Kerry’s Communion Controversy

CBS News ^ | April 6, 2004 | David Paul Kuhn

[NYer]

Commentator: Phil Lawler

CBS propaganda, unpacked

Last night's CBS News report on the controversy over whether John Kerry should receive communion stands as a model of inaccurate, selective-- should we say dishonest?-- reporting.

Correspondent David Paul Kuhn found several Catholic "experts" to back Kerry's side of the controversy; somehow he couldn't find anyone on the other side. So he produces some gross inaccuracies. A quick sampling:

The denial of communion to a Catholic eminent politician would be unprecedented. Experts cite such action as forbidden by Catholic cannon (sic) law, except in extreme cases that do not apply to Kerry.

Wrong. Eminent Catholic politicians have been excommunicated in the past; kings have been denied the sacraments. Although there has been no recent precedent in the US-- at least not involving a politician of national stature-- there is absolutely nothing in canon law that would forbid it. Archbishop Burke, a trained canon-law expert, knows full well that Church law is on his side.

Communion is a central tenant of Catholicism, meant to recognize Jesus’ last supper.

You don't expect an ignorant reporter to understand Catholic theology, so let's pass over the simplistic notion that the Mass "recognizes" the Last Supper. Focus instead on the statement that Communion is a "tenant." A "tenant" is someone who pays rent. Poor Mr. Kuhn can neither think nor spell.

If abortion were part of such a litmus test, so must other issues of equivalent substance to the Church, like its vehement opposition to capital punishment.

Baloney. The two issues are radically different. The Church has always taught that abortion is absolutely unjustifiable: the killing of the innocent. The Church has always taught-- and still teaches!-- that the state has the right to impose the death penalty. (Catechism 2266)

In recent years the Church has added the caveat that circumstances rarely justify the use of capital punishment. To be sure, in current Church teaching there is a strong presumption against the death penalty. But there has never been an absolute prohibition-- nor could there be, without a complete reversal of traditional teaching.

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[NYer]

Related Thread ...

Bishop Bruskewitz will deny Kerry the Eucharist

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[blanknoone]

has refused to clarify a statement last summer

I don't see anything unclear in that statement. There is nothing needing clarification. They just don't like the statement.

[AnAmericanMother]

Is there any point in cluing this guy in to how deluded he is, or is it hopeless?

[Solamente]

No Catholic should take Communion unless they are in a state of grace, if I remember correctly.

[lonerepubinma]

Like I have said before, The first priest who denies John F'n communion will receive a donation from me.

[B Knotts]

Experts cite such action as forbidden by Catholic cannon law

ROFL

Way to go, CBS!

[ElkGroveDan]

The first priest who denies John F'n communion will receive a donation from me.

It doesn't have to be a priest. Lay people serve as ministers of communion these days. Why, even a Freeper could become the hero in this.

[tort_feasor]

Poor Mr. Kuhn can neither think nor spell.

LOL

[Robert A Cook PE]

"Bishops have been silent on Burke’s pronouncement. ..

And by their silence they (the bishops) are damned.

Why?

Because the bishops' cupidity? Because their (silent) adoption of Kerry's "pro-gay" stances, BECAUSE of Kerry's support for abortion? Because of Kerry's international-liberal stands on a series of "feel-ggod" (anti-republican) policies?) Because theyare viciously in favor of "liberal" issues while accepting democrat lies, theft, hypocrisy, and ignorance?

[codyjacksmom]

I am a Christian, but not a Catholic. In my church, communion is a personal decision. Before accepting it however, we are "warned" that we need to be right with Christ in our hearts. That being said...the Bible does talk about an eye for an eye (capitol punishment) but no where have I read "fetus for a fetus". Murder is wrong no matter how it is looked at. Capitol punishment is fulfilling the eye for an eye command. Abortion is murder. I don't see any gray area here.

[Aquinasfan]

Whew! Thanks for posting the rebuttal. That was tough to take.

[vpintheak]

When a person has to fight to take part in a sacred ritual like communion, you know there is a huge problem. The lefty press just won'r make a big deal about it because they know it hurts them in the eyes of the world.

[OMalley]

Im beginging to think its hopeless:(

Yeesh, aside from murdering someone in the public square its now absurd to deny communion-is this "lady" Catholic?

Initially I didnt think the Church shoud do anything, lest they make kerry a martyr, but Im beyond caring, time to throw him out on his butt!

Isnt Rome concerned about youth? kerry arrogantly twists the faith to suit his fancy,as well as the scriptures, who tells the Pope essentially to flip off and then tells us that a Catholic can pretty much rely on his concience with regard to abortion etc. (Last I checked this was an issue not up for debate).
Are they going to continue to allow him to trash our faith and lie to the misguided and young?

how much in thier faces does kerry have to be before someone does something-has it become nothing more to some within the Church than communion either?

I wish the Church would un PCify itself. noone is "denying" kerry anything-kerry is denying himself, by holding beliefs contrary to the faith. Its so simple, but they are making it complicated.

sorry for the rant-its been building awhile;)

Blessings,
OMalley

[sinkspur]

It doesn't have to be a priest. Lay people serve as ministers of communion these days. Why, even a Freeper could become the hero in this.

No Eucharistic Minister should be put in that position.

The Secret Service have to notify a Church that Kerry will attend, for security purposes.

If a pastor makes the decision to refuse Kerry, he should make it clear to Kerry's people IN ADVANCE.

Under no circumstances should Kerry be given the opportunity to turn this into a PR stunt.

[lonerepubinma]

Whoops! your right. My wife would kill me if I forgot her.

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

CANON LAW 915!!!!!