48 House Catholics send warning to Bishops

MSNBC ^ | May 20, 2004 | Alan Cooperman

[NYer]

Forty-eight Roman Catholic members of Congress have warned in a letter to Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington that U.S. bishops will revive anti-Catholic bigotry and severely harm the church if they deny Communion to politicians who support abortion rights.The letter's signers, all Democrats, include at least three House members with strong antiabortion voting records.

"For many years Catholics were denied public office by voters who feared that they would take direction from the Pope," they wrote. ". . . While that type of paranoid anti-Catholicism seems to be a thing of the past, attempts by Church leaders today to influence votes by the threat of withholding a sacrament will revive latent anti-Catholic prejudice, which so many of us have worked so hard to overcome."

The three-page letter, dated May 10, was sent to McCarrick because he heads a task force of U.S. bishops that is considering whether, and how, the church should take action against Catholic politicians whose public positions are at odds with Catholic doctrine.

McCarrick's spokesman, Susan Gibbs, said he would not comment on the letter. She said the seven-member task force is "listening to many different voices" and will grant the 48 House members' request for a meeting. "They will be heard. It just hasn't been arranged yet," she said.

[sinkspur]

For too long, much like the abuse scandal, this situation was allowed to fester. There will be some pain in resolving it.

Well, the "pain" will be the risk of electing more pro-abortion politicians through a very clumsy process of each bishop making his own policy, in his own diocese.

[eastsider]

Bonfire of the Democrats!!! Great idea!!!

[sinkspur]

DUH! You know the answer to this one as well as the rest of us.

Yes I do. Of course a pro-lifer does not sin by belonging to the Democrat Party.

[johnb2004]

The answer to your criticism is that Rome should intervene and set down the guidelines. Other than that, I have to say that I hate to see pragmatism rule the Church.

[redhead]

"The bishops seem to be including opposition to the death penalty in their pro-life stance. There is a big difference between the taking of innocent life and just punishment of criminals.

Yep. Go HERE to read my article on this very subject...

[Iron Matron]

Is a Democrat pro-life politician sinning by belonging to a party that clearly supports abortion?

---

What one condones, one agrees with. If a Christian (Catholic or not) agrees with homosexuality or abortion (murder), then that Christian is disagreeing with God Himself.

Belonging to, and giving financial support to democrats is supporting things God finds abhorrent, supporters of murder and homosexuality are sinners.

[B Knotts]

Should we wait for the USCCB to decide?

We'd have an awful long wait, I'm afraid, during which the slaughter of the innocent unborn would continue, unchallenged.

[sinkspur]

The answer to your criticism is that Rome should intervene and set down the guidelines.

Could Rome's non-intervention indicate something?

Other than that, I have to say that I hate to see pragmatism rule the Church.

Pragamatism often rules the Church.

JPII is less condemning of Muslim atrocities in order to protect Christians in Muslim countries.

[B Knotts]

Remember...it was indeed this document from Rome, which set this all into motion:

DOCTRINAL NOTE on some questions regarding The Participation of Catholics in Political Life

[johnb2004]

I have to say I agree with your interpretation. I think it is atrocious, but many in charge have let down the Church.

[verity]

Will this be viewed as a Jihad or a Crusade? :~)

[ninenot]

If you keyword search FR for Colorado Springs Bishop, you'll find that moment IN SPADES.

[N3WBI3]

I'm not catholic, and have major problems with the church... but Its really funny to see the libs 'faith in God'.. Basically they are saying if you do this the public will be against you...

The Bible teaches us that the world hated Jesus before us and It will hate us if we are in him, further it teaches us that if God is with us who can stand against us..

[sinkspur]

Belonging to, and giving financial support to democrats is supporting things God finds abhorrent, supporters of murder and homosexuality are sinners.

You are "Exhibit A" of where we're headed on this slippery slope that some bishops are jumping offside to lead us down.

Some Republicans are pro-abortion, too. And the Republican Party welcomes them. Does that mean that giving financial support to the GOP is "abhorrent to God?"

Sheesh!!

[sinkspur]

We'd have an awful long wait, I'm afraid, during which the slaughter of the innocent unborn would continue, unchallenged.

As it would during a Kerry presidency, which the current escalation of punishment risks bringing about.

[redhead]

"The title has it '48 Catholics'. What I see in the reading of the title is non-living Christian Catholics calling themselves Catholics. If you are a baptized Catholic and do not follow the Catholic teachings then are you really a Catholic? I say not! They say that they can be for abortion and be a Catholic at the same time, however, Jesus himself said that you can not serve two masters. You can not be for abortion and Catholic at the same time. I don't care who or how many people they represent. If you are going to be for abortion then quit calling yourselves Catholic or quit being for abortion and be a Christian Catholic."

Right on! We aren't called the "Church MILITANT" for nothing!

[ninenot]

Maybe you should define "pro-life" in re: the particular Congresscritter. IIRC Bob Casey was the last thoroughly pro-life Dem with any traction in the party.

[ninenot]

The Milwaukee paper notes that Rep. Kleczka did NOT sign the letter (he's retiring, anyway) and that Rep. David Obey will NOT state whether or not he signed the letter.

Obey was sent a warning letter by Bp. Burke of LaCrosse, Wi., about 6 or 8 months ago and has done his best to lie, spin, and otherwise act like a Democrat pol.