Cardinal Not 'Comfortable' Denying Kerry Communion

NewsMax.com ^ | 4/27/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Good news for John Kerry and the rest of the "Deadly Dozen" U.S. senators: A U.S. bishop in charge of enforcing church doctrine isn't up to the task.

"I have not gotten to the stage where I'm comfortable in denying the Eucharist," Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, archbishop of Washington, D.C., fretted today.

The head of a "task force" on the issue, McCarrick told the Associated Press that "Catholic" politicians who advocate policies contrary to church teaching on abortion and other issues might risk lesser sanctions.

Among possible "penalties" the comfort-seeking cardinal mentioned: no honorary degrees from Catholic universities, no honors from dioceses, or no invitations to speak from Catholic institutions.

In other words, keep doing as you please.

Kerry rallied with pro-abortion groups Friday right after a top Vatican cardinal re-emphasized that priests must not give communion to pro-abortion politicians who claim to be Catholic.

But that cardinal, Francis Arinze, is from Nigeria, and it seems that only Third World Catholics are expected to follow the church's teachings these days. Just ask the French.

[gubamyster]

"I have not gotten to the stage where I'm comfortable in denying the Eucharist,"

I doubt if Christ was "comfortable" carrying the cross on Good Friday.

[supercat]

I could understand a reluctance to permanently expel someone from the Church. After all, Christ does call upon people to be forgiving.

In the story of the Prodigal Son, however, the father does not support the wayward son in his wicked lifestyle; rather, the father welcomes the sun after he has repented and turned from his wicked ways.

People who commit sins of which the Church is aware should be told they will be welcome when, and only when, they are truly repentant for those sins and hope to avoid them in future.

[Terry Mross]

Doesn't say a lot for the religion, does it.

[GOP_1900AD]

I thought it was an order from the Vatican. Not subject to interpretation or comfort levels. Am I missing something?

[inkling]

And that's the problem with the Christian life; sometimes it’s just not comfy enough.

[gitmo]

Maybe if he had a nice Lazy Boy at the front of the church. He could tell Kerry from there.

[gubamyster]

Doesn't say a lot for the religion, does it.

It doesn't say much about Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, but I don't believe his statement speaks for the whole religion.

[sinkspur]

I thought it was an order from the Vatican. Not subject to interpretation or comfort levels. Am I missing something?

You have. It was Arinze's opinion, and likely what he would do.

Arinze cannot command another bishop in this situation, and he said as much.

[Hoosier-Daddy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but are not the Cardinal and Kerry both committing mortal sins?

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

The Cardinal sounds more like a chicken

[ikka]

Yes, didn't you see the recent movie about Jesus, "The Comfy Chair of The Christ"?

Apparently it is modeled after McCarrick's "14 Jell-O Molds of the Cross".

[edwin hubble]

Cardinal Not 'Comfortable' Denying Kerry Communion


Sometimes you have to do what's right, not what makes you comfortable.

[MayflowerMadam]

What he's really not comfortable about is the possibility of losing a percentage of that ketchup money in tithes, or however donations are made in the Catholic church.

[ladyinred]

I have been reading a lot of Catholic doctrine lately, and there is no excuse to continue giving communion to Kerry, none, zilch, zero, nada. He should feel more uncomfortable giving it to him!

[don-o]

could understand a reluctance to permanently expel someone from the Church

Excommunication is for repentance; to save a soul from hell.

There is no "permanence" implicit in the act.

[don-o]

I have been reading a lot of Catholic doctrine lately, and there is no excuse to continue giving communion to Kerry, none, zilch, zero, nada.

Give that lady a

Big Ceegar

Your reading has done you good.

Yet, prepare to hear all manner of defense as to why the bishops cannot do the right thing.

Bottom line is - screw the doctrines, dogmas, teachings and anathemas.

"We bishops got bigger fish to fry"

[mombonn]

Sad, but not surprising. Unfortunately, the vast majority of protestant churches would not hesitate to serve him as well.

[mombonn]

I've always been thankful that the son was always the Father's son, no matter what. The Father stood and waited, and watched, for the son to realize his foolishness.

How patient is our Lord.

[Nebr FAL owner]

So His emminace is uncomfortable with denying the Eucharist to a lying politician that excuses/backs baby killing... time to inform him that he is fired from that particular post,he needs to be reminded of just what the duties/doctrine are in the Roman Catholic church.