Dionne: Kerry and his Church

[Quetzal]

Kerry and His Church

Forty-four years ago John F. Kennedy became the nation's first Roman Catholic president by repeating over and over that his faith would have no effect on how he would govern. Now John F. Kerry is facing resistance to his effort to become the nation's second Roman Catholic president because, in the eyes of some of his Catholic critics, church teaching does not have enough influence on how he would govern -- especially on the matter of abortion.

What's going on here is the result of a perfect storm. There is, first, the frustration of many bishops who lean Democratic on most public issues over how hard it is for even mildly antiabortion Democrats to gain traction or much respect within their party. Second, there has been, to put it charitably, a certain awkwardness in Kerry's own approach to these questions. His reference in early April to a nonexistent pope, "Pius XXIII," was not especially helpful in courting the devout or attentive.

But what may be decisive is a third factor: an active campaign on the part of conservative Catholic Republicans to make abortion the one true litmus test for Catholic politicians. These conservatives are strongly committed to President Bush's reelection and are quite pleased to see Kerry squirm over whether or not he'll be allowed to receive Communion.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A64320-2004May3.html

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[LuLu550]

1. I read, maybe here on DU

that if they are going to to that, they must also refuse communion to pro-death penalty candidates...and moderate Republicans who support a woman's right to choose, like NY's Gov. Pataki and "Arnold."

[Finch]

8. Kick

[dsc]

2. part of this is our own party's fault

The way pro life liberals are treated by our party is nothing short of an abomination. Look at the case of Ron Kirk. He might well have beaten Santorum if he had had the money to campaign effectively but he was refused funding on the basis of his views on abortion (for the most part) and guns. Can anyone deny he would have been vastly better than Santorum?

[SEpatriot]

3. Conservative catholic republicans are the real threat

to the overall causes of social welfare and social justice at home and abroad and that is central to the faith of millions. If there is heavy-handedness by Church leaders here in the U.S., it will backfire.

See Mark Shields take on this: http://www.democrats.us/editorial/shields043004.shtml

Also, pro-life liberals should be given a fair hearing in our party. Litmus-test bigotry is for republicans. Republicans could care less about women's health, children's health or any other real family issues except tax breaks for wealthyfamilies.

[DaveSZ]

4. We need all the Dems we can get in the Congress

I don't care if some of them have reservations about abortion.

Look at Kucinich for a great example.

As long as Kerry appoints even moderate justices, they will still uphold Roe V. Wade. Only radically conservative justices would want to roll back decades of constitutional law would overturn it.

[Finch]

5. The Church is way out of line on this one...

...I have big reservations as far as abortion goes, that said thats my view and a carpet ban is stupid because at times abortions are advisable, however i do not support the notion of "abortion on demand" and while i supported the partial-birth abortion ban i would not seek to impose by law any total ban... really as far as abortion goes I'm pretty similar to Evan Bayh...

...but refusing pro-choice politicians Communion is stupid... hell even Sean Hanity believes in birth control (and thats a deviation from church teaching) a few days ago i saw some guy telling him he wasn't conservative enough because of it...LOL... I think most catholics have to accept that abortion per-say is not desirable, that said a broad range of view on this subject should be excepted so long as they are derived from a firm basis in church teaching...

...but if you want to prevent pols who support abortion from having Communion do the same to pols who support the death penalty! consistency please!

It Should not however be a Democratic Party policy that Abortion is a right!... that is something i do not agree with... the Central values of the democratic party are on economic not social policy... neither party should be defined by it positions on social policy imho...that said both tolerance and restraint should be values promoted as far as the individuals personal behavior goes... but that my view...

bet i get flamed for that one... :-)

[checks-n-balances]

6. That guy William Donoghue is a rabid "prolife" Roman Catholic

who has appeared lots on TV recently defending "The Passion" movie and practically foams at the mouth & comes unhinged every time his views are challenged. I wouldn't be surprised if that hothead is part of this very conservative Catholic stuff against Kerry.

[Finch]

7. Oh to be sure...

...there are some very conservative catholics who are strong supporters of Bush....that said wasn't Mel even saying he had reservations about W these days...

...and don't beat up on the passion, the slander that got thrown at Gibson over that was utter Balonie...imho...at times when i saw that film it made me cry and i haven't cried since i was 11!

So yeah there are conservative catholics who are intolerant and support Bush... but thats true of all groups there are always intolerant zelots...some liberals on this board are intolerant zealots and don't respect any other view except their own... but it happens... most catholic voters are pretty moderate, moderately pro-life, socially traditional, economically flexible... but less tribal as a voting group then when they voted for Kennedy en mass in 1960...