…that I’m proud of our Pope, but yet there is tremendous pride when you read a simple story like this:
Following the General Audience the Holy Father briefly greeted Mrs Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, together with her entourage.
His Holiness took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church’s consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death which enjoin all Catholics, and especially legislators, jurists and those responsible for the common good of society, to work in cooperation with all men and women of good will in creating a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development.
Why does the Church need a Pope? To remind people that there is always someone to whom you are answerable – even, indeed, if that Someone be only God Himself. Though they may not fear their pastors or Bishops, the Pope in his role as Supreme Shepherd still shoulders the responsibility of pointing the right way. May she, and those with her, take his message to heart, reform their ways, and become defenders of all innocent life.
Update: John Allen of NCReporter chimes in:
Not only was it unusual to issue a statement after a meeting with an official who’s not a head of state, routine Vatican declarations after diplomatic meetings also generally sum up the range of issues discussed rather than concentrating on a particular point.
In that sense, the statement can only be read as a rejection of Pelosi’s statements last summer, and, in general, of her argument that it’s acceptable for Catholics in public life to take a pro-choice position.
So while the fact he met with her signals an expected continuation of contact between the Vatican and the U.S. government, it cannot be said that her positions were given any leeway at all. Despite any protests to the contrary, the defense of all life from conception to natural death is not a complicated issue.
Related posts:
Authors bio is coming up shortly.
