[NYer]

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites), shown here at St. Anthony's shrine in Boston in June 2004, is often spotted in Church* on Sundays receiving communion, but his position on abortion puts him in a difficult position with the US Catholic hierarchy.(AFP/File/Stephen Jaffe)

* - The Paulist Center attracts Catholics uncomfortable with some of the Vatican's orthodox teachings or who otherwise feel alienated from the Roman Catholic Church.

The congregation includes gay couples, whose adopted children are baptized there, unlike in some other Boston parishes. In November, its leaders refused to read aloud during Mass from a letter opposing gay marriage, as requested by the Massachusetts bishops.

The center does not resemble a traditional church, but is housed among a row of brownstones. A band plays during worship, and the lyrics are projected onto the wall above the pulpit so parishioners can sing along.

[NYer]

Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II blesses US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) (L) during their meeting at the Vatican (news - web sites) in June 2004. Bush opposes abortion and backs a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, two key issues of concern among conservative Catholics.

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[dead]

The congregation includes gay couples, whose adopted children are baptized there, unlike in some other Boston parishes....A band plays during worship, and the lyrics are projected onto the wall above the pulpit so parishioners can sing along.

Sounds exactly like a Madonna concert!

Do the priests were those cone-shaped bras?

[Screaming Eagle Red Leg]

I would urge all Catholics to familiarize themselves with the life teachings of the Church and the consequences of supporting pro-abort candidates. If you Catholic and believe in the Church and believe in sin and in your soul, you owe it to yourself to know what the Church teaches about these matters.

p.s. Silly, unrelated question here. I rented Runaway Jury the other day, starring Gene Hackman and John Cusack. Dylan McDermott played Jacob Woods in the movie. I noticed that McDermott, however, was not included in the credits. I looked up the film and the cast and McDermott was listed as “uncredited.” Does anyone know the what and why of McDermott being “uncredited?” Thanks.

[sneakers]

bump to read when I'm not at work!

[Clump]

As an evangelical Christian who has always supported only Pro-Life candidates, I am very happy to see so many Catholics beginning to vote on this issue with so much conviction. Keep up all the GREAT work!

[Warlord]

"'People don't vote based on their religious affiliation,' said John White, a political science professor at Catholic University in Washington. 'Being Catholic does not really matter to Americans when they go and vote anymore.'"

A more nuanced approach would first ask what is meant by the "Catholic" vote. When nominal Catholics are excluded by only considering people who attend Mass with approximately the required frequency (or more), Bush is leading significantly. If the typical notion of Catholic vote includes 25% of the voting population, the more refined measure includes about 10%. With respect to this 10%, Catholicity matters. This election, this voting block is especially important in the Midwest and Great Lakes states.

[Trainer]

This is really great to hear. I am so embarrased by my fellow Catholics (esp. those in my parish) who have Kerry bumper stickers on. You can debate about what is the best method to help the poor or how to provide health care for those who do not have it but you can't debate the sanctity of life.

Vote Catholic, Not Kerry

[Arrowhead1952]

Kerry has said that although he supports a woman's legal right to have an abortion, = flip
he personally opposes the procedure. = flop

Although Kerry has voiced opposition to gay marriage, = flip
he opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex weddings. = flop

Here is the way the media will spin this part.

A Pew institute poll released in mid-September showed 49 percent of Catholics favored Bush = Bush will be chastised for having the religious right favor him

over Kerry, who garnered 42 percent of support. = skerry will be praised for seeking support from "the other side".

[MayflowerMadam]

Any Catholic who votes for Kerry isn't really a Catholic. With his views on abortion, and ditching his first wife when she was having emotional problems, etc., etc., he has nothing to offer Catholics. He's against everything they believe in.

[madprof98]

"People don't vote based on their religious affiliation," said John White, a political science professor at Catholic University in Washington. "Being Catholic does not really matter to Americans when they go and vote anymore."

In a sense, this is true--and a good thing too. Denominationalism no longer matters in the way it once did, even for Catholics. Hence, there's no big move to put a Catholic in the White House this year.

But in a much more important sense, Christian faith certainly does matter to many voters. In fact, just the other day there was a great article posted here about the Values Voters (about 20%), and they are going overwhelmingly for Bush.

[jmaroneps37]

This article is a lie. See the details on my post, but:
1) Bush lost to gore 50/47
2) Gore won and won with Catholics, clinton was not the only rat to win Catholics
3) Pew said 49/39 NOT 49/42 BIG DIFFERENCE.