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Catholic governor: embryonic stem cell research is "pro-life"

Catholic Governor Jennifer Granholm urged Michigan Democrats on Sunday to support Proposal 2, a ballot measure that would allow embryonic stem cell (ESC) researchers to destroy human embryos, and asserted that such a measure is in accord with the Catholic Church's pro-life teaching, reports Kathleen Gilbert, LifeSiteNews.com.

"As a Catholic, I can say to be pro-cure is to be pro-life," she said.

The governor issued the remark at a Grand Rapids Obama rally, part of a tour across the western half of the state.

Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing immediately criticized Granholm's statement for radically misrepresenting her Catholic faith. "Of course, Catholics and all other responsible citizens will continue to seek cures for disease and injury," said the bishop. "But to imply that Proposal 2 is a valid expression of Catholic principles is shocking. Nothing could be further from the truth."

Bishop Boyea emphasized the Church's unequivocal condemnation of the disregard for human life shown by those who consider human embryos expendable, noting that "the Catholic Bishops of Michigan have taken a strong position in opposition to this well-funded assault on human life.

"Saint Paul reminds us that we must preach the Truth in season and out of season. The Truth will never go unspoken. To be in favor of Proposal 2 is not to be pro-life. A well-formed Catholic conscience would never lead a person to support Proposal 2 'as a Catholic.'"

According to a Michigan Live article, supporters of ESC research have taken to the "pro-life" label, claiming that the destruction of embryos is justified for its potential to save other lives that may benefit from the research.

Catholic and pro-life organizations in Michigan have headed the effort to stop the ballot initiative, including the Michigan Catholic Conference, Right to Life Michigan, Democrats for Life of Michigan and the Family Research Council.

Michigan Live reports that polls show Proposal 2 in the lead among voters.

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TAGS: USA Jennifer Granholm embryonic stem cell human embryos Catholic Church pro-life teaching Family Research Council

[10/30/2008]

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