The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 2

1. There is but one only,^a living, and true God,^b who is infinite in being and perfection,^c a most pure spirit,^d invisible,^e without body, parts,^f or passions;^g immutable,^h immense,ⁱ eternal,^k incomprehensible, ^l almighty,^m most wise,ⁿ most holy,^o most free,^p most absolute;^q working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will,^r for his own glory;^s most loving,^t gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin;^u the rewarder of them that diligently seek him;^w and withal, most just, and terrible in his judgments,^x hating all sin,^y and who will by no means clear the guilty.^z

2. God hath all life,^a glory,^b goodness,^c blessedness,^d in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made,^e nor deriving any glory from them,^f but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them. He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things;^g and hath most sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them whatsoever himself pleaseth.^h In his sight all things are open and manifest,ⁱ his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature,^k so as nothing is to him contingent, or uncertain.^l He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands.^m To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience he is pleased to require of them.ⁿ

3. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost:^o the Father is of none, neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father;^p the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son.^q

***If that is truly the case, then at least the officers may agree and not deny the belief that the Pope is the Anti-Christ. As I have previously posted, this position has been posted more than once on these forums and, when posted, was not denied or repudiated.***

So why do proabortion Catholic politicians take the Eucharist? If I were a Catholic, I'd find that much more disturbing than searching for a boogeyman in other confessions.

Thanks for the post. Like I said before, I have a very good friend who is a serious Presbyterian here in Baton Rouge, LA where I live. His Church, the largest Presbyterian CHurch in LA, left the PCUSA and is going to join a different Presbyterian Fellowship. His pastor has been frequently quoting from Pope Benedict’s “Jesus of Nazareth”, so I have anecdotal evidence that at least First Presbyterian in Baton Rouge, LA does not hold to the position that the Pope of Rome is the antichrist.

I have always had more respect for the Historic Protestant Confessions (Lutherans, Traditional Anglicans, and Reformed) than the recent Protestant groups that have sprung up in the last 100 years, as there are many core doctrines we all hold in common as Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Historical Protestants. At least you all have a position which clearly states where you stand and I as a Catholic can appreciate that, even though I disagree with some of the positions of the Reformed Confessions.

On your point about Pro-Abortion/Choice Catholic Politicians receiving Holy COmmunion, that is an issue that is widely discussed on Catholic Blogs. Trust me, it is an issue, and it has begun to get more attention at the Bishop’s level. As of now, Rome has made its position clear, but not given directions to the Local Bishop as to how to “pastorally handle the question”. Still, there are some Bishops who are beginning to tell politicans that if you continue to promote Abortion policies, you should not present yourself for Holy Communion. Just recently, Cardinal Egan of NY reprimanded Rudy Guiliani for taking Holy COmmunion at the Papal Mass. The Bishop of Kansas City, MO issued a letter telling the governor of Kansas or MO, I can’t recall which Governor, is not to take Holy COmmunion until her public position on that issue changes.

I know Abp Burke of St. Louis has issued similar statements on the abortion and Communion question. Perhaps other Catholics on Free Republic can provide other cases in the U.S. that I can’t recall of the top of my head.

Once again, thanks for your post in response to mine.

Regards

I don’t think I ever stated that Pro-Abortion politicians speak for me. I reject abortion as a grav moral injustice and sin. I was just responding to Gamecock’s statement.

However, while the Westminster Confessions did speak for the Reformed Confessions, and still do (with some modifications as I have learned from Gamecock), in no instance to politicians of any stripe (Dem, Independent, Rep, etc) speak for the Church. That job is the Bishop of Rome and the Bishops in communion with him (e.g., Magisterium).

Regards

I don’t know the reason for your seeming rebuke to me.

I was concurring with what you wrote in paragraphs 3 and 4 of your post #23.

“That job is the Bishop of Rome and the Bishops in communion with him”. I agree totally with this.

I have spent the years since Roe V . Wade working in Catholic Pro-life groups and initiatives.

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