Catholic Bishop Chaput Rebukes Democrats for Pro-Abortion Party Platform
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
August 25, 2008
Denver, CO (LifeNews.com) — As the Democratic Party begins its national convention, a leading Catholic bishop has some tough words for Democrats who used flowery language in the platform to direct attention away from its pro-abortion stance. The comments reveal why the party failed to invite Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver.
Chaput was not invited to officially participate in the convention despite serving as the leader of the largest religious denomination in the state.
The Democratic Party has put forward a platform that promotes unlimited abortions paid for at taxpayer expense and, while he didn’t comment director on the platform or the party, Chaput’s words can’t be mistaken.
"Efforts to reduce abortions, or to create alternatives to abortion, or to foster an environment where more women will choose to keep their unborn child, can have great merit," he writes in First Things.
But, those efforts are useless "if they serve to cover over or distract from the brutality and fundamental injustice of abortion itself."
Chaput writes that the right to life is the foundation of human rights, from which all other political or human rights flow.
His comments appear directed towards the pro-life Catholic who is considering supporting Barack Obama because, while disagreeing with his pro-abortion views, supports him on other issues.
"Obviously, we have other important issues facing us this fall: the economy, the war in Iraq, immigration justice," he said. "But we cant build a healthy society while ignoring the routine and very profitable legalized homicide that goes on every day against Americas unborn children."
"The right to life is foundational. Every other right depends on it," he says.
Chaput also criticizes pro-abortion Catholics — like newly-minted running mate Joe Biden — who dishonor the pro-life traditions of the Catholic Church.
"We should remember that one of the crucial things that set early Christians apart from the pagan culture around them was their rejection of abortion and infanticide," he explained.
"Yet for thirty-five years I’ve watched prominent ‘pro-choice’ Catholics justify themselves with the kind of moral and verbal gymnastics that should qualify as an Olympic event," he said.
"All they’ve really done is capitulate to Roe v. Wade," he said.
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