Bishop Tobin Pulls Catholic Hospital out of Catholic Health Association

There is always something to celebrate.

Fr. Z on Catholic Democrat Cronies Patrick Whelan, Steve Krueger and Suzanne Morse

The old "Voice of the Faithful" characters, some of whom are operating the remnants of (the jailbird pedophile pimp) Eric McFadden's "Catholic Democrats" organization, are the subject of discussion over at Fr. Z's.

Just how deeply sycophantic are the political toadies of the group Catholic Democrats?



Fr. Z fisks the most recent activities of McFadden's "Catholic Democrats": marketing abortions in the abortion healthcare package.

I think there's some police detectives in Columbus, Ohio who have some answers to how sychopantic and psychotic Eric McFadden's group can get. It isn't pretty underneath the subterfuge.

Men who push promiscuity to women have some hefty reasons to keep the abortion industry harvesting their prey.

The "women's liberation" movement liberates them from making child support payments.

McFadden's co-founder in "Catholic Democrats", Patrick Whelan, has picked up Suzanne Morse, former "communications manager for Voice of the Faithful". Shortly after Eric McFadden's arrest, Whelan recycled the initiative and recruited Former Executive Director of Voice of the Faithful.

Their most recent debauchery is the same old meme: They've cracked the code of the Catechism of the Catholic Church - it's the treatise of the Republican National Committee and we're all secret agents.

They are worked up about the interchange between Bp. Tobin of Providence and pro-abortion Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI). The group Catholic Democrats want abortion as part of health care and therefore they can’t stand Catholic bishops who speak out when "Catholics" support abortion.

The tactic of Catholic Deomcrats is to turn this into a political issue. For example, if the Republican Party has a pro-life (anti-abortion) plank, and if a Catholic bishop speaks out when a pro-abortion Democrat supports abortion rights… therefore… try to follow now… therefore the Bishop is actually supporting the Republican Party. See? See? Wasn’t that easy? Great reasoning.

Catholic Democrats are political hacks. They might be Democrats, but they sure aren’t Catholics.

Father's comments are in bold~

From the Catholic Democrats website:

November 24, 2009

Support Congressman Kennedy and Health Care Reform

Call Bishop Tobin Today

I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish—where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source—where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials—and where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all.
– President John F. Kennedy, September 12, 1960, Houston Texas, The Greater Houston Ministerial Association

[What a misguided and damaging speech that was. What comes to mind is the phrase: "But for Wales?"]

Dear Friends,

This past Sunday, it was reported that Rhode Island Bishop Thomas Tobin had barred his Congressional representative, Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), from receiving Holy Communion in the diocese in early 2007, a sanction that remains in place today. [This is mendacious. Bp. Tobin has not imposed any sanction or censure on Rep. Kennedy – though he probably should. He requested in private discussion that the Congressman not receive. That is not the same as a "sanction". The Bishop did not "bar" him. But that is not to the purposes of this group, who will lie for the sake of their message.] We are asking you for your help in responding to this action and to the bishop’s disparagement of Representative Kennedy’s Catholic faith [I believe that Rep. Kennedy disparaged his own Catholic faith by his actions and public statements.] that occurred in the course of a public dispute that preceded this recent revelation.

[Watch this. You can see how Catholic Democrats try to drag this who thing over into the sphere of mere politics.] Bishop Tobin has made no secret of his preference for the Republican positions on a variety of social issues. A majority of Catholics hold views similar to Congressman Kennedy, [And this is another problem: They think morality can be determined by majorities.] namely that constructive measures to decrease the number of abortions [No… I think Catholic Democrats actually want abortion to be paid for by tax-payer dollars.] are a more Christian and effective approach than the vague criminalization threats of the past. [This issue of "criminalization" must be discussed at length elsewhere. For now, they are just using it as a scare tactic.] Catholic Democrats believes that Bishop Tobin’s [wait for it…] personal political views are driving actions that are not only hurtful to Catholics in Rhode Island but also to the larger Church [ ROFL! Sure! I bet they do! The last thing they want is strong bishops.] – as well as fueling the political divisions across our country.

This public conflict is deeply regrettable, particularly at a time when our country is debating national health care reform. [And Catholic Democrats want abortion to be paid for.] In the midst of this historic opportunity, that would help millions of people in need, Bishop Tobin returned to a divisive path. Building on his sanction [Again, it was not a sanction. It was a request.] in 2007, the bishop recently issued a public letter that only added to the polarization of the health care debate when faith, reason, and civility [What in his letter was a violation of "faith, reason, and civility"? Quotes, please?] are called for, particularly from our pastoral leaders. [But remember: If the Bishop takes a position, then he is not being "pastoral". "Pastoral" is where you let liberals do what they want.]

Do visit Fr. Z and read the rest of his excellent dissection.

At the end of the day, they fire the salvo that Bishop Tobin is carrying out the orders of the Republican party and Whelan and his recycled VOTF group are crusaders for those suffering political oppression - and so they're recruiting people to take Bishop Tobin under siege.

Last I checked, "Catholic Democrats" was not registered with the Secretary of State in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, though they claim on their website to have officers and a 'treasurer". Ergo, they're either a handful of clowns with bupkis, making like their somebody important in politics without two nickels to rub together - or somebody is giving them money they're not reporting to the IRS and paying taxes upon.

I'll have to check back with the SOS office here in Mass and see if there's any status change.

To me, the paper trail on this group should be under the nose of Cardinal George's committee to govern the use of the word "Catholic".

***UPDATE

I reviewed the status of Catholic Democrats of Massachusetts.

If you look at the website, Patrick Whelan lists himself as the "Director" and Mary Beth Saffo is listed as the "Treasurer".

Here, he lists himself as the "President" of Catholic Democrats with Steve Kruger as the Executive Director.

We can be reached at:

Catholic Democrats
PO Box 290331
Boston, MA 02129

However, if you check the corporate database of the Secretary of State and run a wordsearch for the entity "Catholic Democrats" or scroll down to do a search for Patrick Whelan and Steven Krueger or Mary Beth Saffo under individuals operating a business in Massachusetts, it's a bust.

BTW -- If you check out this page on the Catholic Democrats site, you'll find this:

Through the "Issues" section of its website, Catholic Democrats shows how the positions of the Democratic Party are consistent with Catholic Social Teaching.

Thorough our "Get Local," we connect Catholic Democrats with our local chapters.

We look forward to working with the Obama administration.

Patrick Whelan, President
Steven Krueger, Executive Director

The Obama Administration working with "Catholic Democrats" leaves a lot of questions about rounding up people to attack a Catholic Cardinal.

Whelan and McFadden co-authored an article called "Politicking in Catholic Churches" at the beginning of their "Catholic Democrat" initiative. It seems Whelan has taken down every reference and link to McFadden on his "Catholic Democrat" website.

In any event, politicians and administrations waging war against the Catholic Church have long been using McFadden, Whelan and a handful of others to do their dirty work for them.

More Details on Patrick Kennedy's Excommunication

Since Kennedy let the cat out of the bag, Bishop Tobin has released more details.

Kennedy's Excommunication took place in 2007:

The Roman Catholic bishop of Rhode Island said Sunday that he asked Rep. Patrick Kennedy in a 2007 letter to stop receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, because of the congressman's public stance on moral issues.

Bishop Thomas Tobin divulged details of his confidential exchange with Kennedy after the Democratic lawmaker told The Providence Journal in a story published Sunday that Tobin had instructed him not to receive Communion. The two men have clashed repeatedly in the past few weeks over abortion.

Kennedy did not say where or how he received those instructions. He declined to say whether he has obeyed the bishop's request.

"The bishop instructed me not to take Communion and said that he has instructed the diocesan priests not to give me Communion," Kennedy told the paper in an interview conducted Friday.

Kennedy said the bishop had explained the penalty by telling him "that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I've taken as a public official," particularly on abortion....

Tobin urged Kennedy not to receive communion in a February 2007 letter, a portion of which was released publicly by Tobin's office Sunday.

"In light of the Church's clear teaching, and your consistent actions, therefore, I believe it is inappropriate for you to be receiving Holy Communion and I now ask respectfully that you refrain from doing so," Tobin wrote.

The revelation of Kennedy's excommunication couldn't come at a better time because it gives those voting on immoral and unethical healthcare without the excuse that they did not know what they were doing.

Choose Truth or lies, Life or death but whatever you choose, they see the ax just waiting to chop them from the Root.

Bishop Tobin Excommunicates Patrick Kennedy

Kennedy reveals he's been excommunicated

Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has banned Rep. Patrick Kennedy from receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, in Rhode Island because of the congressman's support for abortion rights, Kennedy said in a newspaper interview published Sunday.

The decision by the outspoken prelate, reported on The Providence Journal's Web site, significantly escalates a bitter dispute between Tobin, an ultra orthodox bishop, and Kennedy, a son of the nation's most famous Roman Catholic family.

"The bishop instructed me not to take Communion and said that he has instructed the diocesan priests not to give me Communion," Kennedy told the paper in an interview conducted Friday.

Kennedy said the bishop had explained the penalty by telling him "that I am not a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I've taken as a public official," particularly on abortion.

Let us pray others follow Bishop Tobin's courageous leadership.

This has been a long period where the teachings of the Catholic Church have been he-said-she-said in the public square. Various people who hold the tenets of the Church in contempt, yet claim authority to teach It, have erected a golden calf and named it "Catholicism". Far too many souls are being seduced.

Being complacent (or craven) is not an option.

We have a small window of opportunity to enlighten the intellect of Catholics in Congress and the House about the gravity of imposing immoral and inept medical care and how it will affect salvation. Losing the ability to tell right from wrong is caused by being emboldened in our sins and gives the devil the opportunity to use us as tools.

This is the subterfuge of the spiritual world we cannot see, the Holy Spirit uses people as tools and the devil uses people as tools:

The world is filled with information. Education brings us to a fork in the road where we act upon free will. One road is living a life of surrender to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, fed by God's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Catholic Church. The other road is the chaos of following our own desires.

In subterfuge of this spiritual world people rise to call others to migration.

Anytime Christ's Church holds the Light up for all to see and follow, the spiritual battle for souls will provoke the spiritual force opposing the Light to use their tools call souls back to the darkness.

The culture is entrenched and the message of the Prodigal Son will be twisted. To be effective, the message from Apostolic successors has got to be swift, powerful and unified.

Kennedy could appeal the decision to officials in the Vatican, but the hierarchy of the Catholic church is unlikely to overturn a bishop, said Michael Sean Winters, a church observer and author of "Left At the Altar: How Democrats Lost The Catholics And How Catholics Can Save The Democrats."

"It's really bad theology," said Winters, who opposes abortion. "You're turning the altar rail into a battle field, a political battlefield no less, and it does a disservice to the Eucharist."

How is throwing the Eucharist into a cesspool a disservice?

Unworthy reception of the Eucharist not only does a disservice to the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord - it does a disservice to the soul who receives unworthily because it entrenches them in their sins. Further, it does a disservice to all those watching the circus of a public servant who dissents from the Church because they believe the actions of receiving is the equivalent of Communion with the Catholic Church.

As Fr. Convertino of St. Anthony's Shrine has memorialized, priests living a life of misleading their flocks have no problem with scuffles at the Altar. They do it all the time when people want to receive by mouth without touching the Blessed Sacrament or on their knees.

At the end of the day, those putting on the circus in the public square for the last 40 years have not plowed out and migrated the people towards the path of salvation. The world has descended. It's time for new leadership. The leadership of the last forty years is inching us towards the destruction of the empires this culture has built.

The Mercy of God will not permit a culture where so many of His souls are led to trudging the road to hell. The Old Testament is filled with empires that were wiped out by the Hand of God. God loved us so much that He sent His Only Son. The New Testament is filled with Christ's teachings, explanations and the sacrifice it cost Him to leave us a Church with Apostles designed to form our consciences and set us on the right road.

If you find yourself on the road with Patrick Kennedy and a culture that opposes the teachings of the Church, some soul searching on the identity of the spiritual subterfuge beckoning you is definitely order.

He declined to say when or how Tobin told him not to take the sacrament. And he declined to say whether he has obeyed the bishop's injunction.

God help him. Like it or lump it, Patrick Kennedy is experiencing the prodigal son, the father who would not let the son on the wrong path destroy the consciences in the rest of his household. Tough love to oust your flesh and blood but the reality is, there comes a point in time when somebody can undermine and poison the Truth in a household and the head of that household must take action to protect others.

The duty of a Shepherd of the Catholic Church to protect their children physically is minutia in the grand scheme of things. If they remove those who harm a body and leave those who harm the souls, their own salvation is at risk. The path to hell is paved with the skulls of shepherds who permitted a counterfeit church in the name of Catholicism to be erected and mislead.

I'm edified and hopeful at the new signs that the USCCB is going to guard and protect the Name Catholic from being hijacked. The excommunication of Patrick Kennedy is the first step on our road to recovering our heritage for our children.

Fr. Rutler's magnificent column this week hits this right between the eyes:

FROM THE PASTOR
November 22, 2009
by Fr. George W. Rutler

Our Lord predicted that “… the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light.” (Mark 13:24) In every generation, there will be efforts to block Christ (the sun) and muffle the voice of his Church (the moon).

Cardinal Consalvi reminded Napoleon that even weak bishops for nineteen centuries had not been able to block the voice of Christ. A century and a half later, when the Vichy government claimed Catholic credentials but promoted genocide, Pierre Laval blustered: “Nobody and nothing can sway me from my determination to rid France of foreign Jews. Cardinals and bishops have intervened, but everyone is a master of his own trade. They handle religion. I handle government.” Three years later, Laval was executed, and in 1981 a chief object of Laval’s threats, Cardinal Gerlier, was posthumously declared “Righteous among the Nations” by Yad Vashem.

In 1980, Cardinal Madieros of Boston wrote: “Those who make abortion possible by law cannot separate themselves from the guilt which accompanies this horrendous crime and deadly sin.” Shortly afterward, the Cardinal visited my college in Rome. He recounted how Senator Edward Kennedy told him: “You do your business, and I’ll do mine.” The next year, Cardinal Madieros died unexpectedly in heart surgery at the age of 67.

On November 12, the Bishop of Providence, Thomas J. Tobin, responded to a public comment of Congress-man Patrick Kennedy who had said: “The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.” The bishop asked, “What does it mean to be a Catholic?” He quoted the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: “It would be a mistake to confuse the proper autonomy exercised by Catholics in political life with the claim of a principle that prescinds from the moral and social teaching of the Church.” The bishop gave a checklist for being a Catholic that applies to each of us: “Do you accept the teachings of the Church on essential matters of faith and morals, including our stance on abortion? Do you belong to a local Catholic community, a parish? Do you attend Mass on Sundays and receive the sacraments regularly? Do you support the Church personally, publicly, spiritually and financially?”

In 1947 Cardinal Ritter of St. Louis threatened to excommunicate any of his flock who tried to stop the racial integration of Catholic schools, and in 1962 Archbishop Rummel of New Orleans did in fact excommunicate a judge and two other Catholics for opposing desegregation. The media hailed them as prophets. But when newer bishops in the mold of Benedict XVI refuse to play courtier to decadent dynasties, voices older than Laval, and as old as Pilate, whine with a tone of lèse majesté: “Mind your own business.”

Father, no doubt, is rejoicing today.

Come on shepherds, stand up and fight.

***ADDENDUM

I'm passing along a suggestion a friend just sent me that I'm certainly going to follow and I hope you also consider:

Today's Mass & Communion is for this Bishop! God Bless Him & may he live a long long life!

Cover his back and lift him up.

Bishop Tobin's Latest Correspondence to Patrick Kennedy

Patrick Kennedy's Bishop, +Thomas J. Tobin has released a public letter that to me, indicates Kennedy has refused to go meet with him and iron out the wrinkles in his formation as a Catholic.

The poor man has got to go a long way to unravel the damage done by his father, who realized his errors on his death bed - and Cardinal O'Malley, who opened up the Sanctuary of the Catholic Church to give the appearance that a lifetime of assisting in 50 million murders of children is no obstacle to salvation.

The letter is a testimony to a Bishop who cares whether our eternal destination is Heaven or Hell.

I still have a great deal of trouble as a parent ever imagining myself groveling for absolution for errors that led millions to spiritual chaos and deaths - and leaving my own children in the dark to repeat my errors.

I just can't imagine doing it.

I don't know about you, but if I were the recipient of the letter, it sure would look to me as if the Bishop was firing a very serious warning shot across my bow. It's a sensible, firm but direct letter.

Dear Congressman Kennedy:

“The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.” (Congressman Patrick Kennedy)

Since our recent correspondence has been rather public, I hope you don’t mind if I share a few reflections about your practice of the faith in this public forum. I usually wouldn’t do that – that is speak about someone’s faith in a public setting – but in our well-documented exchange of letters about health care and abortion, it has emerged as an issue. I also share these words publicly with the thought that they might be instructive to other Catholics, including those in prominent positions of leadership.

For the moment I’d like to set aside the discussion of health care reform, as important and relevant as it is, and focus on one statement contained in your letter of October 29, 2009, in which you write, “The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.” That sentence certainly caught my attention and deserves a public response, lest it go unchallenged and lead others to believe it’s true. And it raises an important question: What does it mean to be a Catholic?

“The fact that I disagree with the hierarchy on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic.” Well, in fact, Congressman, in a way it does. Although I wouldn’t choose those particular words, when someone rejects the teachings of the Church, especially on a grave matter, a life-and-death issue like abortion, it certainly does diminish their ecclesial communion, their unity with the Church. This principle is based on the Sacred Scripture and Tradition of the Church and is made more explicit in recent documents.

For example, the “Code of Canon Law” says, “Lay persons are bound by an obligation and possess the right to acquire a knowledge of Christian doctrine adapted to their capacity and condition so that they can live in accord with that doctrine.” (Canon 229, #1)

The “Catechism of the Catholic Church” says this: “Mindful of Christ’s words to his apostles, ‘He who hears you, hears me,’ the faithful receive with docility the teaching and directives that their pastors give them in different forms.” (#87)

Or consider this statement of the Church: “It would be a mistake to confuse the proper autonomy exercised by Catholics in political life with the claim of a principle that prescinds from the moral and social teaching of the Church.” (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 2002)

There’s lots of canonical and theological verbiage there, Congressman, but what it means is that if you don’t accept the teachings of the Church your communion with the Church is flawed, or in your own words, makes you “less of a Catholic.”

But let’s get down to a more practical question; let’s approach it this way: What does it mean, really, to be a Catholic? After all, being a Catholic has to mean something, right?

Well, in simple terms – and here I refer only to those more visible, structural elements of Church membership – being a Catholic means that you’re part of a faith community that possesses a clearly defined authority and doctrine, obligations and expectations. It means that you believe and accept the teachings of the Church, especially on essential matters of faith and morals; that you belong to a local Catholic community, a parish; that you attend Mass on Sundays and receive the sacraments regularly; that you support the Church, personally, publicly, spiritually and financially.

Congressman, I’m not sure whether or not you fulfill the basic requirements of being a Catholic, so let me ask: Do you accept the teachings of the Church on essential matters of faith and morals, including our stance on abortion? Do you belong to a local Catholic community, a parish? Do you attend Mass on Sundays and receive the sacraments regularly? Do you support the Church, personally, publicly, spiritually and financially?

In your letter you say that you “embrace your faith.” Terrific. But if you don’t fulfill the basic requirements of membership, what is it exactly that makes you a Catholic? Your baptism as an infant? Your family ties? Your cultural heritage?

Your letter also says that your faith “acknowledges the existence of an imperfect humanity.” Absolutely true. But in confronting your rejection of the Church’s teaching, we’re not dealing just with “an imperfect humanity” – as we do when we wrestle with sins such as anger, pride, greed, impurity or dishonesty. We all struggle with those things, and often fail.

Your rejection of the Church’s teaching on abortion falls into a different category – it’s a deliberate and obstinate act of the will; a conscious decision that you’ve re-affirmed on many occasions. Sorry, you can’t chalk it up to an “imperfect humanity.” Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members. It absolutely diminishes your communion with the Church.

Congressman Kennedy, I write these words not to embarrass you or to judge the state of your conscience or soul. That’s ultimately between you and God. But your description of your relationship with the Church is now a matter of public record, and it needs to be challenged. I invite you, as your bishop and brother in Christ, to enter into a sincere process of discernment, conversion and repentance. It’s not too late for you to repair your relationship with the Church, redeem your public image, and emerge as an authentic “profile in courage,” especially by defending the sanctity of human life for all people, including unborn children. And if I can ever be of assistance as you travel the road of faith, I would be honored and happy to do so.

Sincerely yours,

Thomas J. Tobin

Bishop of Providence

From his lips to God's ears.

***UPDATE

Kennedy responds.

The readers digest version is, Kennedy wants to publicly distort the teachings of the Church and publicly claim his actions are consistent with Catholicism and it's the Bishops protecting the life of children acting inconsistent--but keep any discussions about his version of the faith private matters between him and his Bishop.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rep. Patrick Kennedy says he finds it “very disconcerting” that Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Tobin will not agree to keep private a discussion about Kennedy’s faith.

Talking with reporters Tuesday in response to an open letter to Kennedy published Monday on the Web site of the diocesan newspaper the Rhode Island Catholic, the congressman said he initially agreed to meet with the bishop with the understanding that whatever he chose to bring up with him would be kept private.

He said the planned meeting, which had been set for Thursday, was postponed because the bishop would not stand by a promise to keep the meeting private.

Bishop won't play if I meet with you, you shut up and I'll control the spin of what is Catholic and what isn't?

After all the private and public interactions, Kennedy voted against a provision preventing federal funding of abortion on Saturday. The jig is up.

Kennedy said Tuesday that he has a pastor, and “I have my sacraments through that pastor. I don’t want anyone hounding my pastor. I have sought the sacraments of reconciliation and communion and all the rest.”

When a reporter asked asked Kennedy: “Does all of this hurt you? Do you feel wounded?” Kennedy responded: “I think it’s unfortunate. I’m not going to engage this anymore.”

But when asked if he had been threatened with denial of communion or other sanctions, Kennedy said those were subjects he planned to discuss with the bishop. “Ideally, he will keep it between us.”

Kennedy said he initially criticized the U.S. Catholic bishops because they said that they would oppose the health-care reform bills pending in Congress if they did not explicitly deny federal funding for abortion.

“What I disagreed with them is that if they didn’t get their way, they weren’t going to support overall health-care reform,” he said. “That’s something I felt very strongly was destructive to the process.”

Keeping the status of Kennedy's communion "private matters" didn't serve his father, it hasn't served him, it doesn't serve Catholics in political life following the Kennedys so-called Catholic leadership in matters pertaining to abortion -- and it definitely is not serving the Catholics watching the show.

If one of your children is repeatedly drinking and driving and you as a parent keep the disposition "a private matter" while the rest of your children look on, in the absence of taking the keys of the car away and speaking about the errors and dangers, your lack of action is constructive permission. You're teaching them.

If your children take the crayons to your walls and you don't get off your fanny to take the crayons away and correct the errors - you keep it a private conversation a generation or two later - your grandchildren and their children and their children's children will never know social boundaries and discipline. They're going to be lacking invitations and friends. Someday, they'll be taking a crayon to their prison cell walls.

If the Lord has given you His children to form, there's a responsibility that comes with it. Forty years of silence in the public square has destroyed generations of Kennedys and the Catholics being led away by the pied pipers.

It's time to take a different tack.

Patrick Kennedy Memorializes the Legacy of Cardinal O'Malley's Train Wreck

Kennedy Spars with Church on Abortion

The late Senator Edward M. Kennedy seemed to mend his differences with the Catholic Church just before his death. But less than two months later, his youngest son has plunged into a firestorm of controversy with the church.

Why would anyone leave their own children to live out the remainder of their lives in a legacy of spiritual chaos?

I just can't wrap my head around that kind of selfishness.

Ted Kennedy was given the precious gift of having months of spiritual direction and counseling of Catholic priests at his bedside.

I just can 't imagine wasting precious time and energy authoring a letter to your Pope about your accomplishments, orchestrating the President of the United States to hand deliver it while leaving your own family ignorant about your epiphany.

Kennedy, speaking in support of a public option for a proposed universal health care plan, told Catholic News Service in an article posted Thursday that he found it perplexing that the church would oppose the health insurance plan.

“I can’t understand for the life of me how the Catholic Church could be against the biggest social justice issue of our time, where the very dignity of the human person is being respected by the fact that we’re caring and giving health care to the human person - that right now we have 50 million people who are uninsured,’’ Kennedy said.

He added: “You mean to tell me the Catholic Church is going to be denying those people life-saving health care? I thought they were prolife? If the church is prolife, then they ought to be for health care reform, because it’s going to provide health care that are going to keep people alive

Bishop Tobin stepped right up to the plate:

Tobin had outlined his concerns in a Sept. 21 letter he sent to the Rhode Island congressional delegation, saying he could not support any legislation “that diminishes human dignity or threatens the right to life.’’

Yesterday, he was more direct, saying that Kennedy’s comments were “irresponsible and ignorant of the facts.’’

“But the congressman is correct in stating that he ‘can’t understand,’ ’’ Tobin said. “He got that part right.’’

The bishop explained the church’s stance, saying that while the church supports health care overhaul, “we are adamantly opposed to health care legislation that threatens the life of unborn children, requires taxpayers to pay for abortion, rations health care, or compromises the conscience of individuals.

“Congressman Kennedy continues to be a disappointment to the Catholic Church and to the citizens of the state of Rhode Island,’’ the bishop said. “I believe the congressman owes us an apology for his irresponsible comments. It is my fervent hope and prayer that he will find a way to provide morally responsible leadership for our state.’’

That seemed to shut him up:

A Kennedy spokeswoman did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.

And, of course, no story about the Kennedys is complete without the incompetence of the Boston Cathedra:

Cardinal Sean O’Malley, of the Boston diocese, also participated in the senator’s funeral, in spite of criticism, and explained later that “we will stop the practice of abortion by changing the law, and we will be successful in changing the law if we change people’s hearts.’’

“We will not change hearts by turning away from people in their time of need and when they are experiencing grief of loss,’’ O’Malley said.

Tell that to the dozens of falsely accused priests in Boston but that is a story for another time.

Everyone knows that turning away people when they experience grief of loss is the antithesis of the Catholic Church. Everyone supports outreach to this beautiful family.

The Cardinal is not facing his permission and participation in permitting the Sanctuary to be held hostage by family members and the President to put the official stamp of approval of the Catholics on the policies Ted Kennedy worked on his whole life as the road to salvation.


My own children may not like what I'm called to teach them. More often than not, there's a dust up when I won't give them permission to do things I know are not good for their well-being. Responding to their losses and grief in life have nothing at all to do with the responsibilities of teaching right from wrong.

Responsible parents wouldn't teach their own children about moral sexuality and host a party for Planned Parenthood to espouse the heavenly nature of sleeping around while they pray quietly in a corner or bring people who are not their husbands and wives home and sleep with them in front of their children.

The Cardinal is kidding himself about what went awry. He just can't seem to face his own duplicity. Patrick Kennedy memorializes the legacy of Cardinal O'Malley's train wreck.

The comments on the story seem to indicate that the Kennedys have lost their patina, even with Boston Globe readers.

This one, to me, hits the nail on the head:

The only difference between abortion and murder is time.

Both abortion and murder seem to be okay with Kennedys