John Kerry's Catholic problem

townhall.com ^ | 4/26/04 | Cal Thomas

[kattracks]

John Kerry made a familiar statement about abortion last week. Bill Clinton said it before him. Many Democrats who wish to remain in the good graces as well as the political clutches of the abortion-rights lobby say it. Kerry said he wants to keep abortion "safe, legal and rare."

I understand "safe" (though it's never safe for the baby and often not the woman). I understand "legal" (though contemporary jurisprudence is shifting sand). I don't understand "rare." Unless the pre-born child is human and worthy of the law's protection, why care if abortion is rare or common? Is Kerry attempting to satisfy the tug of conscience deep within this professed Roman Catholic that the teachings of his church are true and that he needs a kind of moral cover - genuflecting in the direction of truth but making no effort to slow or stop abortions should he gain the power to do so?

[nickcarraway]

BUMP

[NYer]

The Vatican said last week that priests must deny Communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights. The Kerry campaign would not respond directly, but a spokesman, appropriately named David Wade (remember Roe vs. Wade?), reiterated Kerry's position on church-state separation that, he said "had helped make religious affiliation a non-issue in American politics."

Contrast that with Catholic Senator Rick Santorum's Press Release from last week BETTNET

Religion in the public square

Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, a practicing Catholic, issued a press release rebuttal to John Kerry's assertion on Friday that religion should not enter the public square and has no place in political policymaking.

I am astonished that Senator Kerry would suggest that religion does not have a role in public life when the very history of the United States is deeply rooted in religion. 

The Founding Fathers risked their lives to establish freedom of worship in our country. Religion and moral law motivated the abolitionists to combat slavery.  Civil rights principals felt so strongly about their faith that they organized themselves under the banner of the "Southern Christian Leadership Council" in the 1960s.

In view of our country’s Founders and the great moral warriors who fought slavery and racism, religion is much more than a nonissue - it is essential to the success of the American experiment.  In fact, religion has inspired, informed and motivated men and women to the benefit of all.

I call on Senator Kerry to clarify or retract his statement and affirm the great tradition of religious pluralism which has been the soul of this country’s strength and one of the great contributions of the American experiment to the world.

We need more senators, like Rick Santorum, to stand up for the rights of the unborn, along with all of the other injustices being served up by the liberals in this country.

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

[Brilliant]

My suspicion is that the Catholic voters will shun Kerry, if for no other reason than that he is trying to impersonate a Catholic.

[jmaroneps37]

Kerry is not acting like a Catholic when he votes and speaks the way he has about abortion and homosexual marriage.Most people know that on the slightest glance.
More than this however the danger of a Kerry presidency is that he is in favor of forcing Catholic hospitals and other Catholic institutions to follow the California model. In California, the rat run legislature has passed laws forcing Catholic institutions to yeild or die. They must offer "family planning" services within their employee medical insurance packages or lose financial support. The lawmakers even went out of their way to make sure that there were NO exceptions for religious institutions.
SICK OF LURCH ? check out catholicsagainstkerry.com
Join us in making sure lurch does not get elected.

[Unam Sanctam]

Unfortunately, many "Catholic" voters don't really care what their Church teaches, and simply swallow unreflectively the entire liberal worldview on moral issues.

[old and tired]

Of course Santorum will have my vote next time around, but I have to admit I'm very disappointed at his support of Arlen Specter. It's Santorum's and Bush's support that is most worrisome to Toomey supporters and if Specter wins today in a squeaker it will be due to their support.