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.

[presidio9]

Are you talking to me?

[lugsoul]

It is amazing that you don't see the contradiction in that post.

[muawiyah]

You must be referring to my favorite part, Timothy 1 and Timothy 2.

No, no, that's not right ~ you are referring to Corinthians 1 ~ which has a very clear injunction against eating and drinking things offered to idols.

Did you ever attend a family religious observance with a Hindu friend? It's a trip. They still do the burnt offering and sacrifice of the first fruits. The theology surrounding it is the same as the ancient religion of which we get a glance in the early parts of Genesis.

Makes you think about it. But, sure enough, at some point you will be offered food and drink which were, in fact, "dedicated" if not "sacrificed" to what you and I might well think of as idols. So, what do you do?

The trick is to join with your Hindu friend's Moslem friends (who are also there since none of us refuse such invitations from any friend). You stand away from the ceremonies, arms across your chest, and try to avoid being embarrassed that the Christians and Moslems are huddled together in some sort of religious ghetto that excludes the Hindu who is doing nothing more than Father Adam or Father Noah (Ma Nu) or Father Abraham might well have been doing, or even that Jesus own Earthly father probably did.

My personal preference is Timothy.

[Mr. Lucky]

You confuse the body of Christ with the body a man. Once there was a human body on this Earth that was host of the body of Christ. That body has ascended to Heaven. It has nothing to do with whether bread can also be the host of the body of Christ, as Christ himself told us it was.

If you don't recognize the reference in I Corinthians 12:29 to the body of Christ, I'm not sure there is much I could say to make you see it.

[Sybeck1]

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?

True, but how many pimp candidates?

[lugsoul]

"Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?"

There's your cited passage.

BTW, your own post makes my point.

[Havoc]

How is it he says if we destroy this temple he will raise it up again in 3 days.. it took 46 years to build.

[presidio9]

It is amazing that you don't see the contradiction in that post.

There is no contradiction. You are free to believe anything you want and worship any way you choose, but if you want to practice Catholicism, you are bound by the rules of that religion.

Let's put it another way: could someone consider themselves a Republican if they believed in a centralized government-controlled Communist economy?

[Mr. Lucky]

You've hit the nail on the head.

If a Christian who doesn't believe in the true presence of Christ at communion confesses his sins and otherwise approaches the table of the Lord worthily at a Protestant service, he doesn't mock the Lord. Senator Kerry, on the other hand, would seem to believe in the true presence when it's convenient to do so and to disavow the true presence when it's convenient to do that.

[Mr. Lucky]

Hello?

[kittymyrib]

The early Christian church required two years of instruction in the faith before one was allowed to commune. Jesus Himself when instituting His Supper, did not throw open the doors of the upper room and invite everyone in. No, He only invited the twelve disciples, those He knew best. To cheapen the sacrament by passing it out like Coke and Doritos puts the recipients in grave danger of taking Holy Communion to their damnation. (I Cor. 11:27-29) There is great blessing in the Holy Sacrament for those who know what it is and there is grave condemnation in it for those who don't know what they are doing. Churches who endanger the souls of others by their careless stewardship of the mysteries of the Gospel are not being faithful to Jesus or His Supper.

[lugsoul]

"Let's put it another way: could someone consider themselves a Republican if they believed in a centralized government-controlled Communist economy?"

Hmmm... Let's pose that question to the whole forum - I'm sure we could come up with quite a few elected GOP officials that a consensus of FReepers would feel meet that exact description.

[presidio9]

I really hope you do not bother reponding to this ignorant troll.

[presidio9]

OK, different example. Can one play the sport of football with water skis and a hockey stick?

[Mr. Lucky]

I probably should've referred you to II Corinthians 11:29, huh?

[lugsoul]

You cited the Gospels to support transubstantiation, then explicitly said that is wasn't HIS body and blodd while he was in a human body - which, of course, he was in the passages you cited.

[FastCoyote]

"is that no other Christian denomination believes their communion is anything more than a symbol "

I think you have imbibed a little too much Manishevitz

[lugsoul]

Yep - with the "body" being defined as in Chapter 12.

[Ann Archy]

He also sinned if he didn't attend Mass that same Sunday.

As to "he would offended either way" argument, he shoud have NOT gone to a SERVICE!! What a FRAUD!!

[lugsoul]

Sure - but it is a lot tougher to throw a spiral.