Officials [Rep. Obey-D and others] Bristle at Bishop's Epistle

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal
http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/dec03/190403.asp

Madison - Lawmakers and a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice Thursday bluntly reminded a Catholic bishop - whose stern letter instructed a state senator to adopt church views on political issues - that it is the Constitution, not religion, that guides legislative action.

"I respect and indeed welcome the effort of the bishop or any other responsible clergy to attempt to influence me through advocacy, persuasion and reason," said U.S. Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.). "But there is a difference between advocacy and persuasion vs. dictation - especially on issues that affect people of all religions, not just Catholics."

<snip>

Burke, who was named Tuesday by Pope John Paul II as the archbishop of St. Louis, said that he sent the letters to warn elected officials he declined to name that they risked their spiritual well-being by taking political stances he found to conflict with church teachings. He said Wednesday that if they continued to act in that manner, it was his intention to "ask them not to present themselves to receive the sacraments because they would not be Catholics in good standing."

<snip>


Okay, help me out here. In order to run, you must have a religion, say many of our churches as well as voters today. But, you must not represent based on fact, evidence, common sense or your conscience. You cannot represent the people; now you must represent the church. How un-American is that?

Seems to me this constitutes bribery of a political official and Bishop Burke should be charged. I mean, after all, for people of many faiths, their spiritual life here and in the afterlife is their most valuable posession.

but it is extortion.

I equate them because both imply there will be an exchange of value taking place. In reality I know they are legally not the same.

Thanks for making it clear. Actually, extortion is a much harsher word and I should have used it instead.

God, save me from your followers!

sinks into theocracy, fundamentalism, and right wing oligarchy -all the things we are saving Iraq from... amazing isnt it.

We call it lobbying:( If this was a fair democracy this guy would be looking at life in prison or possible execution for trying to overthrow the soveriegnty of the people.

if the Church wants to dictate how elected officials vote, then it is time to rescind their tax free status. That would be a lot more effective, in my opinion, than just telling the clerics to STFU!

I hope we get someone less conservative, but I don't have much hope of that as long as the present hierarchy is in Rome.

Here is one of the many reasons.

BTW is this possibly a violation of the Patriot Act?

do your own sacraments. The sacrament of communion is supposed to be between you and your god. You don't need a priest to administer the rememberance. It isn't up to some priest to determine whether you are eligable to commumicate with Jesus Christ.

yay!

:D

Oh, right...the whole nailing the thing on the church door thing by that Luther guy....


I'm still smiling...thanks!

I baptized my 4th child on my own. Instructions are in the Book of Common Prayer. This is just me. I feel I don't need a middle man to do the job I am perfectly capable of doing. Now this is real freedom!

What Church teachings are they talking about?

-the ones condemning gays?
-the ones condemning abortion?
-the ones condemning birth control of any kind?
-the ones condemning divorce?
-the ones condemning capitol punishment?
-the ones condemning unjust wars (Iraq)?

If they only enforce the first two, without enforcing the last four, they'll be percieved (rightfully) as the hypocrites they are. If they try to enforce the last four they'll lose the vast majority of American Catholics.

And yet Scalia still calls himself a catholic.