Gov. Granholm again publicly defies Church: advocates recognition for same sex couples

Detroit News via www.StopGranholm.com ^ | 2-16-2003 | staff

[Notwithstanding]

Detroit, Mich. -- Hot on the heels of a Catholic high school rejecting a lunch with Michigan's Catholic governor over her pro-abortion stance, Gov. Granholm has again publicly rejected the teachings of the Catholic Church to which she claims to be a member -- this time over the issue of recognizing homosexual unions.

According to a Feb. 14th Detroit News article entitled "Same-sex couples challenge law: Gays want right to marry," Gov. Granholm again reiterated her support for recognizing same-sex unions in spite of Catholic teaching which prohibits such recognition.

The News article reported that Elizabeth Boyd, the governor's spokeswoman, said the governor "does support something that would recognize a commitment between same sex couples."

However, a Jan. 16, 2003 statement issued by the Vatican entitled "Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life," indicated that "in no way can other forms of cohabitation be placed on the same level as marriage, nor can they receive legal recognition as such."

The Note was "directed to the Bishops of the Catholic Church" and particularly "to Catholic politicians and all lay members of the faithful called to participate in the political life of democratic societies."

As of now, Granholm's Bishop, Adam Cardinal Maida, has not addressed Gov. Granholm's status in the Catholic in spite of her repeated public denials of Church teaching.

CHURCH & TRUTH PROJECT - ACTION ALERT:

Please contact Adam Cardinal Maida to encourage him to address Gov. Jennifer Granholm's status as a Catholic in light of her repeated public denial of the teachings of the Catholic Church. You may contact Cardinal Maida at:

His Eminence Adam Cardinal Maida Archdiocese of Detroit 1234 Washington Blvd. Detroit, MI 48226-1825 Phone: 313-237-5816 Fax: 313-237-4642

[Pan_Yans Wife]

The last two paragraphs are chilling... how can one person judge another person's faith commitment? I have never understood excommunication in the Catholic faith. Is that what the writer is calling for? Is that what the Pope has stated?

[Frank_2001]

A Catholic can be excommunicated for having, performing or facilitating an abortion, spreading heresy, or violating the seal of Confession (applies only to priests). Serious matters indeed, but reconciliation is always possible!

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Thanks for the information.

[fieldmarshaldj]

It's time Catholics start excommunicating these extremist nut politicians that blatantly go against the teachings of the church. They'll have to decide whether adhering to the faith or selling their souls for high office is more important. Jenny Grandstand is first, Gray Davis is next, and then the Kennedys...

[TheGrimReaper]

It was perhaps convenient for those people to be Catholic when they ran for office.
Now, they've discovered other constituencies (gays, in this case), and it has again become convenient for them to discard certain Catholic tenets.
When the political winds change direction again, you can bet that new "beliefs" will be adopted or old ones rejected - whatever is expedient for the moment.

When people like Granholm are asked to "stand on principle"... they have to sit down.

[jimkress]

The last two paragraphs are chilling... how can one person judge another person's faith commitment?

You don't follow the rules, you get kicked out. It's a pretty clear concept.

If you want different rules, start your own church.

[templar]

... how can one person judge another person's faith commitment?

Maybe by observing whether their words and actions are consistant with the tnents of the faith they profess.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Well, I am not Catholic, but I did attend Madonna University, in Livonia, MI. I read the previous post about Mercy H.S., which I am familiar with. So, I know a little about the Catholic faith. My point is, I thought Christ and the Holy Spirit, intervene on your behalf, join you in your prayers to God. I never need to rely on the faith of a priest, or the Pope, to determine the depth of my faith. God does that, on his own. In the article, my question was specifically about whether or not another parishoner could claim to know how your faith is viewed by God. The judgement belongs to God, not to man. This seems more like a political attack, than it does a true religious one, that is why I questioned the article.

[templar]

A Catholic can be excommunicated for ... spreading heresy, ...

You seem to be familiar with this. So, out of curiosity, let me ask a question. What would a Catholic consider to be heresy? Would it only be in relation to the original Gospel itself or would it include the other teachings of the Church as well?

[txzman]

What would a Catholic consider to be heresy? Would it only be in relation to the original Gospel itself or would it include the other teachings of the Church as well?

Tradition and the Gospel have equal weight in the Catholic Church.

Good example - In Ineffabilis Deus, in 1854, Pius IX declared that Mary was conceived immaculate by anticipation of the merits of Christ. It soon followed that Mary somehow went to heaven without dying.

Nothing of either is in the Bible, anywhere, anyhow. Except of course of the strained logic of the RCC.

For a great example of the Church's non-logic see Luther's "Bondage of the Will" and his replies to Erasmus.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I see that as being a very dangerous practice, even hypocritical. So many people are quick to judge another person's salvation. To me, this shows a low self esteem on the part of the questioner, a need to say, "See, I need not worry! I am a better Christian than you! God will have more favor for me, than for you!" The work of Christ really simplified everything... believe only in ME, and you are saved. Anything else that we try to add, seems to just obscure his message, and make it more difficult for others to grasp. "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven."

[Siobhan]

Thank you for the information, Notwithstanding -- although it is simply horrible!

I will begin making calls in the morning.

Calling all faithful Catholics to action against the Governor of Michigan.

[Siobhan]

I encourage you to read the new Catechism of the Catholic Church. Knowledge of it could keep you from silly errors.

[RobbyS]

For a great example of the Church's non-logic see Luther's "Bondage of the Will" and his replies to Erasmus. Don't know what you could mean by this, ecept that the teachings of the Church are not consistent with Luther's peculiar interpretation of the Bible.

[templar]

I see that as being a very dangerous practice, even hypocritical.

You seem to have read something I didn't write. Or have me mixed up with someone else. I didn't mention salvation at all, and your post which I replied to didn't either. I said we can observe the words and deeds of someone in relation to the principles they profess as their faith and determine whether they follow (or try to follow) that faith. Something we should all do. Something everyone here does or else there would never be any criticism of politicians, leaders, liberals, and so on and so forth for their double standards and lies. You apparently understand this or you wouldn't be able to use the word 'hypocrite' in you conversation. Anyone who does not do this ends up seriously messed up with their lives.

[Polycarp]

Maybe he should read more about his hero, the mad man Luther, before casting aspersions at Christ's Church.

The section on the Reformation in "Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church: A 2,000-Year History " would be a great place to start!

[Siobhan]

"Triumph" is a most excellent reading suggestion. The author is a brilliant and delightful man of faith and courage.

[Polycarp]

I read the section on Luther last night to my ten year old.

He was incredulous! His eyes got so wide, and he exclaimed, "Dad, how could anyone follow that guy?!? He was a mad man!"

And that after editing out Crocker's quotations from Luther's mouth decribing his farting and other less appealing "battles with the devil."

And some have the unmitigated gall to refer us to this fiend's writings here?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I was replying to your post number 8.

Perhaps the confusion is between discernment and judgement.

The article seems to be calling for a review of the Governor's standing in the church, as if the writer could assume that she is not worthy of remaining in the church. I see this as a judgement on behalf of the writer, trying to remove the Governor from the church.

I just wonder if the writer could stand up to the same scrutiny. To me, this is judgement.

Discernment would call for a better understanding of the Governor's faith statement, if you will... actually trying to get to the heart of the matter, "Why does the Governor believe this, etc." I do not see how the writer could effect the status of the Governor's faith. Is that truly the right and just method?

Is it a matter of removing her from the CATHOLIC CHURCH, but NOT the "CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST"... if you can understand the difference that I am alluding to? Removing her from the church rolls, but not removing her from the love of Christ?

We must all use discernment, when practicing our own faith. But, shouldn't we also be careful of doubting the faith of others? Only God can determine whether or not others belong in the fold.