Posted on 11/23/2009 9:56:26 AM PST by Bullpine
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A bitter dispute over abortion that prompted Rhode Island's Roman Catholic bishop to ask Rep. Patrick Kennedy not to receive Holy Communion has revealed the depth of the divide among Catholics over how politicians should reconcile their faith with their public duties.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
This divide reminds me of a real life event.
A good friend of mine had a wife who was always having sex with men other than him.
So, I went and talked to her. I said so-and-so’s a good guy and that she shouldn’t treat him that way.
Her response?
She said they were having problems and that it’s none of my business.
Sure it’s none of my business but isn’t her screwing around just making their problems worse?
Just wondering.
Saddam Hussein said he was a devout muslim and devoted to the Koran but actually he only used it as a tool to get what he wanted and he was truely only devoted to Saddam.
I don’t see the Democrats as any different. They say they are Catholic but do not comform to the churches rules unless it makes them look good to those that vote for them.
Seems simple, if you don’t believe and follow church doctorine you need to go somewhere else. You don’t belong there. I can’t believe there is not a special place in hell for those that harm the innocent unborn.
“It would be well for him if a great stone was put round his neck and he was dropped into the sea, before he made trouble for any of these little ones”
If the good padre had any real guts, he would excommunicate the drunken fruitcake.
Why are they “asking” these pro-abort Catholics to abstain from the eucharist? Shouldn’t they be exercising church discipline and simply refusing to allow them to participate?
Incorrect. Unlike some other faith traditions, the teachings of the Catholic Church are quite well and clearly defined, and not subject to private interpretation. Particularly on subjects like abortion, one does not have to be Catholic (or even Christian of any sort) to know and understand what the Church teaches on the matter.
These people may "consider themselves Catholic" ... but then the asylums are filled with folks who fancy themselves to be Napoleon ... or to be a turnip.
I am Catholic, which is why I can tell you with authority, the Catholic Church has no gray area on abortion. Abortion is murder according to all Catholic teaching. Life begins at conception, period.
Being Catholic means you live and practice the Catholic faith, it does not mean you pick and choose the parts that suit you.
There is no such thing as a Pro-Choice Catholic, if you claim to hold that position you are not a practicing Catholic. Doesn’t matter if your butt is in that pew 7 days a week, or how much money you put in the plate, or how many rosaries you pray, etc etc etc.
You can consider yourself Catholic, but you are not. There is no ambiguity on this topic, life begins at conception, period. There is no concept of “Pro-Choice” to a Catholic, only “Pro-Murder”.
You cannot claim to be Catholic and Pro-Choice, to be one makes it impossible to be the other. Now, that doesn’t mean there aren’t people out there claiming to be Catholic who are so ignorant of their faith that they think its not an impossible stand, but it is. There is no confusion in the Catholic Faith on this issue.
You obviously know alot more about this subject than I do. And I thank you for that reply. Your point is well taken. I was simply giving real life cases of some friends and I know they struggle with this. Thank you for taking the time to give that thoughtful reply.
Unfortunately, the root problem is that there are many “catholic” priests (and some bishops) who are not Catholic either. It’s actually a far bigger and deeper problem than the abuse scandals which a salacious press has been happy to sensationalize over the years. Indeed, one can go so far as to say that the reason you had the abuse issue in the first place is that those who committed such acts (and those who turned a blind eye to them) where themselves long separated from the faith.
An error or heresy on Patrick Kennedy’s part?
I do understand what you are saying about the priests.
But I have many Catholic friends who are pro choice.
No you don't.
You actually have many friends who are former Catholics, though even they themselves may not realize it.
Point taken. thank you.
there are many “catholic” priests (and some bishops) who are not Catholic either.
Makes me think of the old joke: “He’s not a Catholic priest, he’s a Jesuit.
And many of these friends have husbands who have committed adultery..so if Billy Graham says there is no degree of sin..he was referring to homosexuality at the time...these men fall into the same category.
It’s not up to them, it’s up to the Church and the Church says that a Catholic cannot support abortion period. If you don’t like the rules join another club.
If Kennedy is claiming the Catholic Church supports abortion, then its flat out Heresy. I am sure He, like Pelosi have been quite informed of the proper standing of the Church on this topic, but continue to espouse things that are not correct.
I do not believe that Kennedy is ignorant of the Church’s stand on this topic. He, like Pelosi before him are simply engaging in heresy.
I believe it is heresy as well.
The US Catholic Bishops have ALLOWED the flock to be divided by sending murky mixed-messages on Catholic pols who support abortion. It allows them to continue that ridiculous fantasy that you can vote for them as a Catholic in good conscience because they are “for the workin’ man”.
Articles like this and your friends of compromised faith have left you confused, re: “and that is all that matters.”
Please Google “latae sententiae” and you will see what matters. It’s part of Catholic Canon Law and is not negotiable.
Abiding by Canon Law is how you remain a Catholic. And, as you can see by the Bishop’s actions, it is up to us, the faithful, to counsel those who have fallen or have been confused by others.
I am a Catholic. I am pro-life. And, there are no Catholics on the other side of the fence. There is no division, only heretics or the faithful.
Thank you. All the best.
You are so right that politicians just “use” their churches to enhance their public image. As for Patrick Kennedy, who said that just because he disagrees with the Vatican on certain issues doesn’t make him less a Catholic. Why do these people insist on remaining in the Catholic Church if they do not agree with its teachings? Why don’t they just find a church that agrees with them?
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