Change?

The following quotes by Catholic Bishops were taken from here. It is encouraging to see some conviction and courage to speak out against the popular culture.

Cardinal O’Malley (Boston): “My joy (over an African-American being elected President), however, is tempered by the knowledge that this man has a deplorable record when it comes to prolife issues, and is possibly in the pocket of Planned Parenthood, which, in its origins, was a very racist organization to eliminate the blacks, and it’s sort of ironic that he’s been co-opted by them.”

Cardinal George (Chicago): “If the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision, that African Americans were other people’s property and somehow less than persons, were still settled constitutional law, Mr. Obama would not be President of the United States. Today, as was the case a hundred and fifty years ago, common ground cannot be found by destroying the common good. The common good can never be adequately incarnated in any society when those waiting to be born can be legally killed at choice.”

I find the whole issue perplexing, especially given that 1/3 of the African-American population has been lost to abortion since 1973. African-American women undergo abortions at a rate 4-5 times that of Caucasian women. It's a wonder that Obama doesn't see how his race is under attack. The Guttmacher Institute (research institute for abortions and Planned Parenthood) claims it is because of a disparity in access to contraceptives and adequate women's healthcare. Let's assume that is correct (which I don't think it is), I personally don't think greater access to contraceptives is going to fix the problem. Since contraceptives have been introduced (which were supposed to lower the rates of unintended pregnancies and therefore, lower the rates of abortion), the rates of divorce, abortion and transmission of STDs have all risen. That's like offering a band-aid when someone needs a blood transfusion.

Our attitudes need to change. Our hearts need to change. Life needs to become less about convenience and more about serving one another. I sincerely hope change is coming for America, Mr. Obama. I hope American hearts are changed to see the goodness and light inherent in all life. I pray we all change in the way God is calling us, to grow as children of His light and love. Is this the change you are seeking, Barack?