Three local politicians just got hammered, and hammered hard, by Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger, who ripped their participation in pro-Planned Parenthood rallies last weekend. Bishop Scharfenberger says Congressman Paul Tonko, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy are supporting "intentional killing" and added, "any judgement of these individuals' hearts and souls is left only to God." You can read his entire statement below. Ouch.
Diane Donato (sitting in for Kelly today) and I discussed Bishop Scharfenberger's statement and somehow were also able to transition into talking about a local "Grannies For Peace" rally, Playboy, Playgirl and the "Grammy woman in the Trump dress." - Chuck
The following is a statement by Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger of Albany:
The public policy issue of defunding Planned Parenthood was the subject of demonstrations and counter-demonstrations across the country this weekend, including here in the Capital Region. Without question, Planned Parenthood provides some morally unobjectionable health services to women. However, this statement is not unlike saying that a man who beats his wife sometimes gives her flowers. Planned Parenthood is the unquestioned number one provider of abortions in our country. This is the primary “product” for which it is known. Abortion is not health care; it is the intentional killing of a unique human person in his or her mother’s womb. This is a scientific fact that has nothing at all to do with religion or religious belief.
Consistent with this scientific fact, the Catholic Church clearly teaches the objective truth that abortion is a grave moral evil, and that material cooperation in abortion is a mortal sin.
When individuals, particularly those in political office, gloss over or ignore the core issue of whether or not taxpayers should be funding the world’s largest abortion business by citing Planned Parenthood’s other services, they are engaging in obfuscation that is, at best, confused and, at worst, dishonest. And when such individuals publically hold themselves out to be Catholic, their local bishop has a responsibility to offer correction, both for the well-being of the individuals’ souls and to avoid scandal among the Catholic faithful.
Such is the unfortunate case that I, as the Bishop of Albany, find myself in today. In a local protest over the weekend advocating for the continued public funding of Planned Parenthood, three Catholic politicians – one federal, one state, and one local – not only participated but spoke passionately on behalf of maintaining such funding. And while any judgment of these individuals’ hearts or souls is left only to God, I am entrusted with the solemn duty of reminding them of the unambiguous teaching of our faith on the matter of abortion, informing them that it is inappropriate and confusing to the faithful to hold yourself out publicly as a Catholic while also promoting abortion, and challenging them to embrace the Gospel of Life and to renounce their public support for Planned Parenthood.
My prayer is that these and other elected officials will come to see the truth that abortion harms women and babies, and that they courageously fight to defend the right to life of every human person from the moment of conception until natural death.
Congressman Paul Tonko's Spokesman Matt Sonneborn responded to the Bishop's statement.
Every day, Congressman Paul Tonko’s first and last thought is for the people and communities of the 20thCongressional District of New York.
While never overbearing about his Catholic faith, many have seen it propel him to soup kitchens to serve food to his neediest neighbors, to attend event after event to support community organizations doing vital local work, and to stand up on the floor of Congress in defense of the most vulnerable and under-represented members of our community and our country. He does this as a person of faith who listens to his conscience.
The Bishop’s comments will be read, heard and internalized by the Congressman, likely impacting him personally and spiritually. He has spent nearly all of his life connecting with the people and families of New York’s Capital Region. So when he expresses strong support for funding the health services provided by Planned Parenthood, he’s not just thinking about politics or even the numbers that show family planning services actually reduce overall demand for abortions. He’s thinking about the thousands of real living women, children and families whose lives are better today because they had access to affordable healthcare, including screenings and testing, many of whom have personally thanked him for his efforts.
And he knows that, ultimately, the most sensitive life and health choices need to be made by individuals, their families, their doctors and their faith; not their government.