Kerry Takes Communion on Mother's Day

PITTSBURGH - Democrat John Kerry attended Mother's Day Mass on Sunday and took communion although some Roman Catholic leaders say he should not receive it because his abortion-rights stance violates church teachings.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=5&u=/ap/20040509/ap_on_el_pr/kerry

OK, I know this is crap LBN, but I find it funny that it is being reported. What a bad bad man.

meanwhile GW defends Rummy and the thugs

Why doesn't the Church lean on prominent, Republican pro-choice Catholics? Why are they silent in demanding that Tom Ridge, or Susan Collins, be denied the eucharist?

Yes, of course that was a rhetorical question.

:eyes:

"The Church" per se, has not taken a position on this. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops lists this question, among other very general questions on Communion, on it's website: http://www.usccb.org/

(q)10. The document states “sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who seek them in a reasonable manner, are rightly disposed, and are not prohibited by law from receiving them.” Does this mean that politicians who hold positions antithetical to the church cannot be denied communion if they approach the altar?
(a)Such matters are decided by the Diocesan Bishop in conformity with Canon Law and other documents of the Holy See.

And a google search on Kerry's Boston Diocese turned up this:

"Kerry's archbishop, Sean P. O'Malley of Boston, would not deny Kerry the sacrament. The cardinal who heads a committee on relationships between the hierarchy and Catholic politicians, Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington, also would give Communion to Kerry. And Rev. John Ardis, the director of the Paulist Center on Beacon Hill, where Kerry generally worships and plans to celebrate Easter today, says he would welcome Kerry."

(snip)

"If someone presents themselves for Communion, unless they're obviously not Catholic, we give them Communion," Coyne said. "The important thing to recognize is that the reception of Holy Communion is not a reward for living an exemplary life; the reception of Holy Communion is, among many things, a remedy and nourishment of the soul for the Catholic Christian, to help them persevere in seeking a life of holiness and becoming more aligned with the church's life."

Coyne said O'Malley had no comment on Kerry, "because, basically, we're not going to allow the Archdiocese of Boston to get embroiled in a national political campaign. The archbishop has made no public statement regarding Mr. Kerry or his Catholicism, and he does not plan on doing so."

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/04/11/a_debate_simmers_over_kerry_and_the_eucharist/

I believe all of two Bishops (from other Diocese) stated they wouldn't give him Communion, and they DON'T speak for the entire Church.

Kerry is a proponent of a Woman's Right to Choose.

I believe "Free Will" is SOP in the religious teachings of Christ.

IMO- Kerry is in good company.

What is the problem with these Cardinals anyway?

Is somebody paying them?
Or are they getting paid for each infomercial?

Bunch of hypocritical red dresses!

They probably wouldn't approve of Jesus's best friend, Mary Magdalane, either!



schwing!

For example, mindful of the fact that Cardinal Arinze will probably be the next Pope, and probably very soon, there was this just 2 weeks ago:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/04/23/vatican.kerry/

Cardinal Francis Arinze was asked if a politician who supports abortion rights should be denied communion.

"Yes. Objectively, the answer is clear," Arinze said. "The person is not fit. If he shouldn't receive it, then it shouldn't be given."

Asked about Kerry, Arinze said the decision would be up to U.S. bishops: "The norm of the church is clear. The Catholic Church exists in the U.S. There are bishops there. Let them interpret it."

...Some U.S. Roman Catholics have said Kerry should not receive communion because of his position...

Now, admittedly, this is not a formal proclaimation by the church or even the US Conf of Cardinals. But it is very dangerously close. And it ought to be seen by every Catholic as a clear indication that their Church is in the clutches of some very conservative old men ready to reinstitute in a New York minute the vagaries of rigid dogma, based fundamentally on the yet unchallenged apostacy of the claim of Papal Infallibility (a claim only first made in the mid 19th century).

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

even though church leaders condemn Iraq war and killing of innocent Iraqis"

Haven't seen this headline yet. Anyone seen it?

:wtf:

Next thing you know, we'll find out that John Kerry thinks condoms should be legal!

He needs to be ready with a fast response planned out for when the other shoe drops and they find some greedy right wing higher up in the Catholic Church who the Republicans can pay under the table to fully thrash him.

The fact that Bush supports the death penalty, war, and other things that many churches are theoretically against should be part of the counter attack.

"It's Between GOD and Kerry"

If they have a problem with that response,

they need to see a shrink!

And good for Fr. Duch, who administered the sacrament. (Of course they reported the priest's name. Sigh.) I commend both of these bad bad men.

Kerry is taking communion feeling able to do so. I really wish people would stop talking about it. It is his personal decision to do so. His conscience is clear. That is what this means. Leave John Kerry and his beliefs alone for God's sake!

Supporters and spreaders of disinformation!

The Catholic Church is making a mistake by attempting to deny Communion to politicians who are pro-choice. This policy is dumb and could be grounds for revoking the Church's tax exempt status.

There are similarities between the Catholic Church and the United States. The people running the models are unprofessional, corrupt and abuse the system. At least the Catholic Church has an excuse, a tottering pontiff/president, out of the Loop.

What is the excuse for Bush and Cheney?

Cheney says: 'Get Off Rumsfeld's back'!

we say: 'who in the world is he talking to'?

I use BIRTH CONTROL!!! Catholic doctrine considers it the same thing as abortion. Tell the 88% of Catholic women who use Birth Control they can't take communion! They don't dare touch it.

4 bishops stated that Kerry shouldn't receive Communion...130+ bishops have kept silent...

Nobody's said anything about Giuliani!!!

This is a right wing nonsense...

After a while, they'd stop reporting it.

I'm betting God is happy to have Kerry on his/her team.