The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Erie’s Roman Catholic bishop protested Hillary Clinton’s Tuesday visit to a nearby Catholic college. Reminds you of the handful of bishops who challenged John Kerry in 2004 and helped him lose the Catholic vote, doesn’t it? There’s a critical difference, though: Kerry’s religious advisors begged him to give speeches in Catholic settings, including Catholic colleges, to shore up his Catholic bona fides. But Kerry refused. The Methodist Clinton, by contrast, regularly appears in religious settings. So God-o-Meter expects attacks like the one from Erie’s Catholic bishop to be less effective.
A few details from the Post-Gazette:
ERIE — Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton carried her campaign to Erie last night, laying out her economic plans to a crowd of more than 2,000 at Mercyhurst College.
Her visit to the Catholic institution was preceded by a public protest from Erie Catholic Bishop Donald W. Trautman, who criticized the college “for not reflecting the pro-life stance of the Catholic Church regarding abortion.” He said he would not attend Mercyhurst’s graduation ceremonies next month.
College President Dr. Thomas J. Gamble said he was “disappointed” in the bishop’s announcement but said he could not deprive the students of “a great educational opportunity.” He said the student government had invited all three presidential candidates, but only Mrs. Clinton, an advocate of abortion rights, had accepted.
“Of course, I’m saddened by the bishop’s decision, and I look forward to entering a dialogue with him,” Dr. Gamble said yesterday afternoon.
Mrs. Clinton, who was introduced by Gov. Ed Rendell, did not address the protest issues. As she presented her economic stump, the crowd listened in hushed silence while she made her arguments and cheered on cue when she raised her voice to punctuate a point.
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posted April 3, 2008 at 4:48 am
I am sorry the Bishop protested. He can not get pregnant and carry an infant that would gepradise his health or carry an unwanted pregnancy. He does not need to use birth control methods nor does he have sexual intercourse. Most women are not nuns and are human and some are subject to being sexually abused. However, I have heard that even the priests and the nuns have been known to be human and that there may have been needs in their secular environment for such dastardly deeds.
posted April 3, 2008 at 8:21 am
“Attack?” This Bishop was not attacking anyone. He was defending the integrity of the Church Body. When non and anti-Christians wish to come into Christian places and try to deceive the Christians there, it is the duty of every Christian to speak out against the adversarial person and their un-Christian positions. (Mrs. Clinton spouts gross wrongs.) If the person claims to be a Christian and yet, promotes ungodly behaviors and teachings, as clearly a person like Clinton does, they must be challenged and overcome. Just about every letter written in the New Testament deals with error and false teachings within the Church setting. People that promote this “anything goes” lifestyle – which in truth IS the “progressive” Humanism position held by Mrs. Clinton – should challenged like they were in the days of the Apostles.
posted April 3, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I think this is a direct partisan attack and the Bishop should be worried about his tax-exempt status. Sen. Clinton has been supportive of legislative attempts to reduce abortion and promote adoption. See references to:
http://www.catholicdemocrats.org/news/2008/03/old_abortion_language_doesnt_w.php
Both Senators Obama and Clinton have been supportive of measures like HR1047 and HR819 with seek to reduce the procedure in this country. Comments from a Bishop like this harm the real efforts at attempting to solve this serious problem.
Bill Roth
Catholic Democrats.
posted April 5, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I believe Hillary Clinton has taken a very objective, informed and logical stand on women’s rights. Until you are a woman, I do not believe that any man should be able to judge what our needs are nor dictate what we should do with our bodies in relation to birth control. Survival is sometimes more important than a pregnancy in the minds of some women. Christianity or the “Church” should not dictate what the people of the State or the USA have decided is their right. There may even be people who are attending that College who are not Catholic or Christian and Hillary Clinton is a Christian and has Christian values. She knows not to pass her personal values on to others.