Prominent priests comment on Obama victory, abortion

November 06, 2008

Priests often quoted in the media offered differing perspectives on the election of Sen. Barack Obama.

Father Andrew Greeley denounced the ‘most fanatical pro-lifers’ for creating anti-Catholic prejudice: ‘Catholics must strive to persuade others by the depth and power of their commitment to life issues. Ranting at others because they are ‘killing babies’ may be emotionally satisfying, but it doesn’t change people’s minds. In a society like ours, one needs to build a coalition to change people’s minds on such an issue. Arguing with them and trying to impose the Catholic notion of natural law on them by political power won’t work. Only living the whole Catholic social ethic, as difficult as that may be, will provide examples that may change the anti-Catholic prejudice that the most fanatical pro-lifers create. It will not be an easy task.’

Father Thomas Reese saw the election as a rebuke to several prominent bishops and expressed concern that the passage of the Freedom of Choice Act would alienate Catholic support in a future election. ‘Catholic voters ignored the instructions of a group of vocal bishops and delivered 54% of their vote for Barack Obama as president of the United States. These bishops, led by Archbishops Charles Chaput and Raymond Burke, argued that abortion was the most important issue in the election and that no other issues outweighed it … Will the abortion debate rise up again in four years at the next presidential election? A lot depends on President Obama and the Democratic Congress. If they push through the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), then they will have betrayed their pro-life Catholic supporters. This will make it nearly impossible for these people to support them again. On the other hand, if they make a priority the enactment of an abortion reduction bill, then it will be more difficult for the bishops and the Republicans to portray the Democrats as the pro-abortion party.’

Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life, on the other hand, wrote, ‘Americans have made a grave mistake in electing Barack Obama to the presidency … The American people do not share Barack Obama’s extreme and offensive views on abortion. They never have and they never will. The coming four years will see a widening gap between the people and their President on this fundamental issue. As Americans come to know how extreme his position is, the intensity of the struggle to protect these children will only increase.’

 

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Further information:

• Thomas J. Reese: Catholics go for Obama (On Faith, Washington Post)
• Andrew Greeley: Why so many pro-life Catholics backed Obama (Chicago Sun-Times)
• Father Frank Pavone: A Grave Mistake and an Abiding Hope (Priests for Life)