I would wager major coin that there would be a major backlash if the Archbishop of Boston endorsed or condemned a candidate. Catholics in Massachusetts would support Kerry even MORE.
That's why I hope O'Malley does not imitate Burke in denying the Eucharist to Kerry before the election; he would likely cause Bush to lose lots of votes in a backlash.
Here, I agree with you. "Catholics" in Massachusetts, for the most part, are not Catholic: e.g. St. Kennedy.
I am assumming Bishop O'Malley is more interested in saving souls rather than votes. If Kerry had an ounce of decency (which I doubt he has), he would not receive the Eucharist knowing his supports the murder of unborn children.
You contradict yourself (more or less): You say in one post that the bishops should not endorse or criticize candidates because "that would cheapen their mission." Yet, when it comes to upholding the Church's teaching regarding sacrilegious reception of the Eucharist, you say they should take into account the fact that doing so could affect the election.
It is not a bishop's job to guess how his actions might affect an election. He should teach what the Church teaches, and enforce the Church's law, and let elections take care of themselves.
Our real problem is that we have some bishops who are honest-to-goodness atheists, and sought their positions entirely because it's the best way for them to exercise political influence. There are also many more who are Democrats first, and Catholic a distant second, third, or fourth.
You contradict yourself (more or less): You say in one post that the bishops should not endorse or criticize candidates because "that would cheapen their mission." Yet, when it comes to upholding the Church's teaching regarding sacrilegious reception of the Eucharist, you say they should take into account the fact that doing so could affect the election.
It is not a bishop's job to guess how his actions might affect an election. He should teach what the Church teaches, and enforce the Church's law, and let elections take care of themselves.
Our real problem is that we have some bishops who are honest-to-goodness atheists, and sought their positions entirely because it's the best way for them to exercise political influence. There are also many more who are Democrats first, and Catholic a distant second, third, or fourth.