Posted on 04/04/2004 5:19:07 PM PDT by Coleus
After an emotional debate on the Senate floor, the Illinois Democrat voted against a bill that made harming an unborn child a federal crime.
He then flew to Chicago, where despite a packed schedule he made it to Sunday mass at Old St. Patrick's Church in the West Loop.
"You can't have me until after mass on Sunday," the senator said in an interview last week in his Chicago office. "I really do look forward to it."
With Pope John Paul II calling last year for Catholic lawmakers to vote their conscience, in keeping with church teaching, some church leaders have been exploring the idea of denying communion to those, like Durbin, who do not toe the church line. Some bishops say they should be excommunicated.
Already Durbin says he hears from bishops at least 100 times a year on issues ranging from immigration reform, unemployment, education and foreign aid to gay marriage and abortion.
But to Durbin, his job is to represent his constituents, even if it means defying church teachings.
He acknowledges the bishops have a right to issue demands. "But I think the church leaders should pause and reflect on this," he said. The church should encourage parishioners to pursue public service, Durbin said, and the additional pressure does the opposite.
"It is tough to run for public office and face an opponent, to decide on issues what is the best thing, then face the criticism from colleagues, voters, the press and defend yourself," Durbin said. "Now add to that equation for a Catholic politician ... one last stop. The local bishop will announce whether your vote is appropriate and whether or not you're in good standing with the church as a result of that vote."
The prelate's attitude is a dramatic shift from the separation of church and state that bishops have endorsed in the past. In 1960, presidential candidate John F. Kennedy pointed to that position to argue that, if elected president, he would answer to the public, not the pope.
Recently, however, bishops have begun speaking out, such as by endorsing the concept of a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
Durbin supports church teachings on homosexuality but opposes the amendment. He also supports abortion rights.
That principle held true during the debate over a bill dubbed "Laci and Conner's Law" after Laci Petersen, the pregnant California woman found dead last year. Her husband is on trial for two murders.
Opponents of the bill, including Durbin, worried that declaring a fetus has rights might reopen the abortion debate. The bill passed.
"Personally I would counsel any woman who asked in my family to do her best to carry the child full term and I'd try to help," he said. "But I do believe the government should not prohibit a woman from making that decision."
For Durbin, 59, who grew up Catholic in East St. Louis, the possibility that the church would withhold Communion hurts, but does not sway his votes nor dissuade him from practicing his religion.
Religious keepsakes decorate his Washington office, and he rarely misses mass. However, he is reluctant to give interviews on his faith, saying he wants to avoid being cast as a pious politician, a role he has seen others abuse.
On Sunday at Old St. Patrick's, Durbin, with his wife, Loretta, made his way toward the altar to receive communion from Patricia Andersen, a eucharistic minister for almost 30 years. Andersen said she does not agree with all the church teachings. For example, she, too, supports abortion rights.
"I believe there are a lot of Catholics out there that feel the way Dick Durbin does. I'm one of them," Andersen said. "Does that mean I shouldn't be giving out Communion? I don't think so. I agree with most of what the church does. I've been a good Catholic all my life."
Rev. Thomas Hurley, who presided over the mass, said priests are faced with a dilemma. He sincerely believes life begins at the time of conception and knows that Durbin's voting record reflects the opposite.
"That's a hard thing to reconcile," Hurley said. "I know that there are probably bishops and people who would not agree with me. But I'm sorry. I'm first his priest. ... At the heart of it, he is first and foremost a man of faith."
Hurley said that does not mean Durbin should not be challenged. Faith should challenge everyone, he said.
"I think challenge is different than beating somebody up," he said. "You're not going to change hearts if you're not going to let them in the door."
That hospitality is what keeps Durbin coming back to Old St. Patrick's, even though he officially resides in Springfield. There, abortion opponents protested his worship at his church. He has not returned, so as not to cause parishioners discomfort.
Chicago's archbishop, Cardinal Francis George, has met privately with Durbin but prefers to avoid a public confrontation, said spokesman Jim Dwyer.
Despite some disagreements, Durbin said he cannot imagine practicing his faith in another church and looks up to the Catholic leadership.
"They have a great responsibility within the church and do wonderful things, a lot of great works to help people all over the United States and around the world," Durbin said. "But when they decide to cross the line into the American political scene, it becomes very complicated."
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Most CCI readers are familiar with the "Doctrinal Note on some questions regarding the participation of Catholics in political life." In this document, Pope John Paul II authorized the issuance of guidelines for Catholic public officials. The following excerpt from the Doctrinal Note represents our Church's position with respect to critical issues facing society today:
"When political activity comes up against moral principles that do not admit of exception, compromise or derogation, the Catholic commitment becomes more evident and laden with responsibility. In the face of fundamental and inalienable ethical demands, Christians must recognize that what is at stake is the essence of the moral law, which concerns the integral good of the human person. This is the case with laws concerning abortion and euthanasia (not to be confused with the decision to forgo extraordinary treatments, which is morally legitimate). Such laws must defend the basic right to life from conception to natural death. In the same way, it is necessary to recall the duty to respect and protect the rights of the human embryo.
Analogously, the family needs to be safeguarded and promoted, based on monogamous marriage between a man and a woman, and protected in its unity and stability in the face of modern laws on divorce: in no way can other forms of cohabitation be placed on the same level as marriage, nor can they receive legal recognition as such. The same is true for the freedom of parents regarding the education of their children; it is an inalienable right recognized also by the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. In the same way, one must consider society's protection of minors and freedom from modern forms of slavery (drug abuse and prostitution, for example).
In addition, there is the right to religious freedom and the development of an economy that is at the service of the human person and of the common good, with respect for social justice, the principles of human solidarity and subsidiarity, according to which «the rights of all individuals, families, and organizations and their practical implementation must be acknowledged».[21] Finally, the question of peace must be mentioned. Certain pacifistic and ideological visions tend at times to secularize the value of peace, while, in other cases, there is the problem of summary ethical judgments which forget the complexity of the issues involved. Peace is always «the work of justice and the effect of charity».[22] It demands the absolute and radical rejection of violence and terrorism and requires a constant and vigilant commitment on the part of all political leaders."
How politicians like Durbin can flaunt this teaching and present themselves for Communion continues to be a mystery befuddling faithful Catholics everywhere.
Durbin and other Catholic Politicians support:
Partial-birth abortion: dispelling the myths
Partial Birth Abortion Ban Court Transcripts (Please read & Forward to EVERYONE)
Senate Passes Unborn Victims Bill, heads to President Bush
Catholic Citizens condemn Durbin and Harkin's "anti-Catholic bigotry"
Sen. Richard Durbin's (D-IL) Catholic Fam. Asn. Scorecard
Catholic Durbin has a 100% Pro-homosexual Record with the Human Rights Campaign! Page 11
CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
DOCTRINAL NOTE
on some questions regarding
The Participation of Catholics in Political Life
Living the Gospel of Life:
A Challenge to American Catholics
A Statement by the Catholic Bishops of the United States
Faithful Citizenship:
Civic Responsibility for a New Millennium
Canon Law and Abortion
Sign Petition: To Excommunicate
The Gospel of Life--Evangelium Vitae
Herod's Heroes, Sign Petition
But I also believe the "Gates of hell will not prevail against it"...
Anyone have any idea about why so many formerly "good Catholics" have become Pentecostals in recent times?
Yep. God help them.
Pro Abortion Catholic United States Senators.
Senator Durbin of Illinois, was very much on that list as I recall.
.
The Deadly Dozen
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
CALIFORNIA’S DEADLY DOZEN
Sign Petition: To Excommunicate
Crusade for the Defense of our Church
Herod's Heroes, Sign Petition
Sen. Richard Durbin's (D-IL) Catholic Fam. Asn. Scorecard
Catholic Durbin has a 100% Pro-homosexual Record with the Human Rights Campaign! Page 11
Illinois and in particular, Chicago Politics. You'd have to excommunicate better than half of state government and virtually the entire government of the city. Though I get the impression from that posting by NWU Army ROTC last month that George may be coming around to our way of thinking.
That's what that woman down in Houston did - killed 'em all, and got off scot-free!
You don't think the legality of abortion affected the jury's attitudes in that case?
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