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WASHINGTON, February 17, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Philadelphia Cardinal Justin Rigali spoke with LifeSiteNews.com a few weeks ago regarding the struggles of the Church in Canada and the United States with regard to abortion and homosexuality. 

The answer to these dilemmas says the Cardinal is in Pope John Paul II’s teaching on the theology of the body which is an honest look at the human body with spiritual insight. 

When the truth of the body, as expounded in theology of the body, is not observed, said the Cardinal, “then we go into the darkness of abandoning God’s plan.” 

Last year, prior to the US elections, the Philadelphia church leader was unequivocal that Catholics must put the right to life at the top of their considerations when voting. 

“The Church identifies moral principles about which Catholics should be informed when exercising their right to vote. As Catholics, we hold in highest priority the right to life and our duty to defend innocent human life. This principle applies directly to the protection of unborn children as well as to the Church ‘s opposition to embryonic stem cell research, cloning, assisted suicide and euthanasia,” he said. 

When asked by LifeSiteNews.com about the growing number of bishops, particularly in the United States, who have of late been more outspoken and very explicit on the issues, Cardinal Rigali commented, “God Bless them. That’s a great credit to them. May they continue and may there be more.” 

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage: 

Philadelphia Cardinal Rigali Says Abortion, Cloning Top Vote Concerns for Catholics

See here for more information on theology of the body.