Speaker Pelosi Corrects The Vatican On Abortion On "Meet The Press"

August 24th's "Meet The Press" with Tom Brokaw included an interview with Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who described herself as an ardent Catholic and apparently a theologian whose study of such Church luminaries trumps Pope Benedict XVI, Pope John Paul II, etc..  Pelosi also tried to walk back a bit from her commitment to save the planet from that hoax called offshore drilling - as well as the basement ratings that the Congress has had since she has been Speaker. 

UPDATE:

Laura Ingraham and Kathryn Jean Lopez weigh in

MR. BROKAW:  Senator Obama saying the question of when life begins is above his pay grade, whether you're looking at it scientifically or theologically. If he were to come to you and say, "Help me out here, Madame Speaker.  When does life begin?" what would you tell him?

REP. PELOSI:  I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time.  And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition.  And Senator--St. Augustine said at three months.  We don't know. The point is, is that it shouldn't have an impact on the woman's right to choose.  Roe v. Wade talks about very clear definitions of when the child--first trimester, certain considerations; second trimester; not so third trimester.  There's very clear distinctions.  This isn't about abortion on demand, it's about a careful, careful consideration of all factors and--to--that a woman has to make with her doctor and her god.  And so I don't think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins.  As I say, the Catholic Church for centuries has been discussing this, and there are those who've decided...

MR. BROKAW:  The Catholic Church at the moment feels very strongly that it...

REP. PELOSI:  I understand that.

MR. BROKAW:  ...begins at the point of conception.

REP. PELOSI:  I understand.  And this is like maybe 50 years or something like that.  So again, over the history of the church, this is an issue of controversy.  But it is, it is also true that God has given us, each of us, a free will and a responsibility to answer for our actions.  And we want abortions to be safe, rare, and reduce the number of abortions.  That's why we have this fight in Congress over contraception.  My Republican colleagues do not support contraception.  If you want to reduce the number of abortions, and we all do, we must--it would behoove you to support family planning and, and contraception, you would think.  But that is not the case.  So we have to take--you know, we have to handle this as respectfully--this is sacred ground. We have to handle it very respectfully and not politicize it, as it has been--and I'm not saying Rick Warren did, because I don't think he did, but others will try to.

Listen to Speaker Pelosi on this and a host of other issues, including drilling, Congress's poor poll ratings, etc..

Comments

[Lou Marciano]

Pelosi needs to talk to a priest right away - she is very confused (and totally wrong).

I think the Pope may be able to help her. Here's his e-mail address:
benedictxvi@vatican.va

[pceaton]

Polosi abuses her authority regarding the right to abortion issue. She obviously has no knowledge of when life begins, and is in denial as to when it does begin so that she can pursue her own agenda. As a professional nurse of 40 plus years and active in hospital nursing for that time, she is against all that I have practiced and experienced. I am horrified that she is in the position that she is. As a descendent of 1936 immigrants to this country, whose basic reason to emigrate was for freedom of life for all, I am saddend and disheartened for our country. Past history shows that when life is not respected in all stages it is the beginning of downfall of that culture, e.g. Greek culture had no qualms about killing their young especially females. In my mind she is taking an unethical and immoral stance that she alone is responsible to answer for. I pity her.

[pceaton]

Correction, I am a descendent of immigrants of 1636 to Dedham, Mass. not 1936.