Bishop challenges Davis on abortion

WND ^ | January 23, 2003 | Unknown

[ArrogantBustard]

Catholic Bishops kinda, sorta have the authority to "tell the faithful" what the rules for Catholics might be, including most particularly how to "practice their faith".

Duuuuhhh. It's, like, the first line in the job description. For years, now, too many of them (in the USA, at least) have been neglecting that part of their job. Now one of them starts to do it, and the babykillers start whining about it.

Hey Lopez!! Put a sock in it!!

[BibChr]

"Such a person should have the integrity to acknowledge this and choose of his own volition to abstain from receiving Holy Communion until he has a change of heart."

I respect that. It's darned well about time.

But here's the problem:

As WorldNetDaily reported, the doctrine lacks enforcement; politicians who take heretical positions aren't penalized and, more often, are supported by Catholic leaders. Specifically, the Catholic vote is viewed to have helped incumbent Davis eek out a win over his Catholic, pro-life opponent Bill Simon in last year's election.

If you're pro-abort, you're already clearly NOT a person of good conscience. The RCC will have to impose this on those people, and not wait for their voluntary compliance. They will have to pay a price.

Dan

[homeschool mama]

Absolutely true, BibChr. For a Gov'r to stand proud that his state is more vile than others...ugh.

What's wrong is right and what's right is wrong.

[Blood of Tyrants]

No problem for Davis. As he sold his sould to Satan long ago, his public religious observations were just for public relations. He will simply stop taking communion or go to a church with a pedophile priest and get anything he wants.

[NYer]

"There are a lot of Catholics who are pro-choice. Does the bishop want all Catholics to stop receiving Holy Communion?" he asked. "Who's going to be left in church?"

He obviously misses the point ... the governor is a public figure whose words and actions carry meaning. As a catholic, he should stand up for faith based values.

[Ignatz]

"There are a lot of Catholics who are pro-choice. Does the bishop want all Catholics to stop receiving Holy Communion?" he asked. "Who's going to be left in church?"

I'm neither Catholic nor a genius, but I"ll take a stab at this one: the ones left will be the truly faithful.

[ThomasMore]

The Sacramento Bee reports Weigand called on the governor to either renounce his support of abortion rights or stop taking Holy Communion, one of the most sacred rites in the Catholic faith.

It's about time some bishops started getting some spine!

[Angelus Errare]

Who's left to be in church?

From what I gather, only half of the sixty million Catholics in the US attend Mass on a regular basis in any event, which explains why half of all "Catholics" are AmChurch folks. Denying the sacraments to the Dufus is simply giving him his just deserts.

[ArrogantBustard]

"There are a lot of Catholics who are pro-choice. Does the bishop want all Catholics to stop receiving Holy Communion?"

Russ Lopez is a deceitful little creep. Notice how he slithers from "A lot of Catholics are pro-choice" to "all Catholics to stop receiving"?

[Aquinasfan]

"As your bishop, I have to say clearly that anyone – politician or otherwise – who thinks it is acceptable for a Catholic to be pro-abortion is in very great error, puts his or her soul at risk, and is not in good standing with the church," Weigand said. "Such a person should have the integrity to acknowledge this and choose of his own volition to abstain from receiving Holy Communion until he has a change of heart."

The pope's letter has started something big. An earthquake may soon rumble through the ranks of bishops. We will know them by their silence.

[Gophack]

The Associated Press reports that Kerry has rejected the Vatican's new guidelines.

Governor Davis is reportedly not backing down either. Spokesman Russ Lopez deflected the challenge from the bishop and criticized Weigand for "telling the faithful how to practice their faith." He then predicted Weigand's comments would alienate California Catholics.

Since when does any Catholic, even an elected Senator, have the right to reject a teaching of the church?

Also, these guidelines aren't "NEW", they are simply being reiterated.

And Davis' spokesman! Criticizing the Bishop for "telling the faithful how to practice their faith". Isn't that the role of ANY church or religion? It is not up to us to decide, based on our ill-formed conscience, what is right and wrong -- there are things that ARE right and wrong, and as Catholics we are obligated to adhere to the teachings of the church or stop calling ourselves Catholic. This isn't an "anything goes as long as you think it's right" religion, or a religion of personal interpretation!

This Lopez (and Davis) are right in line with the New Age movement -- if it feels good, it must be right.

I attending the pro-life Mass with Bishop Weigand. He was right on. And he was faithful not only to the church, but to the sheep. He asked that we all pray, right then, for the soul of Governor Davis and that he have a change of heart.

God is forgiving, He will welcome anyone back into the fold, prodigal son or lost sheep.

[Gophack]

Ping

[Gophack]

When they call good evil and evil good ...

[Petronski]

Every such 'warning' should be accompanied by a copy of the episcopal letter to the Pope requesting scrutiny in contemplation of excommunication.

[Glock19C]

The Catholic Church's stance on Abortion has continued to make me more and more pro-Catholic. While many of the main-line Protestant churches continue to concern me greatly.

[kellynla]

amazing but not surprising...exactly why I am house hunting in NV and have already incorporated there...I refuse to get screwed any longer...let the lefties in LA and SF pay for the incompetence in Sacrameto...

[Petronski]

Taste and see the goodness of justice.

[Gophack]

Bishop Weigand did what he could do -- he told Gray Davis he was in grave sin for his boastful support of abortion, and that he should stop receiving Communion.

It IS up to Gray Davis to do this. Catholics who receive Communion in a state of grave or mortal sin are guilty of blasphemy. Every time Davis receives Communion, he is sinning. However, there is a caveat -- if someone doesn't KNOW they have committed a sin and receive Communion, they have not committed another sin.

With Bishop Weigand's fortright comments, and the Pope's letter outlining in no uncertain terms the duties and obligations of the faithful regarding Life issues, no one in public office can claim they do not know they are sinning through their beliefs and support of abortion.

I know, I know, they all DO know they are against Church teaching, but now it is EXPLICIT and directed specifically TO THEM, and receiving communion when they KNOW they are in grave sin is even worse.

Pray for them, pray for their change of heart, pray for their souls.

[Aquinasfan]

Yes, isn't it amazing all the negative publicity being said and printed about Davis now, after the election.

No doubt the bishop was encouraged to speak out by this VATICAN DOCUMENT ON CATHOLICS IN POLITICAL LIFE

He should have spoken out sooner, but whatever it takes.

[Aquinasfan]

"There are a lot of Catholics who are pro-choice. Does the bishop want all Catholics to stop receiving Holy Communion?" he asked. "Who's going to be left in church?"

I dunno. The real ones? Duh!