The pro-life Catholics For Faithful Citizenship sent out a press release this week ripping newly elected Republican House Majority Leader John Boehner for a letter he sent to the Republican Values Action Team asking for support in his race to succeed Tom Delay.
Boehner wrote the group:
The late Pope John Paul II famously said "the cemetery of the victims of human cruelty in our century is extended to include yet another vast cemetery, that of the unborn." As a Catholic, pro-life legislator, I believe I have a moral responsibility to fight for that which the late Pope fought, and to oppose any legislation that would result in new graves being added to the "cemetery" of which John Paul II so eloquently spoke.
Catholics For Faithful Citizenship responded in their release:
In his January 17th letter to the "Republican Values Action Team" new House Majority Leader Rep. John Boehner (R-OH) stated;" I believe I have a moral responsibility to fight for that which the late Pope fought" How confused the late Holy Father would be by this statement if only he knew that Boehner has repeatedly voted in Congress in favor of issues contrary to what Pope John Paul II fought for.
Boehner like most cafeteria Catholics, has made the decision to use his Catholicism to rally support around a single issue; abortion. Boehner does not even touch on the subject of working towards an end to abortion by addressing the real life causes of abortion. Instead of focusing on issues that will reduce the tragedy of abortion, we get more of the same rhetoric that makes abortion such a volatile wedge issue in election years. Instead of the same tired old rhetoric surrounding the abortion debate, we need fresh new and bold ideas that are grounded in sound research and common sense.
Research conducted by the Alan Guttmacher Institute shows that half of pregnancies in this country are unplanned and half of those end in abortion. The realities of economic hardship also factor into women's choice for abortion. We must address the three million unintended pregnancies per year through grants for age appropriate pregnancy prevention education. We must be capable of openly discussing appropriate sex education programs and promoting abstinence for teens. We must provide support for pregnant women in ways that encourage them to continue their pregnancies such as day care, pregnancy counseling on campuses, permanent adoption tax credits, better availability for referral information, shelters for women and children in crisis pregnancies, support for safe haven laws and better medical insurance for mothers and children through their first year of life.
Boehner voted against debt reduction for Africa. In the last year of his life, the Holy Father spoke often regarding the problem of the imbalance between the riches and poverty of the world today."
Boehner voted for the Iraq war. A war that the Holy Father deemed a "Defeat for Humanity" and further stated: "How can we not think with profound regret of the drama unfolding in Iraq, which has given rise to tragic situations of uncertainty and insecurity for all?" - Pope John Paul II, Do Not Be Overcome By Evil But Overcome Evil With Good, 2005 World Day of Peace Message
Boehner voted for the Budget Reconciliation Act, that has robbed the poor in this nation and given back to the rich. The Holy Father would certainly wonder why Boehner would vote for such a bill that goes against what Jesus calls us to do in the Gospels. Where does this pandering to the wealthy fit into the fabric of Catholic Social Teaching?
As a pro-choice Christian, I disagree with those who advocate legal restrictions against abortion.
But I also share another overarching conviction that most pro-choice people have - that it should be safe, rare, and legal.
Women and their families sometimes feel forced in the choice of having an abortion out of economic necessity. No one should face that choice.
Children should be loved and embraced. I applaud Catholics For Faithful Citizenship for speaking out against the hypocrisy of John Boehner. Those that argue the pro-life position and then abandon children to poverty and hunger have no right claiming the moral high ground.
