It's hard not to see the beauty in the Villanova University statue. It is only when the statue is seen through the prism of the abortion debate does one's view of it change.
The abortion debate continues in today's headlines as we read in The New York Times that Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, a Rhode Island Democrat has been informed by a Roman Catholic bishop of his community to refrain from receiving communion because of the congressman’s stance on abortion.
Rep. Kennedy said that Bishop Thomas J. Tobin instructed him not to take communion and that the diocesan priests will not to give him communion.Bishop Tobin issued his instructions to Rep. Kennedy privately in a letter dated February 21, 2007:
“In light of the Church’s clear teaching, and your consistent actions,” the letter said, “I believe it is inappropriate for you to be receiving Holy Communion and I now ask respectfully that you refrain from doing so.”
The escalation of this dispute between the Bishop and Kennedy came after the lawmaker criticized the nation’s Catholic bishops for threatening to oppose an overhaul of the health care system unless it tightened restrictions on publicly financed abortion.
The news continues the issue of the relationship between Catholic public officials and their church. In 2007 the Pope issued the following statement concerning Catholic public officials.
The Pope said public officials who vote in favor of abortion have "doubts about the value of life and the beauty of life and even a doubt about the future. Selfishness and fear are at the root of (pro-abortion) legislation. We in the Church have a great struggle to defend life...life is a gift not a threat." He went on to say, "... killing of an innocent child is incompatible with receiving communion, which is receiving the body of Christ."
So where does this leave a Catholic public official such as myself? Rather than ignore the question, let us use this moment to explore the question. In a community that is 90% Catholic (my guess) represented, for the most part, by Catholic public officials where do we stand on the question?
Something tells me I'm sure to get an answer.
4 comments:
Sir -
Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Abortion is one of the 'inimical evils' that is cited. Furthermore, Pope Pius categorically stated that it is Catholic doctrine that life begins at conception.
In some things, you cannot serve two masters. If you are going to be a Catholic, you cannot be pro-abortion.
Tobin should be attacking child molesting priests instead of attacking America's constitution.
The Catholic Church has gone too far. First, they throw their weight through the pulpit in California for pro-illegal immigration then they throw their money against gay marriage disguised as the Knights of Columbus. Once they try to silence legislators by denying them Sacraments shows me their causes are political and thus need to have their tax exempt status revoked.
Amazing, the self centered ignorance of the last two comments. Lets get real basic. Want to be a catholic? First study the faith, than play by the rules. Otherwise exercise your personal freedom and join some other, or no other, denomination. As far as the pedophiles go, why not do some research on the actual cause of this problem in the Catholic Church. If the Vatican has a handle on the cause why don't you? Finally, log onto PeterKreeft.com and down load his talk on abortion, it will at least make you rethink your position on when life begins. I have grown weary of those that "think" they know the truth just because they can think. Truth is not based solely on what one thinks but also on what is.
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