Posted on 04/26/2004 4:30:38 PM PDT by Polycarp IV
ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome
Code: ZE04042623
Date: 2004-04-26
U.S. Bishops' Task Force to Discuss Pro-Abortion Politicians
In Wake of Cardinal Arinze's Comments
WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 26, 2004 (Zenit.org).- A task force set up the U.S. bishops' conference will discuss the reception of sacraments by Catholics whose political advocacy directly contradicts Church teaching.
Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the episcopal conference, announced the task force in the wake of a Vatican press conference last week in which Cardinal Francis Arinze said that politicians who support abortion must not go to Communion. He also said that priests must deny such politicians the sacrament.
Cardinal Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, was presenting a new Vatican instruction, "Redemptionis Sacramentum" (The Sacrament of Redemption), aimed at ensuring the proper celebration and reception of the Eucharist.
Bishop Gregory noted that the prefect's comments extended to U.S. politicians and said: "Cardinal Arinze stated it is the responsibility of the bishops of the United States to deal pastorally with such situations as they exist here."
"Each diocesan bishop has the right and duty to address such issues of serious pastoral concern as he judges best in his local church, in accord with pastoral and canonical norms," Bishop Gregory said.
"To assist us in our common discernment, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has established a task force to discuss issues with regard to the participation of Catholics in political life, including reception of the sacraments, in the cases of those whose political advocacy is in direct contradiction to Church teaching," he said.
"The establishment of this task force is a clear sign of the seriousness with which we take these issues and continue to consider how best to interpret and apply the norms of the Church in their regard," said the bishop of Belleville, Illinois.
He added: "It has always been our hope and expectation as bishops that men and women in political life, whatever their religious convictions, would be guided by and live out the truth of the faith given them by God with integrity."
Well, if this political secret society commands such fealty, how come George W. Bush is the single most pro-life President in the history of this country?
What is my "position"? I have presented no "position," just musings and observations. I'm not a Mason, and don't even know much about them.
As for Skull and Bones, it's a college club Howling. A super-fraternity, for rich kids who need another excuse to drink.
Cute sinkspur but this is not on the radar screen and not likely to happen. It would not be theologicaly sound anyway because capital punishment is in the realm of prudential judgement abortion is not.
You're naive if you don't think there is a wide consensus among the Catholic bishops of the world that capital punishment is morally wrong.
Sure he did. But the thing is being pro-choice is a mortal sin. You can't go to Communion with a mortal sin on your soul. Small sins, yes you can go. In fact Communion forgives venial sins. But not mortal sins. This is an ancient precept.
I don't agree with this. They don't want Kerry to win but they will give him and all politicians of his ilk a severe tongue lashing and then they will give them the Eucharist. Really, when you think about it, it is whoever the bishop of DC is that will make the most splash about this because if Kerry wins he will probably be going to church somewhere in DC.
It will be a DISASTER if Kerry wins and for the next four to eight years we have a pro-choice, Catholic, Communion receiving president. It will be a total and complete VICTORY for Planned Parenthood and abortion supporters all over the world. It does not get much worse for the Church than this. If the bishops give in the Church will be even MORE irrelevant than ever because the perception will be that the Chruch has been defeated.
Yes, exactly. I agree with this. It will damage the church and damage American society. Just like with Clinton but maybe even worse.
In California, a pro-choice politician wins by 2%, and that proves something?
Oh I know they do. But it is just not on the radar screen and they could not get away with it.
It proves that Maher's letter did nothing.
Of course they could. And Rome would back them up on it.
Politically.
It did nothing, period, since no other bishop followed him with similar action.
Bishops have no courage. They act only when prodded, or when the cops are in the lobby.
True but even greater is the message it will send to Catholic kids, teens and young college students. I mean if the President of the United States of America, (who in the world is more famous?) is Catholic and pro-abortion and goes to Mass every Sunday and everything is all la-de-da. It will just become a given that being pro-choice and Catholic is as natural as breathing. No amount of angst, preaching or condemnation by the bishops or anyone else can overcome that. I beleive that Kerry has probably thought about this and relishs the idea of the amount of headway he can make for the pro-choice cause AS a Catholic. The witches at NARAL and Catholics for a Free Choice are going to be in hog-heaven if he is elected. It will be a victory for evil IMHO.
We could hope that the bishops will really step up to the plate after the election, if Kerry wins. Then they won't be accused of trying to tamper with the election.
Nah...I doubt it.
Yes. Kerry is also very pompous, arrogant, condescending, and self-righteous, in the tradition of New England Puritanism and Secret Societies. Those who will be seduced to follow him will be led into lives of horrid sin. The bishops failure to correct this will damage many souls and injure millions of bodies.
If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.
Bingo. Most of those on this thread seem to be missing the point that the bishops won't be telling anyone how to vote; they will be catechising Catholics in the Faith of the Roman Catholic Church.
Unfortunately, for many, politics is more important than God.
Bishops have no courage. They act only when prodded, or when the cops are in the lobby.
First, Rome is prodding them. Second, your claim is false to fact, a number (too few) have taken action. Third, it is as uncharitable as it can be, especially in light of it's obvious falsehood.
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