Now that the American people have elected Barack Obama as our next president, those of us who are opposed to his pro abortion stance must take a deep breath and step back to consider.
While it is possible to be a single issue voter, no president can be a single issue president. There are many things that Obama may do which Catholics may agree with. It is now time to wait and see and give him the benefit of the doubt.
It is my hope that he will end the more destructive policies of the Republican party, that he will have a proper concern for helping the poor, and that he will do this by promoting programs that help to educate the poor and help them to help themselves. I hope he will bring in some sort of health care plan that counters the corruption and graft within the medical and insurance industries, and that he will be able to find a way to bring in affordable health insurance plans for all without taking the easy route of socialism. I hope he will enable immigrants to take their place in American culture in the true tradition of welcoming ‘the huddled masses yearning to breathe free’, and that he will do so not by endless handouts, but by an endless hand up.
We must also give him the benefit of the doubt on the abortion issue. Let us see if he really is as pro abortion as president as he has been as Senator. Let us hope that his promise that ‘the first thing I’ll do as president is sign FOCA’ was just an empty campaign promise to win votes. Let us hope and pray that every night as he sees his own two beautiful little girls, that he learns to value life and ceases to regard children as a punishment.
If however, his presidency unleashes the dogs of war against the culture of life, let us be prepared. It is worth reading Philip Jenkins’ 2003 book, The New Anti-Catholicism to understand the virulence of the feminist-homosexualist-abortionist attack on the Catholic Church. Let us give him the benefit of the doubt, but let us also prepare for a setback, a long siege and an even longer war.
Thank you for this post, Fr. Dwight. It is both possible and necessary, I think, to actively support him where he is right, and to actively oppose him and his administration where it is wrong; IMHO, FOCA will not be put on the table any time soon, but if it is, it of course must be defeated.
Thank you, Father, for the measured approach and hopeful tone you’ve offered in this post. Our incoming president needs and deserves our prayers.
Excellent post, Dwight!
I applaud this post and agree that it is the right attitude and approach to take to this presidency.
I agree with the commenters agreeing with the tone of this post, but the fact that the administration has a pro-abort stench eminating from each possibly having a record relating to abortion is becoming more and more disturbing. The most recent, the current Executive Director of EMILY’s List, seems more like a statement than an appointment. I’d like to believe not but it is hard to get around. Peace. ~~~mary
We know that there will be a war, we just don’t know when, nor do we know what it will be about, other than good versus evil. Perhaps it will be Rome versus Mecca, or freedom versus oppression, or centuries from now, who knows what the issues may be.Do we know what the issues are today that are worth fighting for?
But where are the mens’ slippers made from the finest flesh of Irish children, if I remember the swift proposal correctly?
I hope there are things we might agree with him on. Sadly, I think that will be in small matters. The big issue of life is hard to look past. We are in for some difficult days. This video illustrates the times we are in well: http://salesianity.blogspot.com/2008/11/be-not-afraid-time-for-spiritual-battle.htmlWe need to pray for our new president, and for the American people that we might recall our roots and the protection of the rights of all (born and unborn).
We have a difficult road ahead of us; the hits just keep on coming:http://www.lifenews.com/nat4597.htmlBlessings
http://catholiccitizens.org/views/contentview.asp?c=48730May the Lord have mercy on us.
I’d like to see the USCCB compose a little addendum for Obama for the ‘world leaders’ prayer said at each mass. Something on the oder of ‘and may President Obama be enlightened regarding the sanctity of unborn human life’. But hopefully a bit more elegantly put than that.
Would that an addendum was all that was needed.
“Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flay the carcass; the skin of which artificially dressed will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen.” Gosh, maybe Obama is on to something. Let’s give him a chance. There could be something to this Freedom of Choice (to Murder) Act after all.