Attention Catholic Church: The more you become involved in America’s domestic politics, the less relevant you become to your American parishioners. Your job has been and still is the salvation of souls, one at a time, if necessary, not the control of government, not the intimidation of voters and not the policy-making of a secular government.
So, the bishop should just shut up while the example of political leaders like Giuliani contributes to the moral decay of our country??
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=51031
May. 9, 2007
CWNews.com (excerpt)
Catholic politicians who vote for legal abortion are subject to excommunication, Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) told reporters during a May 9 flight from Rome to Brazil.
Fielding questions from reporters during the trip, the Holy Father was asked whether he supported the Mexican bishops who have threatened the excommunication of politicians who voted to approve legalization of abortion in Mexico City. The Pontiff replied that he did.
“They did nothing new, nothing arbitrary or surprising,” the Pope said of the Mexican bishops. “They simply announced to the public what is stipulated by the law of the Church.” (snip)
You have it exactly backwards.
Unless you are a Catholic Bishop Burkes remarks concerning an apostate Catholic are none of your business nor the states business.
I believe the topic at question is the suitability of a particular Catholic layman to receive communion in the Catholic Church, an issue pretty directly connected to the salvation of the soul of that particular layman. As far as I know, who gets to receive communion in the Catholic Church is not (yet) a matter of government policy, nor -- to be perfectly blunt -- is it really the business of anyone outside the Catholic Church.
Cordially,
Catholic politicians are "souls" too. It would be a very serious sin for a politician like Giuliani to take Holy Communion. The archbishop is trying to spare him from adding that sin to his already long list.
Yes, I agree. Those clergy, right or left, who are trying to do in this or that candidate are seen as medlers and do not speak well for their position. Better to affirm their position and leave the voters decide on the outcome.
I happen to agree with your argument 100 percent....especially “not the control of government, not the intimidation of voters and not the policy-making of a secular government.”
Those who cheer now are those who have cursed Jesse Jackson, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, and others for attempting to influence domestic policies from a church pulpit. Bill Clinton was served Communion in a Catholic Church. Rudy should already know he cannot receive. It should not be an issue.
Where were you back in the '70's when lefty loon priests ran and were elected to Congress? Too young to remember that?
What the hell do you know about it? Or for that matter, anything?
If you were pro-abort, would you expect to go to Communion?
The National Socialists in Italy and Germany would certainly have agreed with your point of view.
the salvation of souls
In the case of the wanton mass slaughter of the innocent, the two are hardly mutually exclusive.
Short answer - yes, the bishop should shut up. The BISHOP has violated Rudy's religious privacy rights with his statement.
Mr. Raymond Burke can say anything that he likes BUT Bishop Burke needs to be reminded about religious privacy rights of individuals.
And, why on earth shouldn't those with moral values be involved in fighting for or against legislation on those issues just as someone concerned about taxes is involved in legislation involving taxes?
Well said my friend . I’m with you all the way .
Every person and institution has a right to have their voice heard in this democratic society.
Quit trying to silence people with whom you disagree.
“Attention Catholic Church: The more you become involved in America’s domestic politics, the less relevant you become to your American parishioners. Your job has been and still is the salvation of souls, one at a time, if necessary, not the control of government, not the intimidation of voters and not the policy-making of a secular government.”
attention continental soldier...
When politicians want to pander to certain voters by claiming membership in their Church, it is the right of that Church to publicly point out the requirements have not been met.
It is the right of religous organizations to determine conditions of membership.
It is the right of religious organizations to determine how breaching the conditions will be handled.
Rudy should not be presenting himself for communion knowing darn well he has violated the Church rules.
He was in violation even without this issue, as I am assuming he was not granted an annulment for his previous marriage.