Four points, on the continuing discussion spurred by Congressman Patrick Kennedy's statement that a true pro-life position requires the Catholic Church to support a healthcare plan that includes public funding for abortions:
But overall argument aside, Governor Cuomo was very clearly willing to state that the act of abortion was wrong…
For me, life or fetal life in the womb should be protected, even if five of nine Justices of the Supreme Court and my neighbor disagree with me. A fetus is different from an appendix or a set of tonsils. At the very least, even if the argument is made by some scientists or some theologians that in the early stages of fetal development we can't discern human life, the full potential of human life is indisputably there. That – to my less subtle mind – by itself should demand respect, caution, indeed…reverence.Congressman Kennedy's stated position, whether he understands what he has said or not, tramples upon this idea. His statement that a true pro-life position requires supporting an expansion of the government's role in providing abortions is an argument that everyone must disregard whatever personal respect, caution and reverence for life they believe in to help to advance the agenda that he supports. Declaring that people should ignore their personal beliefs on serious moral issues, in support of a particular political agenda, is a long distance away from the position that Governor Cuomo's words were attempting to stake out.
Check out Jerzyk on RIF calling out(his favorite activity and yet he's so vulnerable himself)the Bishop as a hypocrite.When the Bishop was carrying water for illegal aliens and advising Catholic ICE agents to refuse to do their jobs,Jerzyk was kissing his....well,let's say it wasn't his ring.
Talk about hypocrisy.
I think the Bishop didn't start this fight.Kennedy went off on another of his insane rants and this time,Tobin just couldn't look the other way.I don't much care what goes on in that church,because I am not Catholic,nor is anyone in my family,except my son in law.And he got married to my daughter in a Protestant church,so I guess he's not up for canonization any time soon.Any more than some Rabbi is gonna give me the Jew of the Year award.
I thought the Bishop's admonition to ICE agents was absolutely out of line because they are just enforcing existing law,it's not like they're serving the Nazis or Communists or something.
This whole dispute should've stayed in the religious sphere and Kennedy has himself to blame for making a very public and incendiary matter of it.
And yet, no matter how many stupid things that he says or does, past, present or future, Patches will be reelected, again and again, by the brain-dead voters in this state, because he's "our" Kennedy.
Posted by: Chris at November 24, 2009 12:40 PMWhy isn't this horse decomposing yet?
Posted by: Patrick at November 24, 2009 12:59 PM4.Finally, since when does "separation of church and state" mean that religious figures can express public opinions on matters of their religion only when they agree with secular governing authorities?!?!
....writes an angry Andrew
Who cares? I don't see anyone silencing the good bishop. Nor did anyone silence the Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan.
Phil,
The above equivalence is so dumb, I can only believe that one of your turkeys has gotten loose and taken control of your keyboard.
However, in the interest of fostering further dialog, when you get a chance, please translate the following into turkey-language and see if you get a coherent reply:
Do you equate shooting people with expressing public opinions? If not, why are you wasting the readers' time?
If Patrick had half a functioning brain, he wouldn't allow himself to be goaded by the bishop into making one stupid mistake after another. As for Tobin, I'm sure many of his pastoral peers are wishing he's just STFU and quit embarassing them.
"Finally, since when does "separation of church and state" mean that religious figures can express public opinions on matters of their religion only when they agree with secular governing authorities?!?!"
Indeed.
Phil, many people have called for the Bishop to stop speaking about these matters on the exact (invalid) basis that Andrew references.
His characterization of the Bishop aside, I wonder if perhaps Rhody has a point. How much more of substance can be said by either side in a productive manner? (though it does make interesting listening and reading.)
Whether or not if your not a Catholic or a Catholic in name only and dislike the Bishop, Kennedy is a hypocrite and dishonest with him self and to the voters of Rhode Island.He is arrogant because he is a Kennedy. How in the voters keep voting him in. He has the teachers and state unions as well the Latinos in his camp. And I thought teachers were smart???
Posted by: gakd33 at November 24, 2009 10:40 PM"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
This was designed to protect Religion(s) from the State, and not visa versa.
Bishop Tobin is exercising his right of religious freedom. There is no attempt at "establishment". The bishop is acting in his capacity as a Catholic leader, offering guidance to a member of his flock. In the eyes of the church the bishop represents, if Kennedy wishes to boast his catholicicm; he needs to be a catholic in the full sense.
Neither Kennedy, nor any other catholic, should believe they can have it both ways.
Posted by: George at November 25, 2009 4:45 AMAndrew
Phil,
The above equivalence is so dumb, I can only believe that one of your turkeys has gotten loose and taken control of your keyboard.
I have'nt stopped laughing since reading this. Thank you.
Posted by: Phil at November 25, 2009 7:17 PM