![]() |
The Weblog at The View from the Core - Sat. 04/03/04 06:47:56 AM
|
||||
Major Test for Catholic Bishops in the USA Wanna bet they fail miserably? Sen. John Kerry (S-Pomo) publicly rejects very publicly rejects central Catholic moral teaching, and he "divorced" his wife to "marry" another (very wealthy) woman. Yet, he contumaciously claims to be a Catholic in good standing. Two current articles in mainstream publications address this issue: one at NYT, the other at Time. Here's a paragraph plucked from the former: Bishop [John H.] Ricard [of Pensacola-Tallahassee] said in Rome: "Of course we were disappointed with Kerry's voting against it. We were disappointed with others who voted against it [Violence Against Unborn Victims Act], but as Catholic lawmakers we hold them to a higher standard." You "hold them to a higher standard"? The hell you do, Bishop; the hell you do. You actually hold them to no standard at all. In brief, here's my take on this: it's time now! for the Catholic bishops in the USA to stop slapping America's Catholic laity in the face, to stop stabbing Rome in the back, and to stop spitting on the face of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what they do every time a flaming (wealthy, important, influential) hypocrite like John Kerry presents himself for the Holy Eucharist and isn't denied the sacrament. Even thirty years ago, Kerry would have been excommunicate for pretending to divorce his wife and pretending to marry another (very wealthy) woman. The notion that denying Holy Communion to a CINO like John Kerry might cause a political backlash is risible. How the hell could the political situation get any worse? Merely reflect upon the truth: much of Catholic teaching, especially concerning morals, that evokes the shrillest, angriest, unthinking denunciation these days was taken for granted by virtually all Christians — by virtually all Americans — only a century ago: the immorality of abortion, artificial contraception, divorce and remarriage, and homosexual activity. In these respects, the role of the Catholic Church in the USA in determining public policy over the past forty years has been, effectively, nil. (Wolves in Shepherd's Clothing: Perfidious Priests and What Must Be Done About Them) It's time to reverse course. It's long past time to reverse course. We don't need committees. We don't need studies. We need Catholic bishops who will be Catholic bishops. Yesterday. [Follow-up: Re: Major Test for Catholic Bishops in the USA.] Lane Core Jr. CIW P Sat. 04/03/04 06:47:56 AM |
The Blog from the Core © 2002-2008 E. L. Core. All rights reserved. |
Previous | Day | Next |