Greenville, SC Priest Says He Was “Too Hasty” in Obama Comments
A South Carolina priest now says he was “too hasty” in his remarks about President-Elect Barack Obama. Last week, Father Jay Scott Newman warned his parishoners not to take Communion if they voted for Obama. The priest believes Obama’s position on abortion is unacceptable to Catholics. Sunday saw protestors at his church in Greenville. CNN’s Kristen Natasia has more.
A South Carolina priest now says he was “too hasty” in his remarks about President-Elect Barack Obama. Last week, Father Jay Scott Newman warned his parishoners not to take Communion if they voted for Obama. The priest believes Obama’s position on abortion is unacceptable to Catholics. Sunday saw protestors at his church in Greenville. CNN’s Kristen Natasia has more.
Advertisement
Text size: small | medium | large
CNN
Published: November 17, 2008
Greenville, SC—Jack Canfield, parishoner: “The Catholic Church has always been pro-life. I think it’s ridiculous to ask parishoners who voted for Obama to repent. I think people have the right to protest. It’s very American…“
And the picket line formed, more than 50-people strong…outside a place where they’re supposed to come together…
Protestor: “I think it’s a very controversial issue…“
Dividing even those with the same faith…
Supporter: “Sometimes, the questions gets a little muddled, but pro-life is pro-life, abortion is murder. It’s a very simple issue. The issue of abortion is something that should be left to the individual.“
It’s the first mass since Father Jay Scott Newman’s writing in the bulletin…asking church members who voted for Obama to repent before receiving Communion…since he’s a pro-choice candidate…and when we spoke with the pastor…he knew controversy was coming:
Father Jay Scott Newman, Pastor, St. Mary’s Catholic Church: “Very few people don’t have an opinion on this subject and it evokes the deepest of human emotions.“
The kind of emotion putting man, woman…child…out with signs…and very clear sides.
And, when the church processional passed the picket lines, the outspoken priest was silent. This time, his followers did the talking:
Richard Leboeuf, parishoner: “Father Newman is receiving criticism that is unwaranted. We still support our President, he is our 44th President and he is the leader of our country and the Americans will support him. We will agree to disagree on his stance on pro-choice.“
Post a Comment
The commenting period has ended or commenting has been deactivated for this article.
Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search:
Reader Reactions
Posted by ( soirse ) on November 23, 2008 at 9:02 am
The clear right thing in this case is to choose that the baby live not die. It is black and white. The boundaries are perfectly clear in this case.
There is nothing personal about killing babies. Now, repentance, that would be personal and God bless and comfort any woman who finds herself in that situation.Our Lord shows mercy but also justice. He said to the woman caught in adultery “ has no one condemned you… neither do I.. GO SIN NO MORE. That is clear isn’t it?
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Terry ) on November 22, 2008 at 10:52 am
Sorry, it’s not over until innocent babies stop being murdered. “Pro-choice” and “freedom” don’t mean a right to murder other human beings. Once that human life is in a woman’s womb it’s not about just her anymore. There are two human beings and they both have a right to live. One doesn’t have the right to murder the other. I read everything below. There is nothing there that would persuade me to vote for Obama over McCain. As far as Palin’s religious beliefs, I don’t know what her personal beliefs are, except through her actions. I agree with the choices she has made. Your religion is how you choose to live your life and she is living an exemplary one. If her way of life and her religion become at odds, I would expect her to make the necessary changes to align them. I heard no mention of her church being anti-Catholic before the election, but her actions would have led me to vote for her anyway. I hope and pray she helps brings about change in her church, if it is truly anti-Catholic. Most non-Catholic churches ARE vocally anti-Catholic. I have no illusions about that.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Joey ) on November 22, 2008 at 10:50 am
“Freedom is about doing the right thing never the wrong thing.“
In one fell swoop, all Tom’s arguments fall. Thank you soirse. :-) Freedom is the ability to choose among the good. Choosing evil is a misuse of freedom. Abortion itself is an objective evil, choosing it freely and with knowledge is a sin. And yes, we do legislate morality, all the time. Obama and his Planned Parenthood supporters will be legislating evil. I don’t see how he can reduce abortions by removing all restrictions on it (like parental consent, informed consent, etc.), and he certainly is legislating evil by forcing health care providers and insurers to act against their conscience by denying them the right to say “no” to abortion. But the Prevention First and FOCA acts, as I said, remove the conscience clause from law - a violation of freedom of religion. Very tolerant of those supposedly trying to “reduce” the numbers of abortions. (And really, that is a laughable assertion, Tom.)
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Tom ) on November 22, 2008 at 9:24 am
Just one more thing, and then it is over. The abortion controversy is a tremendously personal, emotional and moral issue, where most people feel very uncomfortable dealing. What it is not is a black or white issue with well defined boundaries. It is not a case of “if you arn’t against it you must be for it”. A pro-choice individual is not a de-facto abortionalist. It is OK to be totally, militantly against abortion personally, and still believe that everyone has the responsibility to choose their own set of beliefs. And that there are some people who find themselves in situations they want to resolve, but feel driven by “authorities” (some of whom they may not even respect!) to go against their will. To be pro-choice is to be responsible with your own life, and respect the x-choice of everyone else. Making life altering decisions is hard and living with the consequences is the personal choice everyone must make. Let’s help people with making those life altering decisions without imposing our beliefs on them.
That’s it. That is where I think our new President-Elect stands, and that is what will generate peace and forgiving among the people.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Tom ) on November 21, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Feminist Women’s Health Center
That’s what FWHC stands for in the url below. A group that tries to help, not some “pro-abortion shills cite”!
Did it ever occur to you (soirse) that your “right thing” may not be someone elses? Freedom is letting every body have their “right thing” according to themselves, without interference from anyone.
Of course abortion always hurts women. Did you read Obama’s support of women’s rights below: “...to expand access to contraception, health information and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies.“ How can you in clear conscience state that he will try to keep the abortion industry running? If you and Joey keep ignoring what is actually said and make up your own dooms day stories, this conversation is over. Our new President-elect is trying to meet with your ilk half way; try to make a similar effort!
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( soirse ) on November 21, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Abortion hurts women always.
Mr Obama has made his position clear in his speech to planned parenthood, which may be seen on youtube. He will try to keep abortion industry running but the public through their own enlightened consciences are going to reject it. No one can say anymore “I didn’t know what I was doing” Freedom is about doing the right thing never the wrong thing.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Joey ) on November 21, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Tom, you left out several things from your link, but I’ll leave it at this: they’re obviously a pro-abortion group, and they’re scared because: “these groups want to be the first contact a woman makes when she thinks she might be pregnant, ***so they can talk her out of considering abortion***.“ What a horrible crime! They admit these clinics are listed under “Abortion Alternatives” and that some of them, heaven forbid, are religious based!
What they’re really scared of is that these clinics are 90% effective (our local one is 98% effective).
And for every allegedly overly coercive CPC case these pro-abortion shills cite, I’ll cite you a girl ending up in the hospital due to a botched abortion. Deal? ;-)
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Tom ) on November 21, 2008 at 5:55 pm
If equal effort were put into education on every aspect of this issue, and not just on ramming ahead on your own moral beliefs, then women would be able to make an “informed” decision on their pregnancy, based on their own morals. Isn’t that what freedom is all about? Being able to choose freely how you live?
By the way, from what I read about Crisis Pregnancy Centers, maybe they should be investigated.
http://www.fwhc.org/abortion/fake.htm
“Women describe being harassed, intimidated, and given blatantly false information, or being forced to pray with the crisis pregnancy center’s staff. They complain that their confidential information was used against them. In some cases, they were followed home, and mail and phone calls intruded into their homes.“
“The Pearson Foundation manual, How to Start and Operate Your Own ProLife Outreach Crisis Pregnancy Center, urges anti-abortion counselors to give deceptive answers. For example, it cautions, “Do not tell the client that she is or is not pregnant.“ Instead, counselors are advised to only say whether test results are positive or negative.“
This doesn’t sound like the CPC’s are giving the women in trouble a fighting chance. This is why there is a FOCA. Try helping the women make a responsible choice themselves, and work on your own salvation yourself.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Joey ) on November 21, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Tom, you left out FOCA, which Obama promised to sign as soon as it was on his desk (assuming passage by Congress). It would nullify all state and federal laws that place any limitations on abortion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_Choice_Act
It has one thing in common with the “Prevention First Act”. That act will “end insurance discrimination against contraception”, basically removing all conscience clauses. For the Catholic Church, it means for dioceses that are self-insured, they must provide contraception coverage. In FOCA, it would mean Catholic hospitals would not have the right to refuse to perform abortions.
Some bishops are already talking the “nuclear option”, namely closing Catholic hospitals if this should become law and be held up in the courts.
That remains to be seen.
As much as I am a critic of Fr. Newman’s ill-advised words, Obama will advance the pro-abortion agenda farther than ever, especially if the Dems get 60 in the Senate.
They’re not talking about it publicly, but expect a Bill that will put severe medical clinic restrictions on Crisis Pregnancy Centers while at the same time removing any medical restrictions from abortion clinics.
That’s my main worry about an Obama presidency, because that’s where we are winning: not in laws, but on the ground, with 10 CPC’s for every abortion clinic.
Report Inappropriate Comment
Posted by ( Tom ) on November 21, 2008 at 4:48 pm
In the interest of full disclosure and complete facts, here is Barack Obama’s stand on Women’s rights.
Supports a Woman’s Right to Choose:
Barack Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion of reproductive choice and will make preserving women’s rights under Roe v. Wade a priority as President. He opposes any constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s decision in that case.
Preventing Unintended Pregnancy:
Barack Obama is an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access to contraception, health information and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. Introduced in January 2007, the Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.
Where does it say he is pro-abortion? He simply wants to let women make their own choices, and not make laws that cannot be inforced.
Report Inappropriate Comment