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Terry McAuliffe: A Pro-Abortion US Knight of Malta?

Former DNC chairman says he has been invited to be a Knight despite pro-abortion views

By Peter J. Smith

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 31, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Terry McAuliffe, a Catholic and former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, has submitted an application to the Knights of Malta, a prestigious order in the Catholic Church, despite his pro-abortion views placing him publicly at odds with the Catholic Church.

Two blogs, Amy Welborn and Relapsed Catholic, both cited Monday's edition of the Hugh Hewitt show, where McAuliffe appeared to talk about his new book: What a Party: My Life Among Democrats, Presidents, Candidates, Donors, Activists, Alligators, And Other Wild Animals.

McAuliffe revealed he was in the process of joining the Knights of Malta - a former military order of Knights sworn to defend the Church and today involved in humanitarian work - after Hewitt challenged McAuliffe during an interview to explain how he could call himself without a doubt "pro-choice" and "Irish Catholic" at the same time.

McAuliffe: Yeah, but I say I have faults, like many people have faults. I wish I could follow 100% the teachings of the Catholic Church, but believe it or not, much to your chagrin, I am not Jesus Christ.
Hewitt: No, but I mean, the whole abortion controversy, that's just… you compartmentalize that and put that aside?

McAulliffe: I can, as can many Catholics.

Hewitt: But I know many Catholics do, but do you think it's right…Do you go to Mass and all that stuff, Terry?

McAuliffe: I go… yeah, I do.

Hewitt: You do?

McAuliffe: In fact, I'm up to be on the Knights of Malta right now. They've just asked me to join the Knights of Malta.

Hewitt: Oh, we'd better put out a word.

Hewitt then continued to press McAuliffe about the Catholic Church's teaching on the sanctity of life.

Hewitt: Is that teaching optional, Terry McAuliffe?

McAuliffe: Is what teaching optional?

Hewitt: The Church's teaching on the sanctity of life?

McAuliffe: Hey, listen, I have my views on my religious beliefs, Hugh, you've got yours.

LifeSiteNews called the Knights of Malta office in Washington, where it was confirmed that Terry McAuliffe has indeed submitted an application to the Knights of Malta, which is currently under review. A director told LifeSiteNews that the Knights have no control over who submits an application, but do make the decision whether a candidate fulfills all the requirements to join their ranks.

According to the Knights own website, McAuliffe fails to be a candidate to their order by their own requirements since an applicant must be "in good standing with the church"; an impossible situation on account of McAuliffe's pro-abortion views. A candidate also must have "a record of service to the Catholic Church and to Catholic-related causes by lending professional expertise or 'hands-on' volunteer service to the poor", a record which is tarnished by McAuliffe lending his expertise to push the anti-life agenda of the Democratic National Committee.

Currently, the fault lies not with the Knights of Malta, but with McAullife's two sponsors and pastor, who "to avoid possible embarrassment" have the responsibility to make sure that the applicant satisfies the criteria for admission.

The Sovereign Military Order of Malta was founded in the 11th century, and has been dedicated to the medical care of pilgrims and the sick, with hospitals in Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta. It has a long history of defending the Church and Christian Civilization and is considered a sovereign entity with diplomatic relations with 92 nations and 10,000 members.

Two blogs citing pertinent information:
Relapsed Catholic: http://shaidle.blogmatrix.com/:entry:shaidle-2007-01-30-0003...
Amy Welborn's Open Book: http://amywelborn.typepad.com/openbook/2007/01/terry_mcaulif...

To respectfully contact the Knights of Malta to discuss Terry McAullife's anti-life positions:

1730 M. Street, NW, Suite 403
Washington, DC 20036
202-331-2494 - Phone
202-331-1149 - Fax

Contact form on website:
http://www.smom.org/contact.php

The Knights may also be contacted at headquarters in Rome
Sovereign Military Order of Malta
Magistral Palace
Via Condotti, 68 - 00187 Rome - Italy
Tel. +39.06.67581.1 - Fax +39.06.6797.202

Email address: info@orderofmalta.org
Full transcript of Terry McAuliffe from the Hugh Hewitt Show:
http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/Transcript_Page.aspx?ContentG...

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