[GOPrincess]

Well, it's not a personal matter to the Church ...but I think the main point, regardless of one's own feelings on any of the several issues involved in this matter, is that Kerry may possibly be a double-talking phony in yet another area of his life. If he claims to be a practicing Catholic and is taking the Sacraments each week, is he "playing by the rules" of the church he has chosen? Did he obtain an annulment, and if so was he married in the Church after obtaining it? Kerry is arrogant enough it wouldn't surprise me a bit if it turns out he didn't get the annulment and has been taking the Sacraments all this time anyway...if he did get the annulment, it's a simple matter to provide the date, and that's the end of the matter. What gives? Sheila Kennedy's book on annulments, SHATTERED FAITH, was quite fascinating, by the by.

[Notwithstanding]

Exactly : the religion HE CHOOSES to adhere to (or calim to adhere to. If you are a double-talking phony in that area of life then ell else out of your mouth is presumptively nothing but self-serving chatter.

Under church law, I am almost certain that a sacramental marriage is a matter publc record - in other words, any Catholic wedding of Mr. Ketchup should be documented in a record that the faithful have a right to inspect.

[CyberAnt]

Not being a Catholic, I appreciate your insight.

This statement hits the nail on the head: "a double-talking phony in yet another area of his life"

I hope some moderate Catholics will see it that way too.

[GraceCoolidge]

Your post is excellent... I think you perfectly summarize the issue. I keep meaning to order "Shattered Faith" and just haven't gotten to it yet. I look forward to reading it.

[ladyjane]

Kerry is arrogant enough it wouldn't surprise me a bit if it turns out he didn't get the annulment and has been taking the Sacraments all this time anyway

Actually you might be right! Remember the bishop who said he should be denied communion? I wonder if the bishop knows Kerry's annulment didn't go through but doesn't want to be the one to out him? If so I wish it would come out in late summer, not now.