最近美國新政府 開始他們的外交之旅 總統歐巴馬 訪問加拿大 國務卿 希拉蕊 訪問 日本 中國等 亞洲國家 作為美國接班順位第三號的人物 Pelosi 訪問梵蒂岡 她是天主教徒 教宗跟她談保護生命 她讚美 教會領導在對抗飢餓 全球暖化 跟宗教自由所作的努力 ====== Visiting Pope, Pelosi Hears a Call to Protect Life http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/us/19pelosi.html?scp=2&sq=pope&st=cse By RACHEL DONADIO ROME —Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday told Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Roman Catholic who supports abortion rights, that Catholic politicians must protect “human life at all stages of its development.” Ms. Pelosi is the highest-ranking Democrat to meet with the pope since the election of President Obama, whose administration’s support of abortion rights worries many in the Vatican. In a statement, the Vatican said Benedict “briefly greeted” Ms. Pelosi and her entourage after his weekly public audience and “took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the church’s consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.” The pope added that all Catholics, “especially legislators, jurists and those responsible for the common good of society,” should “work in cooperation with all men and women of good will in creating a just system of laws capable of protecting human life at all stages of its development.” As a high-ranking politician and a practicing Catholic who regularly attends Mass and receives communion, Ms. Pelosi has been at the center of several contentious debates between the Catholic Church and the American political establishment. Ever since the 2004 presidential campaign of Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, a Catholic, United States bishops have debated whether to deny communion to politicians who support abortion rights. Before the presidential election last fall, several American bishops criticized Ms. Pelosi for saying that church leaders had argued for centuries over whether life begins at conception. The American bishops also criticized Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., a Catholic who during the campaign said that “to impose” his “personal judgment” that life begins at conception seemed “inappropriate in a pluralistic society.” Most of the Vatican hierarchy is deeply concerned about the Obama administration’s support of abortion rights, which differs from the position taken by the Bush administration. In a statement issued by her office on Wednesday, Ms. Pelosi said it was “ with great joy” that she and her husband, Paul, had met Benedict. She said she had praised “the church’s leadership in fighting poverty, hunger, and global warming, as well as the Holy Father’s dedication to religious freedom and his upcoming trip and message to Israel.” Ms. Pelosi’ s statement did not mention the pope’s comments on abortion. Her office noted that she has previously said she wants to reduce abortions but that she remains in favor of abortion rights. In a move that provoked controversy, the pope last month revoked the excommunication of four bishops from a society founded in rejection of the liberalizing changes of the Second Vatican Council, including its commitment to religious freedom. Visiting Italy his week, Ms. Pelosi has also met with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and other Italian politicians. --

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