Congressman on abortion and healthcare: I’d rather lose career than lose soul

August 05, 2009

Acknowledging that “voting against the health care bill will probably be the death of my political career,” Rep. Anh “Joseph” Cao-- a former Jesuit seminarian-- told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that “if the health care reform bill does not have strong language prohibiting the use of federal funding for abortion, then the bill is really a no-go for me.”

“I very much adhere to the notion of social justice,” said Cao. “I do fully understand the need of providing everyone with access to health care, but to me personally, I cannot be privy to a law that will allow the potential of destroying thousands of innocent lives.”

“I have to live with myself,” he added, “and I always reflect on the phrase of the New Testament, ‘How does it profit a man's life to gain the world but to lose his soul.’”

 

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Further information:

• Melancon votes against health overhaul bill (New Orleans Times-Picayune)
• Pro-life former Jesuit seminarian wins Louisiana congressional race (CWN, Dec 9)