- SPRINGFIELD, November 8, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Cardinal Francis George of Chicago slightly softened his criticism of Catholic Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn for agreeing to present a pro-abortion political group’s award, after learning that the award was presented to a rape victim.
Cardinal George, who had condemned Quinn’s decision to “publicly [present] awards to ... advocates” of pro-abortion legislation, indicated remorse over the weekend after learning that the recipient of the award was rape victim and advocate Jennie Goodman.
Catholic Illinois Governor Pat Quinn had presented the award on behalf of Personal PAC, a group dedicated to getting pro-abortion politicians elected.
“I deeply regret that,” George said on Sunday, according to the Chicago Tribune. “A rape victim demands all the respect and sympathy that anybody can give.”
However, the cardinal emphasized that he and the five other Illinois bishops who joined the criticism did “not regret reminding the governor that as long as he claims to be Catholic, there are inconsistencies in what he is doing and what the church says is the moral standard for all of us who claim to be Catholic.”
“It is the governor we are talking to, not her,” George said, adding that he was “not sure” how their message would have changed had they been more informed.
Quinn presented the award on behalf of Personal PAC, a group dedicated to supporting pro-abortion candidates for political office.
The governor, a Catholic politician known for espousing pro-abortion policy, complained that George had not communicated with him prior to issuing the critical statement.
“I always feel that when you have an issue that you’re concerned about, the best thing to do is pick up the phone, set up a time, an appointment, and come on in and have a face-to-face dialogue,” said Quinn in another Tribune article Tuesday.
Quinn had initially responded to the criticism by saying that honoring Goodman was “a proper Christian thing to do.”
Terry Cosgrove, president of Personal PAC and former advisor to NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and NOW, said that George had reached a “new low” by “accusing women of killing their children,” and said Catholic Church leaders were merely angry that Quinn had triumphed over a pro-life opponent in the last gubernatorial race thanks in part to Personal PAC’s involvement.
Absolutely disgusting. And yet another spineless act of cowardice on the part of an American Bishop.
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