Vatican says no to communion for pro-abortion politicians

Rome News Tribune ^ | 4-23-04 | Victor Simpson

[flying Elvis]

(excepterd)

VATICAN CITY — A top Vatican cardinal said today that priests must deny communion to pro-abortion Catholic politicians, but would not comment on the pro-abortion stand of Catholic presidential candidate John Kerry.

Cardinal Francis Arinze spoke during a press conference to launch a new Vatican directive clamping down on liturgical abuses in Mass which bars lay people from giving sermons, non-Catholics from taking communion and rites of other religions from being introduced in the service.

The document restated Church teaching that anyone who knows he is in “grave sin” must go to confession before taking communion.

Arinze was asked whether that meant that Kerry should not request or be given communion for his unapologetic support of human rights, including a woman’s right to abortion.

[farmfriend]

The political fallout is getting good. Politicians on the left are going to have to decide what is more important to them, their faith or elective office.

[keilimon]

I would suggest they have already made the choice; whether they are willing to admit it is another matter.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Politicians on the left are going to have to decide what is more important to them, their faith or elective office.

Like this decision will take them more than a half second.

[watchin]

"... but would not comment on the pro-abortion stand of Catholic presidential candidate John Kerry"

The cardinal already commented on Kerry - he said pro-abortion politicians should not recieve communion.

Why do these reporters expect that Kerry should be some sort of exception to the rules and morals of the Church he claims to follow?

[RetiredArmy]

Well of course, elective office. They think they will be able to explain themselves to the All Mighty when the time comes. They can BS you and me and think they can BS Him.

[farmfriend]

They can BS you and me and think they can BS Him.

Their belief in their own morality will be their downfall.

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

Lets hope the press has this right.

They have a habit of misunderstanding the Vatican.

The Pope: "War should be avoid at all costs"

The Press: "The Pope Supports Saddam"

The Pope: "No Catholic teaching mades Natural Selection impossible"

The Press: "Pope states we come from Monkeys"

The Pope: "Murder of innocent people should be avoided"

The Press: "The Pope is anti Israel"

[Psalm 73]

It's about time they turned up the heat on these poititians.
They tout their Roman Catholisism when it helps their campaigns and agendas, but don't want to follow their tenents.
They should not be able to have it both ways.

[Ronaldus Magnus]

Looks like Cardinal Arinze just drew a line in the sand. All that remains is to see which pro-abortion former Catholic throws the first stone.

[onedoug]

Likely the first priest he meets at the rail, after his advance tem's checked him out.

[marshmallow]

The political fallout is getting good. Politicians on the left are going to have to decide what is more important to them, their faith or elective office.

I think they've already made that decision some distance back down the road.

No, the decision here is much more pressing. It's how to spin this into a positive vote-getter. "The mean, dictatorial Catholic Church is poking its nose into our politics and persecuting me."

Something along those lines.

[Rutles4Ever]

WOW. It's coming home to roost...

[gemoftheocean]

Best news I've had in a while. Can't wait to see the document. What would be REALLY good is if they had added that they will pull the faculties* of any priest, or deacon who knowingly gives communion to a pro-abort catholic politico.
And any lay person who knowingly gives communion to such a person should be kicked out of serving as Eucharistic Minister.
[*faculties -- for those who don't know it, all catholic priests/deacons are answerable to a specific "ordinary" -- usually a bishop or abbott. In other words you just can't hang out a shingle and be a catholic priest in good standing , with the ability to exercise priestly functions -- mass/confession/preaching, etc. -- without the permission of your ordinary. "Faculties" can be suspended when appropriate. A bishop may suspend some or all of them.]

[Rutles4Ever]

Looks like John Kerry has become God's unwitting pawn for cleaning up the public representation of the "faith" by "Catholics"...

Spectacular irony.

[joesnuffy]

they should let their pedophile priests give communion to Kerry...that would be a perfect match...
imo

[JulieRNR21]

Here's my email to the Diocese of Boston Pro-life Organization:

prolifebos@aol.com


Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry will attend a rally for women's (abortion) rights in Washington, DC today.(4/23)

My comments: After supporting the pro-abortion rally and seeking the votes of proabortionists on Friday will Kerry attend Mass and receive Holy Communion this Sunday?

Catholics, especially those who are pro-life activists, have a right to know why Kerry is permitted to bring scandal and flaunt his immoral actions without any response from the Bishop of Boston.

(name & town)


More on Kerry's Record on Abortion:

Kerry Used To Say Abortion Should Be Left Up To States. “I think the question of abortion is one that should be left for the states to decide,” Kerry said during his failed 1972 Congressional bid. (“John Kerry On The Issues,” The [Lowell, MA] Sun, 10/11/72)

Now Kerry Says Abortion Is Law Of Entire Nation. “The right to choose is the law of the United States. No person has the right to infringe on that freedom. Those of us who are in government have a special responsibility to see to it that the United States continues to protect this right, as it must protect all rights secured by the constitution.” (Sen. John Kerry [D-MA], Congressional Record, 1/22/85)

[F16Fighter]

"Looks like Cardinal Arinze just drew a line in the sand."

And does anyone really expect a Cardinal's "line in the sand" to be heeded?

Why isn't it the Pope who's doing the drawing?

[Rutles4Ever]

Arinze was asked whether that meant that Kerry should not request or be given communion for his unapologetic support of human rights, including a woman’s right to abortion.

I just caught that flippant remark! I wonder who was the liberal stooge that asked the question!

Those people suck.

[Travis McGee]

...Kerry should not request or be given communion for his unapologetic support of human rights, including a woman’s right to abortion.

How did we get to the place where slaughtering infants is a human right?