William Zambrano
(7 Sep 2012)
"Sign of the Times:
Catholic Nun addresses DNC"
(Pro
14:12) There is a way which seemeth
just to a man: but the ends thereof lead to death.
FULL TEXT: 2012 Democratic National Convention:
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by Sister Simone
Campbell, Executive Director, Roman Catholic Social
Justice Organization, NETWORK
EXCERPT:
Good evening, I'm Sister Simone Campbell, and I'm one of the
"nuns on the bus." So, yes, we have nuns on the bus. And a
nun on the podium!
Let me explain why I'm here. In June, I joined other
Catholic sisters on a 2,700-mile bus journey through nine
states to tell Americans about the budget Congressman Paul
Ryan wrote and Governor Romney endorsed.
Paul Ryan claims his budget reflects the principles of our
shared Catholic faith. But the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops stated that the Ryan budget failed a basic
moral test, because it would harm families living in
poverty.
We agree with our bishops, and that's why we went on the
road: to stand with struggling families and to lift up our
Catholic sisters who serve them. Their work to alleviate
suffering would be seriously harmed by the Romney-Ryan
budget, and that is wrong.
BISHOP
MORLINO, Diocese of Madison: Making
decisions as to the best political strategies, the best
policy means, to achieve a goal, is the mission of lay
people, not bishops or priests. As Pope Benedict himself has
said, a just society and a just state is the achievement of
politics, not the Church. And therefore Catholic laymen and
women who are familiar with the principles dictated by human
reason and the ecology of human nature, or non-Catholics who
are also bound by these same principles, are in a position
to arrive at differing conclusions as to what the best means
are for the implementation of these principles — that is,
“lay mission” for Catholics.
Thus, it is not up to me or any bishop or priest to approve
of Congressman Ryan’s specific budget prescription to
address the best means we spoke of. Where intrinsic evils
are not involved, specific policy choices and political
strategies are the province of Catholic lay mission. But, as
I’ve said, Vice Presidential Candidate Ryan is aware of
Catholic Social Teaching and is very careful to fashion and
form his conclusions in accord with the principles mentioned
above. Of that I have no doubt. (I mention this matter in
obedience to Church Law regarding one’s right to a good
reputation.)
SISTER SIMONE
CAMPBELL ON ABORTION:
TWS: On the legal question, do you think there should be
penalties against abortion doctors? I mean, should it be
illegal to perform abortions?
CAMPBELL: That’s beyond my pay grade. I don’t know.
“The fact is my vast preference is that all women would have
the support to carry their babies to term,” Campbell
continued. “One of the things I find so horrifying in the
Romney-Ryan budget is that they want to take those supports
away. And then they claim they’re pro-life. That just drives
me nuts!”
MOTHER TERESA ON
ABORTION:
"Please don't kill the child. I want the child. Please give
me the child. I am willing to accept any child who would be
aborted, and to give that child to a married couple who will
love the child, and be loved by the child. From our
children's home in Calcutta alone, we have saved over 3,000
children from abortions. These children have brought such
love and joy to their adopting parents, and have grown up so
full of love and joy!"
February 1994 - National Prayer Breakfast
in Washington attended by the President and the
First Lady. "What is taking place in America," she said, "is
a war against the child. And if we accept that the mother
can kill her own child, how can we tell other people not to
kill one another."
"Any country that accepts abortion, is not teaching its
people to love, but to use any violence to get what it
wants."
"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you
may live as you wish."
CRISIS MAGAZINE: Bl. Teresa of Calcutta: A Sign For Our
Times