Posted on 10/22/2004 11:16:00 AM PDT by BS69
The frustration of belonging to a religion that has a set of rules (Canon Law) is beginning to tire me out. Canon Law is what makes up Catholic. We should follow the rules or get out. The church teaches against abortion. Reading the Canon Law, procuring, having or helping someone have an abortion results in automatic excommunication. Voting for a Pro-Choice politician is a "Grave" sin. Voting for a law, as a legislature, that allows abortion, is an offense at the highest order. It is an excommunicable sin. Here is one leader of the church with guts - http://www.catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=691
Can. 1398 A person who procures a completed abortion incurs a latae sententiae excommunication. (Automatic excommication) John Kerry and other Catholic legislators who vote for laws permitted the murdering of children in the womb must not receive the sacraments. Legislators who publicly speak out on subjects that are against Canon Law must be labeled Heretics. What good are laws if the chuch doesn't have the guts to make the statement: "John Kerry is a Heretic. He shall no longer receive the sacraments of the church." ALL archdiosese must follow church teaching yet legislators such as John Kerry continue receiving the Holy Eucharist.
Is this a problem because the Vatican is not only the stronghold of the church but is also a "City State". Could it be the Vatican doesn't want to place the shame of abortion on heads of state? Could it be the church would be empty of members? Our archdiosisan leaders are weak and the Vatican is weak. If the Pope can't control the church he should retire. If the Cardinals/Archbishops do not enforce church law, they should step down. Local bishops and priests need to say: "Enough is enough." and deny sacraments to these destroyers of life. John Kerry, during the third debate said “Everything you do in public life has to be guided by your faith,” and “Everything is a gift from the Almighty.” John make up your mind. Be a Catholic or get out.
We'll take you in. :-D
I am a Roman Catholic too. But I realize the great thing about this country is that you CAN change your religion if you are not happy with it.
Your faith is only as strong as you are.
For 2000 years Catholicism has overcome all kinds of trials and tribulations.
If you can't stand the heat then PRAY!
Nobody said being a Catholic was easy.
Just be thankful to God that He has given you your faith and quit whining.
Ask yourself "What have I done today to enrich my soul and the soul of another?"
Because when the rubber hits the road, that's why God put you on this earth and that's why you are a Catholic!
Semper Fi,
Kelly
Come and join the evangelical Christians - we aren't perfect, but we have been saved by God's loving grace!
Luke...Luke...Come over to the Protestant side...
BUMP
Try ECUSA..you have no idea how screwed up things can really be..
The sole reason they will not declare JF'nKerry as excommunicated is that it will force them to take a hard and fast stand. If you thought the liberal senator from Mass was nuanced, try the leadership of the church. By being vague they can play both sides agaisnt the other and suck money out of both at the same time.
Then you don't know what it means to be Catholic.
The vast majority of very good Catholics never give a passing thought to Canon Law. They seek to follow Christ. That's Catholic.
The Church of Jesus Christ which can be found by reading the Bible will accept you.
Christ is who set up the rules for us here on earth. We have the Bible and Christ specifically set up the Authority of the Church through Peter which has been passed down to present day.
Christ did alright, I wouldn't complain too much about the Authority He set up here in earth, if He would have thought we could have completely handled it on our own, maybe He would maybe have left us with only the Bible and not the Authority of the church, but since He did leave the Authority of the Church, it is part of being a Christian.
I, too suffer from Catholic Weltschmerz, and tire of those members of the Church who do not proclaim authentic Catholic teaching.
That said, although it is disheartening, it is not unexpected because of man's fallen nature. As a convert from the Lutheran church whose teachings seem to have done a 180 on most of what I grew up with, I will stick with Catholic teaching, and confront, and pray as necessary to defend Church teaching.
As long as we're on the subject, do our taxes pay for federally funded abortions?
Recently Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Arizona refused to transport female prisoners to their scheduled abortions because he said the taxpayers ahouldn't have to fund that. It raised the question in my mind how many ways do we taxpayers pay for abortions with our taxes?
You're right. All these rules are terrible for Christianity...
like the Catholic Church saying authoritatively in the mid-300s that the New Testament we use today is accurate and not, say, the Gospel of Thomas?
- or -
the Church saying that you have to believe that Jesus was God, in response to the Arians.
I mean...all these rules! Why can't I just simply believe that "god" is a yellow bowling ball and that its ok to eat babies and call myself a "good" Catholic? </sarcasm>
Catholicism isn't a culture or a club. Its a foundational set of beliefs that must be adhered to if you wish to continue calling yourself a "Catholic," by definition.
There is such a thing as collegiality and subsidiarity. The Pope as a matter of prudence rarely, if ever, involves himself with diocesan/archdiocesan affairs. They are under the authority of the ordinary of that geographic region, who is either a bishop or archbishop. (Kerry is under the authority of Archbishop O'Malley, who already said that politicians who contradit the Church's stance on fundamental issues should not present themselves for Communion.) If that ordinary does not act well, the next level is national synod, aka the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Pope and the Roman Curia cannot be in the business of making judgments in every single local or national Church affair. This would be both imprudent and a stepping on the toes of the bishops, who are, after all is said and done, legitemate successors of the Apostles. The Church has gone through bigger crises like the Arian heresy, Soviet Communism, Barbarian attacks, and a whole catalogue of errors and heresies. It has survived. It will survive. Saints will emerge. Some already have.
"Do as I say, not as I do" is an old cliche, but in this case what the Church says to do is God talking. What the Church members do is only the actions of certain members, not the Church. What the Church says God demands is readily available to anyone who really wants to know. If the Church leaders are weak, look above them.
I'm surprised John Kerry hasn't started his own church yet call the John sKerry House of Terrorists.
btt
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