Politics
Monday June 4, 2007
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Bishop Blasts Rudy Guiliani Position on Abortion as "Pathetic", "Confusing", "Hypocritical"
Says "Rudy's preposterous position is compounded by the fact that he professes to be a Catholic"
By John-Henry Westen
PROVIDENCE, RI, June 4, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Diocese of Providence in Rhode Island in his latest column in the diocese's newspaper speaks of rejecting an invitation to a $500 ($1500 with photo op) fundraising reception for Republican Presidential Candidate Rudy Guiliani.
"I have no idea why I received an invitation to Giuliani's fundraiser. I don't know the mayor; I've never met him. I try to avoid partisan politics. Heck, I'm not even a Republican. But most of all, I would never support a candidate who supports legalized abortion," explains Bishop Tobin in his article entitled "My R.S.V.P. to Rudy Giuliani."
Fidelis, a Catholic group in the United States praised the Bishop's column and has written him to thank him for his courage.
"Rudy's public proclamations on abortion are pathetic and confusing. Even worse, they're hypocritical," writes Bishop Tobin. The Bishop tackles Guiliani's "personally opposed but . . ." take on abortion stating: "would we let any politician get away with the same pathetic cop-out on other issues: "I'm personally opposed to . . . racial discrimination, sexual abuse, prostitution, drug abuse, polygamy, incest . . . but don't want to impose my beliefs on others?"
Fidelis President Joseph Cella stated: "We are grateful for Bishop Tobin's courage in condemning the incoherence of Rudy Giuliani's support of abortion on demand. Bishop Tobin's words serve as an authoritative and unambiguous reminder to Giuliani and all Catholic politicians of their moral obligations as Catholic public leaders to defend human life."
"Rudy's preposterous position is compounded by the fact that he professes to be a Catholic," says Bishop Tobin, noting that "as Catholics we are called, indeed required, to be pro-life." The Bishop cited several other Catholic politicians who have similarly abandoned the truth on the sanctity of life. "Rudy's defection from the Catholic Faith on this moral issue is not unique, of course. Catholic politicians of both parties, nationwide, have followed a similar path in abandoning the Faith for the sake of political expediency: Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Pat Leahy, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden come quickly to mind," he wrote.
Pointing out the eternal costs of such actions, the Bishop wrote: "How these intelligent men and women will someday stand before the judgment seat of God and explain why they legitimized the death of countless innocent children in the sin of abortion is beyond me. (But God, really, I was personally opposed to it, but just couldn't do anything about it.")"
Tobin concluded: "I won't be attending the fundraiser for Rudy Giuliani. If Rudy wants to see me, he'll have to arrange an appointment at my office. We'll talk about his position on abortion. And if he wants a photo, it will cost him $1,500 as a donation for the pro-life work of the Church."
Fidelis is asking Catholics and Christians to thank Bishop Tobin for his clarity and courage.
Bishop Tobin's office can be reached by calling 401-278-4500, via fax at 401-278-4649, or via e-mail at letters@thericatholic.com
Bishop Tobin's column can be read in its entirety here:
http://www.thericatholic.com/rudy.html
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