Daniel Cardinal DiNardo defended the Church’s involvement in removing abortion from the House version of the health care bill after a storm of criticism was leveled against the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) of “lobbying” concerning the last minute addition of the Stupak Amendment.
“We would say: If you call it lobbying, we’re lobbying on moral issues that relate to the public square and we feel we have, as religious leaders, a place in that debate with others,”
Cardinal DiNardo became chair of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities at the USCCB. He is also the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. His Eminence represents a growing cadre of bishops that are leading their flocks out of the wilderness bravely in a fallen world.
All throughout 2009 many bishops have entered the national debate in regards to defending fundamental moral values and rectifying misinformation from wayward Catholics in political life. This year seems to be the year the bishops found their voice. Not since Francis Cardinal Spellman graced the New York Archdiocese have we seen the faithful being led with strong ecclesial leadership from all parts of the country.
Addressing the criticism directed at religious leaders speaking up on these important issues Cardinal DiNardo said,
“Whatever the polls say, that would not determine going into the public square on those issues,”
“For us, the role of the human person, it’s a religious and a moral and ethical principle.”
“We believe legislation that violates this moral principle is not true health care reform and must be amended to reflect it. If that fails, the current legislation should be opposed,”
The current legislation should be opposed. Expect a resolute voice against any abortion wording in the Senate debate, especially behind closed doors.
“We’re going to work very hard to speak to senators,”
Let us continue praying for our shepherds as they fight the good fight in defense of the most vulnerable among us.
Ora pro nobis!
_._
To read the interview of Daniel Cardinal DiNardo by Moises Mendoza of the Houston Chronicle click here.
Yep, that’s my Cardinal. With Cornyn and Hutchinson as our senators, Texas should be on the prolife side of this debate (although I have my doubts about Hutchinson at times, but she’s thinking of a governor run, so she has to tow the line).
C Matt!
That’s my Cardinal as well.
What parish do you attend (send me an email if you can).
Tito
My cardinal, my parish. . . you Texans are all the same. You still think the rest of the USA is the backyard of the Republic of Texas. 🙂
Have some pitty on those of us stuck behind enemy lines will ya’?
Part of the enemies and the Enemy’s strategy is to make religion irrelevent, personal, private, quite and indifferent, then neo-pagan Satan worship will rule by default.
It is not only permitted and encouraged, it is mandatory and incumbent upon the Church (clerics, religious and layity) to form the moral conscience of society and government. Catholics cannot and will not be quite about protecting the pre-born, the aged and all those marginalized by secular, illicit authority and the powers of the present darkness.
Thanks be to God for Cardinals and Bishops with faith, hope and charity and what you in Texas call ‘cajones’ too.
St. Andrew ora pro nobis.
That is not quite, it is quiet. Sorry.
That’s my Cardinal. I even see Tito at Mass 🙂
I love those late, late Masses on campus 😀
Tito:
Can’t seem to locate an email for you.
I go t St. Vincent de Paul in Houston.
C Matt,
tito[.]benedictus[@]gmail[.]com
St. Vincent’s, Where all the doctors attend! They have the best young adult spiritual group in the entire archdiocese.
I attended Mass at St. Vincent De Paul when I was down in Houston about ten days ago. I was pleasantly surprised – I was expecting a somewhat schlocky, new agey kind of Mass but got a very orthodox service (if with some unfortunate guitar accompaniment). A very packed Church, as well. Also, I couldn’t help but notice that they did not take up a collection for the CCHD. Interesting.
I noticed that as well at my own parish. From my understanding, you have to physically go to the narthex and drop your donation off in a CCHD bag or box.
I like that idea instead of passing the basket around during collection.
Outside of some of the architecture, the priests and laity are pretty solid there. You’ll still find your cultural Catholics, but it isn’t your typical parish that you normally find.
And yes, they can definitely do without the guitar. It’s amazing how many orthodox and practicing Catholics that actually still play the guitar during Mass think it’s appropriate.
Well, if the worst thing is that they have guitar accompaniment, then things can’t be too bad.
St. Vincent’s, where all the doctors attend
And the lawyers that sue them!! 🙂
The Teen Life Mass tends to make me cringe, but while the style is not my cup of tea, the substance is usually solid. I am a bit disappointed with the Resurrection statue in the back (looks way to cartoonish), but the original crucifix and statues up front are pretty amazing.
The architecture is a bit boxy and utilitarian, but at least it’s not theatre in the round.
C Matt & Paul,
The statue in the back? The surfing Jesus?
Surfing Jesus
Yes! That is a perfect description!