Bush Promotes Culture of Life at Museum Dedication
Associated Press, Reuters; March 21, 2001

Washington, DC -- President George W. Bush brought a crowd of Catholic
religious leaders and laymen to their feet on Thursday when he praised
Pope John Paul's stance against abortion.

In a ceremony to inaugurate the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in
northeast Washington, Bush lauded the Pontiff and his support for a
"culture of life."

"The culture of life is a welcoming culture, never excluding, never
dividing, never despairing and always affirming the goodness of life in
all its seasons," Bush said before an audience of cardinals, bishops,
clergy and laymen. "In the culture of life we must make room for the
stranger.

"We must defend in love the innocent child waiting to be born," he said in
a defense of the Catholic Church's pro-life stance. Bush, a Methodist,
praised the pope as "never more eloquent than when he speaks for a culture
of life."

This drew a burst of applause from the audience who rose to their feet for
a long ovation -- including more than 1,000 Catholics and church officials
at the dedication of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center on the campus
of the Catholic University of America.

Only a few, including pro-abortion Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) -- who
opposed Bush's reinstatement of a ban on taxpayer funding of groups that
promote or perform abortions overseas -- and his niece Caroline Kennedy
Schlossberg, remained in their seats.

The Pope, who had a difficult relationship with former President Bill
Clinton because of the abortion issue, said in a telegram to Bush for his
inauguration that he hoped the new administration would provide "clear
direction and a sound ethical foundation."

"The center we dedicate today celebrates the Pope's message, its comfort
and its challenge," Bush said. "This place stands for the dignity of the
human person, the value of every life and the splendor of truth."