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1. I am thrilled to read the opinion of Cardinal Cottier. It rings true. His wise and positive and learned comment has struck the right chord for me.

   Posted By: Denise O'Connell

2. Well, the good Cardinal has analysed two speeches to very particular audiences. President Obama has spoken also to Family Planning in quite a different tone. The Cardinal has also not included in his analysis how Obama's voting/legislative record may be of guidance in how we interpret his words.

   Posted By: Mikayla

3. When will our bishops and priests realise that politicians need to declare exactly what they beleive in and will actually do via legislation? Further, Obama is still proud of his pro abortion voting record.
   When will Cardinal Cottier realise that he cannot and should not play the diplomatic game as this is not in keeping with the Gospel. Charity and clear cut language is what we always need on the issues of the day.

   Posted By: Michael Webb

4. NB: this the same Cardinal Cottier who put it about widely a few years back that the use of condoms is morally permissible to prevent HIV/AIDS transmission, not withstanding the fact that this opinion was rejected by his boss, Pope John Paul II.
   
   So much for his influence as theologian of the papal household.
   
   The man has a history of unreliable and irresponsible pronouncements.
   
   "I'm reminded of the first Christian legislators, who didn't quickly abolish the tolerant Roman laws regarding practices which didn't conform to the natural law, or which were actually contrary to it, such as concubinage and slavery," Cardinal Cottier wrote.
   
   Er, did these first Christian legislators EXPAND slavery? Were they feted by the National Planned Slaveholders Associations? Did they vote against measures to reduce slavery, and then lie about it to save their political hides, in the face of documentary evidence?
   
   The fatuity of Cottier's statements boggles the mind.
   
   
   

   Posted By: Hugh

5. Surprise, surprise, CathNews chooses to feature another apologia for Obama. Hundreds upon hundreds of bishops and cardinals have written articles condemning him but my memory tells me that the editors largely ignored them. Yet when an apparently 'pro-Obama' article is released by CathNew's veritable partner in crime - the National Catholic Reporter - it is immediately published.
   
   I would also not jump to conclusion that this article was in fact written by Cardinal Cottier; often these things are ghost-written by staff who may not share His Eminence’s views. Nonetheless, whoever wrote this article is sorely mistaken. The statement that ‘Obama has not defended abortion as an absolute right, that he recognises the tragic gravity’ starkly contrasts with Obama’s website:
   
   “President Obama has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and believes in preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade. At the same time, he respects those who disagree with him. The President believes we must all come together to help reduce unintended pregnancies and the need for abortion.”
   
   Obama believes that abortion is an absolute right and a need, not a tragedy that he seeks to curb.
   
   As with everything CathNews’s publishes, take all of this with a grain of salt – the editors have an agenda and are willing to deceive you to push it. I would implore readers to view Fr. Zuhlsdorf’s erudite response to the article: http://wdtprs.com/blog/2009/07/fr-z-to-card-cottier-check-your-facts
   

   Posted By: Aquino

6. Whatever his intent, Cardinal Cottier's comments seem attempts at mollification and appeasement, unworthy of a Prince of the Church or anyone else, and hardly reflective of the tragic gravity of the situation. What's required is prayer and resolute and effective opposition to the catastrophic evil embodied in the abortion mindset. Pandering like this only ultimately expands the evil involved in the egregious tragedy of abortion rather than hastening the day of its desperately needed demise.

   Posted By: Andrew Eppink

7. Well said, Cardinal Cottier.
   Interesting his reference to the first Christians in terms of the Roman laws of the time. And suggesting, some parallels with the pluralistic nature of today's society.
   I'd only add we, today, have one more powerful tool in working together as a whole community on issues such as abortion. We have the tools of modern science to look at & understand the human behaviours & situations involved in the issue. Such knowledge can help greatly in prevention.
   
   

   Posted By: Marie H

8. A quick question for Denise O'Connell and Marie H:
   
   Do you believe that killing unborn babies is okay in some circumstances? A simple yes or no will suffice, thanks.

   Posted By: Paul Keen

9. "Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the GREAT FALLING away (apostasy) comes first and the lawless one is " 2 Thessalonians 2; 3 So this is where we are at in the age of the True Church? Anti-Christ follows, or is he here?
   Obama and Cardinal Cottier, I bet they both shook hands in the Masonic style too!

   Posted By: Myrna Migala

10. Some people are sharp till their late nineties.
    
    Cardinal Cottier has sadly lost touch with reality.
    
    Children in the womb have human hearts, minds and souls given by God.
    
    What is the measured response to stabbing the child in the skull with a needle and sucking its brain out?
    
    CathNews does it again!

    Posted By: ed

11. God help us; the Cardinal has gone mad. Who cares what Obama says, look at what he does.

    Posted By: John 6:54

12. It is either naive or stupid to attribute good faith to Obama on abortion. There is no good faith when it comes to abortion. It is like trying to find common ground with Hitler on the issue of ant-semitism. There is no common ground. Obama knows what he is doing.

    Posted By: Russell E. Snow

13. I am so tired and disappointed with those who have been chosen to shepherd God's people and they do nothing more than confuse the voice of truth with that of the "LIE". We are God's holy people. Priests Bishops, Cardinals need to speak the truth about His love, His way - find your courage - our very souls are in the balance. Cardnial Cottier plays politics while so many are on the road to perdition. STOP! Be holy as you were called to be holy. Set the example and be Christ in the world, He did not mince words. Pray for priests and our beloved Pope - that the wolves will not devour them.

    Posted By: Debra Ruminski

14. Obama as a head of state and not head of a religion has his own reasons.
    But the Cardinal should in no way endorse a kind of compromised theology. To me, everything he utters regarding secular reasoning has one way or another a special spiritual attachment to it; either he realises this or not.
    Oh! How they love this kind of endorsement from
    Church leaders. Their natural tendency is to appease. This is common knowledge among abortionists and is easily exploited.
    But hear this; Christ didn't come to flatter but to declare the truth that will cause divisions.
    Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God!
    

    Posted By: lome

15. There is a serious difference in comparing the measured actions of a young Church in a pagan culture with a developed morality of 2000 years that has taught the world the difference between right and wrong, only to have the same world brazenly choose the wrong. Perhaps the Jews should revise their view of another world leader who rejected the universal view that all human life has dignity.
    Barack Obama believes it is permissible to kill innocent human beings simply because they are in the womb. It is appalling that a cardinal would countenance such a position. but then again in history we have read of bishops who denied the divinity of Christ, of bishops who placated communists and fascists. so why is is any different for some out of touch cleric to ignore the 4000 dead babies killed every day by abortion so he can pander to the new messiah?
    The fellow has either gone senile - for that God have pity on his current state; he is being used for his position - in that case woe to the perpetrators or he really has lost it - in that case, God have mercy on his soul.

    Posted By: John Jakubczyk

16. Words are very cheap. One must look at his voting record when in the Senate to see what he truly believes. He believes that life begins at conception and believes in murdering defenceless children in, or even recently outside of, the womb. He is a crafty politician. He would sooner leave this issue in limbo than change it. It is his and the left's best interest(power and $) to do so. Wake up America and the World. Evil is gaining power at an alarming rate.

    Posted By: Dan

17. Surely "a measured approach" to abortion is an oxymoron. There is nothing measured about abortion especially from the perspective of the foetus.

    Posted By: Mark Porter

18. Paul Keen, read my last sentence & you will see that my interest area is prevention of abortion. Doesn't that tell you that I'm saying we should work towards a goal of no more abortions?
    Which is something that can be held in common in a pluralistic society.
    As Dr Paul Ellich, medical doctor, social commentator (& an atheist, I think) said years ago, he'd like to see the very last of that procedure.
    There are many other social issues where I also think that science can give us insights into the behavioural & even neuro-biological factors involved....so they can be managed differently & to the better benefit of all involved.
    My thinking doesn't remain on behaviour as taboo level.
    Incidentally, I just read a positive account of how one of the scientists I admire most....Lawrence Kraus (an atheist himself, but a supporter of the place of faith in people's lives) was invited to the Vatican to a meeting of minds on matters to do with understanding behaviours via science. Good on them for doing this....if you feel the need to manage or change behaviours, the first step is to understand them.

    Posted By: Marie H

19. Has the good Cardinal fallen down and struck his head? Has he perhaps been a bit touched lately? Obama is THE ABORTION POLITICO in the United States. If the Cardinal thinks birthing a baby only to crush its skull is "measured" then methinks the good Cardinal does really need prayer, and at such an age when he could meet our Lord face to face literally at any minute..it's too bizarre for words really.

    Posted By: J Peterman

20. How sad! The Cardinal's parting shot before retirement is one of surrender? He could have used his remaining Years to martyrdom! And be an example to the youths!
    
    This spiritual warfare has no middle ground and is a fight to the finish! Under the banner of faithful and true!
    

    Posted By: lome

21. "Pluralistic society” This is a new term?
    Sounded more like compromises? To an atheist, this is probably acceptable for they don't have souls to lose? Where the reward is infinite glory and the punishment is eternal?
    
    On the other hand, I know that God is a God of harmonious co-existence, but not when the other guy policy is lying to my fellow naive Christian brothers! Aren't we supposed to be our brothers' keeper?
    

    Posted By: lome

22. I think I know what is happening!
    These confusions, insanities that are going on are destined to happen!
    God is exposing those who don't belong to him!
    They seem to be being forced to take sides?
    Or being given a chance to change sides?
    
    People let me tell yaw! Even the demons have no words to describe the terrible suffering of the damned!
    

    Posted By: lome

23. Very sensible comments from Cardinal Cottier. They will resonate with the majority of ordinary American and other Catholics. What a contrast to the my-way-or-the-highway approach of some American bishops.
    
    By the way, what exactly is it that Cathnews has done wrong to merit the 'CathNews does it again!' exclamation of one anti-Cottier contributor. Does it mean that the article should not have been published?
    
    Closing-down debate, controlling information, and undue deference to Church authority, helped to bring about the appaling abuses revealed by the Ryan Report in Ireland.

    Posted By: conor bradley

24. Perhaps if Cardinal Cottier analysed President Obama's actions rather than his words, he would draw a much different conclusion.

    Posted By: Jim Havens

25. If it wasn't so sad, this article would be outrageously out of touch and funny.
    
    OBAMA HAS FORWARDED ABORTION, THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, AND HAS KICKED OPEN THE DOOR TO EMBYRYONIC DESTRUCTION AND EXPERIMENTATION. Via the UN he has also demanded that a universal right be given to abortion and abortifacients. This is nothing less than the Nazi experiments.

    Posted By: Maureen

26. "...a steady stream of pro-abortion policy since his inauguration has left the pro-life community little room to doubt the President's devotion to the abortion agenda. These policies include abolishing the Mexico City Policy, funding the United Nations Population Fund, unleashing federal funds for embryonic stem-cell research, and calling for taxpayer-funded abortion in Washington, D.C.
    
    Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in April confirmed that the Obama administration would work to dismantle pro-life laws around the world as part of its policy of promoting "reproductive health."
    
    In terms of Obama's personal stance on abortion, pro-lifers have pointed to a July 2007 speech in which Obama told Planned Parenthood that the "first thing" he would do as president would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). Because FOCA would establish abortion as a "fundamental right" for women, the legislation would effectively eliminate all state and federal bans on abortion, as well as the rights of medical professionals to deny to perform or refer for abortions...
    
    In addition to his statement on FOCA, Obama had a 100% pro-abortion voting record as a U.S. senator, including voting against the Born Alive Infants Protection Act, which would have mandated that babies that are born alive after failed abortions receive normal medical care."
    
    [from LifesiteNews]
    
    
    Not the actions of someone who truly believes his rhetoric of common ground and reduction of abortions.

    Posted By: Mikayla

27. I would only remind the Cardinal that a “Those who liberate a society (multitudo) from the power of a tyrant are praised”. A view held very strongly by Thomas Aquinas. Since Barack Obama proposes that the World's citizens now become controlled centrally ( i.e. the United Nations via birth control, environmentalism, same sex marriage, and a Marxist economic control - the application of St. Thomas's referral to the death of Caesar as a clear and proper good (the assassination of a tyrant), would appear to be a much more urgent politic then the agreed upon common ground extended by Cardinal Cottier. Some moral values have a greater importance than others, a concept missing with Cardinal Cottier. Tyrannical governments are unjust because they are directed not to the common good but to the private good of the rulers. There is no sin in overthrowing this kind of Government; however there is sin in the murder of one single innocent child – There is no common ground in abortion, however there is common ground on the evils of tyranny, and St Thomas would disagree with Cardinal Cottier in that Cardinal Cottier agrees with the evil whims of a tyrant.

    Posted By: TLewis

28. The difference betwen Obama and Saint Thomas is that Obama has the power to change the law of the US by promoting a different agenda. As we all know we will be judged by our actions. A person like Obama who promotes abortion through the law has nothing else to do but destroy God's creation. Lukewarm is not an option.

    Posted By: ricardo

29. Is a lot of political talk a self con-job, self-deceiving marketing a.k.a. 'spin', ignorance, partial ignorance, mendacity or several of these in combination?
    Let's cut through all of the above and get back to the golden rule of doing no harm to other people, especially those must vulnerable and they are our unborn babies. Words and legislative action and voting patterns need to be judged by us as Christians and as voters. There are no excuses for anyone who supports the murder of unborn children and the coercion of medical staff to refer or to commit murder which is part of the Victorian legislation.
    Obama should not be treated with adoration. Don't people who meet him have enough self-esteem and healthy self-respect to stop crawling to him and begin to openly criticise his abortion record, even to his face?

    Posted By: Michael Webb

30. The idea that we can work towards the goal of no abortion whilst allowing some abortion is crazy. This is the absurd "Yes We Can" mentality that fails to identify the reality of human frailty and sin. When will humanity be able to come to the point where no woman will ever have an unwanted pregnancy? There is no circumstance that warrants the destruction of innocent human life. Have hope that an unwanted pregnancy might in fact be a great act of God's providence but spurn the atheistic notion that humanity can go it alone in a world messed up by sin.

    Posted By: David Chaston

31. Wow, this forum is becoming a Hate-Fest; it is so sad, and we call ourselves Catholics, Christians.

    Posted By: TJ Lawson

32. Dear TJ Lawson
    
    The real "Hate Fest" is the reverse of what you say.
    According to God those who do NOT warn their brother of serious sin and/or remain silent are showing the real hatred towards their brothers. This is because if any of us die in our sins and if they be mortal which St John in his letters tells us about, then we end up in Hell.
    This is NOT what we wish for either ourselves or our neighbour. The Old Testament also warns us that we will be held responsible for not warning those who commit serious sins ( and this would include those public figures who legislate, vote for, speak in support of abortion or other evils). To help save someone from mortal sin and Hell through prayer and practical warnings is the ultimate in loving that person(s); not hating them.

    Posted By: Michael Webb

33. Whoever justifies abortion is going clearly against the fifth commandment of God and they are committing mortal sin.

    Posted By: aby

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