Bush Talking Like the Pope

SeaMax News ^ | 4/1/2004 | Fr. Michael Reilly

[Hugenot]

"Catholic involvement in political life cannot compromise on" the principle of "respect for the human person," because "otherwise the witness of the Christian faith in the world, as well as the unity and interior coherence of the faithful, would be non-existent," says the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in a January 2003 document approved by Pope John Paul II.

"In this context, it must be noted also that a well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political program or an individual law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals," the document continues.

"This is the case with laws concerning abortion and euthanasia (not to be confused with the decision to forgo extraordinary treatments, which is morally legitimate). Such laws must defend the basic right to life from conception to natural death. In the same way, it is necessary to recall the duty to respect and protect the rights of the human embryo. Analogously, the family needs to be safeguarded and promoted, based on monogamous marriage between a man and a woman, and protected in its unity and stability in the face of modern laws on divorce: in no way can other forms of cohabitation be placed on the same level as marriage, nor can they receive legal recognition as such. The same is true for the freedom of parents regarding the education of their children; it is an inalienable right recognized also by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights."

Where does this leave John Kerry, a "Catholic" Senator who supports abortion on demand, opposese school choice, voted against the partial birth abortion ban, voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, and opposes a constitutional definition of marriage?

In the summer of 2003, Kerry responded to Vatican efforts to oppose gay marriage by stating, "I believe in the Church and I care about it enormously, but I think that it's important to not have the Church instructing politicians. That is an inappropriate crossing of the line in America."

The Vatican had already explained clearly that to promote "the common good of society, according to one's conscience," has nothing to do with "confessionalism" or "religious intolerance."

Meanwhile, as President Bush signed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, he mused that by this action "we reaffirm that the United States of America is building a culture of life."

The culture of life is a central theme in the preaching of Pope John Paul II and is becoming a central theme of the Bush presidency.

Bush has also banned American financial support to international groups which support abortion, signed the partial birth abortion ban, extended legal protection to babies who survive abortions, and increased funding for abstinence education and alternatives to abortion.

So now, several leading Republicans are referring to Bush as a Catholic President. Once again, where does that leave John Kerry?

[MEG33]

It is the mother who determines whether one is a Jew.

[SuziQ]

Thanks! I knew I'd seen that info somewhere!

[sr4402]

So now, several leading Republicans are referring to Bush as a Catholic President. Once again, where does that leave John Kerry?

Excommunicated I hope.

[Coleus]

went there and there was no such statistic that I could see>>

There are none that's why I said to "ask" them for the stats. And percentages mean little when you have nothing (raw numbers of people voting) to which to compare them.

and ask them for the statistics."

[contessa machiaveli]

your story is wrong.

and even if he was born jewish, why would you have a problem? or maybe you've been spending too much time at stormfront.

[contessa machiaveli]

and you are still a fool.

[contessa machiaveli]

i just realized something about you jojo....you're attempting to satirize conservatives andtrying to fit every negative stereotype the left has for them.

you did have me fooled for a second.

[B Knotts]

How valuable is a statistic which counts people who don't go to Mass as "Catholics?"

[jojodamofo]

>>> you're attempting to satirize conservatives andtrying to fit every negative stereotype the left has for them.


Your accusation is ironic coming from someone named "countess machiavelli." Sorry, but I am just a very conservative, very proud "cracker."

[contessa machiaveli]

you are a genius.

[facedown]

So now, several leading Republicans are referring to Bush as a Catholic President.

Who are they?

[Nov3]

About 50% of all American Catholics don't really care what the Pope thinks about Jesus or morality.

They''ll side with their unions or favorite movie stars and vote for John Kerry.

The same can be said for every other faith in America. These people may call themselves Catholic or Baptist or whatever, but they don't darken the door of a church but twice a year - Christmas and Easter.

[Brian Allen]

<< Bush Talking Like the Pope

I know Bush has an iffy relationship to the English language .... >>

Shouldn't that read " ... relationship WITH .... "

the English Language?

[In English, anyway]

[cowtowney]

"About 50% of all American Catholics don't really care what the Pope thinks about Jesus or morality. "

Did you ever find the source for this alleged statistic? I'm really curious as to why you would say such a thing.

[BibChr]

Hmm... but he does relate TO it in an iffy manner.

Dan
(c;

[Victoria Delsoul]

"Where does this leave John Kerry, a "Catholic" Senator who supports abortion on demand, opposes school choice, voted against the partial birth abortion ban, voted against the Defense of Marriage Act, and opposes a constitutional definition of marriage?

"Meanwhile, as President Bush signed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, he mused that by this action "we reaffirm that the United States of America is building a culture of life."

"The culture of life is a central theme in the preaching of Pope John Paul II and is becoming a central theme of the Bush presidency.

"Bush has also banned American financial support to international groups which support abortion, signed the partial birth abortion ban, extended legal protection to babies who survive abortions, and increased funding for abstinence education and alternatives to abortion.

"So now, several leading Republicans are referring to Bush as a Catholic President. Once again, where does that leave John Kerry?"

[hilaryrhymeswithrich]

Keep in mind, though, at one time almost all Catholics voted with the Dems. When I was growing up, and an Irish Catholic in Chicago, I had honestly never even heard of a Catholic voting Republican. My grandfather use to say, "If you are an Irish Catholic and you vote Republican, why not go all the way and be an atheist too."

Now, at my Church, I would be surprised to find more than 20% voting Democrat.....Lord knows my grandfather is spinning in his grave over me!

[Preachin']

The sources are The Kennedy's, the Clintons, Schumer, and so forth.

Another good link is catholicvote.org.

It was given to me by another poster a few days ago. You can email for the info and they'll send it to you.

[cowtowney]

"The sources are The Kennedy's, the Clintons, Schumer, and so forth.Another good link is catholicvote.org.It was given to me by another poster a few days ago. You can email for the info and they'll send it to you."

In other words, you don't really know, right? You either have one source that can be verified or you don't. How about a link or something? not just a website and tell the person to go look... it may be there or it may not...

lame.

[Preachin']

In other words, you don't really know, right? You either have one source that can be verified or you don't. How about a link or something? not just a website and tell the person to go look... it may be there or it may not...

I used this site as a reference:

http://www.qev.com/reports.political.catholic.htm

Here are a few excerpts:

...Everyone agrees that their political allegiance is now up for grabs after decades of being a lock for the Democrats, but they are also surprisingly finicky, refusing to become solid party votes....

...Stripping away inactive Catholics who retain the label as a cultural identification, the real swing voters are active Catholics....

(FROM CRISIS MAGAZINE IN 11/98)...The evidence is that religiously active Catholics are at last aligning politically with born-again, evangelical Christians....

...In 1996, Clinton carried these states (Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri, Kentucky), while nationwide receiving 54 percent of Catholic votes cast, versus 38 percent for Bob Dole and 8 percent for Ross Perot. According to our electoral vote modeling, had just 15 percent of the Catholic vote shifted to Dole — had he received 53 percent of the Catholic vote while everything else stayed the same — Dole would have been elected President. And Governor Bush is doing 10 points better than that mark. The question is, why?

...Nearly half of Catholic voters are today swing voters, and can be taken for granted by neither party...

.............................................

While it is true that the Catholics are trending to the center/right, it is still a fact that a large group of Catholics still vote democrat, for no other reason than having been won over in 1962 by John Kennedy. It is also traue that this same press release (from the 2000 election) says a lot good about the move of the Catholic voters.

It is well known that the Catholics are a huge swing vote, because John McCain angered a lot of Catholics against George Bush during the 2000 Republican primary, by calling him "anti-Catholic". He then placed the McCain signs in front of many large Catholic churches. Yeah, Catholics are in the left side of the middle as a block.

It is obvios that the Catholic voters are moving, and this is good news. But the fact is, they should never have been swing voters. And, using Kerry, Kennedy (pick one), Clinton (pick one) and Schumer are excellent sources of evidence.

That my friend, is what is lame.....