Friday, Bishop Joseph E. Strickland spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference's (CPAC) Ronald Reagan Dinner, weighing in on the sanctity of life and other religious issues challenging the conservative movement and its leaders.
Strickland is best known for his refusal to resign as head of the Tyler, Texas diocese after publicly disagreeing with Pope Francis on several key issues, including the Catholic Church's embrace of the LGBTQ+ movement.
Strickland was the keynote speaker at the CPAC event and discussed the recent Alabama Supreme Court decision declaring an embryo created through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is a child protected by Alabama's wrongful death act and the Alabama Constitution.
Strickland called the Alabama high court's decision "correct" but also criticized the practice of IVF.
"Brothers and sisters, we must be strong in the sanctity of life and all of its repercussions. I know that today's controversies — many of us are not well-versed," he said. "But we must be. We must guide our great politicians — those who we hope. will serve this nation into a brighter future. We must guide them in the ethics of the sanctity of life. We can't expect those busy people who are doing their best to fight to battle that we must face. We can't expect them to do it alone. We must help them to be informed, that the controversies that are presently in the news right now — this decision by Alabama's court was correct."
"According to our Catholic faith, we must stand strong and instruct these good men and women that are calling to lead us, and we need them to lead us," Strickland added. "We must help them understand the intricacies of what science has done in playing God and having children, embryos, embryonic children frozen and too easily disposed of. When the Alabama court says no, we cannot dispose of these human beings. Let us guide our politicians to know that truth."
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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