Posted on 11/13/2008 7:18:21 PM PST by Born Conservative
Is the bishop of the Diocese of Scranton implying that Roman Catholic politicians should be punished if they side with the Obama administration?
Bishop Joseph Martino is suggesting that bishops should think about denying communion to politicians who support policies of the Obama administration, mainly the policy of keeping abortion legal because that goes against the teachings of the Catholic church.
Martino's comments were made at a conference of Catholic bishops in Baltimore. Those comments are now ringing around the country.
That politicians who side with pro-choice beliefs may not be able to receive the sacrament, one of the holiest parts in the Catholic faith.
The comments he made this week at a meeting of Catholic bishops in Baltimore are getting national attention, including an interview on National Public Radio.
"I cannot have the vice president-elect coming to Scranton and saying he learned his values there. When those values are, at least in the area of abortion, utterly against the teachings of the Catholic faith," Martino said.
The bishop went on to suggest that bishops should deny communion to those politicians to make the point.
Newswatch 16 reached out to the Diocese of Scranton, asking would the diocese then accept contributions from those who support pro-choice candidates. A diocesan spokesman had no comment.
Newswatch 16 also asked if U.S. Senator and devout Catholic Bob Casey, Junior would continue to receive sacrament because he supports President- elect Obama who favors pro-choice policies? Again there was no comment from the diocese.
Catholics at the University of Scranton reacted to the bishop's comments.
"That would upset me. I think that's a little ridiculous to deny someone a sacrament just because they support someone other than who the church supports," said freshman Ali Fazuzza. She was raised Catholic and said one political issue shouldn't stop a Catholic from receiving that holy sacrament.
John Vedovino said there are pro-choice Catholics in his church who receive communion. "No matter who they voted for, how they feel, if you're pro-choice it shouldn't matter if you feel that abortion is okay. You can still receive communion," Vedovino said.
Bishop Martino has said in the past he would not tolerate any politician who claims to be a faithful Catholic who is not genuinely pro-life, that he would, "Be truly vigilant on this point."
Joe Biden will go down as the Spiro Agnew of the Democrat party.
A cheap and petty crook.
Communion with whom, Mr. V?
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Bishop Martino, one of the good ones! May God bless you abundantly, Bishop Martion!
They shouldn't "think" about it, they should freaking do it.
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