Archbishop Burke: The Dems are the party of death

[authenticity]

I was just reading this article of an interview with Archbishop Burke where he called the Democrats the “party of death”. Later, he said that he was for not giving Communion to politicians who favored the right to abortion (that is the wording of the article, so don’t shoot the messenger).

While I am not in favor of abortion and I am probably just as uncomfortable about Catholic politicians voting for abortion as the Archbishop, I didn’t like his rhetoric or his tactics.

To say the Democrats are the party of death would imply that the Republicans are the party of life. Considering the war machine that the last administration created, that’s going to be hard to defend. Or how about the amount of greed, deceit and the disregard for the poor and working classes that has been quite prevalent over the last 8 years? None of that is in defense of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In fact, creating an environment in which people are pushed in to complete destitution is exactly what presents abortion as a viable solution.

To not give communion to pro-choice politicians may be proper catechism, but it is an ineffective political tactic. My mom told me that when JFK was elected people feared that the Pope was now running the country. We thought it was funny; mainly because Catholicism is not fundamentalism. It does not up-hold faith to spite reason. It doesn’t use threats in place of appeals to the divine law. If anything, since the sin is public and consciously being made, a call to repentance would be appropriate.

In reflecting on what the Archbishop said, I thought of praying for a party that was morally righteous and at the same time socially conscious. As far as I’m concerned, neither of these parties bare witness to Jesus Christ.

 

[elts1956]

I was just reading this article of an interview with Archbishop Burke where he called the Democrats the “party of death”. Later, he said that he was for not giving Communion to politicians who favored the right to abortion (that is the wording of the article, so don’t shoot the messenger).

While I am not in favor of abortion and I am probably just as uncomfortable about Catholic politicians voting for abortion as the Archbishop, I didn’t like his rhetoric or his tactics.

To say the Democrats are the party of death would imply that the Republicans are the party of life. Considering the war machine that the last administration created, that’s going to be hard to defend. Or how about the amount of greed, deceit and the disregard for the poor and working classes that has been quite prevalent over the last 8 years? None of that is in defense of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In fact, creating an environment in which people are pushed in to complete destitution is exactly what presents abortion as a viable solution.

To not give communion to pro-choice politicians may be proper catechism, but it is an ineffective political tactic. We aren’t playing politics here.My mom told me that when JFK was elected people feared that the Pope was now running the country. We thought it was funny; mainly because Catholicism is not fundamentalism. It does not up-hold faith to spite reason. It doesn’t use threats in place of appeals to the divine law. If anything, since the sin is public and consciously being made, a call to repentance would be appropriate. Yes, people were afraid to vote for Kennedy because non Catholics were afraid the Pope would have too much to say about how the US government was run. This was a lack of educating themselves on the part of non Catholics.

In reflecting on what the Archbishop said, I thought of praying for a party that was morally righteous and at the same time socially conscious. As far as I’m concerned, neither of these parties bare witness to Jesus Christ.

Great idea!!! I like your idea of a political party that sees Social Justice is also important.

You are right in your judgement of both parties. They both need to start over at ground level.

However, I do agree with Archbishop Burke’s judgement in refusing communion to Catholic pro abort politicians, if for no other reason than to set the record straight among Catholics who have been scandalized by most of the Bishop’s refusal to obey Canon law 915. These gentlemen say they prefer to be gentle and “discuss” the issue, then take action if necessary. Since we are not privy to whether clergical discussion has been held and no statement has been given to relieve any anxiety we may feel as to whether the Church is carrying the standard of truth foreward, or not, here we sit in a quandry. If the Church cannot take a stand on this issue, I am afraid many more Catholics are going to fall by the wayside. It would appear to me, at this point, that most of the Bishops who will not speak out against such a travesty expect us to be faithful to an Institution instead of a Faith.

Here is a website you may want to check out. Not too clear and lengthly, but aren’t all Church documents.

canon915.org/pro-abortion-catholic-politici.html

Life Site News also had this to say about a year ago.

lifenews.com/int278.html

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor

May 9, 2007

The Vatican (LifeNews.com) – The Catholic Church has made it clear in the past that it strongly opposes abortion and wants pro-abortion politicians to rethink their views or consider refraining from taking communion. Pope Benedict XVI stepped up those warnings Wednesday saying pro-abortion politicians have excommunicated themselves.

He also said the elected officials who support abortion would be prevented from receiving communion.

 

[bpbasilphx]

I’ll have to agree with you.

In 2004, I could not vote for Bush, who I felt had lied to the American people. I voted for Kerry. Killing people is wrong whether it’s sending soldiers into useless wars or unborn babies.

In 2008, I held my nose and voted for MacCain.

God help us if we are offered a choice between Obama and Cheney in 2012!

 

[servus]

I think you added the implication that the republican party is the party of life. The fact is, republicans share more Catholic values than most democrats, such as that they are usually pro-life and have concern for moral and family issues.

 

[JimG]

To say that one party is the party of death does not imply that any other party is the party of life. It is a statement about one party only.

Nevertheless, it is true that the Democratic Party has become increasingly more and more pro-abortion over the past several decades. The party platform contained a plank supporting Roe v Wade; while the Republican Party platform contained a plank supporting life. The Dem support for abortion rights is obviously in opposition to Catholic teaching.

At the same time, war will not cease simply because a Democratic administration is in power. The current administration has mostly continued the policies of the past administration regarding the Iraq war, and plans to expand the Afghanistan war. Wars can only be influenced to a certain extent by domestic policy, as they are often made unavoidable by the actions of other nations.

 

[mark_a]

In 2008, I held my nose and voted for MacCain.

Me too. And he wasn’t even that strongly pro-life.

 

[AJTheMan]

To be honest, I thought it was common knowledge that the church thinks you’ll go to hell for voting Democratic.

How sad because Republicans are more for the big businesses, where as Jesus was all about assisting the poor.

 

[JimG]

To be honest, I thought it was common knowledge that the church thinks you’ll go to hell for voting Democratic.

How sad because Republicans are more for the big businesses, where as Jesus was all about assisting the poor.

Jesus did not have a political party, He did urge people to give to the poor, although I find no record of his advocating that the central government be used for such a purpose.

I haven’t seen any church document indicating that one could go to hell for voting Democratic. Numerous bishops before the last election, though, did urge people not to vote for pro-abortion candidates. They also indicated that life issues were paramount.

 

[AJTheMan]

Jesus did not have a political party, He did urge people to give to the poor, although I find no record of his advocating that the central government be used for such a purpose.

I haven’t seen any church document indicating that one could go to hell for voting Democratic. Numerous bishops before the last election, though, did urge people not to vote for pro-abortion candidates. They also indicated that life issues were paramount.

Right, which is basically condemning anyone who is supportive of a woman’s right to choose. Everyone knows who they were talking about.

 

[authenticity]

I think you added the implication that the republican party is the party of life. The fact is, republicans share more Catholic values than most democrats, such as that they are usually pro-life and have concern for moral and family issues.

I think that we are ignoring the deceptive nature of most politicians when we vote for them because they say they support our morality. As I stated in the OP, if we relieved the burden of poverty through education for example, we eliminate the validity of abortion. Instead of doing that, the last administration spent tax dollars to support a war for the profit of a few. How is that in support of Catholic values?

I’m not saying that the Democrats are doing better, just that this isn’t so black and white. When we make an issue into a one dimensional “yes or no” we eliminate the need for reason.

Like abortion is wrong. Period. Ok, how do we go about eliminating abortion from the social landscape? I don’t think there is a quick solution, such as legislation or propaganda. What would be needed is a fundamental shift in the perception of the American people away from relativism and towards faith. Not just any faith. Not a “spiritual not religious” or “literal interpretation of the Bible”, but one that is both Christian and Catholic in every meaning of the term.

 

[JimG]

What would be needed is a fundamental shift in the perception of the American people away from relativism and towards faith.

As well as a reversal of Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton, in order to return the decision to the people.

 

[elts1956]

I’ll have to agree with you.

In 2004, I could not vote for Bush, who I felt had lied to the American people. I voted for Kerry. Killing people is wrong whether it’s sending soldiers into useless wars or unborn babies. I voted for Bush because I heard the word ABORTION with Kerry’s platform.

In 2008, I held my nose and voted for MacCain. Me too. I used forefinger, thumb and a clothes pin.
God help us if we are offered a choice between Obama and Cheney in 2012!

Pray it won’t be so.

 

[elts1956]

I’ll have to agree with you.

In 2004, I could not vote for Bush, who I felt had lied to the American people. I voted for Kerry. Killing people is wrong whether it’s sending soldiers into useless wars or unborn babies.

In 2008, I held my nose and voted for MacCain.

God help us if we are offered a choice between Obama and Cheney in 2012!

I think that we are ignoring the deceptive nature of most politicians when we vote for them because they say they support our morality. As I stated in the OP, if we relieved the burden of poverty through education for example, we eliminate the validity of abortion. Instead of doing that, the last administration spent tax dollars to support a war for the profit of a few. How is that in support of Catholic values?

I’m not saying that the Democrats are doing better, just that this isn’t so black and white. When we make an issue into a one dimensional “yes or no” we eliminate the need for reason.

Like abortion is wrong. Period. Ok, how do we go about eliminating abortion from the social landscape? I don’t think there is a quick solution, such as legislation or propaganda. What would be needed is a fundamental shift in the perception of the American people away from relativism and towards faith. Not just any faith. Not a “spiritual not religious” or “literal interpretation of the Bible”, but one that is both Christian and Catholic in every meaning of the term.

We need to attack abortion and poverty on all fronts.

 

[elts1956]

Right, which is basically condemning anyone who is supportive of a woman’s right to choose. Everyone knows who they were talking about.

Jesus did not have a political party, He did urge people to give to the poor, although I find no record of his advocating that the central government be used for such a purpose.

I haven’t seen any church document indicating that one could go to hell for voting Democratic. Numerous bishops before the last election, though, did urge people not to vote for pro-abortion candidates. They also indicated that life issues were paramount.

The Bishops who stood up for the truth of our Faith did not only"indicate" life issues were paramount. They SAID THEY WERE.

 

[chain]

The CCB of America has published 5 non-negotiable. The Democratic Party supports Abortion, Gay Marriage, and Fetal Stem cell Research - and it is highly questionable if the proposed universal health care system will support euthanasia (by rationing their universal health care). That leaves human cloning.

Other than human cloning (not sure of either parties possition), on each of the remaining 4, the Republican party is more inline with church teaching.

I think people are responsible for the consequences of their actions - that leaves a lot of blood on the hands of those who vote democrat.

Understand that I grew up in a day and age that almost all Catholic’s voted Democrat due to social justice issues. It is not that those issues have gone away, but that there are more threatening ones into today’s political climate.

 

[mkingdomlvr]

I think it is dangerous for the Church to align themselves too closely with any political party.

By making a statement such as that, the Archbishop may not mean to say that “Catholics MUST be Republican” but it is a message that many will take from it.

I do not think either party is faithful to Catholic teaching, and the Church should be continuing to call for BOTH parties to be more mindful of life issues and social justice.

 

[Oscarthecat]

I think it is dangerous for the Church to align themselves too closely with any political party.

By making a statement such as that, the Archbishop may not mean to say that “Catholics MUST be Republican” but it is a message that many will take from it.

I do not think either party is faithful to Catholic teaching, and the Church should be continuing to call for BOTH parties to be more mindful of life issues and social justice.

I don’t think that the bishop was aligning himself WITH a particular party- he was setting himself APART from a particular party.

This country is quickly moving away from the democrat and republican parties- and I think that’s a good thing.

I think that it is irresponsible for Catholics to allow themselves to become so attached to being a donkey or an elephant that they end up compromising their values to choose what they see as the lesser of two evils.

Think about it…

1. Republican and democrat regimes have both supported unjust wars- the republicans are just holding the torch for the most recent one.
2. Sure, Democrat leaders may support abortion outright, but so far Republican leaders haven’t done much to change the laws.

I say that Catholics ought to abandon both parties and start voting as Catholics- we’ve been forced to choose the lesser of two evils long enough.

 

[aspawloski4th]

I don’t think that the bishop was aligning himself WITH a particular party- he was setting himself APART from a particular party.

This country is quickly moving away from the democrat and republican parties- and I think that’s a good thing.

I think that it is irresponsible for Catholics to allow themselves to become so attached to being a donkey or an elephant that they end up compromising their values to choose what they see as the lesser of two evils.

Think about it…

1. Republican and democrat regimes have both supported unjust wars- the republicans are just holding the torch for the most recent one.
2. Sure, Democrat leaders may support abortion outright, but so far Republican leaders haven’t done much to change the laws.

I say that Catholics ought to abandon both parties and start voting as Catholics- we’ve been forced to choose the lesser of two evils long enough.

Ok then, who did YOU vote for president in the last election?

 

[elts1956]

I think it is dangerous for the Church to align themselves too closely with any political party.

By making a statement such as that, the Archbishop may not mean to say that “Catholics MUST be Republican” but it is a message that many will take from it.

I do not think either party is faithful to Catholic teaching, and the Church should be continuing to call for BOTH parties to be more mindful of life issues and social justice.

The Catholic Church has not aligned itself with any Political Party. It may appear so, as the Dems. are pro abortion, pro embryonic stem cell research, pro gay marriage etc. and will not blink an eye if euthanasia comes on a ballot. What the Church said, “Vote for the party/candidate which is less/least likely to spread the evil of abortion”. No one can know the future and what you say about pols. is correct. Few of them can be trusted once the aura of money and power gets into their system. But the Repubs. did “appear” to be the least pro abort of the two viable parties during the Presidential election. If “either” party, or a third or fourth party became viable for the election of 2012, one which supported moral ethics and values, I would vote for them.

The stench we have in government now will only increase.

 

[elts1956]

I think it is dangerous for the Church to align themselves too closely with any political party.

By making a statement such as that, the Archbishop may not mean to say that “Catholics MUST be Republican” but it is a message that many will take from it.

I do not think either party is faithful to Catholic teaching, and the Church should be continuing to call for BOTH parties to be more mindful of life issues and social justice.

Ok then, who did YOU vote for president in the last election?

I voted in the way the Pope, “some” Bishops and other Church leaders suggested. They said, “Vote for the party, candidate which is less, least likely to spread the evil of abortion”. Now which one do you think that one was?