Catholic Church asks Tom Daschle to stop calling himself a Catholic

Weekly Standard (via Matt Drudge) ^ | April 17, 2003 | SB00

[SB00]

TOM DASCHLE may no longer call himself a Catholic. The Senate minority leader and the highest ranking Democrat in Washington has been sent a letter by his home diocese of Sioux Falls, sources in South Dakota have told The Weekly Standard, directing him to remove from his congressional biography and campaign documents all references to his standing as a member of the Catholic Church.

This isn't exactly excommunication--which is unnecessary, in any case, since Daschle made himself ineligible for communion almost 20 years ago with his divorce and remarriage to a Washington lobbyist. The directive from Sioux Falls' Bishop Robert Carlson is rather something less than excommunication--and, at the same time, something more: a declaration that Tom Daschle's religious identification constitutes, in technical Catholic vocabulary, a grave public scandal. He was brought up as a Catholic, and he may still be in some sort of genuine mental and spiritual relation to the Church. Who besides his confessor could say? But Daschle's consistent political opposition to Catholic teachings on moral issues--abortion, in particular--has made him such a problem for ordinary churchgoers that the Church must deny him the use of the word "Catholic."

[Campion]

Another matter is the "punishment" is selective. Thousands of Catholics who are public figures need to be instructed to cease calling themselves Catholic per this standard. That won't happen, because it would backfire.

Bishop Carlson is responsible for Catholics in the eastern half of South Dakota. Daschle is by far the most prominent pro-abort "Catholic" in his jurisdiction. By telling him to stop calling himself a Catholic, Bishop Carlson is doing both the people of his diocese and Sen. Daschle himself a great service. My only complaint is that it should have been done maybe 15 years ago.

What happens in other jurisdictions is the responsibility of bishops in those places.

[Notwithstanding]

largely, no

[mware]

WOW, of all days to have this come out regarding Daschle. This evening is one of the most profound of all Mass's.

[Dick Bachert]

Yeah -- and a new CD:

We hear that other members of this "group" will soon be releasing CDs of some of THEIR favs. In the meantime, enjoy these ditties from their lead sinner SINGER (yeah, "singer," that's the ticket)!

[eastsider]

I don't play the proof-text game, friend. Christ Jesus instituted His "Church," not a "religion." Both the Church and her structure are divinely instituted. And like Christ Jesus, the Church is one, not demonitional.

[floriduh voter]

You were seeking a way to get the french tied to SD. Now what does Daschle mean in French? It must be French. This all makes sense because he's always so les miserable.

[Protagoras]

Thanks, I know that verse well, but what does it have to do with what I said?

[JohnnyZ]

Whatever you have to say about the roots of other denominations makes no difference to the truth that Christianity is a religion, and all who follow it are Christians. Those who organize themselves into different groups to practice it are organised into what are called denominations.

"Religion" can be used in the sense of Catholic vs. Baptist (usually referred to as "war" (j/k)) or as Christian vs. Jewish.

Religion: A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship (dictionary.com)

Denomination could be used to describe Catholicism as a Christian church, but it is typically used in the sense of: Catholics vs. various Protestant denominations, and as such has the connotation of Protestantism. I'm not even sure evangelicals, who do not consider themselves Protestants, would refer to their 'denomination', but that may be because many don't have a denomination or are not wide-spread enough to be considered as "A large group of religious congregations". Whatever the reason, the term is typically applied to mainline Protestant churches.

The Catholic Church has been using the same Creed for over a thousand years; it's pretty silly to claim that the Protestant denominations have an equal claim on Church history, since at the time they split off from the standard structure and belief all Christians had been professing the same faith for several hundred years that later became known as Catholic, even if you dismiss the belief in Peter's role as the first Pope.

[eastsider]

"demonitional" should read "denominational." : )

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

The timing on this was pretty interesting.

I'm impressed. Let's see what kind of courage the other bishops have.

[Protagoras]

not demonitional.

Good, Jesus cast out the demons.

[JIM O]

Paging Tariq Aziz you have a call from the Pope

[Protagoras]

"demonitional" should read "denominational." : )

I knew that, but the target was too big to resist. Temptation is a bad thing. :-)

[BOBTHENAILER]

Now what does Daschle mean in French? It must be French. This all makes sense because he's always so les miserable.

Daschle: a french derivative word meaning to dash, destroy, break asunder, obstruct, run in the face of danger, etc., etc.

[eastsider]

I thought your ribbing was apt.

[Zack Nguyen]

This is very encouraging indeed. Now let's see the Catholic church move on to the myriad of other pro-abortion, pro-homosexual politicians.

[Notwithstanding]

I wonder if the pope met with Aziz as a head of state (and as such did not discuss personal moral issues) or as universal pastor fo the Church (discussion of personal moral issues appropriate).

I bet it was the former.

[Roughneck]

I have no love for Tom Daschle. But, the catholic church thinking Tom Daschle on it's roles is what constitutes a scandal...

[Protagoras]

I didn't dismiss anything. Unlike a great many Catholics who dismiss anyone who didn't toe the then current company line.

So called "protestants" sought a return to the church, not a new deal.

[js1138]

Does Teddy K. get a pass?

All the Kennedys get a pass, including one that entitles them to make their children illegitimate by forced annullment of their marriage.