R.I. Right to Life committee attacks Kennedy on abortion

R.I. Right to Life committee attacks Kennedy on abortion

By News staff – Providence Journal Oct 27, 2009

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Rhode Island Right to Life Committee has joined antiabortion groups in attacking Rhode Island's U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy for published comments last week in which he criticized the Roman Catholic Church's opposition to abortion-related aspects of proposed legislation to overhaul the nation's medical system.

In a videotaped interview Wednesday with Cybercast News Service, Kennedy called the church's position a "red herring" that fans "the flames of dissent and discord."

In a news release dated Friday, but faxed to The Journal on Monday, Barth E. Bracy, Rhode Island State Right to Life Committee's executive director, said, "Congressman Kennedy's attack on the Catholic Church is unconscionable."
"President Obama and his allies in Congress are trying to use health care reform to impose a government-subsidized death sentence on countless of pre-born babies," Bracy said. "The Catholic Bishops are simply standing in defense of these precious and innocent human lives."

Supporters of the legislation --- five versions of which are pending in the Senate and House --- maintain that it essentially would bind the new system to the provisions of the longstanding ban on federal financing of abortions, known as the Hyde Amendment. But many foes of abortion, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, say that the health-care overhaul would effectively permit the indirect subsidization of abortion with taxpayer money. Kennedy could not be reached for comment.

Comment:

Dear New Jersey Hibernian Brother,
Where is the outrage? The silence is deafening from our A.O.H. National Board with regard to the Pro-Life issue. To your great credit, you have been diligent and outspoken not only on pro-life but on all Catholic issues of concern to our membership. It seems as though there is plenty of “sabre rattling” on other select issues but silence when it comes to protecting the rights of the most vulnerable in our society.
The recent disgraceful verbal exchange between U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy, a Rhode Island Democrat and Bishop Thomas Tobin was another example of the arrogance of a supposed Catholic politician toward the clergy and the principles of the Catholic Church. Above is an article from a Providence, RI newspaper concerning the issue. Please continue to send your timely and informative news items to our membership.

Jack Meehan, Past National President Ancient Order of Hibernians in America Knights of Columbus – 4th Degree