Pelosi, in her own words, reveals ignorance about Eucharist

I'm getting to this article a few days late, but better late than never.

Pelosi is quoted in a book written by Kerry Kennedy called, Being Catholic Now. Remember Hebrews 13:8-9a:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.

On February 13, 2009, Kathryn Jean Lopez shared a portion of it in the National Catholic Register (emphases mine in bold; comments bracketed in red]:

Pelosi has preached her own unique gospel of death in the past on the Sabbath Day morning political shows [excellent wording]. As the Democratic Convention was set to begin in Denver this summer, Pelosi announced that the Church really had no idea when life began, citing Augustine and Aquinas as backup. She had absolutely no qualms with her party’s continued legal-abortion activism and their nominee’s radical position on even infanticide.

But none of this comes as a surprise to me. Consider what she wrote in a book called Being Catholic Now [by Kerry Kennedy] earlier this year. In it she [Pelosi]explained, “I’ve always been pro-choice. To me, it’s like saying, ‘Should we surrender our brains?’ I feel very comfortable with it." [No, you don't surrender your brains, you use them to truly study what the Church teaches, with humility and openness. You then use your brains to consider God may not be granting you the understanding now, but may, in time, if you humbly obey even when you don't understand after careful study. It takes no faith to obey that which we understand, but a great deal of faith to obey that which we do not understand when Holy Mother Church, with her 2000 years of wisdom and grace, feeds it to us. Put another way, those obedient to Church teaching are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world! Obedience is not imposed by the Church, but freely chosen by the humble through the use of their brains] But then, we really got to the core of the problem.

In the book, she recalls that around the time of her swearing in as the first woman speaker of the House, her granddaughter was preparing to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time (my words, not hers).

Relaying an exchange with the girl, her mother and Grandma Nancy, the congresswoman writes that the girl announced that she wanted to explain that “‘it is the BODY and BLOOD of Christ. When we go to church, IT IS THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST.’”

Her mother corrected the girl: “‘Yes, the host and the wine REPRESENT the body and blood of Christ.’”

But Nancy’s granddaughter protested, God bless her: “‘NOT represent. IS, it IS the body and blood of Christ.’” [Indeed, God bless her....and the priests, religious, and lay people who were involved in the young girl's formation. Pray for this child, that she remain faithful in the face of such confusion in the adults around her]

Pelosi writes, “My granddaughter was buying into it.”

Pelosi goes on to explain: “Okay. But it is hard. Every Sunday for me it’s hard. Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. Now think of it; we say that every week. Do I really believe he’s coming again? Yes, I believe he’s coming again. Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again. This is my body; this is my blood. They’re asking a lot. In my era, we didn’t question any of it.” [This is just confusing. She needs to un-busy herself and sit down with the Catechism of the Catholic Church]

Of course, it’s not “they” who are asking anything. It’s Him.

Meanwhile, it’s no wonder Nancy Pelosi is freelance gospel-writing in the public square; due to bad formation or whatever the cause [a charitable assumption we should make with all dissidents], she hasn’t embraced the core of the faith [exactly!]. How could she ever be a truth-telling public Catholic witness, how could she ever let the faith lead her in the public square, if she doesn’t even buy into the source and summit of it all?

One could get discouraged when waking up to such confused “Catholics” on Sunday morning TV. Don’t be. [Amen!] Go to Mass on Sunday; don’t stress about the Catholics misspeaking on “This Week” or “Meet the Press” or wherever it may be next Sunday. Do as the March for Lifers did this year: Pray without ceasing. [Excellent advice]

Ms. Lopez did a great job on this article. Do click the title link above the excerpt I provided and read the whole thing in it's entirety.


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Catholic Prof Doug Kmiec... Catholic Judges and Abortion: Did the Pope Set New Rules?

It didn't take dissident Catholic, Doug Kmiec, very long to get himself in widely circulated magazine over Pope's brief statement following the Pelosi attempted photo op visit.

Here he is in Time Magazine online: Catholic Judges and Abortion: Did the Pope Set New Rules?

More on this later.

UPDATE: Please see the following from the Catholic blogosphere and news outlets:

• Kmiec on Holy See’s Pelosi visit statement, Justice Scalia, duties of jurists (Fr. Z)
• Professor Kmiec calls Pope's clarification to Pelosi ‘intrusive’ (Catholic News Agency)

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Bomb threat made against Archbishop Bathersby

The situation in South Brisbane, Australia, is about to reach a climax as the new administrator, Fr. Ken Howell, the new administrator has been planning to celebrate a Mass at 7:00am local time (about 6:00pm tonight here in Detroit), but he's being warned now to enter the parish by police.

In the meanwhile, a bomb threat has been sent by mail to Archbishop Bathersby. The target is the Bishop's residence, and there is a message linking it most likely to the St. Mary's situation.

Go read more about the bomb threat at the Sydney Morning Herald

Talk about madness.

More tomorrow, I'm sure. Please pray for these people. They have been led astray by a wolf in sheep's clothing. Continue praying for the wolf, as well. Never think anyone is beyond prayer.



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World Over Live on EWTN - Excellent Interview with Bishop Baker of Birmingham, Alabama

If you did not watch World Over Live with Raymond Arroyo on EWTN this evening, catch it at 1:00am Saturday or 4:00pm Sunday. If you are outside of the US or don't have cable, you can watch it live on the internet provided you have something better than dialup. Here is a timezone map (the times listed are for GMT -5).



Raymond spent most of the show discussing Catholic politicians and Holy Communion using the example of Nancy Pelosi. He interviewed Bishop Robert Baker of Birmingham, Alabama and they discussed the Pope's publicized statement following their meeting.



Bishop Baker pleaded for prayers more than anything, especially during Lent. He also asked for people to fast and do acts of mortification. This, he said was primary.

As far as what the bishops are doing, I think he did a good job of explaining things. Let's just say that he is in Archbishop Burke's camp. At the same time, you can't expect Bishop Baker, or any bishop for that matter, to comment specifically one what some other bishop should do. You have to listen carefully about his policy and how he deals with Catholic politicians coming to town.


Watch this show and if you can't watch it, record it.

Here is the prayer that Bishop Baker is asking people to pray in his diocese:

Here is Bishop Baker's prayer for public officials. And God knows they could use prayers...

A Pro-Life Prayer for Our President and Public Officials

Lord God, Author of Life and Source of Eternal Life, move the hearts of all our public officials and especially our President, to fulfill their responsibilities worthily and well to all those entrusted to their care. Help them in their special leadership roles, to extend the mantle of protection to the most vulnerable, especially the defenseless unborn, whose lives are threatened with extermination by an indifferent society. Guide all public officials by your wisdom and grace to cease supporting any law that fails to protect the fundamental good that is human life itself, which is a gift from God and parents. You are the Protector and Defender of the lives of the innocent unborn. Change the hearts of those who compromise the call to protect and defend life. Bring our nation to the values that have made us a great nation, a society that upholds the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. Mary, the Mother of the living, help us to bear witness to the Gospel of Life with our lives and our laws, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Imprimatur: January 22, 2009 + Most Reverend Robert J. Baker Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama

To watch it online, go to EWTN's main site, click on Television, and go from there.

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Pelosi and the Pope; Cavuto and Archbishop Chaput on topic

This post is made on the heels of a rare photo found from private meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Nancy Pelosi.

It was Vincenzo who "discovered" the rare photo, which appeared in this post on the interview that Neil Cavuto of Fox News did with Archbishop Charles Chaput about the Pelosi - Benedict XVI meeting.

Here is a video from the Feb 18, 2009 Neil Cavuto Show:




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Pray for priest assigned to St. Mary's in Brisbane

Can there be a tougher assignment than this one at the moment? Pray for this priest. Pray for the conversion of Fr. Peter Kennedy, and pray for the people of St. Mary's who have been allowed to wander for so many years, that they find their way home. There is a very good chance this parish will break away in schism. We should be praying that it doesn't happen. It didn't get this way overnight and won't transform itself overnight either.

From the Catholic Leader in Australia:

Incoming administrator Fr Ken Howell has raised the hope that the community will move forward “vibrant and united” after recent events.

Fr Howell, who is also St Stephen’s Cathedral dean, is celebrating Masses for the first time in his new role at St Mary’s today.

Archbishop John Bathersby in a letter on February 6 informed then St Mary’s administrator Fr Peter Kennedy that he was cancelling his appointment, unless he “were to resign beforehand”.

Fr Kennedy and the St Mary’s community had failed to agree to directives from the archbishop for Fr Kennedy to cease practices at St Mary’s “that separated it from communion with the Roman Catholic Church”.

Archbishop Bathersby is standing by his decision.

In a statement this week, he said the transfer and appointment of parish priests and administrators was a normal part of the functioning of any archdiocese.

“My February 6 letter to Fr Kennedy requested that he either resign as administrator of St Mary’s or have that appointment terminated,” Archbishop Bathersby said.

“Fr Peter Kennedy will remain a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Brisbane after the termination of his appointment to St Mary’s.”
Fr Howell welcomed comments by Fr Kennedy in a Brisbane newspaper that, although he would continue to attend Mass in the parish, Fr Howell was “welcome” to lead the Mass.

“I look forward to visiting the parish during the week, so that there can be a smooth transition,” Fr Howell said in a statement on Monday.

“This is to ensure the celebration of Mass at St Mary’s this weekend and the continuation of important parish activities such as its outreach to people at a social or economic disadvantage in our community.”

Fr Howell also referred to Fr Kennedy’s collapse hours after his final Mass last Sunday afternoon. He was taken to hospital and released after observation.

“I was alarmed as a brother priest to hear that Fr Kennedy was taken ill last night, and hope he is on the road to recovery,” Fr Howell said.

A spokesperson for St Mary’s said it was understood that Fr Kennedy’s collapse was “basically due to the stress of the current situation”.

She said Fr Kennedy had taken a couple of days off duty but was “recovering well”.

Previous post with links to more background on this story: Things are boiling over in South Brisbane...


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Canonist speaks out on Pewsitter Online Petition aimed at getting Bishops attention

Fresh in from Canonist Ed Peters....

[updated at 5:22am, Feb 20th - scroll down]

Pewsitter.com has published an on-line petition by which Catholics may call upon bishops to withhold holy Communion from Catholic political figures who gravely disregard Church teaching on certain fundamental life issues. The petition invokes canon law in support of some of its propositions. I know nothing about the organization behind the petition, but I feel confident in commenting on its canonical aspects.

The petition seems to me to qualify under 1983 CIC 212.3 as one way of helping the faithful to express "to sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful." I do not think the petition pretends to an expertise it cannot claim, nor does it seem to be violative of basic norms on faith, morals, and reverence toward pastors, etc. It does not impugn the fidelity of those who choose not to sign.

The petition calls for withholding of holy Communion under Canon 915 and in this regard it avoids the highly contentious, and I think erroneous, claim that certain politicians should be subject to excommunication for their actions. Moreover, the petition avoids identifying specific politicians for action under Canon 915, even though a strong case can be made for such action in the case of, say, Nancy Pelosi. Each politician's situation, as I have said, needs to be examined individually by competent experts; this is by no means an impossible task, but it is not one best conducted in the blogosphere.

continue reading at, In Light of the Law...

It's ok to sign the petition, but don't forget to put some serious time into praying for our bishops. That prayer can move them, along with the knowledge that ordinary Catholics are tired of being scandalized, and seeing their loved ones and friends scandalized.

EDIT: Ed Peters has updated the post...

I just came across Michael Sean Winters' post on Canon 915 over at the America magazine group blog. Winter's qualifications to opine on matters canonical were not immediately evident to me, but he assures readers that applying Canon 915 in the response to the scandal of pro-abortion Catholic politicians would be "a radical innovation that should be resisted", that it "requires applying the canons in ways that are novel and dubious" and that canon law "should be applied with gentleness not vengeance" (you know, as if everyone agrees on what those terms actually mean in the concrete order), and so on.

Winters bravely confronts the evil unnamed blogger who, in a series of obvious misstatements, paints a picture of Canon 915 run amok. This device allows Winters to assume the mantle of moderation and warn us against those dangerous "cranks" who would substitute a blogger's opinion for that of pastor. Nice way to dispatch opposing views, that, present an obvious caricature, then tsk-tsk it away.

Ironically, it does not seem to occur to Winters that he quite willing to substitute his opinion on how canon 915 should be applied for that of actual pastors like Abp. Raymond Burke (a prelate whose credentials in canon law dwarf mine and, I'm guessing, Winters'). Burke offers a powerful, and I suggest compelling, case for the application of Canon 915 in the face of the metastasizing scandal of the prominent pro-abortion Catholic politician. Has Winters has read it?

In any case, I echo Winters' concern about "judgmentalism" being "profoundly uncharitable". But such concern should, I think, forbid labeling those who call for the correct application of Canon 915 as "cranks". Or is "judgmentalism" a temptation to only one side of this debate?

see the entire origial post and this update at, In Light of the Law...

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Heartwarming story of the day...Hoops!

I just happened to spot this when logging into Yahoo.

Read this story, whether you like basketball or not. It' sad, yet heartwarming.

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An Update on Pelosi Meeting with the Pope

There are a couple of quick notes I want to pass along.

First, go to Fox News for an interview bewteen Neil Cavuto and Archbishop Chaput on the meeting bewteen Nancy Pelosi and the Pope. (H/T - Tom Peters, AmP)

Secondly, go listen to the interview that Teresa Tomeo did with Fr. Frank Pavone yesterday. You can listen to the whole hour which starts with the news, then goes into an interview with Phil Lawler of Catholic World Report, and in the last 20-30 minutes (move the slider bar after clicking the link), will be an interview with Fr. Frank Pavone.

He gives a very solid reading of this interview. Two points I'm going to pull out:

1) The Holy Father won't likely excommunicate someone like Nancy Pelosi because once he does, every bishop, everywhere would have to follow suit .... right now. It is preferrable by the Vatican that action come from individual bishops (if you disagree, that's fine, but hear Father out in the interview. He is, afterall, on the front lines and has a clear understanding of how things should work, especially having worked in the Vatican)

2) Fr. Pavone points out that by making what he did public, Pope Benedict not only sent a message to Ms. Pelosi, but sent a message to her bishop, and in reality, all bishops of the world.

Go listen to the interview from February 18th 2008 on Catholic Connection

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Bishop Martino threatens to close Scranton's Cathedral on St. Patrick's Day...

Bishop Martino has been acting decisively like a bishop who understands he is accountable for scandal created in his diocese and he is not going to sit back quietly.

From the Scranton Times-Tribune

In a letter to the heads of three local Irish-American organizations, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton has threatened to close St. Peter’s Cathedral during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations if the groups feature elected officials who support abortion rights at their annual events.

BY LAURA LEGERE
STAFF WRITER

Published: Thursday, February 19, 2009 4:11 PM EST

In a letter to the heads of three local Irish-American organizations, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton has threatened to close St. Peter’s Cathedral during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations if the groups feature elected officials who support abortion rights at their annual events.

The letter, which was signed by Auxiliary Bishop John M. Dougherty, reports that Bishop Joseph F. Martino is “determined to prevent scandal,” which would be caused if the organizations “in any way” should “honor pro-abortion officials” by giving them parade or dais positions or opportunities to speak and “the Catholic Church is seen to be involved in this honoring.”

In direct terms, the letter reiterates the bishop’s publicly stated position that elected officials who vote to support abortion rights will be denied Holy Communion if they attempt to receive the sacrament in the diocese, including at St. Patrick’s Day Masses. The closing of St. Peter’s Cathedral is offered as an additional measure to prevent the honoring of such officials.

Auxiliary Bishop Dougherty wrote that the bishop hopes the groups’ “judicious choices” about which elected officials to honor will make any actions by the bishop unnecessary, but that the letter was sent “to avoid any surprise should (Bishop Martino) be required to take action in this most serious matter.”

The morning Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral has been a traditional element of the parade day celebration for decades. An additional Mass on the feast day also is offered at the cathedral and is particularly important for the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, one of the groups the auxiliary bishop addressed.

Leaders of that group, as well as the other two Irish-American groups, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Association of Lackawanna County and the Society of Irish Women, reacted to the letter with surprise, disappointment and some confusion.

Evie Rafalko McNulty, a founder of the Society of Irish Women, explained that her group is not even Catholic.

“We’re not a Christian organization. We’re not ‘saint’ anything. We’re just a group of Irish women,” she said. Her group pays $500 to help defray the cost of the Mass given at St. Peter’s Cathedral on parade day, because it was asked to help contribute.

“If he doesn’t have the Mass, then we save $500,” she said.

John Keeler, president of the Friendly Sons, said the members of his group, a 103-year-old Irish Catholic organization, were chagrined by the letter but believe they already are in compliance with it.

“The suggestion that we would at any time do anything to create a scandal to the Catholic church is somewhat disappointing, considering that most, if not all, of our members are daily communicants in the Catholic faith who live their faith and support their church to the fullest extent possible,” he said.

In particular, the group’s disappointment stems from the section of the letter that says the bishop may close the cathedral, he said, because “many of our Irish ancestors played a major role in the physical construction of churches, including the cathedral.”

Mr. Keeler, who is also a past president of the parade association, said the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick are always “very much aware” of Catholic positions on political issues, like abortion, when they choose a speaker and do not plan to feature anyone this year who would be contrary to the bishop’s position. The group’s principal speaker this year will be Mark Durkan, the leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in Northern Ireland.

The Society of Irish Women has not yet confirmed a speaker for its annual dinner, but Mrs. McNulty said the group has not invited anyone who has a legislative voting record on any abortion issue.

Mike Harrity, the president of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Association, did not return calls for comment.

The annual St. Patrick’s Parade through downtown Scranton is one of the largest in the country, and the dinners hosted by the Friendly Sons and the Society of Irish Women often have featured prominent national and international figures. Last year, President Barack Obama, then a senator, spoke at the Irish Women’s dinner; Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern spoke at the Friendly Sons’ dinner and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, then a senator, marched in the parade.

Although bishops of the diocese have historically attended the Friendly Sons’ dinner, Bishop Martino has never participated.

Bishop’s long fight

■ April 11, 2004: Bishop Martino says in an interview that he would “very, very seriously consider” denying Holy Communion to politicians who have supported abortion rights.

■ Sept. 29: The Catholic Light prints a statement by Bishop Martino: “A Catholic would be unworthy to receive Holy Communion if he or she were deliberately to vote for a candidate precisely because of that candidate’s permissive stand on abortion.”

■ Sept. 15, 2005: The bishop issues a pastoral letter: “I will not tolerate any politician who claims to be a faithful Catholic who is not genuinely pro-life.”

■ Sept. 30, 2008: Bishop Martino issues a pastoral letter to be in read at Masses telling Catholic voters that no other voting issue but euthanasia and embryonic stem-cell research are as morally grave as abortion.

■ Oct. 19: Bishop Martino arrives unannounced at a voters’ forum in a Honesdale church and chastises the group for discussing excerpts from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ position on voting issues. The document defines abortion and euthanasia, as well as racism, torture and genocide, as among the most important issues.

PDF of Actual Letter

Recent Posts on Te Deum Laudamus involving Bishop Martino:

• It's Bishop Martino....again, this time taking on Misericordia University for inviting gay-rights advocate
• Why did Bishop Martino Voice Disapproval of Talk by Keith Boykin?
• Despite Bishop Martino's Protest, Gay-Right's Speech Takes Place at Misericordia
• Bishop Martino to Sen. Robert Casey on Formally Cooperating with Evil
• Bishop Martino of Scranton, PA: "This is madness, people!"
• Bishop Martino on the "collective reticence" of his confreres for not being more vocal about pro-abortion Catholic politicians. (from the USCCB General Asm)
  
  
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Hack job in The Tablet attempts to intimidate priests

There is a real hack-job in The Tablet against Fr. Tim Finigan in in the UK.

Fr. Tim Finigan is the Fr. Perrone of Blackfen, having slowly graduated the liturgy there to more traditional forms of the Novus Ordo and eventually including one Mass each Sunday after Summorum Pontificum, in the Extraordinary Form.

Fr. Finigan responds and I think you should read his post to get the article, along with his comments to individual points.

Then, check out the post by Fr. Z in which he comments throughout the same article. Father makes a very good point - this was nothing more than an attempt to intimidate other priests.


Go read Fr. Tim: The hermeneutic of continuity: Responding to the Tablet

Go read Fr. Z: Exercises in intimidation: The Tablet attacks Fr. Finigan

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Big Apple still waits....is delay related to Pelosi's visit with the Pope?

It may be empty in this photo, but the Cathedra at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC is not vacant. Cardinal Egan is still keeping it warm for.....Archbishop Dolan???

Still nothing on the February 19th Bollettino, as of 6:38am for the US on the New York City Archbishop appointment. It is largely believed that Archbishop Dolan is "vacationing" in the Big Apple. [Post Edit: I'm not sure where I read that the archbishop was vacationing in New York, but I am unable to find the source and want to strike that statement....sorry for any confusion. I still think tomorrow is the day, but I may have to eat crow as my guess is as good as anyones]

Perhaps I'm giving the Vatican too much credit, but here goes a thought...

[begin speculation]

I am going to maintain the theory that the Holy See is deliberately delaying the appointment in order to let the news about Pelosi's meeting with the Pope circulate well, and not get diffused with another big news item.

It's amazing what the Holy See can do when everyone is on the same page.

If any of this is true, Friday is a far better day than today would have been because it would have diffused yesterday's big news as it hits the print editions today (say that really fast 3x). However, it is noteworthy that the Vatican has been making announcements of appointments on Saturdays, as well. I still think tomorrow is the day.

[end speculation]

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Things are boiling over in South Brisbane...

We continue to watch events unfold in South Brisbane at St. Mary's parish where a rogue priest has been doing just about everything one can to get yanked by his Bishop. There are misleading reports out there claiming Fr. Peter Kennedy is being defrocked and I've not seen anything from the diocese to indicate such a thing. People are just trying to come up with good headlines.

Every day brings something new out of this corner of Australia and this morning was no different.

In this first article you can see that this priest could write a handbook on how to get replaced at a parish, and even excommunicated. Other headlines show the chaos, as well. Unfortunately, this has probably gone on for so long that it has embedded itself to the point that you have to wonder if the parish can be retained by the archdiocese, or if it will break off in schism.

• There'll be no parish, says 'betrayed' priest
• Sacked priest Father Peter Kennedy vows to celebrate mass
• St Mary's Father Peter Kennedy brands replacement 'religious scab'
• Father's flock fights move to de-frock

Previous posts on Te Deum:

• George Cardinal Pell backs Archbishop Bathersby on actions taken regarding Fr. Peter Kennedy
• Update: Rogue Australian priest vows not to go down quietly
• Wayward Australian Parish Heading Towards a Breakaway

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NY Times: After Schooling by Pope, Pelosi Still Favors Abortion

(Source: Pier Paolo Cito/Associated Press)

It looks like the Pope blew his stack. His zuccheto actually flew off during the windy general audience, prior to the meeting with Nancy Pelosi. It was a sign of things to come. But, the Fisherman remained calm in spite of the "many winds of doctrine" puffing about.

From the New York Times: Visiting Pope, Pelosi Hears a Call to Protect Life

She said she had praised “the church’s leadership in fighting poverty, hunger, and global warming, as well as the Holy Father’s dedication to religious freedom and his upcoming trip and message to Israel.” Ms. Pelosi’s statement did not mention the pope’s comments on abortion.

Her office noted that she has previously said she wants to reduce abortions but that she remains in favor of abortion rights.

Ok - so she didn't say it herself. "Her office" noted it for her.

It's only a matter of time before she notes it personally and publicly.

Related Posts:

• Followup on Meeting Between Abp Niederauer and Nancy Pelosi



• Followup on the Pope and Pelosi - put your boots on!



• BREAKING: Nancy Pelosi Has Met with Abp Niederauer - Feb 8th



• Pelosi gets schooled by the Pope

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Followup on Meeting Between Abp Niederauer and Nancy Pelosi

Earlier today, I shared with you news that Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV had confirmed with both the Archdiocese of San Francisco and Nancy Pelosi's spokesman, that she had met with Archbishop Niederauer on Sunday, February 8th quietly in a third-party home.

One has to wonder, why make it so.....clandestine?

I have my own theory:

[begin speculation]

Nancy Pelosi looks for access to general audience on an upcoming visit (for a good photo-op) and is told she cannot meet with the Pope until she meets with her bishop, as she promised in August.

Pelosi meets Abp Niederauer at a third-party residence, privately, as reported on February 8th, without the knowledge of Niederauer's spokesman (he can't lie about that which he has no knowledge). While Pelosi wants it private, so does Niederauer because the Pope very much wants an opportunity to visit with her. Hence, the public is not to be denied knowledge of this meeting indefinitely, but only until the meeting with the Pope has taken place.

Vatican delays announcement of Archbishop Dolan to the Big Apple's throne because it wants to be absolutely certain that news of the Pope Benedict -Nancy Pelosi meeting is thoroughly circulated (look for that announcement Thursday morning or Friday - the latter of which would be better as it will not take attention off printed headlines of the meeting in the AM).


[end speculation]

Pelosi gets the desired meeting with the Holy Father, not just a general audience, but a private meeting. There's only one problem.....the press and the photographers are locked out and only her, her husband and entourage are allowed in the private meeting. It lasts 15 mintes and promptly afterwards, probably unbeknownst to the Speaker given her own spin, the Vatican makes it clear she went through the "Pope Benedict XVI school of living Catholic in the public square".

Some noted on Feb 13th that no date had been set for a meeting with the Archbishop. Yet, this conflicted with reports that a meeting took place on Feb 8th. The conflict was noted on Catholic and political blogs, well. However, if the spokesman was unaware that a meeting had taken place already, then it could be that no one lied. Rather, they were uninformed.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

Going down the same path, as did Michael Voris in his video commentary, Fr. Z states (note he is saying "if" the meeting took place).

If the Archbishop and the Speaker did in fact have a meeting, and if after this meeting and then the meeting with the Holy Father she does not change her position and actions concerning these life issues, I cannot see any way around the necessity for bishops, according to c. 915, to deny Speaker Pelosi reception of Holy Communion.

It will be interesting to see what happens when Abp Niederauer comes back from retreat. Will he offer a public response now that the meeting is over with Pope Benedict XVI? Perhaps nothing will happen until there is another public manifestation of her obstinant refusal to live Catholic. For Pelosi, that ought not take long given her track record. If Abp Niederauer goes to Canon 915 there ought not be any doubt in anyone's mind: Ms. Pelosi has been duly educated by the Pope himself. I'll be watching the Archdiocese of San Francisco website for any statement out of Abp Niederauer.

MORE: Canonist Ed Peters previously posted on Canon's 915 and 916 back in 2007:

• Archbishop Raymond Burke on Canon 915 (note that Burke is now head of the Aposotlic Signatura, the highest court in the Church)
• A primer for those who prefer knowing to opining
  
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