News Articles from the 2005 National Catholic Prayer Breakfast

May 26, 2005

President praises Benedict XVI,
Chaput warns of 'cowardice,' at D.C. prayer breakfast

The second annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast celebrated the presidency of George W. Bush, the papacy of Benedict XVI, the legacy of John Paul II, and the take-few-prisoners approach of a Colorado archbishop some in the crowded hotel ballroom hope one day soon will wear a red hat in the nation's capital.

To the president's right sat Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput, a 60-year-old Capuchin whose pronouncements during the presidential campaign about pro-choice Catholic politicians receiving Communion -- he was against them doing so -- made him a hero to the largely conservative audience. To Bush's left was Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, whose work to defuse the Communion controversy ultimately bore little fruit, even as it energized those who would prefer a Washington archbishop on the frontlines and on the conservative side in America's culture wars.

McCarrick turns 75 July 8. That's the age at which bishops are required to submit their resignations to the pope.

Bush deserves praise for his "unflinching devotion to the culture of life" and for removing "the stranglehold of tyrants around the world," prayer breakfast board member and Republican National Committee Catholic liaison head Leonard Leo said in introducing the president. (A smattering of peace activists, gathered outside the hotel, disagreed, saying Bush was not worthy of the honor of speaking at a Catholic event.) Click here to read more.

May 21, 2005

Bush praises pope at prayer meeting

The Second National Catholic Prayer Breakfast yesterday rallied local faithful with moving speeches from President Bush and Colorado Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, both of whom praised Pope Benedict XVI and politicians who adhere to Catholic doctrine.

'Catholics and non-Catholics alike can take heart in the man who sits on the chair of St. Peter because he speaks with affection about the American model of liberty rooted in moral conviction,' Mr. Bush said to 1,600 guests at the Washington Hilton.

Roman Catholic voters were crucial to Mr. Bush's re-election last year: 52 percent chose him over Massachusetts Democratic Sen. John Kerry, a Catholic, who garnered 47 percent of their vote.

Archbishop Chaput told the audience that their faith should affect ?our political decisions,? adding that public officials who aren't pro-life are 'either very confused or they're very evasive.' Click here to read more.

May 20, 2005

Denver archbishop joins Bush at Catholic prayer breakfast

Denver Roman Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput joined President Bush today in Washington for the second annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast.

Bush was cheered at the event for urging people to "pray that America uses the gift of freedom to build a culture of life."

The remark was a public reaffirmation of his position on such issues as abortion and stem cell research. Click here to read more.

May 19, 2005

A new Catholic moment

The time has come to talk of presidents and popes.

In her lovely 1972 memoir, Private Faces Public Places, Abigail McCarthy recalled the visit she and her husband, Senator Eugene McCarthy, made to Rome in 1962. Vatican II was in full swing. John Kennedy was president, John XXIII pope.

It was a glorious time to be active in the big issues of the day, to be liberal, to be Catholic.

"Rome was full of our friends, not only among the bishops, but also theologians and writers," wrote McCarthy. Visits with Time magazine correspondent Bob Kaiser and his wife, who shared an apartment with Archbishop "Ban-the-Bomb" Roberts of Bombay; conversations with Msgr. George Higgins and Redemotorist Fr. Xavier Murphy; lunch with a provocative young German theologian, Fr. Hans Kung; a seat in the Council observers' area with Robert McAfee Brown; convincing the papal gatekeeper that Mary McGrory was Senator McCarthy's sobrina (cousin) so the Washington Star reporter could join their audience with the beloved Holy Father. Click here to read more.