Posted on 11/20/2008 3:37:04 PM PST by NYer
Beaufort County Councilwoman Laura Von Harten blasted the Catholic Church yesterday for its strictures regarding the priesthood and its teachings on abortion. She took the occasion to vent at a scheduled hearing regarding a zoning request by a local Catholic church, St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton, South Carolina, that would allow it to expand. She was quickly denounced by several area residents for her comments; when the vote was taken, she recused herself.
Von Harten ripped the Catholic Church for not allowing women priests and for its position on what she called “uterus rights,” saying they were “an affront to my dignity and all womankind.”
Here is what Catholic League president Bill Donohue had to say:
“Without the slightest provocation, Laura Von Harten decided to bash Catholicism. This suggests an animus so deep as to call into question her fitness for public service. She should do more than recuse herself on matters Catholic—she should resign from her post as councilwoman. There is no legitimate role for bigots in public life.”
Contact Von Harten: lvonharten@bcgov.net
I see that she belongs to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and they are a liberal group which believes that “Truth is not absolute; it changes over time”. They also believe in “tolerance” but maybe not of those who they view as intolerant.
I suspect research of Obama’ tribe in Kenya would reveal they were slave traders - I betcha! And, if I were a descendant of a slave, that would make me very unhappy.
She, either, never learned, or has forgotten, that our Lord (maybe not hers) said; “....I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) and in Ephesians 5:25; “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself for it.” Even in it’s earliest days the church was persecuted (Acts 8:1-4) but it brought great blessings and growth. May our God give the Church a great blessing in these days of contempt for His beloved Church.
I certainly wouldn’t disagree with any of your points NYer, just didn’t carry it far enough, have thought those things (and argued them offline with anyone who cared to listen) many times now. But they bear repeating and glad you did.
More like a ZERO.
I have a better word for Unitarians.
Heathens.
The sacrament of Holy Orders (or ordination) is not within the powers of a priest (only a Bishop). So, regardless of the "discipline involved" (Holy Orders is for males only is the current discipline but will stay that way, I assure you), the priest administered an invalid sacrament and caused grave scandal and confusion. As he exceeded his authority, he was excommunicated juridically and publicly according to Canon Law. He will probably also lose his faculties as a priest and be laicized.
Why they can't do the same for abortion pols I don't understand.
Contrary to your views gathered from movies on "the Inquisition," Catholics DO have rights under Canon Law. Although Canon 915 seems to state that "those who cause grave scandal can be denied Communion," any further public process requires a judicial process or another Canon and none exists without a trial. Yes, that's right...a trial. It is not like a civil trial, but it is a trial and evidence must be introduced and weighed and the accused has an "advocate." That is why abortion pols don't get excommunicated publically at the drop of a hat.
However, you confuse, de jure excommunication--excommunication which occurs by the very virtue of the act itself--with public excommunication. Those who DO cause grave scandal (by such deeds as supporting abortion through active means such as a politician or an abortion doctor), experience "latae sententiae" de jure excommunication (meaning they are excommunicated automatically and under the pain of mortal sin. So, while you don't SEE IT, it don't mean it ain't so. To go further than that would require a trial meaning a drawing up of a bill of particulars and a presentation of evidence sent to Rome.
Clear, Aliska?
Unitarians = hell bound heretics
“I have a better word for Unitarians”
This one is a “Texas Heathen”, what the heck is going on down there.
Re: Zoning Meeting
Prior to the next Zoning Meeting please take meds.
I threw the argument back at him by saying "Didn't we just agree that God's glory and majesty cannot be understood?"
He had nothing to say.
Good for you!!
Every now and then we get into one of those moments where they walk right into it!
We take em when we can.
I was told that after an excommunication latae sententiae for abortion, only the bishop could readmit a penitent to the sacraments, but in my diocese, the bishop delegated that authority to priests.
I've never agitated for nor desired female priests, prefer males in the ministry no matter what the denomination which may come across as archaic and sexist to some liberals, but maybe since I am elderly, it feels more comfortable and traditional, especially in the priesthood.
That doesn't mean that I think women any less intelligent or inferior than men and don't have a problem with female Eucharistic ministers. It's all moot at this point because I am not active in the church, any church, but like most of the Catholics here and support them.
The bio on this woman is just too perfectly leftwing to be believed. She was an anthropology major in college, the dept most dependably leftist on most campuses, belongs to a Universalist Church, and makes no mention of a husband or children.
She also look like a woman who's had little reason to worry about male interest in her "uterus."
Yuck!!
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