Bishop Sends Letter To Vp Elect Joe Biden

[eagle_eye222001]

[url="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0805670.htm"]http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0805670.htm[/url]

While VP-elect Joe Biden was not barred from communion, he did receive a serious letter from his home diocese with regards to his public view on abortion . The letter was not all rain for Biden as the bishop game him some praise for his efforts on programs to help the poor and destitute.

It's good to see our bishops reminding Catholic politicians where they stand with regards to the Church.

Edited November 9, 2008 by eagle_eye222001

[Apotheoun]

I hope that Biden, for the sake of his own immortal soul, did not receive holy communion.

[CatherineM]

Another great reference for my term paper on the pastoral care of pro-choice politicians, Thanks.

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='eagle_eye222001' post='1698041' date='Nov 8 2008, 11:31 PM'][url="http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0805670.htm"]http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0805670.htm[/url]

While VP-elect Joe Biden was not barred from communion...[/quote]
I can't understand why the bishops don't come out and say, "Look - if you're Catholic and work for the abortion cause, do not receive communion." What are they afraid of?

[CatherineM]

After spending all week reading bishop's letters on this stuff, I suspect that they are afraid of backlash. They want to education and shepherd, not bombast. They don't want to seem to be influencing the political process. I think they are hoping that these people who are already in positions of authority will have a change of heart, and be a strong example. Bishops are human too, and I suspect that some are just afraid of going too far out on a limb.

[Apotheoun]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1698060' date='Nov 8 2008, 09:10 PM']They don't want to seem to be influencing the political process.[/quote]
And that is why so many Catholics voted for the most pro-abortion candidate for president in the history of our country.

[CatherineM]

It also seems like so many Catholics just don't understand. They won't listen or properly form their consciences. I wonder if the bishops just don't know how to educate people who won't listen.

[Brother Adam]

What do you think bishops would have done to him pre-1960?

Yes, that was rhetorical.

[Apotheoun]

Let us not forget that it was the Catholic Center Party in Germany that helped Hitler come to power in 1933.

[Vincent Vega]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1698060' date='Nov 9 2008, 12:10 AM']After spending all week reading bishop's letters on this stuff, I suspect that they are afraid of backlash. They want to education and shepherd, not bombast. They don't want to seem to be influencing the political process. I think they are hoping that these people who are already in positions of authority will have a change of heart, and be a strong example. Bishops are human too, and I suspect that some are just afraid of going too far out on a limb.[/quote]
I see what you're saying, ma'am. But it's just like the reading for tomorrow/today - even Christ told people off when he had to.
I really wish Bishop Galleone would get on the horn...I'm sure he could set those dummies straight.

[BG45]

[quote name='Apotheoun' post='1698092' date='Nov 9 2008, 12:38 AM']Let us not forget that it was the Catholic Center Party in Germany that helped Hitler come to power in 1933.[/quote]

Oh don't worry, I know a large amount of anti-Catholic people who will never forget that thanks to images like this one:

[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v344/ordos45/NaziPriestsSaluteHitler.jpg[/img]

Sorry if it offends anyone, it's just a historical image and not intended to cause offense. It merely highlights both my point replying to Apotheoun, and I believe his own to an extent.

[Apotheoun]

That 49% of churchgoing Catholics voted for Obama is sad to say the least. Because at the end of January, when Obama signs FOCA into law, all churchgoing Catholics will be put into a position where they must choose to either follow Christ or obey an intrinsically immoral act of the federal government.

Hitler would be proud, because National Socialism is alive and well in America.

Edited November 9, 2008 by Apotheoun

[Madame Vengier]

And I'm sure Biden used the letter to light his cigar.

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1698082' date='Nov 9 2008, 12:30 AM']It also seems like so many Catholics just don't understand. They won't listen or properly form their consciences. I wonder if the bishops just don't know how to educate people who won't listen.[/quote]

I believe most of the Bishops simply aren't radical enough...and I mean radically Christ-centered. I truly believe this is the root of the problems in communication and action between Bishops and their flock. Throughout history the Church had Bishops who were so radically -Christ-centered that many of them suffered great persecution, prison, torture and even death. We haven't heard of such a thing in modern times except a few cases in China, Vietnam, and a few in Africa. Bishops also used to write books and treatises and were deep theologians. We are missing that element here in modern times, too. Now we get letters and statements-if we even get that.

[Madame Vengier]

[quote name='CatherineM' post='1698060' date='Nov 9 2008, 12:10 AM']After spending all week reading bishop's letters on this stuff, I suspect that they are afraid of backlash. They want to education and shepherd, not bombast. They don't want to seem to be influencing the political process. I think they are hoping that these people who are already in positions of authority will have a change of heart, and be a strong example. Bishops are human too, and I suspect that some are just afraid of going too far out on a limb.[/quote]


You are probably right, but their Supreme Pontiff and ours, Pope John Paul II, told us to "be not afraid".