Bush courts American Church

President Bush and the US Catholic bishops discover common ground, reports Richard Shaw PRESIDENT George Bush has been praised by the Church for his pro-life initiatives.
President Bush, an Episcopalian, made his agenda clear when he sent a personal message to thousands of prolife marchers in Washington.
He told them that he shared their goal to work towards a day when every child is welcomed in life and protected by law".
Afterwards, he signed an executive order to stop United States' funding for groups that promoted abortion overseas. Cardinal William Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore, called the decision a "tremendous step forward".
Douglas Johnson of the National Right to Life Committee said the policy also meant the government "will no longer be using taxpayers' dollars to encourage abortions".
The Church, however, expects more. "We hope the executive order will be the first of several," said Richard Doerflinger, associate director for policy development in the bishops' secretariat for pro-life activities.
President Clinton issued five anti-life executive orders early in his presidency; one of which allotted funds to research that destroyed human embryos.
President Bush disagreed with the research and prolife groups are now urging him to reverse the order.
Another executive order could see the reversal of the 1998 decision by Clinton's Attorney General to allow Oregon to permit assisted suicide, a decision with which Bush has also strongly disagreed.
Bush pledged to reduce the number of abortions in America, and to end partial
birth abortion, a practice where the child is four-fifths delivered before scissors are inserted into the base of its skull, its brains sucked out and its head collapsed — partly to ensure it is not delivered alive.
The Church also hopes pro-life Bills passed by Congress will gain Bush's support and signature. Last week, a Bill was presented to Congress to ensure only doctors qualified to read ultrasound scans and perform surgical abortions could be allowed to prescribe the RU-486 abortion pill. The Bush administration is said to be completely behind it.
Another Bill soon to be tabled is the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, which would give any child born alive full protection of law.
It is not just on life issues, however, that Bush has been impressing. Cathy Cleaver, the bishops' chief spokeswoman on pro-life issues, welcomed his policy of providing faith-based charities with funding. The President held a consultative meeting specifically for Catholic charities. Over 40 groups were invited. Bush has also dined with a number of cardinals. "We are beginning to feel that Bush is paying special attention to the Catholic community", Miss Cleaver said.
President Bush has publicly expressed his admiration for the American Church. He said he was impressed "by not only the quality of leadership of those who make tip the great strength of the Catholic hierarchy, but also the unwavering commitment to the poor and to the disadvantaged, and to those who are unable to defend themselves."
He said he also knew the Church would not be corrupted by political correctness.
Critics, however, say he endorsed more executions in Texas than ever before. Miss Cleaver said: "He may find himself in a position where he is asked to commute a federal execution. If that happens we will very strongly put our case across."
The Pope sent a telegram to congratulate the President Bush on his inauguration. He said: "1 pray that under your leadership, the American people will discover the spiritual values which will provide clear direction and a sound ethical foundation for building a society."