Senator John Kerry Excommunicated?

[DominvsVobiscvm]

16 October 2004

RE: KERRY HERESY CASE – MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS

Dear Friends,

Last night, on EWTN’s the World Over Live with Raymond Arroyo at 8 pm EST, I was finally able to break the major developments in the case. Please watch the show for all the details. Due to extreme time constraints in handling all the monumental work involved in handling drafting new complaints, research, handling calls, contacting the Press, replying to e-mails, etc., I cannot go into all the details yet, but a Press Release is imminent.

Repeats of the show will be shown at the following times:

Sunday 17 October: 2 PM PST/ 5 PM EST; Monday 18 Oct: 4 AM PST/ 7 AM EST and 5 PM PST/ 8 PM EST.

Main points:

1. The denunciation and complaint is pending before Archbishop O’Malley of Boston, according to the head of the Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Boston whom I met in person at the Tribunal of Boston at the end of July. He told me explicitly that the case had not been rejected. He also detailed how the Tribunal has been massively overwhelmed by the thousands upon thousands of individual denunciations and complaints. As a result I am asking all of you to, from now on, only to contact Archbishop Sean O’Malley directly, but only UPON SPECIFIC CANONICAL INSTRUCTIONS which I will be sending out over the next few days, as posted on the website and sent to you by e-mail. The Tribunal has sent the case upwards to O’Malley.

1. I went to Rome in late August and met with 10 experts, all of whom confirmed the unprecedented nature and scope of the action in Church history. Moreover, as I had consulted everyone else, I decided in conscience that I had to go and consult the Vatican. I was received by an official of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. We had a detailed meeting. I submitted two doctrinal questions in Latin to the CDF: First, Whether or not the Church’s teaching condemning any and every direct abortion is a dogma of Divine and Catholic Faith, and if the denial and doubt of the same constitutes heresy. The Second: Whether or not the Church’s teaching condemning any and every right to abortion is a dogma of Divine and Catholic Faith, and if the denial and doubt of the same constitutes heresy. Less than ten days later, the Rev. Basil Cole, O.P., an expert theologian was delegated by the Very Rev. Augustine di Noia, O.P., Undersecretary of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, to fulfill the task of responding to the question. He studied the matter carefully, and has responded “Affirmative” on both counts. The response is extraordinary: It is now posted in full in .pdf format at www.defide.com

One may right-click on the document and choose “save as” to obtain the form. Here is the critical excerpt:

“Consequently, if a Catholic publicly and obstinately supports the civil right to abortion, knowing that the Church teaches officially against that legislation, he or she commits that heresy envisioned by Can. 751 of the Code. Provided that the presumptions of knowledge of the law and penalty (Can. 15, § 2) and imputability (Can. 1321, § 3) are not rebutted in the external forum, one is automatically excommunicated according to Can. 1364, § 1.”

1. As a result of this document, received in writing less than two weeks from the time I submitted the request, a response wholly unique from what supporting Bishops have told me, I am encouraged in the process of filing an amended Denunciation and Complaint against Senator Kerry, as well as four new Denunciations and Complaints against Sen. Ted Kennedy (D) of Massachusetts; Sen. Tom Harkin (D) of Illinois; Mr. Mario Cuomo (D), former Governor of New York; and Sen. Susan Collins (R) of Maine.

 

[DominvsVobiscvm]

1. Please, keep a close watch daily of www.defide.com

and your e-mail box for updates on how to proceed. IT IS CRITICAL THAT COORDINATION AND QUICK RESPONSE BETWEEN ALL JOINDERS BE ACHIEVED IN ORDER TO SUCCEED IN THE SUITS.

Your donations are earnestly needed as the plan is being finally broadened in scope: Please consider the following hypertext link: defide.com/contact.html

Please help DE FIDE achieve its mission for the greater glory of God and the greater good of this great Nation.

Please keep DE FIDE and me in your prayers. Thank you for your very timely support.

Yours truly,

Marc Balestrieri, J.C.L.

DE FIDE
1223 Wilshire Blvd.
PMB 346
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Tel.: (310) 917-2719
Fax.: (310 496-2843
secretary@defide.com

 

[theMutant]

I pray that what is best for the Church and the faithful is done. This is good news. We all need to pray for the heirarchy that they are obedient to the teaching of the Church in this matter and act accordingly!!!

 

[DominvsVobiscvm]

The unofficial response from the Vatican can be found here.

I have to say I’m more confused than ever.

First, how do the Holy Father’s statements in Evangelium Vitae not qualify as ex cathedra? What is lacking?

Second, am I correct in understanding that, according to Church teaching, John Kerry, though not formally excommunicated, is automatically excommunicated?

Third, does heresy really automatically get a person excommunicated, if he or she has not formally defected from the Catholic faith? If so, then it seems that a heck of a lot of “Catholics” are automatically excommunicated, including a couple of bishops. This would seem to throw the entire Church of today into a sort of anarchy, as the faithful apparently are not bound to obey many of their pastors, who now aren’t even true Catholics.

Huh?

 

[Character_Zero]

Wow! Well, hey maybe now politicians will think twice before going up and saying “I am a Catholic, I mean I was an altar boy when i was 13! Somewhere in the Bible it says that “faith without works is dead,” so I’m going to defy my faith and do works not in accordance with it. and if anyone calls me on this inherent contradiction, its not a flip-flop!” The nerve of that man… really bugs me.

 

[theMutant]

DominvsVobiscvm:

First, how do the Holy Father’s statements in Evangelium Vitae not qualify as ex cathedra? What is lacking?

Second, am I correct in understanding that, according to Church teaching, John Kerry, though not formally excommunicated, is automatically excommunicated?

Response to first question: I don’t recall any statement in Evangelium Vitae that met the full criteria of ex cathedra as defined at Vatican I. Namely, the pope must himself define a matter of faith or morals and bind all of the faithful to that teaching by his authority as the pope. Evangelium Vitae certainly accurately present existing infallible teaching of the Church but I don’t remember any statement where John Paul II defined the teaching himself and bound us to it by his authority as the successor of Peter, who confirms the brethren. This difference is the basis of my thread on whether or not Ordinatio Sacerdotalis contained an infallible ex cathedra teaching.

Response to the second question: Whether or not someone is automatically excommunicated is no excuse for the bishops to fail to act in the case of persistent public sin. American bishops are supposed to DEFEND the faith even, make that ESPECIALLY, when it is politically unpopular and might result in unpleasant consequences from society and/or government. They are to lead us by example so that we can look to them for how we should act when our turn to defend the faith. We need to persevere in the faith and our bishops are supposed to lead us in doing this. When the bishops fail to do this, the faithul will also fail and it will, as you suggest, lead to anarchy within Christ’s Church.

 

[DominvsVobiscvm]

Mutant, did you read the unofficial response by the Vatican, and the quote from Evangelium Vitae? Sounds *ex cathedra * to me.

So, is John Kerry really excommunicated, as I understood?

 

[Leo44]

It’s long past time for the Church (leaders) to take a stand and defend life, and those who take a position 180 degrees from Church teaching, that they are told in truth the state of their soul. The gates to hell are wide open and welcoming many in. Shepards save your flock!

 

[mtr01]

DominvsVobiscvm:

Mutant, did you read the unofficial response by the Vatican, and the quote from Evangelium Vitae? Sounds *ex cathedra *to me.

This sounds pretty *ex cathedra *to me too, not to mention it is addressed to all the faithful and is a matter of faith and morals:

The present Encyclical, the fruit of the cooperation of the Episcopate of every country of the world, is therefore meant to be a precise and vigorous reaffirmation of the value of human life and its inviolability, and at the same time a pressing appeal addressed to each and every person, in the name of God: respect, protect, love and serve life, every human life! Only in this direction will you find justice, development, true freedom, peace and happiness!
May these words reach all the sons and daughters of the Church! May they reach all people of good will who are concerned for the good of every man and woman and for the destiny of the whole of society!

1. In profound communion with all my brothers and sisters in the faith, and inspired by genuine friendship towards all, I wish to meditate upon once more and proclaim the Gospel of life, the splendour of truth which enlightens consciences, the clear light which corrects the darkened gaze, and the unfailing source of faithfulness and steadfastness in facing the ever new challenges which we meet along our path.

DominvsVobiscvm:

So, is John Kerry really excommunicated, as I understood?

Reading the links it seems problematic to excommunicate him. First, he has stated that he is personally opposed to abortion. Take it for what it’s worth, but I can’t see where the first condition would actually apply to Kerry (unless you think he’s lying–but how do we really know who is lying about their personal beliefs?)

The second issue of supporting the civil right of abortion also seems a little problematic in that it currently is legal in the US…it is the law. I could see the point if it was illegal, and Catholic politicians were trying to make it legal. However, as abortion is currently the law of the land, the situation is then that a Catholic politician would be excommunicated for upholding the law, as it currently stands. Like you said above, this could open up a whole can of worms. I’m thinking there are a whole bunch of Catholics that would have to excommunicated…

 

[theMutant]

My mistake. I was only really looking at the part of the quote that was in bold. In re-reading the entire statement, it is clearly an infallible declaration. Thanks for straightening me out on this.

 

[theMutant]

mtr01:

Reading the links it seems problematic to excommunicate him. First, he has stated that he is personally opposed to abortion. Take it for what it’s worth, but I can’t see where the first condition would actually apply to Kerry (unless you think he’s lying–but how do we really know who is lying about their personal beliefs?)

The second issue of supporting the civil right of abortion also seems a little problematic in that it currently is legal in the US…it is the law. I could see the point if it was illegal, and Catholic politicians were trying to make it legal. However, as abortion is currently the law of the land, the situation is then that a Catholic politician would be excommunicated for upholding the law, as it currently stands.

I cannot agree with your points here. To address the second issue first. The legality of abortion is NOT the law of the land. It is merely the currenly applied (mis)interpretation of 5 men of a vaguely worded ammendment to the Constitution. It is an example of legislating from the bench which is itself against the law and against the long standing practice of legal precident in the court system. However, no court has the legal authority to “reinterpret” the law. Only the legislature can make AND DEFINE law. The executive enforces the law and the judiciary applies the law (as defined by the legislature) in particular cases. To hold otherwise is to make the Supreme Court (instead of the Constitution) the supreme law of the land - a defacto oligarchy.

Regarding Kerry being “personally opposed” to abortion, he has also declared that there is a “right to choose.” This is a personal affirmation of a non-existant right that is directly opposed to the teaching of the Catholic Church. He has also supported, in word and action in the Senate, the continuation of this non existant right in all its forms. Therefore, there is no question of difficulty in excommunication except for the difficulty his bishop might have raising the courage to do this. After all, the bishops are waffling over denying them Communion.

However, Catholics will need to be prepared for the backlash that will follow if such an excommunication goes through. Satan’s forces will not let this happen without consequences against the Church. Such consequences are no excuse for failing to act, but I believe that there are many Catholics who will be surprised by the results if the likes of Kerry and Kennedy were to be excommunicated over thier support of abortion. Anti-Catholicism in this country will reach new heights.

 

[Isidore_AK]

This gives me great hope for the future of the Church in America…if only the hierarchy would take a stand…

Just wishfull thinking…

 

[Minerva]

Tom Harkin isn’t a senator from Illinois; I believe he is governor of Iowa.

Otherwise I hope these excommunications go through and many more follow. It’s an absolute scandal that most “catholic” politicians in this country are militantly pro-abortion, and the states that have the most “catholics” per population (NJ, MA, RI, etc) send the most liberal anti-life pols to washington.

 

[AmyS]

theMutant:

However, Catholics will need to be prepared for the backlash that will follow if such an excommunication goes through. Satan’s forces will not let this happen without consequences against the Church. Such consequences are no excuse for failing to act, but I believe that there are many Catholics who will be surprised by the results if the likes of Kerry and Kennedy were to be excommunicated over thier support of abortion. Anti-Catholicism in this country will reach new heights.

All I can say is, “Bring it on!” Jesus warned us about these things…

 

[nucatholic]

Amen and amen! Pray that the Bishop of Kerry’s Boston diocese grows a backbone and makes a mark on history by telling the world that we won’t bow to the Heresy of the Americas!

 

[mtr01]

theMutant:

I cannot agree with your points here. To address the second issue first. The legality of abortion is NOT the law of the land. It is merely the currenly applied (mis)interpretation of 5 men of a vaguely worded ammendment to the Constitution. It is an example of legislating from the bench which is itself against the law and against the long standing practice of legal precident in the court system. However, no court has the legal authority to “reinterpret” the law. Only the legislature can make AND DEFINE law. The executive enforces the law and the judiciary applies the law (as defined by the legislature) in particular cases. To hold otherwise is to make the Supreme Court (instead of the Constitution) the supreme law of the land - a defacto oligarchy.

Well, the legitimacy of the “law” aside (remember that Brown v. Board of Education was also decided this way), the sad fact remains that abortion is currently legal in this country. Otherwise, every abortion provider, let alone everyone who has obtained an abortion would currently be in jail for murder. As it stands right now, anyone for any reason can obtain an abortion under full protection of the law.

theMutant:

Regarding Kerry being “personally opposed” to abortion, he has also declared that there is a “right to choose.” This is a personal affirmation of a non-existant right that is directly opposed to the teaching of the Catholic Church. He has also supported, in word and action in the Senate, the continuation of this non existant right in all its forms.

Again, the problem is not the legitimacy of the so-called right, but the fact that it is currently legal in the US to obtain one. Given that reality I stand by my earlier assesment in that I see it problematic in excommunicating someone for advocating someone’s right to choose an act that is currently legal (again, not that I agree with this position.

theMutant:

Therefore, there is no question of difficulty in excommunication except for the difficulty his bishop might have raising the courage to do this. After all, the bishops are waffling over denying them Communion.

I would agree with you if Kerry had publicly said that he is favor of abortion, or that if abortion was illegal he would strive to make it legal. As neither of these conditions are met, I will respectfully disagree.

theMutant:

However, Catholics will need to be prepared for the backlash that will follow if such an excommunication goes through. Satan’s forces will not let this happen without consequences against the Church.

Such as?

theMutant:

Such consequences are no excuse for failing to act, but I believe that there are many Catholics who will be surprised by the results if the likes of Kerry and Kennedy were to be excommunicated over thier support of abortion. Anti-Catholicism in this country will reach new heights.

Again, I don’t see how persons who are personally opposed to abortion could be excommunicated. If they were, half of the Catholics in this country would be as well. I see this as more of a pastoral/catechetical problem. Also, how would such excommunication increase anti-Catholicism (aside from those who are excommunicated)?

 

[Apologia100]

theMutant:

I cannot agree with your points here. To address the second issue first. The legality of abortion is NOT the law of the land. It is merely the currenly applied (mis)interpretation of 5 men of a vaguely worded ammendment to the Constitution. It is an example of legislating from the bench which is itself against the law and against the long standing practice of legal precident in the court system. However, no court has the legal authority to “reinterpret” the law. Only the legislature can make AND DEFINE law. The executive enforces the law and the judiciary applies the law (as defined by the legislature) in particular cases. To hold otherwise is to make the Supreme Court (instead of the Constitution) the supreme law of the land - a defacto oligarchy.

Regarding Kerry being “personally opposed” to abortion, he has also declared that there is a “right to choose.” This is a personal affirmation of a non-existant right that is directly opposed to the teaching of the Catholic Church. He has also supported, in word and action in the Senate, the continuation of this non existant right in all its forms. Therefore, there is no question of difficulty in excommunication except for the difficulty his bishop might have raising the courage to do this. After all, the bishops are waffling over denying them Communion.

Excellent post!!!

However, Catholics will need to be prepared for the backlash that will follow if such an excommunication goes through. Satan’s forces will not let this happen without consequences against the Church. Such consequences are no excuse for failing to act, but I believe that there are many Catholics who will be surprised by the results if the likes of Kerry and Kennedy were to be excommunicated over thier support of abortion. Anti-Catholicism in this country will reach new heights.

I say, “Bring it on!”

 

[dumspirospero]

Im with you Scott…I say bring it on as well.

Apologia100:

Excellent post!!!

I say, “Bring it on!”

 

[DominvsVobiscvm]

If the quote from Evangelium Vitae appears to us to fulfill the conditions for an ex cathedra statement, why doesn’t the Vatican official who penned the unofficial response see it that way?

What is lacking?

 

[Apologia100]

DominvsVobiscvm:

If the quote from Evangelium Vitae appears to us to fulfill the conditions for an ex cathedra statement, why doesn’t the Vatican official who penned the unofficial response see it that way?

What is lacking?

It was never notorized?