Thou shalt not flub thy photo op, Sen. Kerry (Caught taking "communion" in Protestant Church)

Boston Herald ^ | Wednesday, April 7, 2004 | David R. Guarino

[presidio9]

Photo ops are the saving grace of many political campaigns, but Bay State Sen. John F. Kerry [related, bio] gaffed one recent opportunity - flouting Catholic doctrine by taking communion at a non-Catholic church.

The Democratic presidential candidate invited the press to services at the AME Charles Street Church in Roxbury Sunday. But the photos showed Kerry taking communion.

That, Catholics say, is a catechism no-no.

``Catholics should not receive communion in a Protestant church,'' said Sister Mary Ann Walsh of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. ``It's standard church teaching.''

Deal Hudson, publisher of the conservative Crisis Magazine, said, ``Kerry's attempts to woo the Catholic voter with such photo ops will ultimately turn off Catholics who value sincerity and honesty above superficial and vacuous symbolism.''

Kerry spokesman Michael Meehan said Kerry was merely participating in an ``ecumenical'' Christian service. ``He came at the invitation of the pastor, who invited all Christians to celebrate,'' Meehan said. ``Sen. Kerry is a Christian. He celebrated.''

Stephen Pope, a Boston College theology professor, said, ``As a matter of church law, Kerry broke the law of the church,'' but added that Kerry was in a ``no-win situation'' since taking or refusing communion would have offended someone.

[Mr. Lucky]

When taking communion in an AME church, does the Senator believe the body and blood of Christ to be truly present

[Dolphy]

``Catholics should not receive communion in a Protestant church,'' said Sister Mary Ann Walsh of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

And Kerry will say the church should stay out of politics even as he conducts his politics inside the church.

[FormerLib]

This raises an question from an Orthodox Freeper: in the Orthodox Church, taking communion in a church other than an Orthodox Church is effectively declaring yourself out of communion with the Orthodox Church.

Is this seen as less severe in the Roman Catholic Church?

[Alberta's Child]

. . . Kerry was in a "no-win situation" since taking or refusing communion would have offended someone.

Bullsh!t. There was no reason why the goofy fraud had to be there in the first place.

[Integrityrocks]

Will people please stop referring to Kerry as "Catholic". He's about as catholic as my dog. Is there anyone on the planet that actually BELIEVES he has one ounce of "Catholic faith?" I have always believed the hottest fires of hell are waiting for those who use their religion for financial and political gain. The worst kind of lie and God is watching.

[Support Free Republic]

[Stakka Skynet]

What protestant "church" would let someone inside who supports partial birth abortion? Disgusting. Kerry has started to flip-flop on religion now.

[ladtx]

There may be a special place in hell for people who use religion to try to make points for earthly gains. That may be doubly so for someone who doesn't even honor their own professed religion.

[Mike Bates]

Will people please stop referring to Kerry as "Catholic".

I also get a kick when I read of (Fill in the Blank) Kennedy being "a devout Catholic." Devout Catholics don't engage in the behavior many of the Kennedys have.

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[Petronski]

Why does the Herald suppose Kerry would care one whit about what the Cathechism requires?

[Argh]

Pingus maximus.

[Tacis]

Senator Kerry believes firmly in all aspects of the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. It is just that he lies to others about it. Abortion? Communion? Divorce? Watch what he does (if you can see it). What he says is only for effect (i.e., it is a lie). And, besides, this doesn't matter on another basis as well. Kerry doesn't believe that blacks can be Christians, they don't have souls or something, so "communion" in one of their churches, isn't.

[old-ager]

Communion is not just a personal thing. It's part of a "commun"al confession of faith and doctrine. So he declared his oneness with the doctrine of that church when he "communed" with them. Needless to say, if you are on the side of the RCC that says there is definite doctrine, you would not be doctrinally at one with any Protestant church.

Specifically: (1) they probably did not use wine (there was no such thing as refrigerated or frozen "grape juice" when Communion was instituted) (2) the public confession of that church would be that Holy Communion is only a human work of obedience or remembrance, not a Sacrament (mysterious transmission of forgiveness from God to man via earthly elements).

So what he did was not even Communion. But it _was_ a mockery of Communion.

[Integrityrocks]

Yup. he's flip flopping alright. If he had a brain, he would break form and show respect for the Catholic Church and simply formally break away, citing, irreconcilable philosophical differences and join the Episcopalian Gay church. At least there he would stay out of the controversy fray and the entire thing would go away.

[Arthur McGowan]

Kerry is trying desperately to pretend to be a devout Catholic. What he's been revealing recently is that he is not just a pro-abortion Catholic, but HE IS SO PROFOUNDLY IGNORANT of Catholicism, that he can't even effectively pretend to be a Catholic. His recent remark about "Pope Pius XXIII," and "the Vatican II" reveal this. I would bet anything that Kerry simply DID NOT KNOW that receiving communion in a Protestant church is against the law of the Catholic Church. Kerry recently said, in order to demonstrate his "piety," that he always wore a Rosary around his neck in Vietnam. I've asked a number of priests if they've ever seen anyone wearing a Rosary around the neck. The response: Only bag ladies, or mental patients. It is NOT a Catholic custom to wear a Rosary as a necklace.

[billorites]

"What protestant "church" would let someone inside who supports partial birth abortion?"

Only a handful, sadly, would not.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

What protestant "church" would let someone inside who supports partial birth abortion? Disgusting. Kerry has started to flip-flop on religion now.

Any that follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. He walked among the sinner and I believe expects us to do the same. Then again perhaps I have missed the point and should stand at the door and turn away the sinner?

[onedoug]

Catholicism is what Kerry declares it is. No church authority dares tell him otherwise.

[Sloth]

I agree that nobody should be excluded simply because of who they are, but what about the press people he invited along to disruptively take pictures, etc.?