Kennedy Denied Communion - Catholic Church Takes a Stand
Catholic Bishop Takes Issue with Patrick Kennedy's Position on Abortion
Kennedy, descended from a long line of Catholic politicians, supports abortion rights. According to Catholic Church doctrine, that labels the Congressman as not being a good practicing Catholic. Bishop Thomas Tobin is said to have told Patrick Kennedy not to take communion and has relayed that sentiment to priests elsewhere in the diocese. Kennedy has declined to say whether he is abiding by the bishop's wishes.
Having been raised in a Catholic home, I have my own issues with church tenets. I have personal experience in how the law of the church may be enforced with one and not another. I've watched as members of my family were ostracized and denied Holy Communion and other Sacraments for 'offenses' I thought much less severe than behaviors overlooked in others. It wasn't uncommon for sins to be overlooked as long as one had the required amount to put in the offering box.
How can a church body, made up of mortal man, decide who gets a pass? A Christian follows the teachings of Jesus Christ and heeds the words written in the Word of God - The Holy Bible. If you claim to be of a certain faith and subscribe to its doctrine, you shouldn't get to pick and choose which parts to follow, any more than church leaders should decide who is sinning and who is not, for the same infractions.
The Catholic Church supports that life begins at conception, and that abortion is murder, therefore a mortal sin. If someone is known to commit a mortal sin, accepts or condones the practice, then I believe that Communion and the rest of the Sacraments should be denied them - all of them. Public figures or those who line the church coffers aren't exempt. While my personal beliefs may not line up with the Catholic Church any longer, I do believe that what is good for one is good for all within any doctrine. I'll not debate the matter of abortion, but if Patrick Kennedy supports abortion, he cannot claim to be a good, practicing Catholic.
I say it's about time the Kennedy clan plays by the rules like the rest of us mere mortals.
Sources:
Personal experience/opinion
Associated Press
Yahoo News
Published by Marie Anne St. Jean - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
A Top 1000 Content Producer for the last three years, Marie Anne is a retired U.S. Marine MSgt whose weapons of choice are now crochet hook and pen. When not writing for Yahoo! sites such as YCN! Voice... View profile
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71 Comments
Post a CommentThe Catholic Church is not saying Kennedy can't go to work but says if you want commumion follow our rules. However I agree that should set standards for everyone not just those responsible for millions of murders.
Good points, but one problem. The Catholic Church and radical Christians are attempting to insinuate religious beliefs into our government. Their stand that life begins at conception is THEIR stand, not everyone's. Their stand on abortion may only apply to Catholics. According to the Catholic church, it's a mortal sin not to attend Mass on Sunday. Shall they try to make a law requiring everyone to attend church services on Sunday? I remember when JFK was elected president, people were afraid that he'd run the country according to his religion. He assured them that his job and his religion were two totally different things. Patrick Kennedy's job and his religion are two different things. Abortion is legal here. If someone is against abortion, don't have one. You don't have the right to tell someone else they can't.
Well thought out and well stated. Your article is excellent.
You weighed the sides of the issue, and I agree with your conclusion here.
*shrugs*
Good coverage.
Kennedy is a representative, i.e. he is expected to reflect the opinions of the majority of his voting public -- not his own. Some might think of it as "separation of church and state"!!!!
Excellent coverage of a difficult topic. Nice job, Marie. :-)
Ha! The Kennedys have never been considered "mere mortals." I'll keep my opinions of the Catholic Church to myself...
there is only one person who should judge, and he is not a bishop