Roman Catholic church raises some eyebrows by warning politicians

St. Louis Post-Dispatch. ^ | 2/7/044 | Phillip O'Connor

[Valin]

For a long time in American politics, many voters believed that the election of a Catholic president would lead the country under the sway of the pope on state matters, according to presidential historians. The election of John F. Kennedy buried those perceptions.

[Eisenhower]

I've always wondered how so many Catholics can say that they are pro-choice, etc., and still claim to be following their faith. This article just brings to light one of the more prominent ones right now. I'm proud of the priest mentioned in this article, I'd do the same thing if I were in his position. Kerry and others like him give us Catholics a bad name. Thanks for the article.

[GreenCell]

I fully support the Catholic Church on this stance. If, as a member of a particular organization (Church or Boy Scouts) you go against their teachings/beliefs, than go elsewhere.
The organization doesn't want you nor do the true member.

[1stFreedom]

but that he disagreed with him on the issue of choice

No bias here, huh?

[Chris Talk]

The issue is a simple one of honesty and truth in advertising. A person who is NOT a Catholic ought not to claim he IS one.

And a person who is in favour of abortion, gay marriage, and the whole social rot in America today is NO CATHOLIC...
probably no Christian at ALL....

[Kirkwood]

I didn't think Kerry was a practicing Catholic.

[Kirkwood]

I didn't think Kerry was a practicing Catholic.

[Republic If You Can Keep It]

and if you want to be Catholic, some things are non-negotiable

Correct.

Those who legislate sin are no longer Catholics.

[Gabz]

Good article.

[TalBlack]

He said it was not appropriate in the United States for a lawmaker to legislate personal religious beliefs for the rest of the country.

Who told Kerry that this was a personal religious view? Is prosecuting murder a "personal religious view"? Is religion as a source of ones beliefs with respect to society and good public order out of line or unconstitutional? If so when did this come about in America? Its news to me that,say, an atheist, may recommend any position in Law but that a Jew or Christian may not!

Will anyone in the media ask these quesrtions of Kerry? No.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

It's one thing for the Catholic church to behave like any other interest group and say, 'We have these positions and hope people will be persuaded by these positions.' That doesn't raise fears," said John Green, an Akron University professor who studies the intersection of religion and politics. "But when it gets to the next level, where religious sanctions are used against politicians because of positions they take. . ., that does raise some of the fears that people had back in the 1960s. I think that tends to increase the concern that the church may be playing an inappropriate role in democracy."

This is so Barbra Streisand.

First of all, churches are permitted to speak up on issues, but not on partisan candidates.

Secondly, they are permitted to control what is appropriate for their religion beliefs, so the esteemed prof is full of horse manure.

[NeoCaveman]

But today, growing calls by church leaders about the duty of Catholic politicians to oppose issues ranging from abortion to euthanasia to gay marriage or face sanction is reviving questions among some political scientists and others about the church's role in politics.

You can be Catholic
You can be a pro-death politician
But you can't be a Catholic pro-death politican

I know, there are atleast a dozen of them in the Senate, but times they are a changin'

[Gabz]

Yes, and we have had this discussion, which is why I thought to bring this to your attention!

[Rushian]

Since I'm not Kerry's confessor, I can't speak for his Catholicity. However, it is my understanding that he is divorced and remarried, and his first wife is still living. If that is the case, he cannot recieve Communion for that reason, no matter his position on abortion.

[NeoCaveman]

I know. I just wanted to contribute that to this thread too :-)

[patton]

"Because if you're receiving Holy Communion in a state of grave sin, you're committing another sin," he said.

Question asked, and answered.

[shootergrassyknoll]

Just proves that abortion should not be a political issue, how in the hell did abortion get into the chambers of congress for debate! This is a moral issue and I could care less what Kerry are anyone else thinks about the issue! Its the economy stupid!

[Paleoguy]

"We have to be cautious about this. These fears are most plausible when it comes to things like denying Catholic politicians Communion. That's a religious sanction. It's one thing to say we think Senator Kerry is wrong. But it's quite another to deny the means of grace because of a political position."

This is moronic. The Catholic Church has a set of beliefs. Abortion is one of them. If he chooses to defy the Church's teachings, he is free to do so. But the Church is then also free to act accordingly and deny him Communion. This clown is speaking as though Kerry has a "right" to have Communion.

The Latin Mass, A Cultural Counterattack

[linton59]

I also would like to know about the first Mrs. Kerry. I wonder if they used the disgraceful cop-out of annulment. (To me that would make the daughters ilegitimate.) I understand that recently His Ketchupness has been abstaining on abortion votes...trying to get out of this. Three cheers for these priests...(now I hope they will stop annulment for any marriages longer than Brittany's.)

[GeronL]

"But when it gets to the next level, where religious sanctions are used against politicians because of positions they take. . ., that does raise some of the fears that people had back in the 1960s. I think that tends to increase the concern that the church may be playing an inappropriate role in democracy."

A church has every right to make its own membership rules!