Catholic Church asks Tom Daschle to stop calling himself a Catholic

Weekly Standard (via Matt Drudge) ^ | April 17, 2003 | SB00

[SB00]

TOM DASCHLE may no longer call himself a Catholic. The Senate minority leader and the highest ranking Democrat in Washington has been sent a letter by his home diocese of Sioux Falls, sources in South Dakota have told The Weekly Standard, directing him to remove from his congressional biography and campaign documents all references to his standing as a member of the Catholic Church.

This isn't exactly excommunication--which is unnecessary, in any case, since Daschle made himself ineligible for communion almost 20 years ago with his divorce and remarriage to a Washington lobbyist. The directive from Sioux Falls' Bishop Robert Carlson is rather something less than excommunication--and, at the same time, something more: a declaration that Tom Daschle's religious identification constitutes, in technical Catholic vocabulary, a grave public scandal. He was brought up as a Catholic, and he may still be in some sort of genuine mental and spiritual relation to the Church. Who besides his confessor could say? But Daschle's consistent political opposition to Catholic teachings on moral issues--abortion, in particular--has made him such a problem for ordinary churchgoers that the Church must deny him the use of the word "Catholic."

[edwin hubble]

"Do you not think that the bishop has a tin ear? "

The bishop knows very well what he is doing.

Just as we are all finding a great sense of clarity at the open break with France (who had been a 'friend' who showed thinly veiled contempt)...

The church will benefit from the clarity of forcing an open break with one who shows open contempt for its teachings and while benefitting politically from feigning an affiliation.

[Barnacle]

It’s a great day to be Catholic.

[floriduh voter]

Gosh, it's so surreal that his last name defines him. All I can say is "eureka"! That might be a subtle but indelible way to insult him.

[floriduh voter]

Yes. When I first saw this today, all I could post was "wow" like you did. TD has painted himself into a proverbial corner.

[MrPeanut]

There is no difference between Middle Age Catholics and modern age Islam.

[Future Snake Eater]

...a declaration that Tom Daschle's religious identification constitutes, in technical Catholic vocabulary, a grave public scandal.

I have more than my share of problems and complaints with Daschle, but I'd say the Catholic Church has larger problems with which to contend (pedophile priests) than some punk who uses their title in his bio.

[cpforlife.org]

Amen!

[MrPeanut]

dido...

[Barnacle]

Thanks for that profound and insightful opinion.

[MrPeanut]

It's not an opinion.It is a fact. Prove me wrong.

[Theodore R.]

No, I think they are AFRAID of their parishoners -- fearful that they will drop out of church and quit contributing funds if the church comes down too hard on the favorite liberal politicians of the American Catholic community.

[ninenot]

who did he point to as being against the war

It has been stated several times: the Pope's comments on the war were DELIBERATELY skewed by the AP and Reuters reports.

The Pope attempted to avert war and to remind the President that war 'is a last resort.'

The Pope did NOT call the war "immoral" or "unjust."

You can read the original statements in www.zenit.org and compare them to the AP/Reuters spin.

[Barnacle]

I'm sorry, but I think all established religion is dangerous to human freedom. Any group of people who think theirs is the the only way leads to nothing.

You think could adapt that philosophy to government too. Let me guess… you’re a Libertarian, right?

[ninenot]

Look, the Bishop simply told the deeply saddened American Hypocrite that he could not call himself "Catholic."

He doesn't tell the Deeply Saddened Hypocrite how to vote, as ought to be obvious to even the MOST uninformed American.

[Barnacle]

There is no difference between Middle Age Catholics and modern age Islam... It's not an opinion. It is a fact. Prove me wrong.

I'm going to bed. Anyone care to straighten out this Bozo?

[ninenot]

Doesn't appear as though a reasoned discussion is his cup of tea.

[MrPeanut]

I'm not a Bozo, and you are out of line. You should be kicked off this forum.

[MrPeanut]

Have a good sleep in your white hood.

[Polycarp]

I'm not a Bozo, and you are out of line. You should be kicked off this forum.

Sorry, Bozo, you're the one posting the typical KKK anti-Catholic drivel and/or atheistic anti-Christian drivel.

You are out of line, and I'm formally requesting the mods to review your abusive posts.

[Terriergal]

You guys must agree, that this sounds like a good move on the part of the Church, if it's true!