasnt talking about War I was talking about Americans and abortion."

Well just think about it. If Americans had taken up arms in 1973, gone out and killed all the abortionists we wouldn't be having a problem with abortion now would we?

End of problem.

Rustler45 said...

Kurt, You're pro-choice aren't you?

A simple yes or no will suffice.

Your friend,

The Rustler

Anonymous said...

Why is Russell allowed to dominate this blog? Why isn't it monitored so that no one can have more than two entries. It's like being at a bar with a drunk who thinks he is being logical when, instead he's just terribly terribly angry.

CatholicsForDemocracy said...

"Why is Russell (sic) allowed to dominate this blog? Why isn't it monitored so that no one can have more than two entries. It's like being at a bar with a drunk who thinks he is being logical when, instead he's just terribly terribly angry."

You noticed that too?

FinishTheRace said...

How about those Dallas and Ft. Worth Bishops? Speaking the truth in love. They state that abortion is not the only moral issue, however they did say it is the defining moral issue of the last 35years.

These bishops teach that "to vote for a candidate who supports the instrincsic evil of abortion or "abortion rights" when there is a morally acceptable alternative would be to cooperate in the evil - and, therfore, morally impermissable". If it is morally impermissable then it is sinful. If it is sinful, then salvation is at risk. Their letter does not endorse a candidate but explains what issue(s) are preeminent when considering a vote and merely expounds on Faithful Citizenship. These guidelines would be applicable for any vote for a politician whether they be Democrat or Republican. Of course, by following the Church's teaching, one candidate will align itself better than the other candidate. Neither candidate aligns himself perfectly. We must look to the Church for instruction.

Faithful Citizenhip is not a stand alone document. Faithful Citizenship was based on Living the Gospel of Life that was written by the USCCB and that document is based on the document Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life) in which the Holy Father said that "It is impossible to further the common good without acknowldging and defending the right to life, upon which all the other inalienable rights of individuals are founded and from which they develop..."

There is a distinction between intrinsic evil acts and prudential judgment. Abortion, slavery, attacking non-combatants, and many more are intrinsically evil. What policies to implement for the economy, how to go about feeding the poor, when to implement the death penalty, how many national parks to build, determining the best healthcare policy, are all a matter of prudential judgement and we can have legitimate disagreement on the implementation of those policies. without jeapardizing our salvation. However, abortion is the foundational issue of our time with about 1.2 million babies being slaughtered every year in America.

How does a policy like implementing FOCA (Freedom of Choice Act) going to save babies? FOCA, which Senator Obama wants to enact as soon as he gets into office will offer no protections for the unborn. Are not the unborn persons? Jesus speaking through the Church teaches this to be true. Offering no protections for the unborn is a direct attack on human life.

This is the most violent form of child abuse. This is the number social justice issue of our time. No child who is destroyed before being born cannot obtain healthcare, employment, etc.

Mr. Obama is the most pro-abortion candidate ever to run for the office of presidency. By supporting "abortion rights" he is not prolife.