Bishop: No Communion for Abortion Backers

AP ^ | 1/8/04 | AP

[Jaded]

Bishop: No Communion for Abortion Backers

LA CROSSE, Wis. - State and federal lawmakers who support abortion rights can no longer receive Holy Communion in the Diocese of La Crosse, Bishop Raymond Burke ordered in a decree made public Thursday.

Priests of parishes where such lawmakers attend Mass must withhold communion from them until the lawmakers publicly renounce their support of abortion rights, Burke said in the decree, posted on the diocese's Web site.

Burke also has written letters to three Roman Catholic lawmakers, telling them they risked their faith if they continued to vote for measures he termed "anti-life," including abortion and euthanasia.

Burke was named archbishop of St. Louis in December and will be installed there later this month. Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II has yet to name Burke's replacement.

State Sen. Julie Lassa, a Democrat, received a letter from Burke and has said she would not let religion decide how she serves her constituents.

Judie Brown, president of the Washington, D.C.-based American Life League, praised Burke and called his move a "historic first step forward in dealing with the problem of pro-abortion Catholic political figures."

The Diocese of La Crosse is home to more than 200,000 Catholics in 169 parishes in west-central Wisconsin, according to its Web site. ___

On the Net:

Catholic Diocese of La Crosse: http://www.dioceseoflacrosse.com

[Desdemona]

At least the Catholic politicians here have been warned ahead of time. Although, I think there's only one who would have a problem. The only really prominant pro-choice, Catholic politician in town died in November.

If he has the intestinal fortitude to do this with the politicians, I can't wait to see what he does with St. Francis Xavier. Who knows, they might actually have to put an organ back in that church.

[painter]

"One could consider a legislative vote in favour abortion to be participating in the commission of abortion."

That would make you an accessary before the fact.

In other words the legislator might as well help the abortionist do the deed.

[ninenot]

In other words the legislator might as well help the abortionist do the deed

Yup.

[EODGUY]

You have synopsized the focus of Archbishop Burke's remarks.....remarks that the recipients thereof seek to distort to suit their own agenda. Well done!

If a running back for the Packers expressed displeasure with a play called by Favre and said he refused to run it, I suspect if his "personal conviction" could not be changed by Brett, the offensive coordinator, head coach/general manager or the owner, the back would be cleaning out his personal possessions from the Green Bay locker room forthwith.

He can still play professional football (although I think coaches would look at him with a wary eye), but he cannot claim to be a Green Bay Packer if he does not ascribe to the dictates of that organization, i.e.: the contents of the playbook.

Archbishop Burke who, it saddens me to say is leaving my daughter's diocese, is NOT telling any legislator how to vote...contrary to those who would love to disseminate that falsehood. He states the obvious. You cannot act consistantly and without remorse in a manner contrary to the tenets of a faith you profess to espouse and expect to be considered a devout member of that religious organization.

The argument may be presented that we all sin, which is true, however, it is requisite of the penitent to not only seek forgiveness via the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but most importantly, a condition of the absolution of his/her sins is the heartfelt promise to God to do their best to "avoid sin or the near occasion of sin". A legislator who fully intends to speak in favor of and vote for the abominable practice of legalized infanticide has turned his/her back on the Catholic faith, and in fact, violates the tenets of many orthodox religions.

I believe Archbishop Burke is simply seeking first and foremost that those involved experience an epiphany and recognize the sanctity of all life, but until that occurs, cease the hypocrisy of claiming to espouse the Catholic faith while violating its basic tenet. The message is clear....you cannot be a Catholic in good standing and be pro-abortion.

[sinkspur]

"Bishop Burke has a right to instruct me on matters of faith and morals in my private life and - like any other citizen - to try by persuasion, not dictation, to affect my vote on any public matter. But, when he attempts to use his ecclesiastical position to dictate to American public officials how the power of law should be brought to bear against Americans who do not necessarily share our religious beliefs, on abortion or any other public issue, he crosses the line into unacceptable territory.

The bishop is not doing that Davey. He's telling you that the way you vote on the power of law is contrary to Catholic teaching.

Part of moral suasion is to make certain that the object of that suasion is aware that his actions must conform with the teachings one professes to believe.

Burke is perfectly consistent; Obey is not.

[Barnacle]

If only the German Bishops had been this courageous 70 years ago.

The tragic truth is that there are little Auschwitzes spread across this great nation. And, they have killed more people than all the Nazi concentration camps combined.

We call it “women’s rights”. But, since when is it moral to bestow the right to a woman or a man to kill another?

[ninenot]

Dave Obey is still PO'd that the Dems are a minority; he's a lifer in Congress and is not about to put up with some Bishop telling HIM what to do or how to believe.

The 'spin' will ALWAYS be that "I'm representing my District...and the Constitution....Church and State....Papist Dictators...Torquemada..."

Wonder how that spin will play with St. Pete at the Pearlies?

[RobbyS]

Even our abortion law is justified by the pretense that it allows abortions for the mother's health, except that "health" is so broadly construed that there is no limit on the power of the physician. As a matter of fact almost all abortions fall under the category of discretionary surgery, like a nosejob.

[RobbyS]

McCaskill knows that the archbishop has given her fair warning.

[RobbyS]

There is further that the Catholic argument against abortion is based on "natural Law "as well as faith. Every American legislator is bound by that same law. Of course, most reject that approach including many liberal Catholics. Cuomo's famous speech at Notre Dame is founded on a rejection of natural law.

[GirlShortstop]

If a running back for the Packers expressed displeasure with a play called by Favre ...

Point well made.  Mind if I use it and insert Eagles, and McNabb in the place of the two soon-to-be-vacationers that you used?   vbg  :-)

[RobbyS]

"The U.S. Constitution, which I have taken a sacred oath to defend, is designed to protect American citizens from just such authoritarian demands." Now the U.S. Constitution overrides his baptismal vows? Thomas More went to the block rather than subscribe to this belief.

[ninenot]

'Scuse us.

McNabb is over-rated. The Philly defense has carried the team, as you well know.

As to tomorrow's joust: the team which makes the mistake will lose. If GB plays as well as they can, it will be a VERY good game, and Philly will be eating cheesesteaks while watching GB defeat St. Louis next week.

[GirlShortstop]

GB plays as well as they can, it will be a VERY good game, and Philly will be eating cheesesteaks while watching GB defeat St. Louis next week.

GB *and* St Louis are gonna licking their wounds    :-p

[AnimalLover]

Good to have a reference of the Bishops' listing

Thanks a million for this input. It is greatly appreciated!

[EODGUY]

Be my guest, GST. But I doubt Brett would consider the Packers'continuing on to play in the Superbowl a vacation. :)))))

I am just looking forward to a good game today.

[GirlShortstop]

But I doubt Brett would consider the Packers'continuing on to play in the Superbowl a vacation. :)))))        Good one!

I am just looking forward to a good game today.        As am I.  I'm not optimistic that any game today could surpass, nor match last night's NFC game.   WOW!!!    FReegards.

[EODGUY]

We had a previous engagement last night so I missed the game. I guess I missed a good one!

Hopefully we'll see a real shoot-out today. :)

Take care.

[the invisib1e hand]

Go baby!

[the invisib1e hand]

Go baby!

pun at no extra charge!