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John Kerry vs. American Catholic Bishops

• Absurd Inurbane Witless , • Catholic

The Roman Catholic Church continues to march toward complete irrelevance.

Former altar boy John Kerry was heading towards a confrontation with the leadership of the Catholic church in America yesterday after he defied calls to refrain from the sacraments and took communion on Easter Day.

Mr Kerry attended a non-traditional church in Boston where he participated in the rite - much to the frustration of prominent bishops who have been campaigning for Catholic politicians to cleave more strongly to canon law or risk being denied the most basic profession of their faith.

Kerry falls foul of US Catholic leaders

Richard Evans Lee
April 13, 2004 •
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Can Canon Law! This is why the voting public was nearly afraid to elect a Catholic President (Kennedy) in the first place. They were afraid that the Pope would tell them what to do, that the Pope would have a line into the White House. Now, the Popery wants to deny the sacraments to politicians unless they tow the line. Cute. T POPE STFU

Posted by: Eli Sarver | April 13, 2004 6:26 PM

The absurdity of the Church on this issue is that they DO NOT expect the Terminator -- i.e. Schwartzenegger to hold himself to the same standard. He not only believes in abortion, he believes in the DEATH PENALTY and refusing to look at every inmates parole appropriateness on its own merit instead of manking a blanket "never allow parole for anyone" statement. In other words, he is a HYPOCRITE justlike the American Bishops who refuse communion to Kerry.

Posted by: Jean Smiley | May 10, 2004 2:35 PM

Jesus commanded the first Pope (Peter) three times to "feed my sheep". I'd say that these Republican Bishops have no authority to deny sacriment to anyone. My local neighborhood priest told me that he can't deny the sacriment to anyone who steps forward to receive it, regardless of who they are.

Posted by: Tom Wilson | May 14, 2004 11:16 PM

So many speak of reverence for the Eucharist. So few understand that when the priest says the sacred words, Jesus Christ appears on the alter. Right after Jesus Christ appears on the altar, everybody turns their back on Jesus Christ, greets everyone and ignores Jesus. This is how we show reverence for the "Real Presence". HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT WHO IS WORTHY OF RECEIVING THE EUCHARIST. HOW DARE YOU USE THE MOST SACRED, THE HOLY OF HOLIES TO PUSH YOUR INTERPRETATION OF WHAT IS RIGHT. WHO IS WORTHY? LORD,*I* AM NOT WORTHY TO RECEIVE YOU. ARE YOU SAYING YOU ARE WORTHY? ARE YOU SAYING WHO IS WORTHY? AND WHO AND WHAT IS PROLIFE? YOU CANNOT BE PROLIFE AND ADVOCATE THE DEATH PENALTY. YOU CANNOT BE PROLIFE AND SUPPORT AN UNPROVOKED WAR (WHICH IS WHAT THE HOLY FATHER SAID). YOU CANNOT BE PROLIFE AND SUPPORT SENSLESS WARS. SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE. SO MANY GOOD PROLIFE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONFUSED IN A COUNTRY WITH SO MANY SELF-RIGHTEOUS AND SO FEW SAINTS. YOU ARE GOING TO TELL THEM HOW TO VOTE? DO NOT USE JESUS CHRIST TO PUSH YOUR OWN MISGUIDED MORALITY. THE GOOD CATHOLICS DO NOT CONDEMN SINMERS, THEY DO REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING FOR THEM. LIKE THE PROPHETS OF OLD, I TELL PEOPLE TO REPENT. UNLIKE THE PROPHETS OF OLD, I DO NOT CALL DOWN THE WRATH OF GOD, I BEG FOR MERCY. JESUS DIED FOR SINNERS, AND IF YOU ARE NOT A SINNER, YOU DON’T NEED JESUS. FOR THE SAKE OF HIS SORROWFUL PASSION, HAVE MERCY ON US AND ON THE WHOLE WORLD.

Posted by: Michael | June 14, 2004 9:16 PM

I am 40, and I was raised Catholic, but right now I could never identify with the Catholic church. I love Jesus Christ, and I believe that the Bible is VERY clear on topics like abortion and gay marriage. Jesus hates abortion and He will not tolerate gay marriage. He loves the sinner, but He also tells the sinner to turn from his wicked ways and sin no more. There are consequences for sin, that's what I have taught my children. I believe that all catholics and especially those in leadership should live according to God's Biblical Priciples. These are black and white issues. My prayer is that the Headship in the Catholic chruch will do the right thing, and teach their flock to do the same thing. Peace Kaylee

Posted by: Kaylee | June 17, 2004 7:32 PM

As a catholic student of theology and active voter and political activist i must agree with the stance of the bishops. The Papacy is not trying to control american politics they are simply telling kerry and other political leaders that they are either catholic or they are not. Socrates believed that it was more important to protect the dignity of ones soul. the bishops are doing the same thing. they are simply saying if yoyu want to be a catholic then there are certain rules that you must abide by so if he wants to be responsible for the deaths of innocent babies then he can be he just won't be a part of the catholic church. it really isn't that hard to think about imean if i were muslim i would believe like a muslim and call myself muslim. if i were protestant i would believe like a protestant and call myself a protestant. if i were jewish i would believe like a jew. And if i were kerry and called myself a catholic then i would act like a catholic....or else not be a catholic anymore

Posted by: FUS student | July 1, 2004 2:53 PM

Abortion is and will continue to be a deeply divisive subject for years to come. While it is unclear which way American society will ultimately go on this issue, the direction of the Church is crystal clear. It does not and never could condone abortion. Can one disagree with the Church's teachings, (the ordinary magisterium), and still be a "good Catholic?" Of course - the Church also teaches primacy of conscience. Does the Church have the authority to excommunicate its members who intend to persevere against her? Both Scripture & tradition indicate she does. In response to someone's earlier comment on this site that the Church is inappropriately meddling in politics as Protestants feared in the 1960 election, your argument reveals a deep-rooted bigotry and intolerance. The separation of church and state is a protection, as are all rights in the Bill of Rights, from the government. It was never intended to keep people from acting upon convictions, religious or otherwise, except insofar as such action would cause the GOVERNMENT to prevent others' free exercise of religious beliefs. The fact some Protestants feared Kennedy might be influenced by the Church nearly half a century ago has nothing to do with our Constitutional protections, law, or traditions - simply those individuals own bigotry against the Church. You're also incredibly intolerant to say T Pope stfu, because the Church has the right, both in natural law and the American Constitution, to speak as to what it believes, without unconstitutional exclusion from the political realm, and to state what its teachings are, even when it may mean excommunication of a member who is not in "communion" of belief. The understanding of Communion as reflecting the communion of belief and Christian unity extends back to the first century, so it's really not as though this is anything new either. To Jean Smiley, I would say that the death penalty does not require excommunication, because although the Church is opposed to it, in certain extreme circumstances, such as when a prisoner cannot be housed and the threat perseveres agaisnt society, it can be ordered towards the good of human affairs. The Church is, therefore, not hypocritical in declining to excommunicate those who support the death penalty. The Bishops are unwavering in their opposition to the death penalty. And although I ascribe to the consistent life ethic you seem to be calling for, I would hope you'd admit there is a fundamental difference between abortion and the death penalty that the former is opposed on the grounds of justice, and the latter for the virtue of mercy. This difference, along with the volume of those affected, and the Church's catechesis should I hope convince you that the Bishops are not hypocritical in calling for excommunication of those pro-abortion and not those pro-death-penalty. Last, (and I'm not sure if this will make it past the censor or not, if not - this is not preaching but merely refutation), the Church's teaching on murder, including abortion, is that he/she who commits it and who intends to further it automatically excommunicate themselves through mortal sin. Although the door to reconciliation is always open, it requires either Pennance or direct supplication for forgiveness from the Almighty, (which one would assume to involve repudiating support for abortion). While I think there is a strong argument to be made that this reflects responsibility on the individual level to abstain from Communion while in such a state, and the Bishops CAN so excommunicate, whether they OUGHT to is a debatable matter as to what is most fair and prudential.

Posted by: Brian Noonan | July 13, 2004 3:53 PM

You can't blame John for trying to practice his conservative faith, whose "Canons" go directly against most of his liberal beliefs, during a political campaign. All politician get religious during this period. It is a requirement for election in a religious country. Unfortunately for John, the powers that be have finally had it with John's ilk (he is obviously a closet atheist, but may actually not realize it, hence his tormented indecisiveness) and have decided to turn their "Canons" on him.

Posted by: Jim | July 16, 2004 9:09 PM

I am not Catholic, but often go to church with my Catholic girlfriend. Because I am Baptist, I am not able to take Communion during the time of Eucharist. The problem that Kerry faces lies in the fact that he belives in abortion and gay rights. These liberal beliefs are opposite of what the Catholic church preaches. If he is openly disagreeing with the Catholic church, then is he, like the Baptist, not aloud to take part in the Eucharist? Just a question from a Baptist boy who is ignorant on the whole Catholic religion.

Posted by: Hobby | August 10, 2004 1:24 AM

Roman Catholic doctrine and practice has varied through the centuries. The current Pope is very powerful and very conservative. If he were weak and/or liberal none of this would've happened.

Posted by: Doctor Theology | August 10, 2004 5:48 PM

I am a Catholic, and I am greatly disturbed by Bishops saying that it would be a sin to vote for Kerry. However, I could receive the Eucharist if I went to confession. What nonsense!!!!! I am not American -- but I am trying to follow the line of the bishop's (very small >b) reasoning... He didn't have an abortion; he didn't encourage anyone else to have an abortion. He respects Free Will. As a Canadian, if I could vote.. it'd be FOR Kerry... Am I committing a sin, too??? (a sin in thought is a sin indeed!!!)

Posted by: R. Lalonde | October 12, 2004 9:29 PM

How do you feel?

Feel free to share your feelings about John Kerry vs. American Catholic Bishops. Please stick to the theme of the entry. Disagreement is fine. Homophobia, racism, and kindred expressions of hatred will be deleted. This site is one of my hobbies. I genuinely enjoy hearing from people and hate moderating or killing comments. Forthright disagreement is fine as long as it is civil.
My thanks,
Richard

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