by Ron Kelsey
The president has undertaken a series of actions that could broadly expand the culture of death.
This offensive was launched on his fourth day in office, when he revoked the Mexico City Policy that prevented all nongovernmental organizations that receive federal funding ( i.e., taxpayers’ money) from performing or promoting abortion services in other countries. In an interview published on Jan. 25, the day after President Obama’s executive order, in the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, said that “among the many good things that he could have done, Barack Obama instead has chosen the worst.”
“If this is one of the first acts of President Obama, with all due respect, it seems to me that the path towards disappointment will have been very short,” added Archbishop Fisichella.
“This deals a harsh blow not only to us Catholics but to all the people across the world that fight against the slaughter of innocents that is carried out with abortion,” Archbishop Elio Sgreccia, former president of the Pontifical Academy, told the Italian news agency ANSA.
Obama has also stated that he will sign the so-called Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) into law if it is presented to him by Congress. Please also note that Obama was a co-sponsor of FOCA in the last session of Congress when he served as a senator. As you know from the recent postcard campaign launched by our U.S. bishops, FOCA is very radical pro-abortion legislation. Our bishops have also warned us that FOCA could be introduced piecemeal as compared to one broad bill.
Additionally, Obama has made several appointments of pro-abortion individuals into influential areas of our government. Allow me to list just a few of several reported by LifeNews on Jan. 18:
• Nov. 5, 2008 — Obama selects pro-abortion Rep. Rahm Emanuel as White House chief of staff. Emanuel has a zero percent pro-life voting record according to National Right to Life.
• Nov. 24, 2008 — Obama appoints Ellen Moran, the former director of the pro-abortion group Emily’s List as White House communications director.
• Nov. 30, 2008 — Obama named pro-abortion Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state. Clinton has an unblemished pro-abortion voting record and has supported making unlimited abortions an international right.
Again, this is only a few of several such appointments.
We must engage in the fight to stop the spread of this web of death. We are blessed that Archbishop Naumann and all U.S. bishops are at the front lines calling all Catholics into the battle to defend all human life. Go to the archdiocesan pro-life office’s Web site at: www.prolife kc.com and subscribe to St. Joseph E-Briefs to stay informed.
Ron Kelsey is the archdiocesan consultant for the pro-life office.
