Posted on 05/16/2007 7:45:58 AM PDT by presidio9
Eighteen Catholic members of the U.S. House of Representatives have publicly criticized Pope Benedict XVI’s condemnation of politicians who support abortion rights.
In a May 14 statement, the Democratic congressmen said that the pope’s reiteration that Catholics who participate in the legislative promotion of abortion should consider themselves excommunicated “offend[s] the very nature of the American experiment and do[es] a great disservice to the centuries of good work the church has done,” reported The Hill.
“We are concerned with the pope’s recent statement warning Catholic elected officials that they risk excommunication and would not receive communion for their pro-choice views,” said the lawmakers, that included Rosa DeLauro (Conn.), Joe Baca (Calif.), Patrick Kennedy (R.I.) and Carolyn McCarthy (N.Y.).
“Advancing respect for life and for the dignity of every human being is, as our church has taught us, our own life’s mission,” the House Democrats said.
"The fact is that religious sanction in the political arena directly conflicts with our fundamental beliefs about the role and responsibility of democratic representatives in a pluralistic America – it also clashes with freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution," a statement said.
During an in-flight press conference on route to Brazil May 9, Pope Benedict, in replying to a question concerning the Mexican parliament‘s approval of a law in favor of abortion, stressed "the need for Christian politicians to remain coherent to their principles."
The pope declared that "excommunication is laid down in the code; it is not arbitrary. It is simply written in the Code of Canon Law. The death of an innocent, of an unborn child, is inconceivable. It is not arbitrary, and the church express appreciation for life and for the individuality of life from the first moment of conception."
Holy See Press office director Father Federico Lombardi clarified to journalists later that day that "the Mexican bishops have not excommunicated those politicians, and neither has Benedict XVI."
However, he added, "legislation in favor of abortion is not compatible with participation in the Eucharist." Upon being asked whether this meant that the politicians were effectively excommunicated, Father Lombardi said, "no, they exclude themselves from Communion."
The pontiff's comments put five of seven U.S. Catholic 2008 presidential candidates at odds with their church. The currently Catholic candidates are: Democrats Sen. Joseph Biden (Del.), Sen. Christopher Dodd (Conn.), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Ohio) and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who all support abortion rights, and Republicans Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.), former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson and ex-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani is the only Catholic Republican presidential candidate favoring abortion rights.
The House Democrats’ letter mirrors a “statement of principles” that 55 Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), who is Catholic, signed last year.
In that statement, Democratic lawmakers wrote that they agreed with the Roman Catholic Church’s position on the “undesirability of abortion” and that “each of us is committed to reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies and creating an environment with policies that encourage pregnancies to be carried to term.”
ping
WAH!WAH!WAH!
being Catholic means something. or at least outside of WashingtonDC.
McCarthy is the only Congresscritter currently serving who was elected purely because she asked the voters to feel sorry for her.
She is on a moral level equal to Cindy Sheehan.
“Undesirabilty” is NOT the church’s position! The church is not ambiguous you mealy mouthed poltroons.
You either is or you ain’t. There is no separation of church and state in Catholicism.
OBTW YHvH commanded "you shall not murder"
These bastards should be excommunicated. Maybe then, they would see the light. Or perhaps they would just reveal themselves and join Tom Cruise in Scientology or something.
And the Pope didn’t say that they “risked excommunication”, he said canon law spells out that they have already excommunicated themselves.
Geez, do we have to draw the Dems a picture?
Nor should there be.
This is going to be interesting seeing who wins this fight the unholy Dems or the holy pope!
Nor should there be.
Agreed.
So having decided they’re a surrogate State Department, they now plan to assume the Pope’s job and decide Catholic dogma?
Good luck with that, dudes and dudettes.
“The fact is that religious sanction in the political arena directly conflicts with our fundamental beliefs about the role and responsibility of democratic representatives in a pluralistic America – it also clashes with freedoms guaranteed in our Constitution,” a statement said.”
The Preamble of the Constitution states that we, as citizens, are guaranteed the right to live...it’s fundamental.
Such arrogance on the part of these Democrats...It’s simple really, if you don’t accept the teachings of the Church, you aren’t part of the “one”...
Deal with it.
Normally I don’t support statements from churchmen on political issues.
But abortion is not a political issue, its a moral issue.
And the Holy Father has every right - and even a responsibility - to make it perfectly clear where Catholic and traditional Christian moral dogman stands on the issue of infanticide.
These “Catholic” Congressmen are deluding themselves when they claim to be Catholic and support abortion. Perhaps they should start their own church somewhere. They can call it the “Congregation of Immediate Gratification and Polical Expediency.”
Little do they know. They have my sympathy because they have no idea Who the Pope represents.
If a political figure does not believe in the religious doctrines of their Church or Synagogue that religious organization is well within it’s rights to excommunicate them. In fact one could argue in the case of Public Officials who refuse to follow the teachings of their faith they should be given the heave ho.
Prayers that this Pope follows thru and kicks out those Public Figures who as a matter of public policy violate the teachings and doctrine of his church.
I believe he will gain more than he loses. It is not a matter any faith dictating to an elected official.. It is a question how can an elected official keep faith with the people when they cannot even keep faith with his or her own faith. It would be nice to see Some Conservative Rabbis doing the same.
Wm
That's rich. Sorry pal, there is no Constitutional guarantee to an abortion.
Hahahahahahaahahahahahahahahaha.
You can want to believe whatever you want, but when it comes to authority within the Church, your status as a house member means didly!
The Pope is the Pope, and you feel you need to defy him, and the teachings of the Church, then you are welcome to do it, but to believe you can do with impunity, well that’s a completely different issue.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.