Pelosi Slapped by Pope Benedict Over Abortion

Pope Benedict XVI gave House Speaker Nancy Pelosi somewhat of a tongue lashing today during her visit to the Vatican, saying she can't be a good Catholic and still support abortion rights.

Here's the Pope's statement on the meeting (via The Page):

"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."

Pelosi, who is Catholic, is a strong supporter of abortion rights and last year got into it with church officials over whether church teachings on the topic have been consistent.

Last August, when NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw asked Pelosi when she believes life begins, the California Democrat said that "over the centuries, the doctors of the Church have not been able to make that definition." The Church says life begins at conception.

"The point is, is that it shouldn't have impact on a woman's right to choose," Pelosi continued. "Roe v. Wade talks about very clear definitions of when the child, first trimester, certain considerations second trimester, not so third trimester, there's very clear distinct, this isn't about abortion on demand, it's about a careful, careful consideration of all factors that a woman has to make with her doctor and her God."

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In a statement issued today after her meeting with the Pope, Pelosi made no mention of his less-then-indirect swipe at her.

"It is with great joy that my husband, Paul, and I met with his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI today. In our conversation, I had the opportunity to praise the Church's leadership in fighting poverty, hunger, and global warming, as well as the Holy Father's dedication to religious freedom and his upcoming trip and message to Israel. I was proud to show his Holiness a photograph of my family's Papal visit in the 1950s, as well as a recent picture of our children and grandchildren."

Some bishops have suggested denying communion to American politicians because of their support for abortion. Benedict in 2007 agreed with that punishment. The Hill points out that the pope's spokesman tried to clarify that he didn't plan on formally excommunicating anyone, but that abortion-supporters should voluntarily refrain from taking communion.

As for Pelosi, she still takes communion, but there's a renewed effort to cut her off.

PewSitter.com is asking all faithful Catholics to sign a petition to prevent "prominent Catholics" from receiving communion.

"In the United States there has been and continues to be an ongoing disregard, by prominent Catholics in public life, of the Church's teaching on a variety of serious moral issues including abortion, euthanasia, human cloning, homosexual ;marriage,' and embryonic stem cell research to name a few," says the site. "Whereas, many of these prominent Catholics not only disregard the Church's teachings on these issues but actively and publicly promote policies and legislation that undermines, opposes and contradicts the Church on these serious moral issues.




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