Chaput: 'It isn't possible to be pro-life and simultaneously forget the cries of the poor' [CNA]

[SWolf]

I’ve been involved in the pro-life ministry for over 40 years and have never seen what you’re claiming, never . The crisis pregnancy center I counseled at offered not only counseling for women in crisis pregnancies but parenting classes, rent assistance, clothing assistance, food vouchers, and even a junior college scholarship for women who chose to parent their child rather than abort. The assertion that pro-life adhernents don’t care about the child once they are born is utter nonsense

It’s a classic argument pro-choicers use to scoff at the pro-life movement and accuse them of hypocrisy. Then they can smugly claim moral superiority. It doesn’t matter the facts don’t support it.

To say it ticks me off is an understatement.

 

[pnewton]

I’ve read this whole thread with some fascination, as I enjoy rhetoric. What I have seen is a rather polarized discussion, consisting mainly of gracepoole and 1newcatholic vs. everybody else. I thought I’d make a few points, for what its worth:

1. Perhaps those on the right should admit that there is some utility to some forms of government aid.
2. To those progressive/left-leaning posters: I don’t necessarily see that most of the right-wing posters are against ALL government aid (maybe they are, each one can speak for himself/herself); they are simply arguing that the aid would be best administered through private means.

This discussion is very polarized and typical of much American rhetoric on poverty/social programs, which makes me wonder if it won’t be the people in the middle who will solve this mess…

I did not want to re-quote your whole passage, but I think you demonstrate why the Catholic Church, as defined by the statements of its bishops, is criticized by those on both sides of the political spectrum. I would think if anyone by AB Chaput had made the statement, the rhetoric would be even more ramped up.

 

[1newcatholic]

I’ve read this whole thread with some fascination, as I enjoy rhetoric. What I have seen is a rather polarized discussion, consisting mainly of gracepoole and 1newcatholic vs. everybody else. I thought I’d make a few points, for what its worth:

1. Perhaps those on the right should admit that there is some utility to some forms of government aid.
2. To those progressive/left-leaning posters: I don’t necessarily see that most of the right-wing posters are against ALL government aid (maybe they are, each one can speak for himself/herself); they are simply arguing that the aid would be best administered through private means.

In principle, I’m very much in favor of private charity and giving to help the poor, but the sad fact is that there are some communities in which there just aren’t enough local resources to help (or those with the resources simply choose not to help)…

I would also add that government aid sometimes has unintended deleterious consequences that actually harm the stability of families.

I agree with all of this.