Obama on Cardinal Bernadin

President Obama recalled Cardinal Bernadin in a response to questions about divisions within the Catholic Church. He says,

“Cardinal Bernardin was strongly pro-life, never shrank away from talking about that issue, but was very consistent in talking about a ‘seamless garment’ and a range of issues that were part and parcel of what he considered to be pro-life, that meant that he was concerned about poverty; he was concerned about how children were treated; he was concerned about the death penalty; he was concerned about foreign policy,” said the president. “And that part of the Catholic tradition is something that continues to inspire me. And I think that there have been times over the last decade or two where that more holistic tradition feels like it’s gotten buried under the abortion debate.”
“Now, as a non-Catholic, it’s not up to me to try to resolve those tensions,” he added. “All I can do is to affirm how that other tradition has made me, a non-Catholic, I think reflect on how I can be a better person and has had a powerful influence on my life. And that tells me that it might be a powerful way to move a broader set of values forward in American life generally.”

Obama appears to think that the seamless garment is not seamless or a garment. He seems to think of Catholic teaching as a cafeteria from which he can pick and choose what he wants on his tray of beliefs. How can he seriously think that by eliminating items from the menu one can possibly move toward a broader set of values?

Obama Meets with Catholic Press

President Obama met with members of the Catholic Press earlier today. He made comments on abortion, conscience protection, and liberal vs. conservative debate within the Catholic Church. Check it out at National Catholic Register.

http://www.ncregister.com/daily/president_obama_to_catholic_press_on_abortion/
http://www.ncregister.com/daily/president_to_catholic_press_on_the_catholic_divide/
http://www.ncregister.com/daily/president_to_catholic_press_on_conscience_protection/

Abortion and Health Care

Looks like some democrats have stepped up to try to get keep abortion funding out of the health care bill being promoted in Congress. Let's pray they are successfull. http://www.lifenews.com/Pro-lifeHealthCareLetter.pdf

Associations Matter

Always remember that the associations that you keep matter in life. What does it say about a person that wants to end an association as soon as she is in the spotlight? What does it say about the organization?

My view is that Sotomayor is a high risk pick for Obama, her supporters, and those who oppose her.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. Supreme Court justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor has quit her membership in a women's club, the New York-based Belizean Grove.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/19/sotomayor.womens.club/index.html?iref=newssearch

Sean Going into Seminary

We found out yesterday that Sean will be entering the seminary to begin studies and formation for the priesthood. I am so happy for him.

Gold and the Dollar

There is a belief among a few people whose judgement I trust in financial matters that the dollar will soon be displaced as the world's reserve currency resulting in a substantial increase in the price of gold. The predictions range from $2,000 to $5,000 an ounce by mid-2011.

Brian Going to College

This past Thursday and Friday I went with Brian to his registration in the college of Agriculter and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University. He plans to study Biochemistry. The whole experience takes me back to the days when my dad took me to register at Texas A&M. A lot has changed with the integration of electronic record keeping. But one thing has not changed, the hospitality of Aggieland and the professionalism of the student and faculty. We had a great time thanks in large part to the hard work of the student and staff that hosted us.