c. 2008 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) In an interview with Religion News Service, Sen. Hillary Clinton discussed faith topics including finding common ground with Pope Benedict XVI, the value of faith-based initiatives, and gay and lesbian clergy in her United Methodist Church.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q: You were an early and enthusiastic supporter of charitable choice and some kind of faith-based initiative, if not President Bush’s particular plan. Do you think that there are some social problems, such as alcoholism, recidivism or chronic poverty that required a faith-inflected solution to solve?

A: I have been a supporter of faith-based programs that work to help people and lift them up; (such programs) neither contradict our government nor our Constitution and I support faith-based efforts as long as its done in the appropriate manner. A number of programs have had success that has been replicated.

Q: Pope Benedict XVI is coming to America. If you were president, how would you try to bring the Vatican and your administration in closer agreement on matters such as the distribution of condoms to stanch the AIDS epidemic in Africa?

A: I think there needs to be a broad-based discussion that looks at all the concerns that the Vatican and our government have. I really applaud Pope Benedict’s leadership on global warming, for example. … He’s also been a strong advocate on behalf of economic justice, and I think joining together to work on (alleviating) extreme poverty and a strong call for human rights are all things we can agree on.

When it comes to some issues where there are differences of opinion, I respect those differences, but we should look to see whether there is any common ground we can occupy to alleviate suffering in the world.

Q: You’ve spoken of crossing the aisle, so to speak, and of working with religious conservatives to limit abortions in this country. Before that’s possible, I imagine you have to be on the same page, somewhat. So how do you address someone who believes that abortion is murder and should be illegal in all circumstances?

A: I start by expressing respect for their position. I know that many people have very strong and profound feelings on this issue and I know, too, that there is agreement that we want to reduce the number of abortions and try to create conditions in which young people make the right decisions, so that they never have to face the choice. Half of all pregnancies are unintended and half of all unintended pregnancies result in abortion. That is why I have supported legislation that makes family planning more accessible, trying to prepare young people to make responsible decisions so they do not become pregnant.

Q: Your church, the United Methodist Church, is getting ready to meet later this month. One of the issues they will address is whether to allow gay and lesbian clergy. Would you like to see gay and lesbian clergy who are in committed same-sex relationships in the United Methodist Church?

A: I really have not been able to focus on what the church will be debating at its upcoming conference, and it’s obviously a very difficult decision and I am going to wait and follow and watch and not express an opinion or assert my views into the process.

Q: So do you have an opinion on gay clergy?

A: I just want to follow the debate. I have not had time to think through all the points that will be made and want to give a chance for the conference to have a full and thorough debate on the matter.

Q: You seem to be doing pretty well among Catholic voters. Some theorize that Catholics are drawn to you because many grew up being educated by strong women authority figures _ particularly nuns. Do you think there’s any truth to that?

A: I don’t know. I’m not sure we can make any generalizations. I am honored to have the support of so many Catholics. I think some of (that support) is because of social issues like economic justice or global warming, or universal health care; they know of my long-term work on behalf of children to help them fulfill their God-given potential.

I have a long working relationship with many Catholics as well as members of the broader faith community. I think there are many reasons why a Catholic voter would believe that I offer the best set of choice for him or her.

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