Posted on 08/04/2004 10:28:22 AM PDT by Notwithstanding
Catholics in political life have the responsibility to exemplify in their public service this teaching of the Church, and to work for the protection of all innocent life. There can be no contradiction between the values bestowed by Baptism and the Catholic Faith, and the public expression of those values. Catholic public officials who consistently support abortion on demand are cooperating with evil in a public manner. By supporting pro-abortion legislation they participate in manifest grave sin, a condition which excludes them from admission to Holy Communion as long as they persist in the pro-abortion stance (cf. Canon 915).
(Excerpt) Read more at archatl.com ...
Please see post 18. Wasn't one of your pings keeping a list as well??
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's my Bishop(s)!!
(Bishop Baker, Diocese of Charleston, SC)
I am very very glad to see this.
Nice!!! Hot damn!!! Or rather the opposite! Jugis gets mad props for this one!
Yall are all so cute!!! This is why I love you!
CATHOLIC CHURCH OFFICES ,ARCHDIOCESE OF KANSAS CITY IN KANSAS
12615 PARALLEL PARKWAY ,KANSAS CITY, KANSAS 66109
(913) 721 - 1570 FAX (913) 721 - 1577
July 15, 2004
Dear Friends,
The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in November, 1998 in a statement entitled "Living the Gospel of Life" challenged all American Catholics to take seriously their civic responsibilities. The bishops stated: "We encourage all citizens, particularly Catholics, to embrace their citizenship not merely as a duty and privilege, but as an opportunity meaningfully to participate in building the culture of life. Every voice matters in the public forum. Every vote counts. Every act of citizenship is an exercise of significant individual power. We must exercise that power in ways that defend human life, especially those of God's children who are unborn, disabled or otherwise vulnerable. We get the public officials we deserve. Their virtue -- or lack thereof -- is a judgment not only on them, but us. Because of this, we urge our fellow citizens to see beyond party politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically and to choose their political leaders according to principle, not party affiliation or mere self-interest."
As your pastors, we remind you of your responsibility to not only vote but to be a well-informed voter. The Catholic Church in the United States has never endorsed political parties or political candidates. Yet, the Church is obligated to help form properly the consciences of her members. The Church, therefore, must help Catholics understand the ethical dimensions of public policy issues as well as to help Catholics evaluate the moral importance of some issues in comparison to others.
There are many public policy issues with important moral dimensions where Catholics and people of conscience may disagree over specific policies. For example, every Catholic must be concerned about the poor, the welfare of children at risk, or the proper care for the disabled and elderly, but may disagree over which specific public policies best serve these vulnerable individuals. The War in Iraq is a public policy issue with enormous moral importance. Yet, good Catholics can and do disagree whether this war conforms or does not conform to the moral criteria for a just war.
However, there are some issues that are intrinsically evil for which there can be no authentic moral justification of defense. It is always wrong for a Catholic legislator to support public policies that permit or promote such intrinsic evils and similarly a Catholic voter cannot in good conscience vote for candidates who support such public policies.
Legalized abortion and euthanasia cannot be morally justified, because they permit and promote an intrinsic evil -- the killing of innocent human life. Similarly, fetal stem cell research and human cloning can never be morally justified because they involve the killing of innocent human life and manifest a disregard for the dignity of the human person. Also laws that seek to redefine marriage undermine the family -- the most fundamental of human institutions and are offenses against God who instituted marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Support for these public policies that are non-negotiable items for a Catholic should disqualify a candidate from consideration for our vote.
We urge all Catholics to register to vote, to be well informed about issues and the positions of candidates, and to vote. Finally, during this election year we ask all Catholics to pray that we choose wisely in selecting those who will represent and lead us in our national, state and local governments.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend James P. Keleher, Archbishop
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Coadjutor Archbishop
Its about time more spoke out!
Deacon Francis
I'm not Roman Catholic, so please forgive my ignorance, but this seems pretty close to "You're not coming to our church, Sen. Kerry." Does denial of Holy Communion stop just short of ex-communication?
"Thwack is a canonical procedure whereby a Bishop dispatches an old-fashioned nun, armed with a 12" metal ruler, to apply appropriate discipline to a public miscreant."
Ah, yes. You mean Sister Mary Hitler.
Everyone is welcome to worship the Lord with us.
But to recieve the Lord's Body and Blood (or any of the other Sacraments) one needs to show that he is of one mind with the Church regarding that Sacrament.
You can't receive Baptism if you do not believe in our doctrine of Baptism and the Trinity.
You can't receive Absolution during Confession if you do not beleive that Jesus personally forgives your sins when you repent and confess your sins to a priest, and commit yourself to avoiding sin in the future.
You can't recieve the sacarament of Confirmation unless you declare your desire to be sealed with the Holy Spirit and serve Christ as an adult Catholic.
You can't be married unless you declare that you believe marriage is sacred bond that lasts forever and agree to raise your children as Catholics.
You can't recieve ordination to the priesthood unless you declare obedience to the bishop, etc., etc.
When facing imminent death, you can't recieve the final annointing ("Last Rites") if there is no evidence that you are Catholic or wanted to be.
Technically, I don't think this is excommunication.
It is with holding of the Eucharist (Communion).
It certainly smells a lot like excommunication, and while it may not be so technically, it is a functional equivalent.
Thank you. Very informative, I understand now.
Wow! What a great statement!
And they came right out and said it: these people are not to be admitted to Communion until they have repented and PUBLICLY DISAVOWED their support for abortion.
On the last rites thing, I think a priest would probably administer last rites to someone who is unconscious and severly injured, even without knowing if they were Catholic.
Likewise, a priest can hear a confession of a non-Catholic if the threat of death is imminent, such as on a ship that is sinking - as long as the person sincerely indicates that he wishes to instantly become Catholic.
I am shocked - with joy!
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