Friday, May 14, 2004
Some brave Catholic leaders speak up
Along the lines of what Kevin posted the other day....
The Roman Catholic Bishop in Colorado Springs has issued a pastoral letter to American Catholics that they should not vote for politicians who defy Church teaching by voting for abortion, stem cell research or euthanasia.
Apparently he's not especially bent about the death penalty, social justice and poverty.
What I found heartening was that some other bishops took issue:
Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington, who is heading a committee studying how bishops should relate to Catholic politicians, said Thursday in his archdiocesan newspaper that he did not favor using the eucharist as a "sanction."
Cardinal McCarrick wrote, "I do not favor a confrontation at the altar rail with the sacred body of the Lord Jesus in my hand."
Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles told the National Catholic Reporter in Rome on Thursday that Mr. Kerry would be welcome to receive communion in the Los Angeles archdiocese. Cardinal Mahony had a private meeting with Mr. Kerry on May 5.
If you've read my bio you know I'm a deist. I try to go out of my way to respect the rights of others to choose their beliefs and practices as long as they don't infringe on the rights of others. I was really pleased to see some courageous Catholic leaders stand up and speak out.
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The Roman Catholic Bishop in Colorado Springs has issued a pastoral letter to American Catholics that they should not vote for politicians who defy Church teaching by voting for abortion, stem cell research or euthanasia.
Apparently he's not especially bent about the death penalty, social justice and poverty.
What I found heartening was that some other bishops took issue:
Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick of Washington, who is heading a committee studying how bishops should relate to Catholic politicians, said Thursday in his archdiocesan newspaper that he did not favor using the eucharist as a "sanction."
Cardinal McCarrick wrote, "I do not favor a confrontation at the altar rail with the sacred body of the Lord Jesus in my hand."
Cardinal Roger M. Mahony of Los Angeles told the National Catholic Reporter in Rome on Thursday that Mr. Kerry would be welcome to receive communion in the Los Angeles archdiocese. Cardinal Mahony had a private meeting with Mr. Kerry on May 5.
If you've read my bio you know I'm a deist. I try to go out of my way to respect the rights of others to choose their beliefs and practices as long as they don't infringe on the rights of others. I was really pleased to see some courageous Catholic leaders stand up and speak out.
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