(November 6, 2008) Cardinal Francis George sent a message of congratulations to President-elect
Barack Obama on the occasion of his win in the presidential election Tuesday. The
archbishop of Chicago and president of the U.S. bishop's conference referred to Obama's
win as "historic." He is the first African-American to be elected president of the
United States. "Our country is confronting many uncertainties," Cardinal George said,
speaking on behalf of all the U.S. bishops. "We pray that you will use the powers
of your office to meet them with a special concern to defend the most vulnerable among
us and heal the divisions in our country and our world. "We stand ready to work with
you in defence and support of the life and dignity of every human person." The issue
of protecting the life of the unborn has been a common theme for the U.S. episcopate.
This election year more than 50 heads of dioceses have spoken out against candidates
who do not support the rights of the unborn. Obama told a meeting of Planned Parenthood
in 2007 that his first act as president would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act,
which would void all limitations on abortion passed on the state level. US Bishops
Congratulate Barack ObamaZenit.org