THAT. That's what we're talking about...and HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

UPDATE: In the combox, Christopher alerts us to an article in Commonweal that sheds light on Fr. Murray's views relative to the views of the rest of the priests mentioned in the WSJ piece. I think it both fair and important to note this, as I don't want to mischaracterize Fr. Murray in any way; for any misimpression I apologize.

The Wall Street Journal has an interesting piece on how the Kennedy family came to embrace "abortion rights" as doctrine.

While the article doesn't always note it, most* of the prominent priests mentioned therein -- such as then-Fr. Albert Jonsen, Fr. Giles Milhaven, Fr. Richard McCormick, Fr. Joseph Fuchs, Fr. Robert Drinan and Fr. John Courtney Murray (see UPDATE above)--  were, sadly, Jesuits.

Something for which those of us who are Ignatiophiles must do penance, especially as the March For Life draws near.

All you Jesuit saints and blesseds...pray for us.

AMDG,

-J.

*Of those listed, only Fr. Charles Curran was not a Jesuit.

Comments

[Christopher]

[...] "Mr. Jonsen writes that the Hyannisport colloquium was influenced by the position of another Jesuit, the Rev. John Courtney Murray, a position that "distinguished between the moral aspects of an issue and the feasibility of enacting legislation about that issue." It was the consensus at the Hyannisport conclave that Catholic politicians "might tolerate legislation that would permit abortion under certain circumstances if political efforts to repress this moral error led to greater perils to social peace and order."

I think it would be a mistake to group Fr. John Courtney Murray with the likes of Drinan, McCormick, Curran, et al. with the endorsement of a legal toleration of abortion. Todd David Whitmore tackles this question in

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1252/is_n17_v121/ai_15790225

What would John Courtney Murray say? On abortion & euthanasia
(Commonweal, Oct 7, 1994) -- responding to another liberal author who attempts to argue "from within the Murray tradition" a pro-choice stance. Check out his rebuttal.

[JoeGarcia]

Christopher,

Thanks, I am open to correction and if the WSJ piece mischaracterizes Fr. Murray's position, I'll make sure to point that out.

Thanks again,

-J.