[Bombshell: KERRY not validly married?] MEDIA INTEREST IN KERRY’S CATHOLICISM GROWS

Catholic League ^ | April 2, 2004 | William Donohue

[Notwithstanding]

Catholic League president William Donohue commented as follows:

“The Catholic League does not possess a theological micrometer that judges, with digital precision, how ‘good’ a Catholic is. Furthermore, it is not our business anyway. But it is also true that we will not pretend disinterest in subjects that touch on the issue of Catholics in public life.

“This week’s issue of Time magazine says Senator John Kerry ‘sought an annulment of his 18-year first marriage before marrying again.’ News reports indicate, however, that Kerry didn’t seek an annulment until after he married Teresa Heinz in a civil ceremony in 1995. Today’s New York Times says Kerry ‘sought an annulment from the church when he was divorced from his first wife.’ Notice that neither Time nor the New York Times says that an annulment was granted. They say it was ‘sought.’

“Kerry cannot claim that this is a private matter since he publicly joked about his quest for an annulment on the Don Imus show of May 8, 1997. ‘Seventy-five percent of all annulments in the world take place in the United States,’ Kerry said, ‘and I guess the figure drops to 50 percent if you take out all Massachusetts politicians.’ He continued saying, ‘It’s one of those special Catholic things. It’s like confession or feeling guilty about things you haven’t even thought of doing.’

“On February 16, 2004, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that ‘Kerry’s office didn’t respond to several e-mail and telephone requests’ regarding the question of whether an annulment was granted. On March 23, 2003, the Providence Journal-Bulletin said that Kerry ‘will not say whether he obtained an annulment of his first marriage….’ Why the reticence, especially since Kerry says his ‘current marriage is in good graces with the church?’

“Why does this matter? If Kerry did not receive an annulment, then he is not married in the Catholic Church and cannot receive the sacraments. But even if he was annulled, did he and Teresa Heinz get married in the Catholic Church following the annulment? If not, then Kerry is not married in the Church, thus raising all sorts of questions.”

[Victoria Delsoul]

If Kerry did not receive an annulment, then he is not married in the Catholic Church and cannot receive the sacraments. But even if he was annulled, did he and Teresa Heinz get married in the Catholic Church following the annulment? If not, then Kerry is not married in the Church, thus raising all sorts of questions.

From your previous link…

"Annulments are given in other less complicated cases where it is not necessary to go to trial. For instance, if it is discovered that a man was validly married to someone else before he married the petitioner, but lied to his wife, the second marriage will be nullified on the grounds of ligamen, which is Latin for a "prior bond." These cases are settled rather quickly in an administrative process which involves little more than documentary evidence.

"The same type of administrative process is used when Catholics marry outside the Church. This is called a declaration of nullity based on a "defect of form." The couple did not exchange vows before a priest and two witnesses in a Catholic church as is required by canon law. When Catholics fail to observe this law, the marriage is invalid. These "defect of form" cases account for more than half of all the annulments granted in the Catholic Church.

[CyberAnt]

My church has differing views about divorce.

I'm divorced, but my church doesn't ostrasize me because there was criminality involved in my reason for divorce.

[cyncooper]

Hmmmm? No annulment granted. He's legally divorced. Civil ceremony for remarriage. I don't see a problem .. except witih the precepts of his church. As to the law .. I'd say he's legally married. The church may not recognize it, but that's a personal matter.

And .. quite frankly, I don't give a rip!

Every word you said I agree with. This is not the area to go after him on.

Besides, I know (and am related to) too many Catholics married to non-Catholics and such. Not all have their marriages blessed in the Church. In fact my co-brownie leader from last year, who is Catholic, just told me last week that on their 20th wedding anniversary she and her husband are finally going to receive the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. She certainly has participated in the other Sacraments during all of those years.

[cyncooper]

We all agree character matters!

[CyberAnt]

If the Catholic church wants to take issue with Kerry, that's their decision.

[cyncooper]

IMO, the only area Kerry should harrassed and harangued about as regards the faith he claims to believe, is his stance on abortion.

I'd leave the marriage business alone.

[Liberty Valance]

Character matters?

How old fashioned when speaking of a "progressive" like Kerry.

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W'04

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[cyncooper]

If I recall my Catholicism correctly, back in the day, children of an anulled marriage were not allowed to participate in the Church...

NEVER has that been the case.

[cyncooper]

The media's growing interest in Kerry's Catholicism has more to do with its distaste for Catholicism than it does with any dislike of Kerry. They would just love to see Kerry turned away from Communion.

Exactly.

[cyncooper]

Good grief, get a grip.

An annulment is granted after a divorce so one is both if they receive it.

And it doesn't matter what your opinion is. You aren't Catholic and it is none of your concern.

I speak about Catholicism, NOT Kerry.

[cyncooper]

It will be fascinating IF it turns out he has implied he received an annulment and he really did not.

[cyncooper]

Some of us here are in marriages where one of the partners has received an annulment. Please don't make blanket statements that insult good and decent people.

[cyncooper]

I'm willing to bet Clinton hasn't darkened the door of a church since he was in office--unless it was to a black church to exhort the congregation to hate evil Republicans and vote democrat.

He'll show up with huge Bible in tow when "she" is running again for whatever office.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

Thanks for Listening, Dante3.

Two weeks ago these same points were made to the country about JOHN KERRY during my Vietnam Veteran Call-In to C-SPAN's coverage of his 1971 Anti-U.S. Testimony before the U.S. Senate.

I wondered out loud just who got our Vietnam Veterans' Story right...

...JOHN KERRY or MEL GIBSON..?

I placed me bets on MEL.


.

[BigSkyFreeper]

What your article says is true. There are many things that divides him from Catholic beliefs, for starters, he's pro-abortion.

[prairiebreeze]

bump for later read

[Mr. Thorne]

Well, it's kind of nauseating for me, as a Catholic, to be voting for the man who best exercises the principles of my faith, and he's a friggin' Protestant.

I mean, for crying out loud, Kerry! Crap or get off the proverbial pot.

Why be Catholic if you DON'T BELIEVE WHAT THE CHURCH TEACHES?! What's the POINT?

Yeesh. There are enough flavors of religion out there that I'm sure he could find ONE that would suit his preferences. And for heaven's sake, take the Kennedys with him!

BTW, if Jeb Bush (also Catholic, but far more in line with the teachings of the Church) runs in 2008 or 2012, it's gonna drive my Yellow Dog Democrat mother bloody nuts. Is it a Venial or a Mortal sin to look forward to that?

[Mr. Thorne]

Nope. The kids were seen as innocent victims. The fault/responsibility/sin was that of the parent(s).

[dr_who_2]

‘Seventy-five percent of all annulments in the world take place in the United States,’ Kerry said, ‘and I guess the figure drops to 50 percent if you take out all Massachusetts politicians.’ He continued saying, ‘It’s one of those special Catholic things. It’s like confession or feeling guilty about things you haven’t even thought of doing.’

Just Kerry's way of admitting that he's a total hypocrite.

[CyberAnt]

I agree!

Did you ever hear the story of what the Clintons did after he lost his first re-election bid for Attorney General in AK ..?? (this was after the rumors of the Juanita affair). He and Hillary went to another little town where there was a church who broadcast their services every Sunday. Clinton joined the choir - and every Sunday there he was looking like an angel singing in the choir. He got elected the next time. Sickening people!