An Open Letter to President-Elect Barack Obama

Below is a letter written by Vox Nova’s Henry Karlson and signed by many fellow Catholics. We have sent this letter to numerous media outlets and hope it gets picked up. If you wish to add your name to the letter, please let me know here, or at the original post located here at Vox Nova. Feel free to post this letter on your blog, get the word out, and keep the pro-life movement in your prayers. Thank you.

November 14, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama,

As American Catholics, we, the undersigned, would like to reiterate the congratulations given to you by Pope Benedict XVI. We will be praying for you as you undertake the office of President of the United States.

Wishing you much good will, we hope we will be able to work with you, your administration, and our fellow citizens to move beyond the gridlock which has often harmed our great nation in recent years. Too often, partisan politics has hampered our response to disaster and misfortune. As a result of this, many Americans have become resentful, blaming others for what happens instead of realizing our own responsibilities. We face serious problems as a people, and if we hope to overcome the crises we face in today’s world, we should make a serious effort to set aside the bitterness in our hearts, to listen to one another, and to work with one another

One of the praiseworthy elements of your campaign has been the call to end such partisanship. You have stated a desire to engage others in dialogue. With you, we believe that real achievement comes not through the defamation of one’s opponents, nor by amassing power and using it merely as a tool for one’s own individual will. We also believe dialogue is essential. We too wish to appeal to the better nature of the nation. We want to encourage people to work together for the common good. Such action can and will engender trust. It may change the hearts of many, and it might alter the path of our nation, shifting to a road leading to a better America. We hope this theme of your campaign is realized in the years ahead.

One of the critical issues which currently divides our nation is abortion. As you have said, no one is for abortion, and you would agree to limit late-term abortions as long as any bill which comes your way allows for exceptions to those limits, such as when the health of the mother is in jeopardy. You have also said you would like to work on those social issues which cause women to feel as if they have a need for an abortion, so as to reduce the actual number of abortions being performed in the United States.

Catholic Bishops Challenge Obama on Unborn

In a direct challenge to President-elect Barack Obama, America’s Roman Catholic bishops vowed on Tuesday to accept no compromise for the sake of national unity until there is legal protection for the unborn. 

About 300 bishops, gathered in Baltimore for their national meeting, adopted a formal blessing for a child in the womb and advised Chicago’s Cardinal Francis George, president of the conference, as he began drafting a statement from the bishops to the incoming Obama administration. That document will call on the administration and Catholics who supported Obama to work to outlaw abortion.

“This is not a matter of political compromise or a matter of finding some way of common ground,” said Bishop Daniel Conlon of Steubenville, Ohio. “It’s a matter of absolutes.”

Fighting FOCA

I believe one of the many, and perhaps the prime reason, why so many Catholics opposed Barack Obama’s candidacy is his support for the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA).

Now that he’s been elected president, will Obama fulfill his promise to Planned Parenthood?

Some analysts believe he must show restraint on FOCA, and govern as a centrist. Others say that the people mandate “change” and that Obama is free to push leftist agenda. His selection of Rep. Rahm Emanuel as his Chief of Staff, a veteran of the Clinton administration and strong abortion advocate, is telling.

Regardless of how that plays out, pro-lifers can start acting now. I’ve included an ad from Fight FOCA in my sidebar and signed the petition. With Nancy Pelosi leading Congress, the play will be hers to call over when the FOCA ball starts rolling. I strongly doubt Democrats will be stupid enough to place FOCA at the top of their agenda, or that every Dem. would sign it. Nonetheless, the battle for life will wage on.

H/T to Heather at The Practicing Catholic for the FOCA blog widget!