Some Catholics report that they feel unable to support President Bush in his re-election bid on the grounds that he would allow abortion in cases of rape, incest, or to save the mother’s life. These positions are wrong and contrary to the Church’s teaching, but do they from the Church’s perspective place him in the same category as an ardent supporter of abortion like Clinton, Gore, or Kerry? Or does the fact that Bush opposes the vast majority of abortions make a difference and allow Catholics to form a different moral estimation of him?
During the Clinton administration, when President Clinton met with the pope, John Paul II was known for bringing up the topic of abortion and stressing the need to end it, which was widely recognized as a deliberate–if diplomatic–public scolding of the American president.
What has John Paul II said regarding President Bush when they have met? Has he similarly scolded Bush for failing to be 100% pro-life, or has he recognized that–though Bush (who is not a Catholic) is imperfect–that his position regarding abortion is nonetheless pariseworthy?
When the two met earlier this month, the pontiff had this to say to the president:
I also continue to follow with great appreciation your commitment to the promotion of moral values in American society, particularly with regard to respect for life and the family (source).
Though the pope does not issue political endorsements of candidates for office, his remarks might be taken to as an attempt to recognize and reward the fundamentally different, if still imperfect, approach taken by President Bush to this issue.
I thought the Pope was condemning Bush’s war in Iraq.