[3 Bishops Thwack Kerry] Worthy to Receive the Lamb

Archdiocese of Atlanta ^ | August 4, 2004 | bishops

[Notwithstanding]

Catholics in political life have the responsibility to exemplify in their public service this teaching of the Church, and to work for the protection of all innocent life. There can be no contradiction between the values bestowed by Baptism and the Catholic Faith, and the public expression of those values. Catholic public officials who consistently support abortion on demand are cooperating with evil in a public manner. By supporting pro-abortion legislation they participate in manifest grave sin, a condition which excludes them from admission to Holy Communion as long as they persist in the pro-abortion stance (cf. Canon 915).

[Notwithstanding]

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From Archbishop Donoghue,
Bishop Baker and Bishop Jugis

Worthy to Receive the Lamb:
Catholics in Political Life and the Reception of Holy Communion

August 4, 2004

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As bishops, we have the obligation to teach and guide the Catholic Faithful whom we shepherd in the Body of Christ. A fundamental teaching of our Church is respect for the sacred gift of life. This teaching flows from the Natural Law and from Divine Revelation.

Life is a gift bestowed upon us by God, a truth underscored by the commandment: "You shall not kill" (Deut 5: 17 ). The Old Testament also teaches us that human life in the womb is precious to God: "...I formed you in the womb..." (Jer 1: 5). The right to life is a value "which no individual, no majority and no State can ever create, modify or destroy, but must only acknowledge, respect and promote" (Pope John Paul II, Evangelium vitae, 71a). A law, therefore, which legitimizes the direct killing of innocent human beings through abortion is intrinsically unjust, since it is directly opposed to the natural law, to God's revealed commandments, and to the consequent right of every individual to possess life, from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.

Catholics in political life have the responsibility to exemplify in their public service this teaching of the Church, and to work for the protection of all innocent life. There can be no contradiction between the values bestowed by Baptism and the Catholic Faith, and the public expression of those values. Catholic public officials who consistently support abortion on demand are cooperating with evil in a public manner. By supporting pro-abortion legislation they participate in manifest grave sin, a condition which excludes them from admission to Holy Communion as long as they persist in the pro-abortion stance (cf. Canon 915).

Holy Communion is where Catholics meet as a family in Christ, united by a common faith. Every Catholic is responsible for being properly prepared for this profound union with Christ. Participation in Holy Communion requires certain dispositions on the part of the communicant, namely, perseverance in the life of grace, and communion in the faith of the Church, in the sacraments, and in the hierarchical order of the Church (Pope John Paul II, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 35-38).

The Church also recognizes that there is a manifest lack of a proper disposition for Holy Communion in those whose outward conduct is "seriously, clearly, and steadfastly contrary" to the Church's moral teaching (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 37b). A manifest lack of proper disposition for Holy Communion is found to be present in those who consistently support pro-abortion legislation. Because support for pro-abortion legislation is gravely sinful, such persons should not be admitted to Holy Communion.

We also take this opportunity to address all Catholics whose beliefs and conduct do not correspond to the Gospel and to Church teaching. To receive the great gift of God - the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ - we must approach Holy Communion free from mortal sin. Those who are conscious of being in a state of grave sin should avail themselves of the Sacrament of Reconciliation before coming to Holy Communion. To partake of the Eucharist is to partake of Christ Himself, and to enter into sacramental communion with our Lord we must all be properly disposed.

Because of the influence that Catholics in public life have on the conduct of our daily lives and on the formation of our nation's future, we declare that Catholics serving in public life espousing positions contrary to the teaching of the Church on the sanctity and inviolability of human life, especially those running for or elected to public office, are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in any Catholic church within our jurisdictions: the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the Dioceses of Charleston and Charlotte. Only after reconciliation with the Church has occurred, with the knowledge and consent of the local bishop, and public disavowal of former support for procured abortion, will the individual be permitted to approach the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

We undertake this action to safeguard the sacred dignity of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, to reassure the faithful, and to save sinners.

 

Most Reverend John F. Donoghue
Archbishop of Atlanta

 

Most Reverend Robert J. Baker
Bishop of Charleston

Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis
Bishop of Charlotte

 

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[Notwithstanding]

ping

[netmilsmom]

Ping!

[eastsider]

Catholics serving in public life espousing positions contrary to the teaching of the Church ... are not to be admitted to Holy Communion in any Catholic church within our jurisdictions: the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the Dioceses of Charleston and Charlotte.

Bump!

[Notwithstanding]

Clever to unite and issue this together!

[netmilsmom]

Oooo, you caught me one minute before. Sorry for the double pings!

[davidwendell]

ping

[LadyPilgrim]

I'm not Roman Catolic, what is Thwack?

[Notwithstanding]

thwack: the noise made by a rolled up magazine when it lands on the rear-end of the intended target

[LadyPilgrim]

Sorry, Roman Catholic. &;-)

[Notwithstanding]

thwack

\Thwack\ (thw[a^]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thwacked; p. pr. & vb. n. Thwacking.] [Cf. OE. thakken to stroke, AS. [thorn]accian, E. whack.] 1. To strike with something flat or heavy; to bang, or thrash: to thump. ``A distant thwacking sound.'' --W. Irving. 2. To fill to overflow. [Obs.] --Stanyhurst.



Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

[dangus]

Isn't thwack what they used to tawcha peopew with in the wennissance?

[LadyPilgrim]

Thanks..I'm having a slow day!
Happens a lot lately!

[A.A. Cunningham]

I'm not Roman Catolic, what is Thwack?

Thwack is a secular term that Roman Catholics, Roman Catolics(sic), Jews, Protestants, agnostics, atheists,et al are at liberty to use.

thwack

thwack (thwàk) verb, transitive
thwacked, thwacking, thwacks
To strike or hit with a flat object; whack.

noun
A hard blow with a flat object; a whack.

[Imitative.]

[dangus]

No, It actually is pronounced "Catlic" by many.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

"I don't give a rat's hindquarters if you are 'running for president,' French Boy! You and that loudmouthed walking advertisement for the Betty Ford Clinic are outta here! SCAT -- !" :)

[LadyPilgrim]

Never heard that term used. & ;-/

[Fast Ed97]

I am trying to keep a tab on these Bishops that are standing up to the pro-abortion politicians. Here is what I can come up with so far

Burke
Sheridan
Chaput
Baker
Jugis
Donoghue
Carlson
Bruskewitz
Galeone
Hughes?
D'Arcy?
O'Malley?

Unfortunately, most of these dioceses do not have a great number of Pro-Abortion Catholics. Is there any possibility that Cardinal George or Rigali would would enter the same directive?

[ArrogantBustard]

Thwack is a canonical procedure whereby a Bishop dispatches an old-fashioned nun, armed with a 12" metal ruler, to apply appropriate discipline to a public miscreant.

[NYer]

Only after reconciliation with the Church has occurred, with the knowledge and consent of the local bishop, and public disavowal of former support for procured abortion, will the individual be permitted to approach the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

We undertake this action to safeguard the sacred dignity of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar, to reassure the faithful, and to save sinners.

"Finally, careful consideration should be given to the danger of this power passing into the hands of those public authorities who care little for the precepts of the moral law. Who will blame a government which in its attempt to resolve the problems affecting an entire country resorts to the same measures as are regarded as lawful by married people in the solution of a particular family difficulty? Who will prevent public authorities from favoring those contraceptive methods which they consider more effective? Should they regard this as necessary, they may even impose their use on everyone. It could well happen, therefore, that when people, either individually or in family or social life, experience the inherent difficulties of the divine law and are determined to avoid them, they may give into the hands of public authorities the power to intervene in the most personal and intimate responsibility of husband and wife. "
HUMANAE VITAE

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

 

[netmilsmom]

Please see post 18. Wasn't one of your pings keeping a list as well??

[kellynla]

I'm not Roman Catholic, what is Thwack?

It's what the nuns hit us with in parochial grade school, they usually used a ruler. Then if you went to a Catholic high school and you were lucky enough to be taught by the Christian Brothers, they used a paddle about 3 feet long with holes in it(for less wind resistance)... Oh to be Catholic and go to Catholic schools... a privilege I will cherish for the rest of my life. LMAO

[TheStickman]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[A.A. Cunningham]

If I recall correctly the term was also used in the screen graphics on the Batman television series.

[visualops]

That's my Bishop(s)!!
(Bishop Baker, Diocese of Charleston, SC)


I am very very glad to see this.

[JohnnyZ]

Nice!!! Hot damn!!! Or rather the opposite! Jugis gets mad props for this one!

[LadyPilgrim]

Yall are all so cute!!! This is why I love you!

[visualops]

"Catholic public officials who consistently support abortion on demand are cooperating with evil in a public manner."

[Eternally-Optimistic]

CATHOLIC CHURCH OFFICES ,ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS

12615 PARALLEL PARKWAY ,KANSAS CITY, KANSAS 66109
(913) 721 - 1570 FAX (913) 721 - 1577
July 15, 2004
Dear Friends,
The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in November, 1998 in a statement entitled "Living the Gospel of Life" challenged all American Catholics to take seriously their civic responsibilities. The bishops stated: "We encourage all citizens, particularly Catholics, to embrace their citizenship not merely as a duty and privilege, but as an opportunity meaningfully to participate in building the culture of life. Every voice matters in the public forum. Every vote counts. Every act of citizenship is an exercise of significant individual power. We must exercise that power in ways that defend human life, especially those of God's children who are unborn, disabled or otherwise vulnerable. We get the public officials we deserve. Their virtue -- or lack thereof -- is a judgment not only on them, but us. Because of this, we urge our fellow citizens to see beyond party politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically and to choose their political leaders according to principle, not party affiliation or mere self-interest."

As your pastors, we remind you of your responsibility to not only vote but to be a well-informed voter. The Catholic Church in the United States has never endorsed political parties or political candidates. Yet, the Church is obligated to help form properly the consciences of her members. The Church, therefore, must help Catholics understand the ethical dimensions of public policy issues as well as to help Catholics evaluate the moral importance of some issues in comparison to others.

There are many public policy issues with important moral dimensions where Catholics and people of conscience may disagree over specific policies. For example, every Catholic must be concerned about the poor, the welfare of children at risk, or the proper care for the disabled and elderly, but may disagree over which specific public policies best serve these vulnerable individuals. The War in Iraq is a public policy issue with enormous moral importance. Yet, good Catholics can and do disagree whether this war conforms or does not conform to the moral criteria for a just war.

However, there are some issues that are intrinsically evil for which there can be no authentic moral justification of defense. It is always wrong for a Catholic legislator to support public policies that permit or promote such intrinsic evils and similarly a Catholic voter cannot in good conscience vote for candidates who support such public policies.

Legalized abortion and euthanasia cannot be morally justified, because they permit and promote an intrinsic evil -- the killing of innocent human life. Similarly, fetal stem cell research and human cloning can never be morally justified because they involve the killing of innocent human life and manifest a disregard for the dignity of the human person. Also laws that seek to redefine marriage undermine the family -- the most fundamental of human institutions and are offenses against God who instituted marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Support for these public policies that are non-negotiable items for a Catholic should disqualify a candidate from consideration for our vote.

We urge all Catholics to register to vote, to be well informed about issues and the positions of candidates, and to vote. Finally, during this election year we ask all Catholics to pray that we choose wisely in selecting those who will represent and lead us in our national, state and local governments.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend James P. Keleher, Archbishop

Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Coadjutor Archbishop

[ThomasMore]

Its about time more spoke out!

Deacon Francis

[timpad]

I'm not Roman Catholic, so please forgive my ignorance, but this seems pretty close to "You're not coming to our church, Sen. Kerry." Does denial of Holy Communion stop just short of ex-communication?

[AdA$tra]

Next Sunday Father John will read the "edited for heavily demoncratic blue collar parish" version of the same letter. Last election his version could have been interpreted either way depending on your political and moral beliefs.

[TNMountainMan]

"Thwack is a canonical procedure whereby a Bishop dispatches an old-fashioned nun, armed with a 12" metal ruler, to apply appropriate discipline to a public miscreant."


Ah, yes. You mean Sister Mary Hitler.

[Notwithstanding]

Everyone is welcome to worship the Lord with us.

But to recieve the Lord's Body and Blood (or any of the other Sacraments) one needs to show that he is of one mind with the Church regarding that Sacrament.

You can't receive Baptism if you do not believe in our doctrine of Baptism and the Trinity.

You can't receive Absolution during Confession if you do not beleive that Jesus personally forgives your sins when you repent and confess your sins to a priest, and commit yourself to avoiding sin in the future.

You can't recieve the sacarament of Confirmation unless you declare your desire to be sealed with the Holy Spirit and serve Christ as an adult Catholic.

You can't be married unless you declare that you believe marriage is sacred bond that lasts forever and agree to raise your children as Catholics.

You can't recieve ordination to the priesthood unless you declare obedience to the bishop, etc., etc.

When facing imminent death, you can't recieve the final annointing ("Last Rites") if there is no evidence that you are Catholic or wanted to be.

---

You can't recieve Communion unless you are a Catholic in good standing (you are known to be a Catholic who is faithful) and in a state of grace (not in need of absolution from a priest). Faithfulness is presumed. But when you are a public sinner, faithfulness can no longer be presumed.

Voting for "abortion rights" is a public sin.

[Notwithstanding]

Technically, I don't think this is excommunication.

It is with holding of the Eucharist (Communion).

It certainly smells a lot like excommunication, and while it may not be so technically, it is a functional equivalent.

[timpad]

Thank you. Very informative, I understand now.

[livius]

Wow! What a great statement!

And they came right out and said it: these people are not to be admitted to Communion until they have repented and PUBLICLY DISAVOWED their support for abortion.

[Notwithstanding]

On the last rites thing, I think a priest would probably administer last rites to someone who is unconscious and severly injured, even without knowing if they were Catholic.

Likewise, a priest can hear a confession of a non-Catholic if the threat of death is imminent, such as on a ship that is sinking - as long as the person sincerely indicates that he wishes to instantly become Catholic.

[Notwithstanding]

I am shocked - with joy!

[Coleus]

You can add Bishop Aquila

Kerry: Abortion, HELL is a Reality and we are Free to Choose it, Bishop Samuel J. Aquila, Fargo

And Archbishop Myers, I think?

Archbishop Myers Issues Pastoral on Pro-abortion Lawmakers

Newark, NJ, Archbishop Myers Denies Rebuking McGreevey

Newark, NJ, Archbishop John Myers partners with donor to Pro-abortion politicians for fundraiser

Archbishop joins 1,000 Catholics in procession of faith and Funeral for Unborn Fetuses

[Coleus]

SATAN  Personified

John F. Kerry gives CPR to a dead Hamster yet votes NO 6 times to BAN Partial Birth Abortion!!! Tries to save a Rodent and allows the slaughter of human beings created in God's image.  What does that tell you about his Character?

"had also dived off a dock to save a hamster named Licorice from what the elder sister, Alexandra, called "a watery doom," even administering CPR."

Lucifer, The First Liberal

 

Kerry cited in Catholic heresy case

MEDIA SUING TO OPEN KERRY'S SEALED DIVORCE PAPERS

More Bias and spin in the many newspaper articles to protect the liberal democrat. Kerry provided NO evidence of an annulment and he was married to Heinz, his second wife worth Billions,  in the back yard of a home on Martha's Vineyard which is not ordinarily allowed for Catholics and there is also NO evidence of any RC priest who married them.

I wish the reporters would question him for the truth. Dream on.

Teresa on the Stump, Teresa Heinz Kerry, from Mozambique, PRO-ABORTION Catholic, UN Employee, etc.

Teresa Heinz Kerry, Drummond Pike and the Communist TIDES FOUNDATION

The Bible and homosexuality [Kerry thinks the bible is for homosexuality]

Kerry’s Dirty Deeds (How, pray tell, do they comport with religious belief

Vatican Worries About Kerry

John Kerry and Unborn Victims

Catholic Pro-Abortion, Pro-Homosexual

Catholic and 100% Pro Abortion

Catholics Kerry and Kennedy have a 100% Pro-homosexual Record with the Human Rights Campaign! Page 10,11

CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
DOCTRINAL NOTE
on some questions regarding
The Participation of Catholics in Political Life

Living the Gospel of Life:
A Challenge to American Catholics
A Statement by the Catholic Bishops of the United States

Faithful Citizenship:
Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium

Canon Law and Abortion

Sign Petition: To  Excommunicate Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians

The Gospel of Life--Evangelium Vitae

Herod's Heroes, Sign Petition

Kerry, Candidate and Catholic, Creates Uneasiness for Church

A Primer on Canon 915 Can. 915 Those upon whom the penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion

Excommunicate Kerry Website

Catholics Against Kerry

1400 Ecclesial communities derived from the Reformation and separated from the Catholic Church, "have not preserved the proper reality of the Eucharistic mystery in its fullness, especially because of the absence of the sacrament of Holy Orders."²³⁶ It is for this reason that Eucharistic intercommunion with these communities is not possible for the Catholic Church. However these ecclesial communities, "when they commemorate the Lord's death and resurrection in the Holy Supper . . . profess that it signifies life in communion with Christ and await his coming in glory."²³⁷

Can.  844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2.

Sin to vote for pro-abortion politicians?
By Father Matthew Habiger, OSB

Kerry Will Hold Pro-Abortion Rally Prior to Sunday's Abortion March

Useful Kerry Sites

• Vietnam Veterans Against John Kerry
• Sportsmen for Kerry
• Veterans Against Kerry
• The Truth about John Kerry
• Kerry Core
• The Chameleon Senator
• Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
• Crush Kerry
• Excommunicate Kerry
• Catholics Against Kerry
• Winter Soldier

Catholic Sen. John "Horseface" Kerry, 100% Pro-Abortion

Catholic Sen. Ted "The Swimmer" Kennedy, 100% Pro-Abortion

Methodist Sen. John "Opie" Edwards, 100% Pro-Abortion

NC

John Edwards (D)

Pro

100%

MA	Edward Kennedy (D)	Pro	100%
MA	John Kerry (D)	Pro	100%

Planned Parenthood Scorecard

Catholics Horseface Kerry and Kennedy the Swimmer along with Methodist Opie Edwards, 100% Pro-Homosexual with the Human Rights Campaign, Pages 19 & 20

Planned Parenthood Applauds Sen. Kerry for Choosing Women's Rights Advocate Edwards as Running Mate

Planned Parenthood Action Fund Announces Historic Endorsement of Sen. John Kerry

Read Gloria Feldt's Remarks  

View Video of the Rally with Windows Media    

John Kerry (D) John Edwards (D)   Edward Kennedy (D

 

 

[AnAmericanMother]

A big HOOOOOO-AHHHHHH! for Archbishop Donoghue!

That's our Archbishop!

He is one tough customer. I am SO thankful he is here, such a contrast to the wishy-washy heretic bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, our former church.

His faithful orthodoxy and leadership were a major factor in our decision to join the Catholic church.

Unfortunately, he's on the brink of retirement in the next few years.

All you long-time Catholics, what can we do to encourage the Holy Father to send us another one just like Abp. Donoghue?

[Desdemona]

All you long-time Catholics, what can we do to encourage the Holy Father to send us another one just like Abp. Donoghue?

If the recent past is any indication, that's about all we'll be getting for the rest of this pontificate.

[tiki]

That line about the hamster is a great one. You get the point across in one sentence and then walk away and let them think about it for a second. Of course the liberals say that they can't vote for Bush because he sent troops to Iraq to kill children, sadly, they are deluded.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

"A law, therefore, which legitimizes the direct killing of innocent human beings through abortion is intrinsically unjust, since it is directly opposed to the natural law, to God's revealed commandments, and to the consequent right of every individual to possess life, from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death."

That seems clear.

[NYer]

Thwack is a canonical procedure whereby a Bishop dispatches an old-fashioned nun, armed with a 12" metal ruler, to apply appropriate discipline to a public miscreant.

Mind your manners or "thwack"!

[ninenot]

Isn't thwack what they used to tawcha peopew with in the wennissance?

Arrogant Bustard is the Engineering Guru and Historian of Machinery for the TomasTorquemadaGentlemen'sClub.

I'm sure he can provide an answer, and perhaps working drawings.

[AnAmericanMother]

I wondered where Sister Mary Attila had been hiding . . .