Pope Francis has conferred the title of “Commander of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great” on Lilianne Ploumen, a Dutch politician and vocal agitator for abortion rights.
Last year, Ploumen founded a pro-abortion organization called She Decides, which offers funding and support for international NGOs that provide, facilitate or campaign for abortion.
In an email to the Catholic Herald, Ms. Ploumen said that she was “very honoured” by the pontifical medal, which was sent via the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs last month.
In an interview with Dutch radio, Ploumen said she views the honor as a sign of the pope’s progressivism, as well as acknowledgement for her work in supporting abortion rights.
Ms. Ploumen said that the award came after much personal investment in contacts with the Vatican, which she defined as “lobbying.”
“Yes, because you know, the Vatican, especially under prior popes, had a rather rigid attitude when it came to the rights of girls and women,” she said.
The Order of St Gregory the Great was founded by Pope Gregory XVI in 1831, under the patronage of Pope St Gregory I. It is bestowed on those who have distinguished themselves in public service or given support to the Church.
During the investiture ceremony, the prelate sponsoring the candidate recites a formula noting that membership in the Pontifical Order of St Gregory the Great “is conferred as a reward for services to the Holy See and the Church on gentlemen/ladies of proved loyalty who must maintain unswerving fidelity to God, the Supreme Pontiff, the Holy See and the Church.”
“Becoming a Knight/Dame does not merely mean receiving a title of honour—even though it is well deserved—but fighting evil, promoting good and defending the weak and oppressed against injustice,” the rite continues.
The approval of candidates for this high honor must be given by the pope himself.
The Vatican press office has confirmed that the honor was indeed awarded to Lilianne Ploumen, but insists that it was not meant to signal approval of her pro-abortion activities.
As if that denial means jack…
Dirtnapninja
January 18, 2018 at 9:05 pm
Sede Vacante
Will S.
January 18, 2018 at 9:56 pm
I agree, but then, I’m Protestant, so I would. 😉
But I do feel for tradCaths. Pope Francis is evil.
oogenhand
January 19, 2018 at 11:17 am
Baa!
Will S.
January 19, 2018 at 5:58 pm
No, we are not advocating murder here.
feeriker
January 18, 2018 at 10:22 pm
About as surprising as a sunrise in the east.
Echoing what both you and dirtnapninja said.
Will S.
January 18, 2018 at 11:13 pm
🙂
Yggdrasil
January 23, 2018 at 12:12 am
And to think that the question, “Is the pope Catholic,” was once rhetorical.
Will S.
January 23, 2018 at 12:23 am
Yeah, really, eh? {Sigh}