Who Cares for the poor who struggle with the Catholic Church and abortion?

I wholeheartedly praise the President of Notre Dame University in having President Obama speak at today's commencement. Who else would speak to those students who have had abortions or are presently contemplating and struggling with having an abortion? Those young women as well as the father's of their unborn child) need support. They are a part of an ever growing poor in our country.

This isn't meant to be an anti Catholic post today, yet I must admit that I can barely listen to what the Pope has to say without outrage and disgust! He continues to laud "natural family planning" despite the reality that the sexual urge doesn't always conform to one particular time in a woman's cycle. He has forbidden the use of condoms in a country that has been devastated by HIV/AIDS. Rather than present sex as a natural part of relationship, the pontiff has reduced these actions to base and often sinful.

Have you ever actually risked walking past a women's health clinic when "good" Roman Catholics are gathered with their signs and praying the rosary? Last week, I drove past a clinic in St. Paul, MN and through the crowd of protesters, I could see two women, huddled along side of the building. One woman seemed to be attempting to enter the building but seemed fearful of the crowd. I have no idea what happened; I have great empathy for that woman.

Poverty is far greater than loss of income and possessions. Poverty includes the loss of personal choice, and the right to freely receive health care where it is desired. Those who shamelessly protest and psychologically and spiritually torment those women are sinful. We know what their intentions are; we do not know why a woman is entering a women's health clinic yet the protests are there for all.

Blessed are the women who suffer the pain and humiliation at women's health clinics.