'He's in a much better place'

(TIDINGS photo)

That's East L.A. pastor, Monsignor John Moretta, telling the family of Edward Roybal, Jr., that the late congressman is in "a much better place."

It might be a stretch, though, to suggest that Roybal has gone straight to heaven for two simple reasons. First, Roybal's voting record as a long time member of the House of Representatives was consistently and unabashedly pro-abortion. Second, Roybal was instrumental in shaping the political careers of numerous like-minded, pro-abortion politicos who have aggressively promoted the murder of unborn children. Among these would be L.A. mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Roybal's own daugher, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (seated 4th to the right of the wheelchair-bound widow of the deceased). Both Villaraigosa and Roybal-Allard claim to be Catholic and pro-abortion. Roybal-Allard, who succeeded her father in the House, receives the highest marks from the pro-abortion lobby, NARAL.

THE TIDINGS, Mahony's Archdiocesan rag, heaped praise upon the late politician, stating ...

The Roybal family --- including his widow, --- were in attendance to hear many words of praise and affection for the longtime Congressman, who died Oct. 24 at age 89 of respiratory failure. Speakers at the funeral Mass lauded Roybal for his work as an advocate for the Latino community, as well as for the poor, elderly and disabled, and many (including Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa) traced their entry into politics to Roybal's example.

No surprise here. Years ago when Congressman Roybal was at the height of his political career, Archbishop Mahony wrote:

"Congressman Roybal is a faithful Catholic, one of our best examples of an Hispanic Catholic in public office who is not afraid to live out his Catholic life with pride. I have known him and his family for over thirty years, and I have the highest respect for him as a member of this Archdiocese."

For more on Roybal, see my post, "Vaya con Dios? Not so fast."