Pope Francis Enters the House Chamber and Gives The Only Handshake to John Kerry

[JPUSC]

When the Pope entered Congress, he only shook the hand of one politician

It’s significant because not only did John Kerry negotiate the Iran nuclear deal, he’s a practicing Catholic and has long been a target for conservative Catholics over his pro-choice position. Many sought to have him excommunicated:

The issue of politicians and abortion had also come to the attention of the current Pope in 2004 when John Kerry, a practicing Catholic and supporter of abortion rights, was the Democratic candidate for President, and then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office. At the time, in the heat of the campaign for the White House, several U.S. bishops had declared that pro-choice politicians like Kerry should be denied the rite of Holy Communion at Catholic Mass. When he was formally asked for doctrinal counsel on the matter, Cardinal Ratzinger wrote a carefully worded letter to the U.S. bishops conference that simultaneously reaffirmed strict Catholic opposition to abortion, yet urged Church leaders to do their best to avoid getting involved in electoral politics.

One American bishop who railed against John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi and other pro-choice politicians was recently demoted by Pope Francis.

The times they are a-changing.

dailykos.com/story/2015/9/24/1424501/-When-the-Pope-entered-Congress-he-only-shook-the-hand-of-one-politician

Pope Francis Enters the House Chamber and Gives The Only Handshake to John Kerry

politicususa.com/2015/09/24/pope-francis-enters-house-chamber-handshake-john-kerry.html

Pope Francis closes scornful Catholic chapter with John Kerry handshake

msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/pope-francis-closes-scornful-catholic-chapter-531997763839

Every Congressman Wanted to Shake Pope Francis’s Hand, But That Honor Went to Just One Person

ijreview.com/2015/09/428658-pope-francis-iran-deal-john-kerry-letter-handshake/

Pope singles out Kerry, ending a divisive era for Catholic politicians

popevisit2015.yahoo.com/post/129840607664/pope-singles-out-kerry-ending-a-divisive-era-for

Any thoughts?

 

[Tomdstone]

There are Catholic politicians who are personally opposed to abortion, but do not want to promote a law which would forbid it to pro-choice women.

 

[ChristianDude]

Interesting.

 

[josh987654321]

Any thoughts?

Just a few thoughts.

it may have just happened to be a chance arrangement that allowed Pope Francis to shake his hand, after all, I would never refuse to shake someone’s hand if they extended the olive branch.

It may have also been a seeking him because he is Catholic, and shaking his hand not as a sign of approval over his pro-choice stance, but as respect or caring gesture wishing him to come back to the Church on the issue of abortion. Seeing him like the lost sheep.

I think most people know where Pope Francis, the Church, and even every other Pope has stood on the issue of abortion and still stands strongly. If anything, I would hope that he looks into it, and sees some of what Pope Francis has said about abortion.

Even if he takes it as some form of approval over his pro-choice stance, I hope that encourages him to look into what Pope Francis has said about it (In an idea to somehow garner support for his stand) and thus be awakened.

I hope this has helped

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[jeffrey_erwin]

Mr. Kerry received the papal handshake because he is Secretary of State. It was obligatory.

 

[SuperLuigi]

Mr. Kerry received the papal handshake because he is Secretary of State. It was obligatory.

This makes the most sense.

Also, consider some of the sources: dailykos and msnbc cited in the first place.

It’s always disappointing when people who see a photo-op do not understand what it really means…

 

[ChristianDude]

Mr. Kerry received the papal handshake because he is Secretary of State. It was obligatory.

True, didn’t think of that.

 

[mikekle]

There are Catholic politicians who are personally opposed to abortion, but do not want to promote a law which would forbid it to pro-choice women.

Wouldnt that be putting your faith aside for the sake of the secular world…basically condoning murder?

 

[fred_conty]

I’m not sure but I don’t believe we have such things as “shunning” in the Church. And Jesus went out of his way to eat with sinners.

Why make it more than what it is … a simple hand shake.

 

[catholic1seeks]

Actually, Pope Francis seems to think John Kerry is the Vice President Biden. When the Pope addresses the Vice President and speaker of the house, he first looks in front of him and gives a motion with his hand when he says “Mr. Vice President” and he looks behind him when he says “Mr. speaker” (or whatever titles he says). I think this is a good explanation because Kerry and Biden do look similar.

One would think the pope would be given instructions on who is sitting behind him, but anyway that’s what I thought happened when I watched the speech to Congress.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

Wouldnt that be putting your faith aside for the sake of the secular world…basically condoning murder?

Catholics were once second class citizens and their patriotism was challenged in that they would put Church doctrine or what the Pope says over the good of the country and its laws. The right to abortion is currently law while our view that it is murder is a religious teaching. It has to be difficult being a Catholic politician. Priests are not even permitted by the Church to hold an elected office. So when faith and law are in conflict we can advocate for change but it behooves us to refrain from judging others. Of course we are free not to vote for them.

 

[Petaro]

Gestures don’t always mean what you think they mean. Did not Judas kiss Christ? To read some conspiracy theory of a left wing Pope moving against the teachings of the Church (and his own statements on the issue, ) is laughable.
Worry less about the views of the Pope. Rather, pray for the views of American “catholic” politicians. But even the best specialists cannot yet transplant backbones…

 

[Usige]

There are Catholic politicians who are personally opposed to abortion, but do not want to promote a law which would forbid it to pro-choice women.

Wow aren’t you glad there aren’t police that are personally opposed to murder, but wouldn’t stop one if it was committed for fear of taking away the murderer’s rights?

In other words it is an absolute crock of … well you know what… to act in that way. God is not a fool and will not accept “sorry, God, I wouldn’t have killed my baby, but I had no right to protect the innocent from those that are okay with infanticide.” 100%, pure, unadulterated hog wash.

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Here in Mr. Kerry’s home state, where he served in several capacities, one of his nicknames is “Liveshot.” One came between Mr Kerry and a photo op at their peril. I was under the impression that those attending the Pope’s speech were told not to touch him. Wouldn’t be the first time Mr. Kerry felt rules didn’t apply to him.

 

[Theo520]

Any thoughts?

Perhaps people try to read too much nuance into everything the Pope does?

I’ll assume the Pope was simply greeting the President of the Senate (top dog), and not subtly condoning his pro-choice opinions, or giving him an Iran ‘atta boy’.

 

[Tomdstone]

Wow aren’t you glad there aren’t police that are personally opposed to murder, but wouldn’t stop one if it was committed for fear of taking away the murderer’s rights?

In other words it is an absolute crock of … well you know what… to act in that way. God is not a fool and will not accept “sorry, God, I wouldn’t have killed my baby, but I had no right to protect the innocent from those that are okay with infanticide.” 100%, pure, unadulterated hog wash.

You might have told that to the Roman Catholic priest and US congressman Father Robert Drinan who has a 100% voting record in Congress for legalising abortion, although he was personally opposed to it. Father Drinan said that while he was personally opposed to abortion, considering it “virtual infanticide,” its legality was a separate issue from its morality. According to the Wall Street Journal, Father Drinan played a key role in the pro-choice platform becoming a common stance of politicians from the Kennedy family At the time of his death, Father Drinan was given a Roman Catholic funeral Mass. Upon Father Drinan’s death, the dean of the Roman Catholic Georgetown University Law Center, T. Alexander Aleinikoff, made the following statement: “Few have accomplished as much as Father Drinan and fewer still have done so much to make the world a better place. His passing is a terrible loss for the community, the country and the world.” Georgetown Law Magazine published a special tribute supplement in Spring 2007 to Father Drinan.
Note: excerpts and some information has been taken from a Wikipedia article:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Drinan

 

[Rau]

You might have told that to the Roman Catholic priest and US congressman Father Robert Drinan who has a 100% voting record in Congress for legalising abortion, although he was personally opposed to it. Father Drinan said that while he was personally opposed to abortion, considering it “virtual infanticide,” its legality was a separate issue from its morality. According to the Wall Street Journal, Father Drinan played a key role in the pro-choice platform becoming a common stance of politicians from the Kennedy family At the time of his death, Father Drinan was given a Roman Catholic funeral Mass. Upon Father Drinan’s death, the dean of the Roman Catholic Georgetown University Law Center, T. Alexander Aleinikoff, made the following statement: “Few have accomplished as much as Father Drinan and fewer still have done so much to make the world a better place. His passing is a terrible loss for the community, the country and the world.” Georgetown Law Magazine published a special tribute supplement in Spring 2007 to Father Drinan.
Note: excerpts and some information has been taken from a Wikipedia article:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Drinan

It may be that - given the starting place we are in right now - ruling abortion illegal as a single-step *legislative *step would create more harm than good. If that is likely so - then taking that particular step now would be wrong. Further, while I’m not up on US law, I don’t understand how legislating contrary to the court’s interpretation of the Constitution would be productive. Where I live, such a law would be promptly struck down and thus serve no purpose.

The homily in his funeral mass was not completely absent a recognition of the abortion issue:
“For the most part, his advocacy of human rights harmonized with the social and moral teaching of the Catholic Church. But it must be acknowledged that on the immensely painful subject of abortion there was sharp conflict.” The “decisive point of disagreement for many Catholic politicians” is “not about the moral issue in itself or about Catholic teaching,” but over the “the appropriate limits of state action” in regulating it. The debate takes place, he said, in “a larger context of common concern for the well-being of women and children.” But the issue of abortion, with which Drinan had to wrestle, showed that “the notion of human rights is not transparent in its content.”

I read that Drinan occupied Congress without permission from his Jesuit superiors or the US Bishops.

 

[Usige]

You might have told that to the Roman Catholic priest and US congressman Father Robert Drinan who has a 100% voting record in Congress for legalising abortion, although he was personally opposed to it. Father Drinan said that while he was personally opposed to abortion, considering it “virtual infanticide,” its legality was a separate issue from its morality. According to the Wall Street Journal, Father Drinan played a key role in the pro-choice platform becoming a common stance of politicians from the Kennedy family At the time of his death, Father Drinan was given a Roman Catholic funeral Mass. Upon Father Drinan’s death, the dean of the Roman Catholic Georgetown University Law Center, T. Alexander Aleinikoff, made the following statement: “Few have accomplished as much as Father Drinan and fewer still have done so much to make the world a better place. His passing is a terrible loss for the community, the country and the world.” Georgetown Law Magazine published a special tribute supplement in Spring 2007 to Father Drinan.
Note: excerpts and some information has been taken from a Wikipedia article:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Drinan

Well Georgetown University hasn’t been Catholic for 30+ years. Just look at how hard the fought against Ex Corde Ecclesiae. As for Father Drinan, I pray for his soul. A priest is to lead souls to heaven, not stand aside and hold the gates open to Hell. We are not judged simply by our word and thoughts, but also by our actions. Come judgement anyone that holds that belief will have to account for how many souls they willingly let embrace evil. To fail to attempt to stop evil is to become it’s accomplice. It doesn’t matter if they be clergy, rigious, or laymen, the will all have to account for souls lost under their care. Clergy especially will be held to a higher standard for letting the Lord’s sheep wander from the fold to be consumed by wolves.

 

[Tomdstone]

Well Georgetown University hasn’t been Catholic for 30+ years. .

That is not what they claim. According to their website:
“Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institute of higher learning in the United States. Jesuits have played a significant role in the growth and evolution of Georgetown into a global research university deeply rooted in the Catholic faith.”
Are you saying that they are liars?
georgetown.edu/about/jesuit-and-catholic-heritage

 

[Usige]

That is not what they claim. According to their website:
“Georgetown is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit institute of higher learning in the United States. Jesuits have played a significant role in the growth and evolution of Georgetown into a global research university deeply rooted in the Catholic faith.”
Are you saying that they are liars?
georgetown.edu/about/jesuit-and-catholic-heritage

The National Catholic Reporter claims to be Catholic too, any yet they uphold distinctly non-Catholic beliefs. Today, Georgetown University is a secular university that maintains a Catholic facade. The Catholic spiritual traditions have been gutted from the university over the last 30 - 40 years by the liberal left wing boars and faculty to runs the university now. It has gotten so bad that a suit was brought to strip the university of the right to call itself Catholic. As of about 18 months ago the Congregation for Catholic Education said the suit constituted as well founded complaint. Look at their homepage and you will see the word Catholic mentioned once, and it is buried about halfway down. Their religious and spiritual calendar makes no mention of Lent or Easter, which seems very odd for a school proud of its Catholic heritage.

So are they Catholic? Sure, the same way that the kid baptized 40 years ago, but only goes to Mass on Easter is Catholic. They might be Catholic in name, but that doesn’t mean they are a good Catholic. Just because something started as Catholic does not mean that it should be upheld as a wellsping of holiness. I strongly suspect that Archbishop Carroll is shaking his head at what Georgetown has become.

Long and short? A priest who dissent from a catholic teaching being upheld as a paragon by Georgetown simply shows that many Catholics reject the basic tenets of their faith. I leave it at that since the Catholicy of Georgetown isn’t the main point of this thread.