Cardinal says Democrats don't allow abortion debate
April 8, 2004
BY CATHLEEN FALSANI Religion Reporter Advertisement
Chicago's Cardinal Francis George doesn't like to talk about secular politics.
In fact, the cardinal-archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago chooses not to vote in primary elections because which ballot he asks for -- Democratic or Republican -- would become public record.
So it was out of character Wednesday when George took a few public swipes at the Democratic Party during a downtown City Club of Chicago luncheon.
"The great scandal, to my mind, of the Democratic Party is that there's no pro-life caucus," George told the crowd at the luncheon where he was guest speaker.
"A party that historically has been concerned about the weakest among us -- why, most Catholics were Democrats historically -- doesn't permit any freedom of speech around the question of abortion.
"One can say, as I have, that the Democratic Party has lost its soul," he said, as the largely Democratic audience, which included Cook County Board President John Stroger, sat gaping back at him.
Then, with the comic timing of a late-night talk-show host, the cardinal quickly added, "One could also argue that the Republican Party never had a soul," as the audience erupted into belly laughs and applause.
"That's called equal opportunity," George quipped.
A few minutes later, a woman who identified herself as Catholic said while she disagreed with a lot of Catholic teachings, she felt Catholic schools were an important part of society.
What can citizens do to make sure parochial education remains a viable option, she asked George.
"Elect a different Legislature," the cardinal retorted, as part of the audience groaned while others clapped. "That's true, but perhaps unfair. Not entirely, though.
"As far as your disagreeing with the church," George continued, "in the end, you don't answer to me. If you're a Catholic, in the end, you'll be before Christ, and you'll have to figure out what you'll tell him."
The audience erupted in laughter again, just before the prelate delivered one last theological zinger: "I have an obligation to teach and when I'm before Christ in a very few years he'll ask me, 'What did you teach and how did you try to make the Catholics of Cook and Lake counties holy?'
"So your [own] holiness, in a sense, I'm held hostage, too. So if you don't make it, I'm gonna have a harder time making it."