Posted on 09/03/2004 2:21:12 PM PDT by AskStPhilomena
Archbishop Raymond Burke is giving St. Louis Catholics a way to vote for politicians who support abortion rights without commiting a grave sin or having to go to confession. In his latest clarification of controversial comments he made earlier this summer, Burke said Thursday he believes Catholics could vote for a politician who supports abortion rights as long as that's not the reason they are voting for the candidate, and they believe the politician's stance on other moral issues outweighs the abortion-rights stance. Previously, Burke had said Catholics who vote for a politician who supports abortion rights were committing a grave sin and must confess before receiving Communion. Those earlier comments - echoed by some other bishops around the nation - stirred up criticism from some area politicians, especially Democrats who felt the archbishop was overstepping his bounds and unfairly targeting Sen. John Kerry, the Democratic presidential nominee who supports abortion rights.
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
I think what I never did before was distinguish the two cases," he said. "One of the reasons I didn't go into it then, but have now, is that it is difficult to imagine what that proportionate reason would be
Another quote from the article
Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, Cardinal Rigali's people are preparing candidates' questionnaires which have as their top issue "Equitable Housing". Though, in fairness to the Archdiocese, leaders in the Philly pro-life movement are expecting mostly to be left alone, which allows the laity to get the message out, except in those situations where an individual pastor is hostile toward genuine Catholic issues.
Once again an Amchurch bishop leaves it up to one's "conscience". To hell with church teaching.
"If your OK with it, I'm OK with it".
Amen. I am genuinely jealous of the folks in St. Louis.
"That's the question that has to be answered in your conscience."
Anyone with half a brain realizes that serial baby-killers don't own a Catholic conscience.
Appealing to their consciences is about as effective as "dialogue" with John Kerry.
First, Bishop Burke accepts a trans-sexual (as if most of our religious communities don't have enough problems with disordered sexuality), and now he opens the door to people who applaud savage serial-killing.
That's not my definition of a good bishop.
He may be marginally better than Mahony - but he's a long way short of an Athanasius.
"Do not look to the Church to save society."
The modern Church can't even save our churches, let alone anything else.
He was a paranoid schizophrenic.
In what way? He was worried his dogs were not coming to heaven with him?
Nah. We knew he was nuts when he told us he wished his name was Mick.
Actually, based on the stances taken by the Pope, is there a candidate, even minor party, whose beliefs do not violate the teachings of the church?
Remember, while abortion is the story in the press, the Pope also condemns the death penalty and the War in Iraq.
If voting for someone who doesn't 100% follow the church is a sin, anyone who votes is guilty.
What was his real name? John Paul Sinkspur?
This has always been my understanding of what the Vatican has advised in the past so it makes sense to me. I believe that when the more comprehensive explanation comes out,that is basically what Burke will say. Hope I am right.
One of the biggest problems these days is that people assume a certain level of intelligence exists in the citizens of this country. The level they assume is probably 15 or 20 points higher than the 20 point span that encompasses the "average". They also assume that the "educators" are of good intent,very often they are not of good intent. They also don't factor in the fact that just about everyone thinks they have a right to their "opinion",totally forgetting that opinions not based on facts or reality mean absolutely nothing except they reflect an emotional feeling.'
You can see on this board several people who are ready to go off either teaching error or throwing in the towel on another Bishop. Both positions are hurtful to the Church and wrong.
Does the Kerry campaign, the DNC or other left wing group have something on ABp. Burke?
I just find it too bizarre to be any other way, this statement is 180 degrees from every other statement he has made on the subject.
Somebody got to him
Which begs the question how many leaders does the American Church have with the integrity to publically make controversial stands?
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