c. 2008 Religion News Service
WASHINGTON _ During the last seven years, President Bush has expressed his admiration for the Catholic Church in many speeches and events. Here are some examples:
“Pope Benedict XVI recently warned that … we risk sliding into a dictatorship of relativism where we can no longer defend our values. Catholics and non-Catholics alike can take heart in the man who sits on the chair of St. Peter, because he speaks with affection about the American model of liberty rooted in moral conviction.”
_ Bush at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in 2005.
“One thing is for certain, if you’re interested in educational excellence, you can look at the Catholic schools in the United States of America, because they provide it _ and for that, this country is very grateful.”
_ Bush at a conference with parochial school leaders in April 2007.
“Many of those folks who are helping to carry out this initiative are people from Catholic Charities, or Catholic congregations here in the United States, and I will tell (Pope Benedict XVI) how proud I am of our Catholic citizens who have volunteered, in many cases, to help relieve suffering around the world.”
_ Before meeting Pope Benedict in May of 2007, Bush spoke to religion journalists about Catholics participating in his effort to relieve the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
“I’ve been so incredibly impressed by the universally strong commitment of the Catholic Church and the leaders of the Catholic Church to make sure that nobody in our society is left behind. America is better off because of that commitment.”
_ Bush speaking at Our Lady of Angels-St. Joseph Center in Cleveland in May 2001.
“During my travels around the country, I have been most impressed by not only the quality of leadership of the men and women who make up the great strength of the Catholic hierarchy, but also the unwavering commitment to the poor and to the disadvantaged, and to those who are unable to defend themselves.”
_ Bush at a meeting with representatives from Catholic Charities USA in January 2001.
“I appreciate the tremendous sacrifices that many dioceses are making to keep their inner-city schools going. I am worried that too many of these schools are closing _ and our nation needs to do something about it.”
_ Bush at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in April 2007.
“Some people believe you cannot distinguish between right and wrong. The Catholic Church rejects such a pessimistic view of human nature _ and offers a vision of human freedom and dignity rooted in the same self-evident truths of America’s founding.”
_ Bush at the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in April 2006.
“By insisting on high standards for academic achievement, Catholic schools are a model for all schools around our country. … We want our public schools to live up to the standard you have set in Catholic schools.”
_ Bush on the 100th anniversary of the National Catholic Educational Association in September 2004.
“I’ve been struck by a lot of things as I’ve had the opportunity to meet the leadership of the Catholic Church. But I think the thing that has captured my heart the most is the not only universal care for the weak and the suffering but also the strong focus on making sure every child is educated.”
_ Bush at a White House meeting with Catholic leaders in March 2001.
_ Source: The White House
KRE/RB END BURKE600 words
See mainbar, RNS-BUSH-CATHOLIC, transmitted April 14, 2008. File photos of Bush with Catholic leaders are available via https://religionnews.com.
