A remarkable Steven Waldman article suggests that John Kerry could face a conflict larger than his battle with George W. Bush: He could be denied access to the Eucharist by his hometown archbishop in the Roman Catholic Church, in an admonishment for his pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage stances. Archbishop Sean O'Malley has administered communion to Kerry in the past, but is now saying, "These politicians should know that if they're not voting correctly on these life issues that they shouldn't dare come to communion." Wow.
Posted by mesh at March 11, 2004 02:49 PM | TrackBackThats amazing...but good for him.
Posted by: Spoon at March 11, 2004 07:24 PMHmm...
You know, I am deeply divided about this. It is cool, but wow. Ya wanna make sure a Catholic never holds office? Wow.
Great post Mr. Mesh. Now if we could only get those churchmen who profess to hold to the authority of Scripture to be as consistent as Mr. O'Malley in applying it.
P.S. Hey, how about you call me Most Right Reverend Bishop Dude!
Posted by: JQ's Dad at March 12, 2004 12:23 AMAwesome. It's one of the ways the Church can extend its political reach, for sure.
Posted by: scott cunningham at March 12, 2004 09:45 AMI'm shocked. But in a good way.
Posted by: andy at March 14, 2004 03:17 PMA very surprising and bold move!I'm very impressed that the bishop takes his beliefs this seriously -- he will probably face a lot of public scorn.
I wonder if Kerry will respond publicly to this?
Posted by: John at March 15, 2004 04:04 PMNot if he's got half a brain in that lovingly elongated head.
Posted by: mesh at March 15, 2004 04:10 PMFinally the power of the keys is actually being used. Awesome.
Posted by: Evan Donovan at March 16, 2004 01:28 PMCatholics are interesting. When I was converted, I was taught that Catholicism was apostate and utterly corrupt. But then the more I interact with Catholics and read stuff like this, I'm continually surprised by this level of seriousness. I know that Catholicism is also a big tent with a lot of diversity, including a lot of priests who probably do look the other way or actively promote a liberal social agenda on female "reproductive rights" or whatever, but I still get the sense that Catholicism has a lot of conservative folk in there who take stands like this all the time.
Posted by: scott cunningham at March 16, 2004 06:57 PM