Posted on 01/29/2004 6:30:44 AM PST by cpforlife.org
The emergence of Senator John Kerry as a presidential candidate raises crucial questions about how bishops may react, seeing that he presents himself both as a staunchly pro-choice politician and as a practicing Catholic. The issue is of immediate moment, for it is a time when bishops across the United States -- including on Kerry's home turf of Boston -- have been issuing statements or even canonical declarations warning those who favor abortion to abstain from the Eucharist.
Kerry represents Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate and hails from Boston. He has seized control of the Democratic primaries -- at least for the moment -- and professes to paid heed to his religion. "I am a believing and practicing Catholic, married to another believing and practicing Catholic," he has been quoted as saying.
But only a week ago, newly-installed Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley struck out against pro-choicers like Kerry, telling a Catholic website called LifeSiteNews.com, "These politicians should know that if they're not voting correctly on these life issues that they shouldn't dare come to Communion."
Those words appear at great odds with Kerry's voting record and may put him on a collision course with the Church, should he ever assume control of the Oval Office. In fact Kerry even opposes a ban on partial-birth abortion. According to his campaign website: "John Kerry believes that women have the right to control their own bodies, their own lives, and their own destinies. He believes that the Constitution protects their right to choose and to make their own decisions in consultation with their doctor, their conscience, and their God. He will defend this right as President. He recently announced he will support only pro-choice judges to the Supreme Court. Kerry also believes that we should promote family planning and health plans should assure women contraceptive coverage.
These positions are the perfect opposite of the Church's, and if elected his standing as a "practicing" Catholic could generate significant -- and perhaps even monumental controversy -- leaving open the possibility that America's second Catholic President could become the first to be prohibited from receiving Holy Communion, the Church's defining sacrament.
Just last November Archbishop Raymond L. Burke -- now in St. Louis but at the time bishop of LaCrosse, Wisconsin -- issued a canonical notification prohibiting the Eucharist for pro-choice lawmakers.
"Catholic legislators who are members of the faithful of the Diocese of La Crosse and who continue to support procured abortion or euthanasia may not present themselves to receive Holy Communion," said the notification. "They are not to be admitted to Holy Communion, should they present themselves, until such time as they publicly renounce their support of these most unjust practices." The document repeated the Vatican's teaching that Catholics involved in lawmaking have a "grave and clear obligation to oppose" any measure that is an attack on human life. "For them, as for every Catholic, it is impossible to promote such laws or to vote for them," it says.
This was followed by a statement by New Orleans Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes -- who less than two weeks ago said that "the Louisiana bishops are sending a copy of this document to each of our elected Catholic public officials in Baton Rouge and Washington. When Catholic officials openly support the taking of human life in abortion, euthanasia or the destruction of human embryos, they are no longer faithful members in the Church and should not partake of Holy Communion. Moreover, citizens who promote this unjust taking of human life by their vote or support of such candidates share in responsibility for this grave evil."
The need is to pray for the potential leaders, as opposed to simple condemnation. Can John Kerry return to faithful Catholicism?
Two different things. Divorce covers civil marriage; annulment means that the Church says the marriage was not valid. If you were married and got an annulment from the Church without a civil divorce, for all practical, legal, financial purposes (IRS, property, children, inheritance, etc.), you'd still be as married as ever, and the state wouldn't let you marry again (well, maybe in a bit, the way things are going . . .)
Blood On Their Hands: Exposing Pro-abortion Catholic Politicians
Kerry [Catholic} says he'll filibuster Supreme Court nominees who do not support abortion rights
PETITION TO EX-COMMUNICATE PRO-ABORTION CATHOLIC ELECTED OFFICIALS
Kerry says he alone hasn't 'played games' on abortion
AS KERRY EMERGES, SO DOES CONCERN THAT AS PRESIDENT HE MAY BE DENIED COMMUNION
Jackie Kennedy was never excommunicated. Divorce is not grounds for excommunication, and never has been. Divorce and remarriage, without a decree of nullity, formerly was. As far as I recall, Jackie Kennedy Onassis was never divorced, much less divorced and remarried.
I think that's correct. I've found several sources who refer to the application, but none that say the annulment was granted. Kerry divorced her, and then remarried without an annulment. I can't see how he can claim to be an observant Catholic after that.
It's also noted that his first wife, Julia Thome, came from a family that's worth close to $300m. He does like 'em rich, doesn't he?
Wow. The Church has changed from when I took religion class.
Childbearing has no relationship to the validity of the marital consent. A man could attempt marriage to his sister and have 10 kids by her, but that wouldn't make them married in the eyes of the Church.
Whatever "religion class" you took, you ought to ask for your money back.
Isn't he Jewish, like the rest of them?
BTW, have you heard, he is a Vietnam vet. Medals and all.
I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that he is the former. :-)
Lord, deliver us from self-righteous liberals...
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