Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Fr. Pacwa - Nobel Peace Prize

Father Mitch Pacwa weighs in on the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to President Obama.
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Peace, Peace (Jeremiah 6:13) A variety of arguments have been made about President Barak Obama's surprise reception of the Nobel Peace Prize. Arguments, both from the conservative and liberal sides of the political spectrum, mostly concern themselves with the small amount of time he has been president and the prestigious quality of the award.I, for my part, strongly object to his being awarded the Peace prize because of his policies to spread violence to the most peaceful places on earth.Remember that Mr. Obama was nominated for the Nobel Peace prize in early February, about two weeks after his inauguration as president. What has he actually done in those two weeks that might make him unworthy of this peace prize? Among his very first executive orders was his decision to allow the federal government to fund abortions and abortion counseling on January 23, 2009, the day after the thirty-sixth anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision to decriminalize abortions. In fact, on the actual anniversary of Roe v. Wade Mr. Obama wrote, "We are reminded that this decision not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman's right to choose." He highlighted that commitment while a member of the Illinois State Senate, when he refused to vote for a law protecting children who survive an abortion; even though Roe v. Wade recognized that once a child is outside the womb, he or she is a person and deserves the protection of the law. We would do well to remember that on March 9, 2009, one month after his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, Mr. Obama signed another executive order permitting embryonic stem cell research. Not only does he support the killing of children in the womb but also the use of their bodies for research.In a normal world, the womb is one of the most peaceful places on earth. The child within the womb is not hungry, thirsty, or in need of any other shelter. Life exists without conflicts and an amazing unfolding of incredibly complex growth and development takes place. The only conflict comes from outside that safe haven, as when an abortionist wields a knife to dismember the otherwise peaceful and defenseless child.As far as I am concerned, the last award I would bestow on someone who signs orders to spread an inevitable deadly violence against content, safe, and defenseless children in wombs throughout the world is a peace award. I cannot help but take to heart the words of Jeremiah the Prophet: "For from the least to the greatest of them, every one is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, every one deals falsely. They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, `Peace, peace,' when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown," says the Lord. (Jer. 6:13-15)

In Christ Jesus

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