Wednesday 18 February 2009

Papal rebuke to Nancy Pelosi is a message for all anti-life Catholics in public life

Mrs Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, (pictured) has been firmly rebuked by Pope Benedict when she visited him at the Vatican today, albeit in the measured, diplomatic language of the Holy See.

The papal rebuke sends a clear message to Catholics in public life who promote and support anti-life legislation. She has described herself as an ardent, practising Catholic and her views on life issues closely mirror those of Tony Blair, recently received into the Catholic Church, who has refused to repudiate the anti-life laws and policies he steadfastly pursued throughout his political career. Nancy Pelosi's appalling voting record on abortion (including coercive abortion), population control, human embryo research, human cloning and a host of other issues, can be found here.

The following terse statement appeared today on the Holy See website:

Following the General Audience the Holy Father briefly greeted Mrs Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, together with her entourage.

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 cooperation 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.

Monsignor Barreiro told me today: "A Press Release of this importance it is always published at least with the approval of the Secretary of State. "