Local News
Letter To The Editor: Cardinal Remembered For Defense Of Human Life
Published: February 5, 2009
To the Editor:
In the article “Catholics Reflect On ‘Radical Change’ They’ve Seen” (The Georgia Bulletin, Jan. 22), Msgr. Henry Gracz is quoted as saying “Obama brings the spirit of (the late Cardinal Joseph) Bernardin to bridge building.”
I would submit that Msgr. Gracz’s statement may be construed as true only in an abstract sense, viz., that a black man, for the first time in history, has ascended to the office of President of the United States of America.
To associate Mr. Obama with the spirit of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin and the tenets he held so profoundly is anathema to Church teaching regarding the dignity and value of human life, both born and unborn.
Mr. Obama is well known for his blatant advocacy and actions while junior Senator from Illinois and during his presidential campaign in support of abortion funding (including late term and partial birth), and of state funding for embryonic stem cell research. As President, Mr. Obama has, by executive order signed in private, just now swept aside the long-standing policy, the so-called Mexico City policy, of the George W. Bush administration prohibiting the use of U.S. family planning funds to promote or perform abortions in developing nations.
What bridge is Mr. Obama building with his unmitigated disregard for the sacredness of human life that God wills to be brought into the world? I write here merely as a layman, asking the question: What thoughtful Catholic, faithful to the Church, and with clear conscience, will be prepared and willing to help build and then cross that bridge with Mr. Obama?
John S. Krol, Atlanta
