Quoting MLK, S.F. archbishop praises ruling
The San Francisco archbishop released a statement Friday praising the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the constitutional right to an abortion that quoted Martin Luther King Jr.
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone called the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade the “historic” result of years of work by “people of all faiths,” and added that it’s “the beginning not the end.”
“‘The arc of history is long but it bends towards justice.’ Never have the words the Rev. Martin Luther King, the great prophet of human rights in the 20th century, rung more true,” he wrote in his statement. “The artificial barriers the Supreme Court created by erecting a so-called constitutional right out of thin air have been removed.”
But he added that the work “has just begun.”
“The struggle to demonstrate we can build a culture that respects every human life, including mothers in crisis pregnancies and the babies they carry, continues,” he wrote. “We must redouble our efforts to accompany women and couples who are facing unexpected or difficult pregnancies, as well as to offer mercy to those suffering the after-effects of the abortion experience.”
Cordileone’s sentiment stands in stark contrast to that of California leaders, who have called the decision devastating.
But it’s not the first time the archbishop has set himself in opposition to California leaders, particularly on the issue of abortion rights. In May, Cordileone issued a notice that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, an avowed Catholic, should not be allowed to receive the sacrament of communion because of her views on abortion.
Communion is a central part of the Catholic Mass and is one of the most significant ways Catholics affirm their faith.
Pelosi responded to Cordileone’s notice, part of a longstanding feud, by questioning why he has not taken the same action against other Catholic politicians who don’t follow Catholic teachings beyond abortion.
“I wonder about the death penalty, which I’m opposed to, so is the (Catholic) Church, but they take no action against people who may not share their view,” she said. She added that she respects the views of those who do not believe in abortion, like many in her Catholic family, but that she does not respect “foisting it onto others.”
Cordileone’s position also does not reflect that of many Catholics — a survey by the Pew Research Center in May found that 56% of U.S. Catholics believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Almost 70% said abortion should be legal when the woman’s life or health is threatened, and 66% said it should be legal if the pregnancy is the result of rape.
Only 10% of Catholics surveyed believed abortion should be illegal in all cases.
Pope Francis has denounced politically weaponizing Communion, and in late May, after Cordileone’s notice, passed over Cordileone for elevation to cardinal, one of the highest rankings for Catholic priests, choosing the lower-ranking but more progressive Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego instead.