Ratzinger-Kerry, Act II. The Well-Tempered Controversy

Chiesa.com ^ | July 14, 2004 | Sandro Magister

[NYer]

ROMA – There’s an uneasy cease-fire between Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger and the American bishops on the question of whether or nor to give communion to the Catholic politicians who oppose the Church’s doctrine on abortion, lead by the Democratic presidential candidate, John F. Kerry. On July 12, the United States bishops’ conference published on its website a letter from the prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith addressed to cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick (in the photo). In it, Ratzinger acknowledges that the document by the American bishops, “Catholics in Political Life,” dated June 18, is “very much in harmony” with the general principles of the memorandum “Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion,” which Ratzinger sent privately to the American bishops on the eve of their mid-July assembly in Denver.

Here is a link to the press release given July 12 by the United States bishops’ conference, with the complete text of Ratzinger’s letter and a comment from McCarrick:

> Cardinal Ratzinger Says U.S. Bishops' Statement...

Here is the document from the American bishops, dated June 18:

> Catholics in Political Life

And here you will find Ratzinger’s memorandum, made public July 3 in an article on www.chiesa:

> The Kerry Affair: What Ratzinger Wanted from the American Bishops

* * *
In effect, the first appearance of Ratzinger’s memorandum on this website created more disconcert than “harmony.” The prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith came across as being decisively set on the refusal of the Eucharist to Kerry and other pro-abortion Catholic politicians. The American bishops, meanwhile, appeared reluctant to deny communion.

But not all of them. The minority that had declared itself as being in favor of refusing communion to Kerry before the Denver assembly held the same line firmly after it. On July 2, just as Ratzinger’s text was about to be made public, the archbishop of St. Louis, Raymond L. Burke, announced the publication of an even more rigorous pastoral letter. In it, Burke accuses of mortal sin even the Catholics who vote for a candidate who is in favor of abortion. In order to receive communion, they would need to repent and confess.

Burke is the most visible of those who support the idea of refusing the Eucharist to Kerry – he made a public statement to this effect during the primaries – and he is highly respected in the Vatican. Promoted to the important see of St. Louis, he received the bishop’s pallium from John Paul II this June 29, in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. St. Louis is in Missouri, where another pro-abortion Catholic politician will be under fire in the November elections: the Democratic candidate for governor, Claire McCaskill. Missouri is one of the swing states, so a slight voting shift could be decisive.

Here is the link to the article in the “St. Louis Review,” the diocesan weekly, which anticipates the contents of the pastoral letter:

> Pastoral Letter to Address Church Teachings on Voting

An analogous pronouncement against voting for a pro-abortion candidate came the same day from another rigorist bishop, Michael Sheridan of Colorado Springs.

Moreover, a judge in the archdiocese of Los Angeles, an expert in canon law, Marc A. Balestrieri, denounced Kerry for heresy to the ecclesiastical tribune of Boston, the archdiocese frequented by the Democratic candidate. You will find the text of the denunciation on the website of the group De Fide, to which Balestrieri belongs:

> Denunciation of U.S. Senator John F. Kerry for Heresy

* * *
So the publication of Ratzinger’s memorandum appeared to prove right the supporters of the hard line, and to prove the bishops’ conference wrong. This was at least what came out in numerous comments in the American press after July 3.

So it was natural that the bishops’ conference, and in particular cardinal McCarrick, the head of the task force charged with this question, would react.

On July 6, McCarrick made a declaration through his spokesman, Susan Gibbs. The cardinal maintained that the text by Ratzinger reproduced on www.chiesa was “incomplete and partial” in terms of the “written materials” sent to him by the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith with the request that they not be made public.

And he denied any opposition with Rome: "The Holy See has constantly emphasized it is up to our bishops' conference to discuss and determine how best to apply the relevant principles and for individual bishops to make prudent pastoral judgments in our own circumstance."

The essence of McCarrick’s declaration was published by “Catholic News Service”, the official news agency of the United States bishops’ conference:

> Cardinal McCarrick Says Leaked Ratzinger Memo Is Not Whole Story

In a second article, written by its Rome correspondent John Thavis, “Catholic News Service” confirmed as “authentic” – citing Vatican sources – Ratzinger’s memorandum as published by www.chiesa. According to these sources, Ratzinger “was not trying to dictate a policy to the bishops” because “it is right to leave a margin of prudential judgment in these cases:”

> Cardinal Ratzinger Lays out Principles on Denying Communion, Voting

As for the source that provided Ratzinger’s memorandum to www.chiesa, McCarrick’s spokesman said she believed it should be sought within the Vatican.

“Catholic News Agency”, in a July 7 article, relates that – according to this source – Ratzinger’s memorandum “is a document in itself that hardly requires a context or further documents for interpretation”; that the accompanying letter “does not modify a bit the full content of the memorandum” nor require that this be kept secret; and that it is not opposed to the application of prudential judgment, “but clearly establishes the frameset [sic] in which such prudential judgment must take place:”

> Controversy over Communion to Pro-Abortion Politicians Continues

* * *
Returning to Ratzinger’s letter to McCarrick, it must be emphasized that, when it speaks of “harmony,” it refers exclusively to the document "Catholics in Political Life,” but passes over in silence the “Interim Reflections” produced in Denver by the Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Catholic Politicians, presided over by McCarrick himself.

The reason is simple. The “Interim Reflections” are much more difficult to harmonize with the principles fixed by Ratzinger in his memorandum. You will find these reflections also on the website of the bishops’ conference:

> Interim Reflections of the Task Force on Catholic Bishops and Catholic Politicians

__________

[NYer]

It's not over until the fat lady sings!

[Pyro7480]

This has been already posted.

[hummingbird]

Thanks, NYer. I printed up a thread 7/6/2004 from Newsmax "Cardinal Ratzinger Orders Kerry Communion Ban!" http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1166343/posts but had not gotten around to reading it just yet. Looks like some interesting other links to peruse!

(Do you know why my "link" is not linked? I've linked before and had no problems and "linked" before and had problems so we obviously have a "user" error going on here!)

[ninenot]

I don't think this is a re-post. Do you have the URL for the IDENTICAL article post?

See, this one demonstrates, once again and clearly, that McCarrick is LYING THROUGH HIS TEETH.

[Pyro7480]

The title is slightly different, but it is the same article I belive. Ratzinger vs. Kerry (McCarrick): Round 2. A Well-Tempered Controversy

[Convert from ECUSA]

This is great for a new convert just received into the Church, it seems the leaders (with a few exceptions) keep saying one thing, then another. It makes me wonder what's what. Now I know why a lot of my Catholic library consists of the writings of the Fathers and Saints, as well as the old classics from TAN, Neumann Press, and Sophia Institute Press, etc. Those "old" writings are so clear; a person knows what is what. These "old" works combined with a fine priest and Our Mother that got me across the Tiber.

[AskStPhilomena]

While the bishops duck and dive in "dialogue", babies are being butchered in the millions.
Concerted efforts are continuing to ensure that provisions are made for "underserved areas"...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3891859.stm

[NYer]

This is great for a new convert just received into the Church

Welcome Home!

We look forward to your comments and feel free to ask any questions.

If you have access to cable tv, check your local listings for EWTN. Monday evenings at 8pm, Marcus Grodi (a former Baptist) hosts The Journey Home. It is a wonderful program for us cradle catholics, new converts like yourself and for those who are somewhere along the journey. You can listen to previous shows, in Real Audio, at the following link. God bless you on your journey!

JOURNEY HOME

[NYer]

(Do you know why my "link" is not linked? I've linked before and had no problems and "linked" before and had problems so we obviously have a "user" error going on here!)

Here you go ...

CARDINAL RATZINGER ORDERS KERRY COMMUNION BAN!

[Pyro7480]

Now I know why a lot of my Catholic library consists of the writings of the Fathers and Saints, as well as the old classics from TAN, Neumann Press, and Sophia Institute Press, etc. Those "old" writings are so clear; a person knows what is what. These "old" works combined with a fine priest and Our Mother that got me across the Tiber.

This post of yours is so exciting to read! You're in good hands. Those printers are the "powerhouses" of orthodox Catholicism in the U.S. Have you consecrated yourself to Our Lord through the Immaculate Heart of Mary yet?

[Convert from ECUSA]

I haven't consecrated myself through Mary yet. When I became an adult Christian back in 1977, I got a very strong impression to be careful about making promises to the Lord - because I would be heartbroken if I ever made a promise to Him and broke it, so I have tried never to make a promise. I feel the same way about Mary. I fell in love with her (no disrespect intended) almost three years ago, and I treasure her. If I consecrated myself to Christ through her and in my weakness broke any promises, I'd be even more heartbroken. My own personal hangup. I am still considering it, and my yet overcome my concerns and do so.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Thanks. I'd have to get a dish to get EWTN, since it isn't on my local cable; not sure I want to spend the money for a dish just for one channel. I've watched EWTN when I've been on vacation, and have been very impressed with them. Mother Angelica is in a class by herself, she's one of my favorites. I've watched Grodi and Cavins, as well as Scott Hahn. They seem to be very good.

[Pyro7480]

If I consecrated myself to Christ through her and in my weakness broke any promises, I'd be even more heartbroken. My own personal hangup. I am still considering it, and my yet overcome my concerns and do so.

I consecrated myself just over a year ago, and I still fall into sin (it's called human nature). I felt guilty at times after this. That's why the Sacrament of Confession is so important regardless. Christ gave us a great example in His Via Dolorosa. He fell many times, but He got up, and kept on going. We must do the same, "take up our crosses daily, and follow Him."

[NYer]

sure I want to spend the money for a dish just for one channel.

You can watch the program live over the internet, as well. I sometimes listen to the stories in Real Audio. One of the best ones is "Marcus Grodi with Doug Gonzales". He's a former Nazarene minister. His story is truly amazing!

BTW - I maintain a Catholic Ping List. Let me know if you are interested in joining.

[old and tired]

We look forward to your comments and feel free to ask any questions.

Yikes! Don't ask me. I don't know nuthin'. I just post here.

But NYer probably will know. Ask her.

[AnAmericanMother]

Hi! Welcome to this side of the Tiber, from another Episcopalian refugee.

We started visiting around in January, and in May our entire family made our profession of faith and my husband and I were confirmed in the Catholic Church.

We were blessed to find a wonderful parish shore to wash up on - Holy Spirit, Atlanta. It's a largish suburban parish with two priests (one an older irascible Irishman, one a young enthusiastic highly orthodox product of one of the conservative American seminaries . . . sounds like "Going My Way" doesn't it? . . . one young Thai priest from the Redemptorists, two permanent deacons, a great youth program, and a decent music program for a Catholic church (I hate to say that, but the one big sticking point for Episcopalians is the quality of the music in the Catholic church. I am spoiled because our old choir was one of the best. Sang at Spoleto and everything.)

If you're anxious about consecrating yourself through Mary, why don't you take it to her in prayer? She'll know what to do. Have you a patron saint? You could also take it to him or to her. That's why they are there - to help and encourage.

[hummingbird]

Thanks, NYer; how'd you do that?