from "Catholic America"
by Anthony Stevens-Arroyo
Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Democratic Party nominee, has a “Catholic problem.” Although I don’t pretend to be a political campaign guru and I don’t endorse candidates, I think
Obama’s problem is that he has not yet addressed Catholics directly – but he could.
The moment calls for a thoughtful speech in a familiar setting, like Loyola University in Chicago. The audience ought to the young and committed like the Jesuit Volunteers, one of many Catholic groups that dedicate themselves during college years to community service.
The moment calls for a thoughtful speech in a familiar setting, like Loyola University in Chicago. The audience ought to the young and committed like the Jesuit Volunteers, one of many Catholic groups that dedicate themselves during college years to community service.
Obama could tell his life story about transition from university to community organizer, explaining personal motivations and the rewards of service. He wouldn’t be pandering to mention that he was hired by a church coalition based in a Catholic parish, since in fact that is what happened. He has a perfect opening to identify his call to hope with the theme of the papal visit of Pope Benedict XVI. The Pontiff has spoken against the war in Iraq, against the death penalty and in favor of immigration reform that unites families. By listing the so-called “liberal” causes -- which in fact are the teachings of the Catholic Church -- Obama can show himself more in tune with Catholic social justice teachings than the ranting self-righteous Catholic right-wingers.
Obama’s call to unite all Americans around common issues might be compared to the Catholic concept of the natural law. Natural law, after all, reflects common sense: logic will lead people of faith and people of goodwill to the same conclusions. The Senator can describe how faith enters into the public square by animating believers to act for the common good, without requiring that everyone believe in the same way. He should repeat scripture about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and the like because “whatever you do to the least of my brothers (and sisters) you do to me” (Mt. 25:31-46).
Obama must address the issues of abortion and stem cell research. A place to begin is praise for the Catholic Church in holding fast to pro-life principles before they were embraced by today’s right-wing Evangelicals. He could praise the Catholic approach that educates people towards higher respect for life. The changing of hearts and minds (he can use the word “metanoia” here) is in the Catholic tradition that builds consensus. It contrasts mightily with the polemic that divides people into warring camps.
He needs to go beyond repeating the formula that abortions should be “legal, safe and rare.” The nitty-gritty dilemma for someone in public life comes from the need for tolerance for those who do not agree with you because they are of a different faith. What should be done with decisions about life and death like abortion? How can respect for stem cells be reconciled with the opportunity to heal the suffering and cure life-threatening disease? Are these to be left to individual conscience or imposed by government? How can we reconcile legislation for a more perfect society with the competing right to privacy? The Catholic answer to these difficult questions includes the obligation to build a society in which laws are based on a rationally explained social consensus. Saints Augustine, Thomas Aquinas and the documents of the II Vatican Council have said secular law doesn’t have to be a carbon copy of canon law. In a diverse society, Catholic values enter civic life when Catholics get involved. Non-Catholics like himself are not obliged to obey the bishops, he might say, but they are required to listen to fellow citizens.
Obama should close by articulating his political theme repeating the expression, “Mary’s Magnificat,” to highlight his message: “He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.” (Lk. 1:52-53). That’s what I think about Barack Obama and Catholicism.
16 comments:
All I can say is WOW, I'm definitely going to repost this and h/t you Katherine, thanks for relaying this to us!
Awesome!!!!!!
CHAPTER 10
LIBERALISM OF ALL SHADES CONDEMNED BY THE CHURCH
Liberalism of every degree and all forms has been formally condemned; so much so (53) that outside of the motives of its intrinsic malice, it stands under the formal ban of the Church, which is sufficient for all faithful Catholics. It would be impossible for an error so widespread and so radical to escape condemnation.
There ya go Katherine and all the other "Catholic" loonies who support Obama.
http://sacredcowpunchers.sosblog.com/Sacred-Cow-Punchers-b1/LIBERALISM-OF-ALL-SHADES-CONDEMNED-BY-THE-CHURCH-b1-p14.htm
Just wanted to thank you for this blog. I have really enjoyed reading the comments.
Hey Rustler, I know that book you are quoting. Tell us what the same author wrote about the Jews. C'mon boy. So us where you stand.
In a recent survey of 19 states that have held a presidential primary this year, 63% of Catholics identified themselves as Democrats, compared with 37% for Republicans, a sharp increase from 2005 when 42% of Catholics identified themselves as Democrats. One of every four voters in the U.S. is Catholic.
Betty said...
"Hey Rustler, I know that book you are quoting. Tell us what the same author wrote about the Jews. C'mon boy. So us where you stand."
I don't know what he said about the Jews.
As far as my stand on the Jews. They are the chosen people. Some are good some are bad.
I pray for their conversion.
Now where do you stand?
Oh Betty, maybe we better find out where Obama stands on the Jews.
C'mon girl, let's here it.
Hey, Russy, do you also quote "Protocols of the Elders of Zion"
Betty, I answered your question now you answer mine.
Are you afraid of where Obama stands on the Jews. We know don't we. You wouldn't answer because it is anti-semitic. Are you as well?
So far here we have Obama as an unpatriotic, anti-semite, who is pro-abortion, and pro-homo.
That's a good start isn't it? I am so glad to see that he isn't a one issue politician.
Hey Betty, try to wash this from your mind.
http://lubiankaprison.phpbb-host.com/ftopic553.php
"Obama should close by articulating his political theme repeating the expression, “Mary’s Magnificat,” to highlight his message: “He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but lifted up the lowly. The hungry he has filled with good things; the rich he has sent away empty.” (Lk. 1:52-53). That’s what I think about Barack Obama and Catholicism."
How dare he quote the Holy Mother! Obama is not CHRIST. The Holy Mother was not speaking of Obama. He does NOT lift up the lowly..he seeks their destruction through abortion and genocide. He does NOT fill the hungry..he seeks to control them through Marxist class warfare. May God have mercy on the soul of the poor fool who dares use the Queen of Heaven as an endorsement for this wolf.
Hey Batty, where'd you go. Did I scare you off?
Why do you and other Obama supporters think he'll be a uniter? He has NEVER shown to be one. He may say he is and will be but has HAD THE MOST LIBERAL AKA ONE SIDED VOTING RECORD IN THE SENATE. HOW IS THAT A UNITER?!?! Please........ give me some concrete examples of how he is a proven uniter..
Sean, he's already uniting the homos and the liberal Catholics. What more proof do you want?
He's also united all the Democrats who hate Hillary.
"Workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose, but your chains!"
Sound familiar?
Hey, is there a blog for Jews for Obama?
Just wondering.
ww.jewsforobama.com
www.jewsforobama.blogspot.com
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