Off the Record

apostolic priorities By Diogenes | August 27, 2008 8:24 AM

In February 2007,  when he was a year into the job,  San Francisco Archbishop George Niederauer had been too busy re-ordering toner cartridges to speak with his most notorious communicant about her most notorious political position.

Ed Cavagnaro: Now, one of your own flock, a Catholic woman from San Francisco, is now one of the most powerful people in all the country. Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic from San Francisco, is the Speaker of the House. She is not only pro-choice, but she would be someone who would be working to try to keep abortion legal. In your view is she less of a Catholic because of that?

Archbishop Niederauer: Well, I have met on one occasion, with Speaker Pelosi, before she was Speaker Pelosi. It was last year. And I -- we've -- exchanged viewpoints on a number of things. At that time, it was last spring, and it was principally about immigration, because that was very much the hot-button topic of the time. We haven't had an opportunity to talk about the life issues. I would very much welcome that opportunity, but I don't believe that I am in a position to say what I understand her stand to be, if I haven't had a chance to talk to her about it.

It seems that conversation still hasn't taken place. 

 

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• Posted by: Catholicity - Aug. 27, 2008 1:53 PM ET USA

  This guy is an Archbishop and that is an actual quote from him? Doesn't he realize we can can see right through him? The reason the "life issues" topic wasn't brought up is because he didn't bring it up. It wouldn't surprise me if he commanded that it not be brought up. Perhaps so he wouldn't have to do his job? I wish my job was that easy.

• Posted by: tzarno - Aug. 27, 2008 1:28 PM ET USA

  Niederauer has already said he would not deny Communion to pro-abort politicians. Until he decides to become a Catholic bishop and find the resolve to forgo the SF mayor's cocktail parties, Pelosi will continue to receive Communion and inform the country as to what the Catholic Church's doctrine actually means...[