Obama-ND controversy on Vatican radar?

Catholic News Service's Vatican reporter John Thavis writes an interesting post on the CNS blog about whether or not the walls of the Vatican are stirring over the controversy on this side of the Atlantic surrounding President Obama's impending graduation speech to (and honoray law degree from) the University of Notre Dame. Thavis' analysis: So far, not much noise. If anything is being said, it seems to be out of the public view there. The event is not scheduled to happen until May 17 (and I'll bet he gets a standing ovation), so there is still time for the press there to corner a U.S. prelate or two and get a few comments to stir things up even more.

Brushing up on conscience protection

As concern grows for President Obama's move to rescind conscience protection regulations at the Department of Health and Human Services, the USCCB has created a helpful link, www.usccb.org/conscienceprotection. There are some video testimonies, a media release and information on how to offer your opinion to HHS. Coming soon will be comments of the USCCB General Counsel and other official responses from the Catholic Church.

Colorado bishops slam Obama's embryonic stem-cell order

Just released from the Colorado Catholic Conference:

March 9, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Colorado Bishops express disappointment over President Obama’s decision to lift restrictions on federally financed human embryonic stem cell research

We are deeply disappointed to learn of President Obama’s decision, via executive order, to lift restrictions on federally financed human embryonic stem cell research. President Obama’s support for embryonic stem cell research is filled with moral complications and will further erode respect for the dignity of all human life.

Embryonic stem cells derive from the living bodies of human embryos. The embryos are killed by the process; thus this type of research involves the wrongful destruction of innocent, developing life. Human dignity can never benefit from this kind of lethal exploitation. To destroy human embryos for research purposes implies that some lives have more value than others, and that we may sacrifice some lives today so that future generations will benefit. This kind of reasoning is inherently dangerous.
Whatever President Obama’s intentions, it is not morally acceptable to do
evil hoping that good may eventually result from it.

Respect for all human life – including human embryos – should guide all scientific research involving human subjects, as well as the legislative and executive branches of government that decide the funding of medical research.

As a nation, we possess the skill and scientific creativity to develop cures for diseases in a way that respects human life in the process. Despite media enthusiasm and frequent scientific promises, to date no clinical treatments have derived from embryonic stem cells. Meanwhile, adult stem cell research -- which poses no intrinsic ethical problems -- already does provide treatments for more than 70 different medical conditions.

We urge President Obama to reexamine his damaging change of course on this issue. We ask that all people of good will work to foster a culture that respects the dignity of all human life, from its very beginning to its natural end.

Colorado bishops criticize Obama's repeal of "Mexico City" anti-abortion law

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