Vatican Worries About Kerry

NewsMax.com ^ | 3/28/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[Young Rhino]

Kerry is free to believe whatever he wishes. On the other hand, the Church is free to excommunicate him because of those beliefs. Kerry is intentionally being a putz by pretending separation of church and state is relevant to this issue.

[Qwinn]

"Said Kerry, "I don't tell church officials what to do, and church officials shouldn't tell American politicians what to do in the context of our public life."

He's not telling you you can't vote for abortion, Kerry. He's telling you that if you do, you can't go to a Catholic Church and demand Communion, and they will make sure that everyone knows that when you claim to be a Catholic, that the Church's position is that you are -not-. They have the right to do that. You do not get to dictate who is and who isn't Catholic. If you could, well, you'd be the Pope.

Qwinn

[KangarooJacqui]

Vatican Worries About Kerry

Ah, for once the Pope and I see eye-to-eye on something.

[zbigreddogz]

Any chance that he's gonna get excommunicated?

I don't actually think that would be good from a religious standpoint, I believe it's more important to be inclusive and let God sort out the rest, but it would be great from an election point of view.

[APFel]

Interesting. He claims to be a Catholic but doesn't follow the Church's teachings, principles, or ethical code. When questioned, he claims that there is a seperation of church and state. An excommunication would be hysterical.

APf

[AdmSmith]

Is this good or bad?
Since the Vatican not exactly has the highest ethical standards (treatment of priests involved with boys)I am not sure if this will increase or reduce the support of Kerry.

Any PR consultant around that can comment?

[John Thornton]

I was disappointed to read that the Catholic Church granted Kerry an annulment of his 18 year old Catholic marriage (with children):
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=37755

[kitkat]

"We have a separation of church and state in this country." WHAT does that have to do with the issue at hand???? The issue is that Kerry is either a Catholic or he isn't. And obviously, he isn't.

And Kennedy was actually saying that he wouldn't let the Church rule this country. If abortion had been an issue at that time, Kennedy would have had to make a statement as to his beliefs. Lucky for him it was not an issue.

[bimbo]

I was disappointed to read that the Catholic Church granted Kerry an annulment of his 18 year old Catholic marriage (with children):

Wealthy Massachuttes politicians have regularly gotten annulments. Maybe that will change with Archbishop Sean O’Malley. Meanwhile the unasked questions for Kerry are:

Doesn’t your annulment mean that your first marriage never existed? … Doesn’t that mean that your children are illegitimate?

[John Thornton]

I believe that Kerry has supported abortion his entire Senate career. Why would the Church grant him an annulment when he was an abortion crusader? Would it do it today if a similar Catholic politician asked for one?

[John Thornton]

It sounds like the Massachusetts Catholic Church existed on two pillars: Protect child abusing priests and service the needs of Catholic politicians.

[Young Rhino]

The annulment is disappointing. I find it interesting that the one daughter is out on the campaign trail trashing Bush on Kerry's behalf. In her shoes, I'd slap Kerry for making her illegitimate in the eyes of the Church.

[Jim Noble]

Why would the Church grant him an annulment when he was an abortion crusader? Would it do it today if a similar Catholic politician asked for one?

Wealthy Massachuttes politicians have regularly gotten annulments.

It is tempting to believe there is some particular corruption associated with wealth and annulments, or being a RAT politician and annulments, but the truth is that the rejection rate is very low (if not zero), and that Kerry, Kennedy, and all the others got annulments because everyone gets annulments.

[Northern Yankee]

Kerry's arrogance is mind-boggling!

"I don't tell church officials what to do, and church officials shouldn't tell American politicians what to do in the context of our public life."

Oh really... I guess John then it means you don't have to suscribe to the doctrine of the church, or the teachings of Christ, or the Ten Commandments. It crimps your style, John?

What an absolute smug attitude.

No wonder you're so lost.

Tell me John, just when did you decide to sell your soul?

Satan must be howling with delight!

[NYer]

Last year, for example the Vatican issued a "doctrinal note" warning Catholic lawmakers that they have a "grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life. For them, as for every Catholic, it is impossible to promote such laws or to vote for them."

Faith in Jesus Christ, who is «the way, the truth, and the life»(Jn 14:6), calls Christians to exert a greater effort in building a culture which, inspired by the Gospel, will reclaim the values and contents of the Catholic Tradition. 
The Participation of Catholics in Political Life

In the Catholic tradition, responsible citizenship is a virtue; participation in the political process is a moral obligation.

Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[Northern Yankee]

Glad you saw this.

I can't imagine the arrogance here.

Kerry's basically telling all practicing Catholics that church doctrine only applies to them, and not the supreme, arrogant politicians.

I think every Catholic publication in the United States ought to print his comments, and then see how good, practicing Catholics respond come election time.

[LadyDoc]

Being banned from receiving the Eucharist is excommunication.

Actually, it's not.

Being banned from communion means that you are in a state of mortal sin. Indeed, since Kerry's first marriage has not been annulled, he shouldn't be receiving communion, since he is living in sin...there is a line from Paul that says you shouldn't receive the bread and wine "unworthily"...

For all that is written about JFK, I remember back then he never went to communion, although he usually went to church...so when I heard about his girlfriends, I figured that was the reason why...Kerry doesn't have that problem. He obviously doesn't think receiving the bread and wine is receiving the body and blood of Christ...imagine meeting Christ and saying: Yes, I am your follower, but I will help people murder babies if they chose to do so....

[John Thornton]

I think that Kerry's first marriage *has* been annulled? I'm sure he felt this was needed for his political viability--not because he was an actual believer in any Church doctrine.

[John Thornton]

This got me wondering:

What was Kerry's relationship with the disgraced Cardinal Law of Boston?