Pro-abortion congressman defends Rep. Kennedy as Senate hopefuls lash out at Church
November 24, 2009
A pro-abortion Catholic congressman from Pennsylvania has come to the defense of Rep. Patrick Kennedy in his dispute with Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence. “We don't legislate at the orders of the Vatican, we legislate what is in our conscience and what we think is good for our country,” said Rep. Patrick Murphy as he received an award at Harvard University from Caroline Kennedy, who is Rep. Kennedy’s cousin. “I'm reaching out to Patrick Kennedy and also to my local priests and bishops to make sure they know that we agree on 99 percent of the issues.”
More harsh were comments on the issue by two Massachusetts senatorial candidates. “It seems to me a little bit ironic that a church that was willing to overlook the victimization of many, many children over several years is now turning around and saying to people who are good Christians, good Catholics, that, ‘You can’t join this,’’’ said Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, a Catholic. According to the Boston Globe, Rep. Michael Capuano added:
“And they wonder why people stop going to church.’’ Capuano, who is Catholic, then ticked off issues on which he disagreed with the church, including abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and prohibitions against the ordination of women and married men as priests.
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Further information:
- Lawmaker defends RI Rep Kennedy in Communion flap (AP)
- Patrick Murphy (politician) (Wikipedia)
- Two Senate hopefuls criticize R.I. bishop (Boston Globe)
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Posted by: AnthonyP -
Nov. 25, 2009 12:28 AM ET USA
Amazing, but sadly not surprising. In the referenced Boston Globe article, Mr Capuano "said he insisted on meeting with the Bashir government during a trip to Sudan, said, 'If you don’t look evil in the eye and call it by it’s name, then you have no right to consider yourself a peacemaker.'" It's a shame that he can't make that same transition for his domestic policies. Many of our "Catholic" political leaders are morally bankrupt. This is just more proof.
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Posted by: -
Nov. 24, 2009 9:36 PM ET USA
It's the most refreshing feeling knowing that our Bishops are finally telling it like it is to the 'american catholic'. You notice, I use the term 'american catholic' not 'catholic american', because that's how our catholic politicians think of themselves. To hell with the Church Magisterium. The catholic politicians know what's good for Christ's Church. I as a practicing catholic feel dirty alongside these people who profess to be Christ's children. God Bless all our courageous Bishops.
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Posted by: hartwood01 -
Nov. 24, 2009 9:22 PM ET USA
"...we agree on 99 percent of the issues." Ah,it's that one percent that can send you to hell,Rep.Murphy.
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Posted by: -
Nov. 24, 2009 3:17 PM ET USA
I just watched the Tobin interview on Chris Mathews Hardball. What a disgrace Mathews is; who is his Bishop? Why does he insist on identifying himself as a Catholic? He is most obnoxious, prideful, arrogant, and in desparate need of correction.
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Posted by: -
Nov. 24, 2009 2:22 PM ET USA
What did Rep. Murphy's bishop tell him?
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Posted by: New Sister -
Nov. 24, 2009 1:17 PM ET USA
We have to remember it is an HONOR to suffer for Christ - I am going to try to do better *welcoming* humiliations and insults so that I may offer them to God for Archbishop Tobin's intentions.
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Posted by: New Sister -
Nov. 24, 2009 1:14 PM ET USA
Catholics MSUT assent to authoritative Church teachings on faith and morals and, in matters of prudential judgment, give a respectful hearing to Church authority. Even if one could make the argument that this is a case of prudential judgment, which I do not think it is, the soi-disant "Catholic" politicians and journalists opposing the Bishop (such as MSNBC’s anchor, who was appallingly rude to His Excellency, Archbishop Tobin, last night) have FAILED to do either. May The LORD rebuke them -
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Posted by: William F. Folger -
Nov. 24, 2009 12:54 PM ET USA
Debating dumb arguments with “Catholic” pols is ineffective. So let their public records accuse them of showing no respect, & worse, NO EMPATHY with Christ daily seeing His babies killed by “Catholic” FACILITATORS of murder. Then what? Invoke John 1:3 against them: “ALL things were made through Christ…” Not only does St. John devalue Fr. Reese’s focus on “pro-choice” VS pro-abortion, it urges public records be used to decisively prove THEY totally diss their own Savior. Let’s go talk THAT up!
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Posted by: sparch -
Nov. 24, 2009 9:55 AM ET USA
It just goes to show the twisted perspective of these people in public office. Believe what you will. Act as you see fit. If your morality is right and truthful, you will not be moved. However, if your morality in not valid, you will slip. Morality is what we build through reflection and knowledge of ourselves, our world and our God. Don't pontificate to me while you stand with one foot on a banana peel.
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Posted by: DrJazz -
Nov. 24, 2009 7:03 AM ET USA
Kennedy: "I thought _they_ were pro-life. If the Church is pro-life, then _they_ ought to be for health-care reform..." Capuano: "And _they_ wonder why people stop going to church." What is this "they" stuff? If you are Catholic, do you talk about your Church using "they"? This is the language of people who have already put themselves outside the Church.
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Posted by: -
Nov. 24, 2009 6:11 AM ET USA
Their love of the church is overwhelming. Why do they insist on being called Catholic? Their bishop should contact them about calling themselves Catholic in public.
