John Kerry's catechism of convenience: Hugh Hewitt wonders if bishops will give him a pass

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, April 7, 2004 | Hugh Hewitt

[JohnHuang2]

If you know a Roman Catholic bishop or priest, please pass this along to him with a request for a response. If they don't mind, ask them to copy me on the response at hhewitt@hughhewitt.com.

John Kerry is the second most visible American right now, and the most visible self-identified Roman Catholic in the country.

The most influential newspaper in the world, the New York Times, reported on Tuesday that Kerry had issued the equivalent of a new catechism for the Roman Catholic Church. Here are the key paragraphs:

Mr. Kerry became combative when told that some conservatives were criticizing him for being a Roman Catholic who supported policies, like abortion and same-sex unions, that are at odds with Catholic teaching."

"Who are they?" he demanded of his questioner. "Name them. Are they the same legislators who vote for the death penalty, which is in contravention of Catholic teaching?"

He added: "I'm not a church spokesman. I'm a legislator running for president. My oath is to uphold the Constitution of the United States in my public life. My oath privately between me and God was defined in the Catholic Church by Pius XXIII and Pope Paul VI in the Vatican II, which allows for freedom of conscience for Catholics with respect to these choices, and that is exactly where I am. And it is separate. Our Constitution separates church and state, and they should be reminded of that."

The New York Times helpfully added that "Mr. Kerry apparently meant John XXIII, as there is no Pius XXIII." Too bad the paper couldn't explain the rest of Kerry's absurd statement, or add more detail to the new Kerry Catechism of Convenient Catholicism.

It will be interesting to see if the hierarchy of the American Roman Catholic Church allows this statement to go uncontradicted. If what Kerry says is true, then the Church really doesn't care if its members advocate for wide-ranging abortion rights and receive Holy Communion, despite the bishop of St. Louis' instruction to Kerry to refrain from the sacrament on that bishop's turf.

I am not familiar with those documents of Vatican II to which Kerry refers, and would appreciate direction to them. Perhaps they are in the small volume of works by Pope Pius XXIII.

The stale bit of sophistry that says support for the death penalty disqualifies an individual from objecting to support for abortion rights is also in need of some authoritative teaching from the bishops. Aside from the fact that since 1973 there have been more than 40 million abortions in America and less than 1,000 executions, it is also my understanding that the catechism of the Roman Catholic Church allows for the death penalty under some circumstances, but does not allow for abortion. Even if both practices received the same degree of condemnation from the Church, of what relevance would it be to Kerry's standing as a Catholic for him to argue that other Catholics in public life fail to conform their votes to Church teaching? He's the one running for president.

Kerry's hash-up of the First Amendment's religion clauses and the issue of Catholic theology is a familiar dodge, laughable except for its ability to dumbfound reporters working for papers like the Times. Will any reporter ever do enough homework to ask Kerry some serious questions about the intersection of his avowed faith and his hard left stands in opposition to that faith's central teachings? There is no Constitution prohibition on asking tough questions of Catholic politicians, is there?

The real burden is on the American bishops and possibly the Vatican. Kerry has proclaimed a new doctrine in the pages of the most widely-read newspaper in the world. Such proclamations have consequences. Catholic elected officials across the globe cannot be blamed if, uncontradicted by the bishops, they conclude that John Kerry had it right and that their church obliges nothing of its members who serve in elected office except an occasional photo op with a bishop.

[JohnHuang2]

Wednesday, April 7, 2004

Quote of the Day by Brad's Gramma

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[Jet Jaguar]

Cossa, Baldassarre , c. 1370–1419, Neapolitan churchman, antipope (1410–15; see Schism, Great) with the name John XXIII. He had a military career before entering the service of the church. He was made a cardinal by Boniface IX (1402) and proved himself able, especially in financial matters. In 1408 he deserted Gregory XII and helped to bring about the Council of Pisa to end the schism between the Roman and the Avignon popes. The council, declaring both Gregory XII and Benedict XIII deposed, set up a third claimant, Alexander V. On Alexander's death a year later, Cardinal Cossa was elected. Of the three rival “popes,” John had by far the greatest following. He immediately sought the aid of Sigismund and helped elect Sigismund Holy Roman emperor. John allied himself with Louis II of Anjou (later king of Naples) to make war on Lancelot of Naples and his ally Gregory XII. An ineffective council at Rome (1412–13) was followed by the Council of Constance (see Constance, Council of), which John convened under pressure from Sigismund. At the opening of the council he reluctantly promised (1415) to abdicate if his rivals would do so. Then, surreptitiously, he fled to the lands of his ally Frederick of Hapsburg. He was forced to return. The council formally deposed him, and he submitted. He was held prisoner in Germany until released by Martin V in 1418; he returned to Italy. He died cardinal bishop of Tusculum. In his lifetime he had a reputation for unscrupulousness and self-aggrandizement.

[Jet Jaguar]

Home > article Cossa, Baldassarre Related: Pope Biographies (bäldäs-sär´rā kôs´sä) , c.1370-1419, Neapolitan churchman, antipope (1410-15; see Schism, Great ) with the name John XXIII. He had a military career before entering the service of the church. He was made a cardinal by Boniface IX (1402) and proved himself able, especially in financial matters. In 1408 he deserted Gregory XII and helped to bring about the Council of Pisa to end the schism between the Roman and the Avignon popes. The council, declaring both Gregory XII and Benedict XIII deposed, set up a third claimant, Alexander V. On Alexander's death a year later, Cardinal Cossa was elected. Of the three rival “popes,” John had by far the greatest following. He immediately sought the aid of Sigismund and helped elect Sigismund Holy Roman emperor. John allied himself with Louis II of Anjou (later king of Naples) to make war on Lancelot of Naples and his ally Gregory XII. An ineffective council at Rome (1412-13) was followed by the Council of Constance (see Constance, Council of ), which John convened under pressure from Sigismund. At the opening of the council he reluctantly promised (1415) to abdicate if his rivals would do so. Then, surreptitiously, he fled to the lands of his ally Frederick of Hapsburg. He was forced to return. The council formally deposed him, and he submitted. He was held prisoner in Germany until released by Martin V in 1418; he returned to Italy. He died cardinal bishop of Tusculum. In his lifetime he had a reputation for unscrupulousness and self-aggrandizement.

[Jet Jaguar]

Around the year 1397 Manuel Chrysoloras came to the University of Bologna. While there, he formed an organization of students with the purpose of mutual protection of its members from physical attack and robbery from the governor of Bologna Baldassarre Cossa.

Cossa's persecution of the students in Bologna led Chrysoloras and his student followers to devise secret signs, words and froms -- a ritual -- to protect their ranks from penetration and betrayal. It was these rites that transformed their associtation from a protective guise against Cossa into something more important. Their ideals emboiled in a ritual transformed them from a group of men to a true brotherhood.
This work inspired the Ritual and beliefs of a modern-day fraternity -- Kappa Sigma.

[Jet Jaguar]

In point of fact, however, that name was taken less than a century later than the death of John XXII by Baldassarre Cossa upon his election to the papacy as John XXIII on May 17, 1410. Thus, John joined the illustrious company of Rome's Gregory XII (1406-1415) and the Pope in Avignon, Benedict XIII (1394-1424). Infamous for his unscrupulousness and his ambition, Cossa was forced by the Council of Constance to abdicate on May 29, 1415, and he and Benedict were declared Anti-Popes. After a three year imprisonment in the Palatine, with his old enemy the Elector Ludwig III as his jailer, Cossa returned to Italy, where he threw himself on the mercy of Pope Martin V. He died as the Cardinal-Bishop of Tusculum on December 22, 1419.

[Jet Jaguar]

yahoo search on Baldassarre Cossa or John 23 anti-pope.

[Jet Jaguar]

If Kerry meant John XXIII, we may have a real story here.

[JohnHuang2]

Hugh Hewitt MEGA PING!!

[netmilsmom]

Ping!

[RonDog]

He [John F'ing Kerry] added: "I'm not a church spokesman.

I'm a legislator running for president.
My oath is to uphold the Constitution of the United States in my public life.

My oath privately between me and God was defined in the Catholic Church by Pius XXIII and Pope Paul VI in the Vatican II...

...which allows for freedom of conscience for Catholics with respect to these choices
[i.e., being pro-abortion],

and that is exactly where I am..."

So this is the new "Gospel according to Kerry?"

www.HughHewitt.com
PING!

If you listen to Hugh Hewitt,
or read his WorldNetDaily articles,
or his commentary at the Weekly Standard,
then this PING list is for YOU!
Please post your comments, and BUMP!

(If you want OFF - or ON - my "Hugh Hewitt PING list" - please let me know)

[anniegetyourgun]

It's a different gospel and a different Jesus that Kerry follows - one of his own making.

[baseballmom]

Thanks for that info. I never realized there were 2 Pope John XXIII.

You do pose an interesting question. To which Pope John XXIII was the nation's foremost al a carte Catholic, John F'n Kerry, referring? LOL

[RonDog]

For MORE "new Catholic doctrine" from "Flip/Flop" Kerry, see also:

Reuters PHOTO:
"ROMAN CATHOLIC" John Kerry takes communion at AME Church
[Is this kosher?]
REUTERS photo (via the Drudge thread) ^ | April 4, 2004 | RonDog
Posted on 04/04/2004 9:26:17 PM PDT by RonDog

Perhaps someone on the RELIGION forum can help us.

On tonight's Drudge thread there is some question as to the propriety of a ROMAN CATHOLIC taking communion in a NON-Catholic church.

See, for instance, my post 321:

To: tgslTakoma

The AP and Reuters stories said that he did take communion. Kerry attended Palm Sunday services, but not at a Catholic Church; he went to the Charles Street AME Church in Boston to take Communion.

(It's been a very long time since my Catholic school religion classes, but I seem to remember that it's a big no-no for a Catholic to take Communion in other than a Catholic church. Maybe that rule has changed...)

From Yahoo! NEWS photos:

Sun Apr 4, 3:16 PM ET

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator John Kerry
(news - web sites) (D-Ma) and his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry (2nd from L)
kneel in prayer with Boston Mayor Tom Menino (3rd from L)
and his wife Angela as they wait to be served communion
during church services at the Charles Street AME Church
in the Dorchester section of Boston April 4, 2004.
REUTERS/Jim Bourg US ELECTION

CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread

The AP and Reuters stories said that he did take communion. Kerry attended Palm Sunday services, but not at a Catholic Church; he went to the Charles Street AME Church in Boston to take Communion.

(It's been a very long time since my Catholic school religion classes, but I seem to remember that it's a big no-no for a Catholic to take Communion in other than a Catholic church. Maybe that rule has changed...)

From Yahoo! NEWS photos:

[RonDog]

"Flip/Flop" Kerry

As Hugh mentioned on yesterday's show, see also:

JOHN, DUBYA ARE ON THE JOBS (Flip-Flops Greet Kerry)
New York Post ^ | 4/07/04 | Brian Blomquist
Posted on 04/07/2004 12:01:54 AM PDT by kattracks

April 7, 2004 -- WASHINGTON - President Bush yesterday visited Arkansas to promote his new job-training program, while John Kerry charged that Bush's jobs record is a loser.

Speaking in El Dorado, Bush said he will boost the federal job-training program from 200,000 to 400,000, and vowed to make science and math a bigger requirement in vocational schools.

"We want people prepared for the 21st century," Bush said. "There will be jobs. The question is whether there will be people there to fill those jobs."

Sen. Kerry (D-Mass.), meanwhile, campaigned in Ohio. He has repeatedly claimed he'll create 10 million new jobs if elected, and yesterday, his campaign said 417,000 of those jobs would be in Ohio.

Protesters clapping together rubber beach sandals called flip-flops, met Kerry and he scolded them, saying, "Obviously, some young Republicans are proving that they're very rude and they have no manners. They don't want to hear the truth..."

CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread

What a WONDERFUL FReep idea!

And, it seems to REALLY aggravate JF'nK. :o)

[RonDog]

Protesters clapping together rubber beach sandals called flip-flops, met Kerry and he scolded them, saying, "Obviously, some young Republicans are proving that they're very rude and they have no manners. They don't want to hear the truth..."

CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread

What a WONDERFUL FReep idea!

And, it seems to REALLY aggravate JF'nK. :o)

See also, from our good FRiends at www.rightstuffcomedy.com:

FReeping Kerry - all across the country - with these "Flip/Flops" **is** a GOOFY idea...

...but it seems to be WORKING!

What say YOU?

[RonDog]

...from our good FRiends at www.rightstuffcomedy.com

That's "Right STUFF Comedy," Hugh...

...NOT "Right WING Comedy." :o)

[RonDog]

See also, from the Associated Press:

...In the Republican stronghold of Cincinnati, Kerry touted his pledge to create 10 million new jobs if elected. His rally was interrupted by about a dozen people near the front of the crowd who shouted and clapped flip-flops above their heads - a reference to Republican claims that Kerry has changed his position on Iraq, taxes and other issues.

As his supporters shouted at the protesters to go home, Kerry said they were "rude" and sought to turn the flip-flopper label back onto Bush. He said Bush had broken promises to create jobs and fund education and had changed his position on whether national security adviser Condoleezza Rice should testify before the Sept. 11 commission.

"I can run through the long list of broken promises of this president," Kerry said. "I mean, you want to talk about flips and flops."

[BibChr]

Even without doing a research paper on the history of Roman dogma, an honest reporter could ask, "What other areas of church teaching do you consider not binding on yourself, Sen. Kerry? What about prohibitions against lying, theft, adultery, blasphemy, having other gods, and the like? Are they binding on you or not, and why?"

Dan