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Catholic Leaders in Massachusetts Come Out in Support of Sweeping Anti-Gun Legislation
Guns Saves Lives ^ | June 1, 2014 | Dan Cannon

Posted on 06/01/2014 7:45:05 AM PDT by KeyLargo

Catholic Leaders in Massachusetts Come Out in Support of Sweeping Anti-Gun Legislation May 31 2014 by Dan Cannon Share This Post

According to a statement issued by The Roman Catholic Bishops of the Commonwealth, it looks like the leaders of the Catholic church in Massachusetts have come out in support of a sweeping gun control bill that was introduced late last week.

Here is the statement according to iobserve.org,

“The Roman Catholic Bishops of the Commonwealth are in support of adjustments to existing firearm laws. Any law that would address the role that violence, some mental illnesses, and substance abuse play in many tragedies involving firearms would be a welcomed advance in this area of the law and would be a great benefit to our society.

“It appears that the legislation introduced Tuesday is measured and reasonable; it does not infringe upon the rights of sportsmen and others who possess firearms for legal and legitimate purposes. It would help to prevent tragedies such as those in Newtown, Connecticut or more recently in Isla Vista, California. No community is immune to the possibility of a devastating tragedy. Whatever its final form, it is abundantly clear that legislation aimed toward the reduction of preventable deaths is necessary.”

If Massachusetts Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo gets his way, MA will become one of the least gun friendly states in the country.

The lawmaker today unveiled a gun control package that includes sweeping restrictions. According to The Boston Herald,

The bill, called the state’s most comprehensive since 1998 by House leaders, adds the state to a nationwide criminal background database and, for the first time, allows local police chiefs discretion in licensing owners for shotguns and rifles. The legislation also bans the private sale of guns without a licensed gun dealer and requires gun owners to list all the guns they own each time they renew their license.

“I knew that Massachusetts would take a different path than other states,” said DeLeo, who chided other states for legislation that was “hastily proposed” in the aftermath of the massacre at Newtown’s Sandy Hook elementary school in December 2012. “What is in this legislation is very, very reasonable.”


TOPICS: Government; Local News; Politics; Religion
KEYWORDS: banglist; boston; catholic; church; deleo; democrats; govtabuse; guncontrol; guns; ma; secondamendment; tyranny
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1 posted on 06/01/2014 7:45:05 AM PDT by KeyLargo
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To: KeyLargo

There seems to be many religious denominations that have an affinity for communist thought even though one of the basic tenants of communism is Atheism and anti human actions.


2 posted on 06/01/2014 7:47:54 AM PDT by OldMissileer
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To: KeyLargo

So who listens? They come out with all kinds of dopey things but it ain’t dogma and it ain’t infallible.


3 posted on 06/01/2014 7:48:19 AM PDT by miss marmelstein (Richard Lives Yet!)
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To: KeyLargo

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Catholic Conference has released the following statement on behalf of the four Roman Catholic bishops of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in reaction to Tuesday’s introduction of “An Act relative to the reduction of gun violence” in the Massachusetts Legislature:

“The Roman Catholic Bishops of the Commonwealth are in support of adjustments to existing firearm laws. Any law that would address the role that violence, some mental illnesses, and substance abuse play in many tragedies involving firearms would be a welcomed advance in this area of the law and would be a great benefit to our society.

“It appears that the legislation introduced Tuesday is measured and reasonable; it does not infringe upon the rights of sportsmen and others who possess firearms for legal and legitimate purposes. It would help to prevent tragedies such as those in Newtown, Connecticut or more recently in Isla Vista, California. No community is immune to the possibility of a devastating tragedy. Whatever its final form, it is abundantly clear that legislation aimed toward the reduction of preventable deaths is necessary.”

His Eminence Seán P. Cardinal O’Malley, OFM, Cap.
Archbishop of Boston

Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell
Bishop of Springfield

Most Rev. Robert J. McManus
Bishop of Worcester

Most Rev. George W. Coleman
Bishop of Fall River


4 posted on 06/01/2014 7:51:06 AM PDT by don-o (He will not share His glory and He will NOT be mocked! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever!)
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To: don-o

Sadly,the Roman Catholic Church has always been comfortable with dictatorship and absolute monarchs. The divine right of kings and all that nonsense.


5 posted on 06/01/2014 7:54:14 AM PDT by hoosierham (Freedom isn't free)
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To: KeyLargo

The only thing these douchebags never talk about is Jesus Christ and salvation. I am so sick of the hierarchy, going right up to Pope Bozo the First.


6 posted on 06/01/2014 7:56:41 AM PDT by Bridesheadfan
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To: don-o

Yet again, the AmCath Bishops expose their utter foolishness. They all need to confess the sin of meddling into matters they have no authority or competence in.


7 posted on 06/01/2014 7:58:08 AM PDT by don-o (He will not share His glory and He will NOT be mocked! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever!)
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To: miss marmelstein

Massachusetts: Clergy coming out in favor of strict new gun control bill
5/31/14 | by Chris Eger

According to a 2010 survey by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies, Massachusetts is the most heavily Catholic state in the Union, with some 44 percent of its residents belonging to parishes.

The move by the Catholic leaders in New England can be seen as a continuation of involvement by clergy in the gun-control debate.

Earlier this month, when Georgia’s controversial new gun law allowing concealed carry in churches passed into law, both Episcopal and Catholic bishops in that state issued decrees banning the practice. Jewish rabbis in Atlanta soon echoed this stance.

http://www.guns.com/2014/05/31/massachusetts-clergy-coming-out-in-favor-of-strict-new-gun-control-bill/


8 posted on 06/01/2014 7:58:39 AM PDT by KeyLargo
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To: don-o
Yet again, the AmCath Bishops expose their utter foolishness. They all need to confess the sin of meddling into matters they have no authority or competence in.

How about restoring orthodoxy to seminaries and nominally Catholic colleges, as a matter of priority?

9 posted on 06/01/2014 8:03:08 AM PDT by St_Thomas_Aquinas ( Isaiah 22:22, Matthew 16:19, Revelation 3:7)
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To: KeyLargo

One of several reasons THIS recovering catholic will never return to that church.


10 posted on 06/01/2014 8:16:45 AM PDT by ScottinVA (Obama is so far in over his head, even his ears are beneath the water level.)
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To: KeyLargo

Gun ownership isn’t about “sportsman” activity any more than SUV ownership is.


11 posted on 06/01/2014 8:20:23 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (The new witchhunt: "Do you NOW, . . . or have you EVER , . . supported traditional marriage?")
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To: St_Thomas_Aquinas

THERE is a job worthy of the office. Teaching and preaching and all that.


12 posted on 06/01/2014 8:24:52 AM PDT by don-o (He will not share His glory and He will NOT be mocked! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever!)
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To: a fool in paradise

Bump.


13 posted on 06/01/2014 8:27:21 AM PDT by Cringing Negativism Network (http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5700.html#2013)
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To: hoosierham; don-o
These guys are free as US citizens to advocate policy as they see fit, but not "as bishops" because they are outside of their ecclesial competence. This is sheer clericalism. There is no magisterial teaching on firearms one way or the other.

And no, Catholics have not historically proposed or defended the "divine right of kings". On the contrary, all the great Catholic reformers (believed and taught that the power of kings is limited. Ref. the Gregorian (Hildebrandian) reforms of the 11th century, and the lay investiture controversy.

Any student of history knows that over many centuries popes engaged in diplomatic conflict and even warfare against kings and emperors.

14 posted on 06/01/2014 8:29:27 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.)
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To: ScottinVA

The Church of Massachusetts?


15 posted on 06/01/2014 8:30:17 AM PDT by Mrs. Don-o (Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.)
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To: ScottinVA; daniel1212

The sins/mistakes of men is not a reason to leave/stay away from the Church. (Or even to join it). Just to say, for your benefit.

The only reason to come or stay is because one is convinced Jesus is present. Because men will always disappoint, no matter where one goes.

It’s never been the promise of the Church to say her leadership wouldn’t disappoint. After all, they can’t fulfill our infinite desire since they aren’t Christ, thus they will always disappoint if we expect them to fulfill the desire for Christ only He can satisfy.

The only promise they keep is that they, as a body (not as individuals) would never teach, corporately and cooperatively, error on faith or morals. Not politics.

Daniel I thought you might find this interesting given our previous chat on the subject of authority and infallibility.


16 posted on 06/01/2014 8:35:23 AM PDT by FourtySeven (47)
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To: KeyLargo
The Church came out against "Prop 6" which was a libertarian reorganization / Prop 13 California type legislation in Mass in the 80's that went down to defeat, and they had no qualms about seperation of "Church and State" and asking the parishioners to vote against it.

Firearm Ownership is something like 1/8 of what it was 20 years ago in Mass. This would take it to almost 0 IMHO, and the last remaining Conservatives would have no choice but to leave. Enjoy your Socialist Paradise ( sarc / off ) .....

17 posted on 06/01/2014 9:07:09 AM PDT by taildragger (The E-GOP won't know what hit them, The Party of Reagan is almost here, hang tight folks....)
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To: taildragger
The Church came out against "Prop 6" ...

Don't remember Prop 6, but MA's copy of CA's Prop 13 was Prop 2½ (actual name Proposition 2, but it limited local property tax increases to 2.5%, without a voter override...)

18 posted on 06/01/2014 9:22:31 AM PDT by Calvin Locke
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To: KeyLargo

The Catholic bishops’ stupid statement on guns is but one more example of those ordained in the post-Vatican II kumbaya era declaring their far-left views for all to see.

I’m Catholic. Most bishops IMO are far removed from the daily pastoral work of parish priests. Their eyes & their lifestyles are at a loftier height than that.


19 posted on 06/01/2014 9:22:55 AM PDT by elcid1970 ("In the modern world, Muslims are living fossils.")
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To: miss marmelstein

Most members of the Catholic church are and always have been democrat voters, there is only a handful of exceptions, and most of those were for the second term, not the first.

We are importing millions of Catholics, the political message they receive from their leadership, matters.


20 posted on 06/01/2014 9:25:10 AM PDT by ansel12 ((Ted Cruz and Mike Lee-both of whom sit on the Senate Judiciary Comm as Ginsberg's importance fades)
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