Priest tells lawmakers not to emulate JFK

CNN ^ | April 13, 2004

[NYer]

DENVER, Colorado (AP) -- A Roman Catholic priest caused a stir on the House floor Tuesday when he urged lawmakers to let religious faith guide their votes and "be the antithesis of John Kennedy."

While delivering the chamber's morning prayer, the Rev. Bill Carmody said too many politicians have followed the example of the nation's first Catholic president by pledging to separate their faith from politics.

[NYer]

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

Faithful Citizenship

[NYer]

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

[Notwithstanding]

May they, indeed. Amen.

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

I like this priest!!! I am getting some of the more-Orthodox students to get the free Catholic Answers voting guide, we are then going to leave them in full view at my more liberal Catholic Center. That way we can distribute them without spending money (I am a cheap College student).

[johnb2004]

"Almighty God, please change and convert the hearts of all the representatives in this House. May they be the antithesis of John Kennedy, may they be women and men of God, and may their faith influence and guide every vote they make," he said.

What a great priest!

[sakic]

Great. Now we've got priests ripping our ex-Presidents in public for their lack of morality. Maybe they should pay more attention to their own house before they go around blasting the morality of others.

[I still care]

This priest is doing what he is supposed to be doing.

It's a liberal assertion that if you are religious you can't judge people- that would be intolerant. But Jesus did, and Paul opened up a can of whoop@ss everynow and then too.

[sinkspur]

What a great priest!

He's a stupid priest.

He's made himself the issue.

He had no business mentioning JFK's name, especially in a derogatory way, and especially since there's no evidence JFK ever did anything as President that violated his faith.

[sinkspur]

This priest is doing what he is supposed to be doing.

Using a prayer to trash an ex-President?

It's cheap theatrics. It's also all his opponents need to start talking about lifting the tax-exempt status of the Catholic Church.

[steve-b]

we wouldn't have politicians who abdicate their faith to be politicians

I'll believe that when I see it.

[kidd]

What a moronic thing to post.

First of all, the priest never questioned JFK's morality. He asks that "their faith influence and guide every vote they make". Do you disagree with that? Should any Christian politician disagree with that and still call himself a Christian?

Second of all, your assertion is that because 5% of all priest are perverts that the other 95% should stop promoting the Word of God makes no sense whatsoever. Its certain liberal American Bishops who have allowed the homo priests to prey on kids. Individual priests have relatively little power to do anything except influence their own behavior. Unless you have proof that this particular priest is a problem, your assertion is worthless.

But, hey, at least you got your chance to take a cheap shot at Catholics.

[SavageRepublican]

President Bush, a Methodist, also is at odds with Roman Catholicism on some issues, including its opposition to capital punishment.

So????

Why would Bush have to abide by the rules of Roman Catholicism if he's not Catholic?

[Diva]

It's also all his opponents need to start talking about lifting the tax-exempt status of the Catholic Church.

Sinkspur that is coming no matter what. As for Kennedy seperating his faith from his political votes it certainly wouldn't surprise me as he managed to do it with his private life ALL the time. I was pretty young when he was alive so I do not remember if he made a public stand for or against abortion. Was abortion even on the radar nationally at that time?

[kidd]

It's also all his opponents need to start talking about lifting the tax-exempt status of the Catholic Church.

Whats more important - promoting the Word of God or tax-exempt status?

I disagree that its cheap theatrics. It needs to be said. The Catechism insists that politicians let "faith influence and guide every vote they make".

Jeepers, Sinkspur - here's a priest with a spine - why would you discourage it? Are Catholics supposed to sit back and let Kerry-like politicians redefine Catholicism in America? Catholics HAVE to stop being sheep!

Please reconsider your opinion of this fine priest and his bold prayer.

[kidd]

He had no business mentioning JFK's name, especially in a derogatory way, and especially since there's no evidence JFK ever did anything as President that violated his faith.

The priest didn't question JFK's morality. He mentioned JFK because it was JFK, and only JFK, who had to make a public statement that he was going to separate his faith from his politics.

[The Lumster]

"...especially since there's no evidence JFK ever did anything as President that violated his faith."


Your being sarcastic right?

[ELS]

May God continue to bless and protect Fr. Carmody.

[sinkspur]

Jeepers, Sinkspur - here's a priest with a spine - why would you discourage it?

Because he names a dead president in a prayer.

It's the kind of thing Jesus condemned in the Pharisee, who prayed "Lord, thank you that I am not like the rest of men."

If the guy wants to make a point about politicians following their faith, fine.

Leave out the personal references.

Please reconsider your opinion of this fine priest and his bold prayer.

He may be a fine priest, but it was a galactically stupid prayer.

[sinkspur]

The priest didn't question JFK's morality.

JFK never said he would separate his faith from his politics.

He said he would be his own man in the presidency, which was meant to counter talk that the Pope would be running things, behind the scene.

[NYer]

Jeepers, Sinkspur - here's a priest with a spine - why would you discourage it?

Because the deacon likes to be contentious and play the devil's advocate ;-D

[johnb2004]

He mentioned Kennedy because he was a politician, Catholic, president and self reportedly excluded his faith from all political decisions. He should have been mentioned and he should be made an example of what not to be.

[sinkspur]

Because the deacon likes to be contentious and play the devil's advocate ;-D

That's true in some cases, but not in this case.

Is the headline the prayer, or the fact that this brain-dead padre dissed JFK?

[murdoog]

Was abortion even on the radar nationally at that time?

I don't think abortion was a national issue until Roe V Wade in 1973.

[theFIRMbss]

> there's no evidence JFK ever did anything as President that violated his faith.

"A reported affair with President John F. Kennedy began after the President's gala birthday celebration in Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962. Here, Marilyn sang her now famous " Happy Birthday" tribute to JFK."

[TonyRo76]

Rep. Alice Madden, a Democrat, took the floor to denounce the prayer...

?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Un-freaking-believable.

Leave it to a Democrat to denounce a prayer, of all things! I sure wouldn't want to stand next to her in a thunderstorm.

[TonyRo76]

Easy, sakic...this fine man of the cloth was doing his job: proclaiming truth!

Maybe they should pay more attention to their own house before they go around blasting the morality of others.

Would you prefer that only perfect people be allowed to challenge immorality???

In case you forgot, every last one of us is a sinner. The imperfections of a messenger don't negate the truth of the message.

[marshmallow]

The message which this priest gave is long overdue, but there is no need to bring up anyone's name, especially those now deceased. I always ask myself if the Pope would do this. I can see him vigorously denouncing so-called Catholic politicians who disregard Church teaching in their public lives, but I can't see him pointing fingers and naming names. He would remonstrate with the living in private, if the opportunity arose and the dead he would commend to God's mercy.

This message needs to be repeated by Catholic clergy all over the country, especially in light of Kerry's impending candidacy for president, but there is no need to name names.

[A.A. Cunningham]

especially since there's no evidence JFK ever did anything as President that violated his faith.

More words of wisdom (sarcasm off) from the heterodox, apostate deacon. Stop the charade. You're either John Kerry or Richard McBrien.

You might want to buy a copy of the Catechism and review the Church's teaching on the Sixth Commandment. In fact, you should enroll in an RCIA class, outside of your diocese of course, and actually learn the Catholic faith. Better yet, just hit the road.

[sinkspur]

You miss the point, jarhead, as you usually do.

Thanks for your service.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Hey, deacon(sic), I'll bet you've spent more time at animal shelters than you have either praying the rosary in front of abortion mills or in a confessional.

You're quite the Pavlovian specimen.

[Cap'n Crunch]

Didn't JFK say that if his 'catholicism' interfered with his politics he'd abandon his religion? Didn't he also stop attenind Mass and start going to a protestant service when he became President?

[mdmathis6]

It seems to me the priest is telling politicians not to emulate Pilate! ("Oh i want to let you go, I know you have done nothing wrong, but I'm this leader you see and I answer to Rome if I don't keep the peace....so since the people are threatening to riot I guess we're just going to have to kill you...sorry you're a nice guy...you might even be God himself but since you are not saving your-self there is nothing I can do)

These Christians(protestant and catholic alike) are engaging in Pilate's reasoning when they live their private lives one way and legislate ungodliness in the other way.

[RobbyS]

Oh yeah? A friend of mine worked at Ralph Yarborough's office down the hall from Kennedy's office, and the buzz was that Kennedy did not take all that "stuff " seriously. And why shouldn't they believe this: He had girls parading down the hall every day. The Dems would never have accepted him if he has been a serious Catholic. Gene McCarthy never had a chance with that bunch and he was a liberal Catholic.

[RobbyS]

Good point. After I watched "The Passion," I wondered why they thought Gibson went so easy on Pilate. So far as I am concerned he was like so many modern politicians, especially those of an intellectual bent: calculating and indecisive and cruel.

[Polycarp IV]

this brain-dead padre

You sink to disappointing new lows every day here, lately. What the hell is the matter with you? Do you take some kind of perverse pleasure in denigrating everything any faithful Catholic does in trying to defend the Faith and evangelize?

You've always been a crank. You're becoming downright sinister now.

[sakic]

Second of all, your assertion is that because 5% of all priest are perverts that the other 95%

I'm not sure where you get your numbers but assuming that they are correct, the issue isn't the 5%, it's the 95% that protected the 5%.

[RobbyS]

Many of those among the 95% tried to get their bishops to repond, only to get our off by "we are working on it, so be quiet and don't cause a fuss." Of course, THEY weren't working on IT.

[Coleus]

and especially since there's no evidence JFK ever did anything as President that violated his faith. >>>>

No, but he did steal the quotes, "ask not what you can do for your country...." from Gibran. And didn't he have an affair with an intern like his successor? Also, he lied to the American people about his health were he had a life-threatening adreanal gland disease, addisons, where he was unable to function mentally. He knowingly let thousands die in the Bay of Pigs allowing an athiest govt. to win. And let's face it, "every" Kennedy in office post r v. wade has had a pro abortion platform what makes you think JFK would have been any different from the rest of his family.