Posted on 03/31/2009 12:01:32 PM PDT by NYer
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich converted to Roman Catholicism over the weekend at St. Joseph's Church in Washington, D.C. So far, Gingrich has been conspicuously quiet about his conversion. He didn't mention it in an interview with me earlier this month that focused on his stepped-up efforts to organize religious conservatives and promote religious liberty issues.
An enthusiastic Twitterer, the former speaker has gone tweetless since Saturday. Best I can tell, Newt's one recent mention of Catholicism was a tweet last Tuesday about President Obama's forthcoming appearance at Notre Dame: "It is sad to see notre dame invite president obama to give the commencement address Since his policies are so anti catholic values."
I checked with his media team, which says that Newt is declining interview requests about his conversion for now but that he may open up later in the year.
Zetman:
Excellence is correct in his/her post. The relevant official statement in support of what Excellence stated can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1665, which reads
“The remarriage of persons divorced from a living, lawful spouse contravenes the plan and law of God as taught by Christ. They are not separated from the Church, but they cannot receive Eucharistic communion. They will lead Christian lives especially by educating their children in the faith.”
So one is not “excommunicated” but must refrain from taking Holy Communion.
With that said, I think what we all should say is “welcome Home Newt”
Pax et bonum
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.