Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is clearly confused about Catholic teaching on life issues. On NBC’s “Meet the Press,”‘ Pelosi said that abortion is still an unsettled issue in the church. While the bishops try to straighten out Pelosi, who confuses medieval discussions about “ensoulment” with historical teachings on abortion, the Democrats are trying to sound like they are both for and against abortion. Pelosi is at best misinformed, and has misinformed a nation. The Catholic bishops will try to counter her bad information. And Catholic politicians, who have with increasing velocity ignored a lot of Catholic teaching, don’t seem to think that what the bishops say will make any difference. Seatbelts, everybody. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.
(Phyllis Zagano is senior research associate-in-residence at Hofstra University and author of several books in Catholic Studies.)