In an interview with Newsweek’s Eleanor Clift, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi criticized the Church for its position on abortion and gays rights and stated that her Bishop has “tried to change my mind”
Pelosi responds to questions about abortion in the health-care bill and her insistence that the original pre-Stupak bill did not fund abortion and says of the Bishops “they are not willing to accept facts.”
It was reported that you were negotiating with the conference of bishops.
I talked to one of the cardinals. I said to him that I believe that what we are doing honors the principles we talked about: we want to pass a health-care bill, we want it to be abortion neutral, and we want it to [have] no federal funding [for abortion], which is the law. And we believe that our language does that. They said, “We believe that it does not.” I said, let’s sit down at the table and our lawyers can compare language. That’s what the meeting was about—to make our case. Clearly, the people at that table were not willing to accept what we know to be a fact.
Pelosi goes on to criticize the Church for its position on abortion and gay marriage while still claiming to be a “practicing” Catholic
I think you have had some brushes with [church] hierarchy.
I have some concerns about the church’s position respecting a woman’s right to choose. I have some concerns about the church’s position on gay rights. I am a practicing Catholic, although they’re probably not too happy about that. But it is my faith. I practically mourn this difference of opinion because I feel what I was raised to believe is consistent with what I profess, and that is that we are all endowed with a free will and a responsibility to answer for our actions. And that women should have that opportunity to exercise their free will.
And finally admits that her Bishop has tried to change her mind on the subject, but she is not listening.
Is it difficult for you to reconcile your faith with the role you have in public life?
You know, I had five children in six years. The day I brought my fifth baby home, that week my daughter turned 6. So I appreciate and value all that they want to talk about in terms of family and the rest. When I speak to my archbishop in San Francisco and his role is to try to change my mind on the subject, well then he is exercising his pastoral duty to me as one of his flock. When they call me on the phone here to talk about, or come to see me about an issue, that’s a different story. Then they are advocates, and I am a public official, and I have a different responsibility.
What we know is that Nancy Pelosi continues to publicly represent herself as a faithful and practicing Catholic while continuing to to publicly oppose the Church on grave moral matters. We also know that her Bishop has apparently contacted her privately to try and change her mind, to which she has responded publicly by saying she will not be swayed. This is a text-book definition of scandal and should, at this point, be dealt with in a direct and public way lest no one else think that you can hold these positions and consider yourself a “practicing” Catholic.
ht to Newsbusters for the interview.
December 30, 2009 at 4:25 pm
In my opinion, Pelosi is becoming more and more arrogant and, in this instance, she has publicly challenged the Bishops…will they now have the courage to obey Canon Law and tell her that she has excommunicated herself and should not present herself to receive communion? We shall see!
December 30, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Speaker pelosi's position regarding her relationship with the Church reminds me of many discussions which I have had with me teenage children. With young people, their feeling are much more important than facts and truth. The "free will" which SP talks about, are just opinion or more biblicly speaking folly. Basicly, she is saying that her feelings trump the Magesterium and 2000 years of Church teaching. What she does is bring great scandal upon the Church by her obstinence and disobedience.
December 30, 2009 at 4:45 pm
If we kill our young off, do we not kill our Nation off? Are our hearts so harden that we cannot see that what we do to the weakest American we in turn lose more than we can every imagine.
I am saddend by this thought.
An American
December 30, 2009 at 5:19 pm
It would be nice to know what the Bishops are waiting for. If your Pelosi causes you to sin, CUT IT OFF!
December 30, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Why in the world does she want to be part of a Religion that she disagrees with? Most people will follow "their "beliefs….
There are plenty of other religions that espouse her views. Why does she thinks she is right and the Catholic church, which has held these beliefs for over two thousand years, is wrong?
Strange lady…who should realize she is following the things of the world, and NOT the things of God…Does she truly hear the gospel message when she "practices her faith"?
Anonymous
December 30, 2009 at 5:47 pm
The Speaker is correct in saying the Health Care Bill does not provide or allow federal funds for abortion. You should look at the language of that part of the bill. The bishops wanted her and the bill to do more to restrict abortion, which would have meant that the bill would not pass, and the improvement in our health care provision for many millions would be, once again, killed. I hope that I am not being a bad Catholic by hoping that the bill will pass. Are there still Catholic Democrats in communion with the Church?
I believe Speaker Pelosi prays for the end of abortion. I can conceive of her agony of reconciling a moral position against abortion, ending a human life, with her unwillingness to pass laws that place constraints on an individual's choices regarding his own body, distorting the dignity of a human life.
Too many responders seem to shout "excommunication!" This is consistent with Republicans who want to demonize the speaker for political purposes, just as one congressional leader suggested defeating the bill will return the power to the Republican Party by defeating Obama. Here we have Pro-Life turned into hate.
Ray Davis
December 30, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I HAVE READ EACH COMMENT WITH A SHIMMERING OF HOPE FOR OUR NATION AND GOD'S DESIGN ON US.WE HAVEN'T COMPLETELY FAILED GOD, YET. AFTER READING THE COMMENTS, I SAID TO MYSELF "GOD, THERE IS STILL HOPE THAT WE CAN TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY AND OUR FAITH OR DIE TRYING. SHOW US THE WAY" WE NEED A "BISHOP LEADER" ONE WHO IS NOT AFRAID AND HAVE THE GOD'S PEOPLE STAND BEHIND HIM ACROSS THE NATION. I'M READY, ARE YOU?
December 30, 2009 at 6:05 pm
She definitely needs our prayers. Obedience is a blessed virtue. We are known by the fruits of our endeavors….I would not want to have an endless list of abortions listed as a fruit of my endeavor…not at all. I really think that I would be trying to serve the people in the most affordable righteous way…respecting life and the need to operate realistically within our means…otherwise, it will be to no avail and very misleading to the people being served. Very simple age old wisdom is being repeatedly ignored….The Golden Rule…"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The elitist have forgotten this one. "What goes around comes around" because of the Golden Rule….there is no getting around it…unless one prays for forgiveness to a merciful and loving God Father…penance sometimes follows. Love your neighbor as thyself….if one wishes far less for the American People than one does for an elitist group of people …then one has strayed from the true gospel and that is just the way it is.
December 30, 2009 at 7:41 pm
A lot of people lose their souls for all eternity by exercising their "free wills." I thought we were supposed to unite our wills with God's, Nancy.
Poor thing! What a pity to have received your Catholic catechesis at K-Mart.
December 30, 2009 at 7:42 pm
The Ten Commandments are not according to Nancy Pelosi but are according to God. Thou Shall not Kill … there are no ifs, ands or buts in this statement. Free Will applies to whether you follow God's rules or not. Praying for you Nancy so God opens your heart to the truth. God bless.
December 30, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Anonymous
Ray Davis said "The Speaker is correct in saying the Health Care Bill does not provide or allow federal funds for abortion. You should look at the language of that part of the bill. The bishops wanted her and the bill to do more to restrict abortion, which would have meant that the bill would not pass, and the improvement in our health care provision for many millions would be, once again, killed. I hope that I am not being a bad Catholic by hoping that the bill will pass. Are there still Catholic Democrats in communion with the Church?
I believe Speaker Pelosi prays for the end of abortion. I can conceive of her agony of reconciling a moral position against abortion, ending a human life, with her unwillingness to pass laws that place constraints on an individual's choices regarding his own body, distorting the dignity of a human life.
Too many responders seem to shout "excommunication!" This is consistent with Republicans who want to demonize the speaker for political purposes, just as one congressional leader suggested defeating the bill will return the power to the Republican Party by defeating Obama. Here we have Pro-Life turned into hate."
You need therapy Ray!!
December 30, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I wish somene would send her these comments so that she would know that we are praying for her to do the right thing and all the other Congressional leaders, so that America can continue to be blessed…."God shed His grace on thee…and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea" There is still time. Keep America beautiful! Keep the blessings coming! I believe that this is really what the majority of the people want!
December 30, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Harry Reid was praying, and if you remember, he said "no" until he brought it down to his own rationale…I don't think that it was a laughing matter…but one that he should truly consider. Let us all keep praying.
December 30, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Typical arrogant "cafe catholic". You pick out what, when and where you want out of the Catholic Faith and ignore the rest. Go to the Episcopal Church where you belong maybe you can reconcile your beliefs there.
Noel
December 30, 2009 at 9:46 pm
This woman should be dealt with publicly by her Bishop. If the Archbishop of San Francisco is not reprimanding her publicly (withholding the Sacraments) he stting a HUGE BAD EXAMPLE for all of us! Let us pray to the Father for him and for Pelosi!
December 30, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I have wondered why the Church does not excommunicate public dissenters like Pelosi, or at least refuse them communion. One theory I've heard is that the Bishops are trying to win back public approval of the Church after the priest abuse scandals. Sounds like a lame reason to me but I have yet to hear a more likely theory.
December 30, 2009 at 10:03 pm
One theory I have read is that there will come a time when there will only be a remnant flock within the church that is pure. Of course, that includes all those that fall under the umbrella of the universal catholic church…those baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit…not just those in full communion with the church….so I have read and theorized…it is this flock that is protected during the time of the tribulation…so I have gathered…best to stay close to Jesus and Holy Mother Church anyway at all times…if you ask me…there is a treasure trove of grace and protection in Holy Mother Church. I wish our Congressional leaders would understand this while making our laws…they need to be in harmony with God's Law.
December 30, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Pelosi has been given a period of years to come to her senses. When will the Bishops do what the church canon law says and excommunicate her publicly for continuing to behave in such a way that goes against the teachings of the Catholic Church. Everytime she receives the Holy Eucharist, she commits a grave sacrilege. Her church is her own opinion and nothing more. Time to do your job, Bishops! Enough is enough.
December 30, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Well, if Pelosi tithes, her Bishop may be reluctant to lose what must be a substantial amount of income to the Church coffers. His failure to excommunicate her certainly looks suspicious.
December 30, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Piglosi is no Catholic. She is an arrogant witch who thinks that man's or woman's free will is bigger than God's Laws, which, of course, she will answer for when her time comes to answer to God. Her arrogance is much like obummer's and rotten reids and barney freak's–all lousy human beings who suffer from a high degree of narcissism.