John Kerry and the Church

by Steven Voynich
Student - University of Dallas

I am offended that so many have so little to say regarding Senator Kerry's intent to openly receive Communion. We Catholics pride ourselves on not making judgments regarding our fellows' salvation status, but this cannot be reduced to a personal issue. Senator Kerry is in a position necessitating full awareness of the teachings of the Catholic Church on such a fundamental issue as the right to life, yet he states that not only can he separate it from his political views but that others should do the same. By receiving communion and by saying the very word 'amen' we are binding ourselves to Christ and His Church in a very intimate way.

The vow that husband and wife perform is BUT AN IMAGE of the powerfully intimate communion between the recipient of Communion and Christ. Just as the husband gives his whole self to his bride, so does Christ to the recipient. This includes His Church. By receiving Communion we are binding ourselves to His truths -- all of them. What Kerry is doing by receiving Communion without any regard for the Church's truths is making a mockery of God's covenant. He is performing a lie. How can we trust a man like this.

Did not Jesus say, "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea..." (Mt 18:6). What is the right to vote if we do not vote for what we believe in? It has become so accepted today to say, "Well I personally don't believe in that, but I don't think I have a right to tell someone else what to believe..." The world praises this "see no evil" acceptance. Martyrs used to be those who had such convictions in their Christian beliefs that they died for them. But now, the media praises, as a martyr, one who "lays down his beliefs for a friend." Congratulations.

John Kerry is trying to pick apart the Catholic Church for votes. 'Let's make abortions federally funded,' he claims. 'Let's reward sodomites with the same privileges as people who bring life into the world.' The modern Christian responds, "I can't speak out against those things, I might offend someone." I question whether Jesus would appreciate our "tolerance."

On one hand it makes sense not to be a single issue voter, but how can any issue be of greater importance than the building blocks society, life and family? If we put people in office who will not stand up for some form of basic morality, you can forget God bless America.

John Kerry's rebellion is wreaking havoc on the Catholic community. What does it say to the world when a man like Kerry claims the Catholic faith while wholly violating it publicly and is not reprimanded or spoken against? What does it say when we allow the Eucharist to become something to be used as a political tool? How do we get to the point where we no longer hold it above all else as something sacred to be revered, protected and cherished? Many are questioning whether Kerry is really in the wrong.

Others see the debate as a moral weakness in the leaders of the Church. Catholic bishops are meeting to discuss possible sanctions against nominally Catholic public figureheads in this situation. I find it odd that sanctions against divorced Catholics are severe while it is so difficult to touch these blatant inciters of rebellion against the Faith.

By standing up for what is right the Church may drive away nonconforming parishioners, but by silently allowing this to continue we are only breeding a Church of lukewarm nominal Catholics. In today's society, amid numerous wavering religions, the Church is the one stronghold that must be guarded. As the Church stands firm, especially here in the U.S., it can be a beacon which people will flock to as their own churches falter.

Contact

University of Dallas
http://www,catholic.org TX, US
Steven Voynich - student, 972 438-5736

Email

svoynic48@hotmail.com

Keywords

Kerry, Faithful, Bush, Communion

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »