Catholics around the nation were fearing that Nancy Pelosi would use her meeting with the Holy Father as a self-affirming photo-op.
Her office has already tried to spin it that way, saying that she congratulated the Holy Father for the Church’s stand on the environment, and helping the poor, issues which the Democrats feel comfortable claiming as Catholic issues. Since no media were present, there won’t be a photo forthcoming,and Pelosi’s version will be pitted against the official Vatican response to their meeting. I have decided to believe the Vatican’s official take on the meeting,
“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 co-operation 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 did we ever doubt the Holy Father’s ablity to deal with politicians? Thank you, Holy Father. Now let’s pray for Speaker Pelosi’s heart to be open to the teaching she has received.
Read the entire story from Catholic News Service and another from Fox News
Ave Maria! I must admit that I’m somewhat disappointed at the ambiguity that has come out of all of this … always ambiguity! I’m quite sure our Holy Father made his points clearly but once they hit the media, we get two different stories as to what happened and the average media front will portray pelosi’s view more emphatically. Once again, the American Catholic walks away confused. I hope the Vatican can clarify this somehow but it’s doubtful that the average viewer will see this. Maybe I’m being too pessimistic and I apologize if that is the case. The very human side of me wants to hear the Holy Father say to Catholic politicians and legal reps who don’t support the Church’s teaching, “You’re OUT. Finis. Ciao. Good riddance.” Not very charitable of me, I suppose.