The Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is a self-described ardent Catholic while also being one of the most dangerous pro-aborts in the nation. Today, she had an audience with Pope Benedict, and while there was some hope that the Pope would pull the rug out from under this “ardent Catholic” for her blatant disregard for the teachings of the church, it appears he gave her a pass. The Vatican released the following statement:

VATICAN CITY, 18 FEB 2009 (VIS) – The Holy See Press Office released the following communique at midday today:

“Following the general audience the Holy Father briefly greeted Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, together with her entourage.

“His Holiness 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 which enjoin all Catholics, and especially legislators, jurists and those responsible for the common good of society, to work in co-operation 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”.  OP/HUMAN LIFE/PELOSIVIS 090218 (source)

Here’s the statement released by Pelosi’s office:

Pelosi Statement Following Meeting With Pope Benedict XVI

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today following a meeting at the Vatican with his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI:

“It is with great joy that my husband, Paul, and I met with his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI today.

“In our conversation, I had the opportunity to praise 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.

“I was proud to show his Holiness a photograph of my family’s Papal visit in the 1950s, as well as a recent picture of our children and grandchildren.” (source)

I’m not Catholic, but it seems to me that if there was ever a person that should be ex-communicated, it would be Nancy Pelosi. Even she has said she wonders which week the church will refuse her communion for her position, and yet even the Pope gives her nothing more than a canned and brief tutorial on the church’s position on abortion. A question for my Catholic readers: does the Catholic church still ex-communicate members in violation of church teachings? If so, why are Catholics like Pelosi and Vice-President Biden still members and still receiving communion?

Personally, I’m disappointed in the Pope’s message to Speaker Pelosi. He didn’t say anything wrong, but he should have said it more strongly and taken action to remove Pelosi from the Catholic church (at the very least, banned her from receiving communion).

OneMom

PS – I would also like to know why the Speaker is spending 8 days in Italy and how much is this trip for her and her entourage (and her husband) costing us?