Pelosi, Biden, Need to Get Their Facts Straight on Abortion

Fox News is reporting (link) that the Roman Catholic archbishops of Denver (+Chaput) and Washington D.C. (+Wurel) have railed on two American legislators, Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi of California, and the presumptive vice-presidential nominee for the Democratic party, Senator Joe Biden.

First, let me applaud the two bishops for standing up - to the point of +Chaput telling Biden not to recieve the Eucharist in the Denver Archdiocese.

Now, let's factually disprove their allegations that the Church, in her earliest years, did not have a firm belief regarding abortion...

"You shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill one who has been born." The Didache (80 AD)

"We say that those women who use drugs to bring on abortion commit murder. And we also say they will have to give an account to God for the abortion." Athenogoras (175 AD)

"(Among Christians) murder is once for all forbidden. Therefore, we may not destroy even the fetus in the womb... To hinder a birth is merely a speedier way to kill a human. It does not matter wether you take away a life that has been born, or destory one that has not yet been born." Tertullian (197 AD)

"There are some women who, by drinking medical preparations, extinguish the fetus within the womb. So they commit murder before they give birth." Mark Minucius Felix (200 AD)

"Among surgeon's tools ther is a certain instrument that is formed with a nicely-adjusted flexible frame for, first of all, opening the uterus and then keeping it open. It also has a circular blade, by means of which the limbs within the womb are dissected with careful, but unflinching care. Its last appendage is a blunted or covered hook, by which the entire fetus is extracted by a violent delivery. There is also a copper needle or spike, by which the actual death is brought about in this treacherous robbery of life." Tertullian (210 AD)

"Are you to dissolve the conception by aid of drugs? It is no more lawful to hurt a child in the womb than to hurt one who is already born." Tertullian (212 AD)

"You shall not slay your child by causing abortion, nor kill the baby that is born. For 'everything that is shaped and has recieved a soul from God, if it is slain, shall be avenged, as being unjustly destroyed'" Apostolic Constitutions, citing Ezekiel (390 AD)

So, Senator Biden and Representative Pelosi, don't just read your Catechism or quote Thomas Aquinas as your ancient source of authority... go back to the heart of the Church, and actually read what the Scriptures and the Church Fathers have to say. If you disagree with what your Church teaches, that is your business... but don't go around pretending to be good Roman Catholics.

If you want to be a Catholic who can freely disregard the Pope whenever you please, there are several Independent Catholic churches out there that don't require you to forsake your abortion policies... in fact, they'll gladly welcome you and the publicity you bring them.

Lying or, at least, mis-informed believers serving the state. Remind me again why Christians serving in elected office is a good idea?