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Tensions Flare Between Religious Leaders and Lawmakers Over Abortion
Fox ^ | November 23, 2009

Posted on 11/24/2009 6:26:07 AM PST by NYer

In an effort that has produced heated public feuds as well as significant changes in proposed health care legislation, religious leaders are zeroing in on followers of their faith in Congress to make sure that taxpayer money will not be used to fund abortions. 

The latest confrontation comes between Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., an abortion-rights supporter, and Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin, who asked Kennedy not to receive Holy Communion if he maintained his position. 

The tension is palpable as senators prepare to take up a version of legislation that pro-life leaders say does not provide the same assurances as the version that passed the House early this month. Catholic leaders were considered key in pushing for the restrictions in the House bill.

Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop' Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, said Monday that his group will "work with senators of both parties" to address their concerns. But his group blasted the Senate health bill on Friday, and Doerflinger said Monday that the conference will oppose it if their concerns are not met. 

Here's a look at some of the lawmakers who are at odds with their religious leaders over the issue: 

Rep. Patrick Kennedy 

The dispute between Kennedy, son of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, and Tobin began in October when Kennedy criticized Catholic bishops for threatening to oppose health care reform without restrictions on federally funded abortion. Tobin demanded an apology and requested a meeting with Kennedy, but that meeting fell through. Tobin then wrote a public letter calling Kennedy's position "scandalous" and "unacceptable." 

The latest chapter in the dispute came over the weekend, when Kennedy told The Providence Journal that Tobin instructed him not to take Communion and instructed other priests not to give it to Kennedy either.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: abortion; catholic; kennedy; patrickkennedy; prolife; stupak

1 posted on 11/24/2009 6:26:08 AM PST by NYer
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To: NYer

Why is murdering a baby legal??


2 posted on 11/24/2009 6:27:35 AM PST by Sacajaweau
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To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; markomalley; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; ...
But Kennedy, a member of the most prominent Catholic family in American political life, has earned some support in his stand against the church.

Catholics for Choice issued a statement Monday applauding Kennedy and describing Tobin as part of a "small minority of bishops" trying to "intimidate" Catholic lawmakers.

"Despite what this minority of bishops has done -- and it is worth noting that the majority of bishops do not seek to use the sacraments as political weapons -- prochoice Catholic policymakers continue to stand by their consciences," the statement said.

Catholics for Choice is a dissident group that seeks to change church teachings. Since the Church cannot change its doctrines, they are frustrated and vent it through the media.

Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list


3 posted on 11/24/2009 6:28:08 AM PST by NYer ("One Who Prays Is Not Afraid; One Who Prays Is Never Alone" - Benedict XVI)
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To: NYer

Yes, that section of the article jumped out at me. He earned support from Catholics for Choice? Big deal. They should be banned right along with him.


4 posted on 11/24/2009 6:30:01 AM PST by lsucat
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To: NYer; informavoracious; larose; RJR_fan; Prospero; Conservative Vermont Vet; ...
+

Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:

Add me / Remove me

Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of general interest.

Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment

Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

5 posted on 11/24/2009 6:31:22 AM PST by narses ("These are the days when the Christian is expected to praise every creed except his own.")
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To: NYer

Seems like what the government is trying to force the churches to do is a violation of the 1st Amendment.


6 posted on 11/24/2009 6:33:17 AM PST by Roklok
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To: NYer
It is good to see the priests finally taking some steps to show where these CINOs (Catholics In Name Only) have failed the church. If only some Protestant pastor would be so bold.

Why did they even bring up Bob "the only place you can find him is on the back of a milk carton" Casey. He has been riding the name and coattails of his father, who really was pro-life. Jr is just a cipher that will do the bidding of his masters.

7 posted on 11/24/2009 6:33:35 AM PST by kosciusko51
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To: NYer

Kennedy is the one who went public with this, not the Bishop.

Looks like the opening salvo of a Leftist anti-Catholic jihad.


8 posted on 11/24/2009 6:36:33 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: NYer

There is a reason Democrats don’t bring this subject up except their most extreme circles. This is issue is a homerun for conservatives. Only good things can come of this debate being brought back to the forefront.

SnakeDoc


9 posted on 11/24/2009 6:37:58 AM PST by SnakeDoctor ("Talk low, talk slow, and don't say too much." -- John Wayne)
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To: Buckeye McFrog

Not only that, but the Bishop explained his decision to him years ago. (2? 5?). Kennedy waits till now to bring it up?


10 posted on 11/24/2009 6:39:25 AM PST by DManA
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To: NYer

Dang, Lawmakers are crossways with the Constitution, the Church, the People and with God... guess they are just crossways.

11 posted on 11/24/2009 6:43:11 AM PST by Peter Horry (Those who aren't responsible always know best.)
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To: DManA

The very dear Patrick Murphy ( Democrat Pa) just came out and said he did agree with Congressman Kennedy and explained why. Calling the Cardinal Justin Regali of Philadelphia would be interesting. I wonder what he has to say about his church member supporting abortion?


12 posted on 11/24/2009 6:58:06 AM PST by oldironsides
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To: lsucat

Exactly. Also, though, the miserable level of knowledge of Church teaching among the supposedly well educated “Catholic Politicians” and the even lower (nonexistent) level among journalists makes these stories painful to read. To wit: Kennedy, by his public behavior in opposition to the unambiguous teachings of the Church *which he is obliged to follow* would create scandal to the faithful by presenting himself for communion or any other sacrament. This is because he has excommunicated *himself* from the Church by this behavior. His Bishop is just (gently, I think) informing him of that fact. If Kennedy wishes to present himself for reception of any sacrament other than confession, that sacriledge is now on his own head, since he has been warned that he is not in communion with the Church.
Also, CFFC is an imaginary group, whatever nonsense they say to the contrary. As the bumper sticker says (accurately) “You can’t be both Catholic and pro-choice.” So, pick one.


13 posted on 11/24/2009 7:00:32 AM PST by ConservativePsychProf ("I have set before you life and death. Choose life, that you and your descendants may live.")
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To: oldironsides

As they say on EWTN, the liberals are part of the Culture of Death.
Mother Angelica used to talk about it quite a bit-and that was in the ‘90’s!

It shouldn’t even be an issue with Catholic’s anymore, but the Church is still paying for their past attempt at being inclusive and PC. Like someone said-how can you have a group called Catholics for Choice?? It isn’t a choice for the baby, so it’s murder pure and simple.

What’s the difference between killing 3000 people against their will in the World Trade Center and killing 3000 babies in the womb? Suppose ALL abortions were done in ONE building in the country? Just imagine that for a minute.....

There is no difference between murder and abortion....NONE.

Sorry for the rant, but this is one of my greatest sorrows; it is an incomprehensible act to me....

SZQ


14 posted on 11/24/2009 7:14:48 AM PST by homegroan (Proud to be a Palinite!)
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To: NYer

How is it legal to force anyone to pay for something against their conscience? It would be interesting if the libs deducted the amount of taxes from your tax bill that go for abortion. I wonder how many taxpayers would suddenly discover that they are Christians. The churches would be bursting at the seams.


15 posted on 11/24/2009 7:45:25 AM PST by kitkat
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To: homegroan
What’s the difference between killing 3000 people against their will in the World Trade Center and killing 3000 babies in the womb?

Well, we had some dopey attorney on O'Reilly last night try to argue that the victimes of the WTC were not murdered -- only a jury can decide. ** eyes rolling **

O'Reilly asked him 3 or 4 times and he wouldn't use the term "murder". One of his excuses was that it wasn't really 3000 (of course he isn't county those people who have died since) as if the number counted for anything. THis is one of the attorneys who is preparing the defense for the GITMO terrorists who will be tried in NYC.

16 posted on 11/24/2009 7:58:48 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: Sacajaweau
The Supreme Court passed the buck by saying that the woman had the right t choose, that opened the door for the murder for money group of doctors, our elected officials wiped their hands pointing to the Supreme Court decision. The money rolls in and is supplemented by the tax payers, who have no say, because our elected officials take money from the murder for money group. Nobody takes any blame they all hide and the only one to suffer is the innocent unborn baby. The act of abortion is so perverted that then can't even call the innocent victim a baby it only allowed to be called a fetus.
17 posted on 11/24/2009 8:02:16 AM PST by chiefqc
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To: afraidfortherepublic

Yes-I saw that interview.

I don’t know how Bill O didn’t hit his knuckles with a ruler and then ask him if it hurt, or if he needed a jury to decide THAT for him too.

I suppose we’ll have to listen to attorneys argue about the meaning of the word “murder” now...

SZQ


18 posted on 11/24/2009 11:16:02 AM PST by homegroan (Proud to be a Palinite!)
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