Posted on 05/10/2007 3:15:32 AM PDT by Jim Robinson
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Rudolph Giuliani said yesterday that his differences with the Catholic Church over his support for abortion rights are between him, God and his spiritual adviser, not Pope Benedict XVI - seeking to avoid a head-on confrontation with the pontiff over the issue that has bedeviled Giuliani's campaign.
The pope took a hard line against Catholic politicians who vote in favor of abortion rights, saying Mexican lawmakers who did so lost the right to Communion and may have even excommunicated themselves.
Giuliani himself declined to respond directly to the pope's comments and wouldn't answer questions about whether he believed his support for abortion rights could damage his standing in the church.
"I don't get into debates with the pope," Giuliani told reporters.
"Issues like that for me are between me and my confessor. ... I'm a Catholic and that's the way I resolve those issues, personally and privately," he said. "That's what religion is all about - it's something that's between you and your conscience and God and then whoever your spiritual advisers are."
The Giuliani campaign last night deflected questions about Giuliani's spiritual advisers and whether he takes Communion - saying, as the mayor did, that those are private issues.
Giuliani took a different approach in 1996, when he criticized the Vatican for attacking then-President Bill Clinton's decision to veto a ban on late-term abortion. Giuliani said the church's "direct involvement in politics is not a good idea, because I think it confuses people."
This time, the pope's comments - while not directly about American politicians - threaten to insert a religious element into the debate in Republican circles over Giuliani's pro-abortion-rights stance.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
“Giuliani took a different approach in 1996, when he criticized the Vatican for attacking then-President Bill Clinton’s decision to veto a ban on late-term abortion. Giuliani said the church’s “direct involvement in politics is not a good idea, because I think it confuses people.”
Au contraire, Rooty. An unconfused and plain speaking Pope focuses people attention where it should be. Who’s against it, and who’s an apologist/supporter of it.
Fred Thompson’s NARAL rating——0%
Rudy Giuliani’s NARAL rating——100%
The question is: Will the Pope’s “message” get ANY traction in the American Church?
His arrogance is breathtaking.
Now, will he say this about AMERICAN politicians? If not, why not?
Excommunication is AUTOMATIC - requiring no announcement or intervention by any Church authority. It does not matter what the American bishops say or believe.
I don’t think it could be much more clear than Lombardi makes it here.
It doesn't matter what Guiliani OR his "confessor" thinks.
Speaks volumes.
Money money money MONEY.
America donates more money to the Catholic church then any other country.
You don’t want to bite the hand that feeds ya now do ya?
Giuliani may be Catholic, or not, or a nominal Catholic. He may even think of himself as a Christian (though I have never heard him use that term).
But I see nothing in him that indicates his belief in Jesus Christ, and his faith in Christ for forgiveness of his sin, has transformed his life or rules his life.
What I see is a "religious" person.
The group of people who really hated Jesus were the religious folks. They're the ones who wanted to live by a set of rules, rules they could interpret for themselves. That sounds a lot like Giuliani.
One message we Christians really need to get out is, Chrisitianity is NOT a religion, at least not in the respect most folks think. Jesus actually abolished religion (which I'll loosely define as a set of laws, or precepts, or principles, that we must live by in order to reach God, or please him, or attain some special consciousness).
The Gospel is the opposite of that. The Gospel says, "You cannot reach God by any set of rules, laws, principles, or teachings. God loves you and come to earth as a man to do these things on your behalf, and then give you credit for them. You must trust in the historical Jesus completely, and what he did, and rest in that for salvation.
Lets not forget that Guilianni isnt the opnly Catholic politician who “personally” abhors abortion,but supports it for political purposes.
Kennedy, Pelosi, Kerry and other Democrats are all ion the same Excommunicated boat.
Although they are all technically excommunicated automatically ,I will believe the Pope means business when he makes a public comment excommunicating those who are known to be guilty .
can members be expelled from the republican party???
this guy is the WORST candidate....!!!!!!
hardly a hint of conservatism anywhere. At least Kerry and Pelosi talk some trash about how they actually are ‘conservative’ catholics, Rudy is OPENLY and proud it seems to be an heretic!
“will he say this about AMERICAN politicians? If not, why not?”
NEVER happen to a Catholic dim... NEVER!!!!! They can break EVERY single COMMANDMENT (kennedy)... NEVER! Why not? The same reason Rudy won’t talk about it!
LLS
Rudy’s now in a quicksand pit of his own making,
I don’t think he’s getting out.
Is the right Reverend Al Sharpton Giuliana’s spiritual advisor? That would actually make a lot of sense. Come on, give me a ho-ho-ho here....oh, sorry Mr. Imus!!!
If the Pope would finally excommunicate all the CINOs in US national politics, it would remove a great offense to Christians who take God’s commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” seriously. Those who follow God cannot be in favor of killing His little ones.
Pro 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Pro 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Pro 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
Pro 21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Pro 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Isa 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
His arrogance is breathtaking.
It’s true. I am walking around my kitchen this morning, trying to catch my breath, after reading this post.
That made me smile! :-)
LLS
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know what the Pope is trying to say. He knows full well that our media would report what he said to the Mexicans. He did not say “I am talking about Mexican politicians only”. It is meant to be a warning to our politicians as well, being as though our elections are right around the corner.
I don't "hate" Jesus. I believe him to be the most compassionate, tolerant, understanding person who ever lived. That said, I have NO real proof that he is the son of god. What? Some superstitious flat-worlders claim so?
I have a major problem with the whole "worship" concept. WHY would the creator of the entire universe need to be worshipped? Why would such an entity have such a HUGE ego that he/she/it needs to be worshipped? It makes NO sense.
That said, I DO believe there is a grand design within the Universe. The "BIG BANG" happened and I believe that there was a purpose. NO man can comprehend such purpose.
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