WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 13,
2008 (Zenit.org).- U.S. President George Bush said that when
he looks into Benedict XVI's eyes, he sees God.
The president made this affirmation Friday when he answered
the last question posed him during an interview with Eternal
Word Television Network (EWTN) anchor Raymond Arroyo.
Arroyo noted that Bush is planning an all-out welcome for
the Pope, who arrives in the United States on Tuesday for a
five-day visit. Most notably, Bush will go to the airport to
receive the Holy Father, a courtesy he has never extended to
any visiting leader.
The president says he plans to do this "because [the
Pope] is a really important figure in a lot of ways. One, he
speaks for millions. Two, he doesn't come as a politician; he
comes as a man of faith. And, three, that I so subscribe to
his notion that [...] there's right and wrong in life, that
moral relativism has a danger of undermining the capacity to
have more hopeful and free societies, that I want to honor his
convictions, as well."
The Holy Father, Bush said, "represents and stands for
some values that I think are important for the health of the
country, and when he comes to America, millions of my fellow
citizens will be hanging on his every word. And that's why
it's important."
Human rights
The EWTN anchor noted that the Pope will probably bring up
the issue of the war in Iraq, asking what the U.S. government
is doing to protect the Christian minority there.
Bush said that "something we have been doing all
along, is urging the government to understand that minority
rights are a vital part of any democratic society. And by the
way, my concern isn't just for minority rights in Iraq; it's
for minority rights throughout the Middle East."
In another area of rights, Arroyo asked Bush why he plans
to attend the Olympics opening ceremonies in Beijing, given
China's dire human rights record.
Bush stated that he did not want to make the Olympics a
political platform: "And the reason why is because I can
talk to [China] about religious freedom prior to the Olympics,
during the Olympics and after the Olympics -- which I have
done. I don't need the Olympics to express my position to the
Chinese leadership on freedom. I just don't need them --
because that's all I have been doing as your president. In
other words -- if people say, well, you need to express
yourself clearly about freedom of religion, my answer is, what
do you think I've been doing?"
Human life
Bush talked as well about embryonic stem cell research, for
which he has restricted federal funding.
Arroyo noted, "In 2001 you met with then Pope John
Paul II; he encouraged you not to endorse federal funding. You
didn't; you restricted the federal funding of embryonic stem
cell research. [...] As a result of that move, alternative
technologies were analyzed; adult stem cells have now produced
[...] cures for 80 different diseases."
And Bush affirmed: "I feel like it was the right
decision then, and obviously the data has now shown that -- I
hope it shows to people it's the right decision. [...] By the
way, I think this is the beginning of what is a very
interesting debate that future presidents are going to have to
deal with, and that is science versus ethics, the value of
life versus saving life -- supposedly. [...] I've obviously
drawn the line in the sand that honoring life in all forms is
a touchstone for good science.
"I think it's important for people to understand that
a culture of life is in our national interests and that --
it's also important to understand that the politics of
abortion isn't going to change until people's hearts change,
and fully understand the meaning of life and what it means for
a society to value life in all forms -- whether it be the life
of the unborn, or the life of the elderly; whether it be the
life of the less fortunate among us, or the life of the rich
guy. I mean, it's a moral touchstone, I think, that will speak
to a healthy society in the long run."
The president said that the moral strength of the Pope is
key for politicians.
"And I'm going to remind His Holy Father how important
his voice is in making it easier for politicians like me to be
able to kind of stand and defend our positions that are, I
think, very important positions to take," he said.
Finally, Arroyo asked him, "You said, famously, when
you looked into Vladimir Putin's eyes you saw his soul. [...]
When you look into Benedict XVI's eyes what do you see?"
And Bush answered immediately, "God."
Link: http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=87529
