Barack Obama Chooses Another Hypocritical Catholic in Joe Biden

Of all possible candidates Obama could have chosen for his running mate, Joe Biden couldn't have been a bigger miss. Not only was he beaten to the punch in choosing a female (whom, whatever your opinion of Sarah Palin, was a genius pick on the part of the McCain camp for the run against a minority), but Barack Obama managed to choose yet another pro-abortion Catholic, a la John Kerry.

The fact that Biden is Catholic may not matter to hard line democratic supporters. However it does matter to 25% of the voting population-because they are Catholic. Not only do the vast majority of Catholics oppose Roe v. Wade, but more importantly, pro-lifers get a bird's eye view of Biden's willingness to sacrifice his beliefs for the advancement of his party as well as his own political career.

You see, Joe Biden came to Washington more than 30 years ago as a pro-life politician, prepared to vote his conscience. As time went on, Biden decided that it was more politically convenient to cater to the Roe v. Wade crowd, stating in the 2007 Democratic primary debate, "I strongly support Roe v. Wade." Never has this been more important for Biden, both personally and professionally, than now.

In 2004 Joe Biden's home diocese Bishop, Michael Saltarelli, appealed to pro-choice Catholic politicians to not receive the Eucharist. The Church tenets require its members to be in communion with Church beliefs in order to receive the holy Eucharist. Joe Biden has violated his faith by standing alongside a pro-abortion presidential candidate, not to mention his strong pro-abortion voting record over the past decade.

Bishop Saltarelli decided to take the issue one step further when Biden was nominated for V.P. by banning him from speaking at any Catholic schools. This is a move that may seem harsh, however it speaks to the reality that the Church will not change its values simply because one of its flock becomes powerful. If you stray from the Church's teachings, it doesn't matter who you are, you will still be held to the same standards.

Joe Biden, like John Kerry, has openly continued to slap Church officials in the face by receiving Communion. Not only is this an offense to the Church but it also resurrects the controversy over Kerry's similar actions during his run for office in 2004.

Whether democrat or republican, no one likes a hypocrite. Biden professes to "accept" his Church's teachings, while making weak excuses for his consistent support of abortion. If you believe something is intrinsically evil, you do not vote to uphold the laws that allow it. If you believe those laws to be just and moral, then find another religion, one which supports your beliefs. That would be far more noble and honest than supporting abortion out of one side of your mouth and receiving our Lord Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist with the other.

Whatever Biden's true beliefs, his voting record speaks for itself and for the agenda he will push in Washington, whether as vice president or in congress. He has placed his faith in the spotlight, and Barack Obama along with the democratic party just may pay the highest price for that choice.

Meet the Press: 2007 "Meet the Candidates" series Apr 29, 2007

2007 South Carolina Democratic primary debate, on MSNBC Apr 26, 2007