---------- From: Robert Seeberger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ----- Original Message ----- From: "JDG" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> At 04:34 PM 5/23/2004 -0700 Deborah Harrell wrote: > > It is my > >understanding that part of the tax-exempt status of > >religions is tied to the avoidance of direct political > >action. Is that at all correct? If so, there is a > >bit of a tempest brewing locally. > > > >Bishop Sheridan has stated that not only politicians, > >but those who vote for them, should be refused > >Communion if they support/do not oppose certain > >issues: > > Let me begin by saying that I believe that Bishop Sheridan is wrong. I > believe his pastoral letter is both theologically incorrect, and as a > practical matter is counter-productive to his own goals. > > With that being said, for those who do not believe that the Catholic Church > should be permitted to speak out against pro-choice politicians: > > -Do you believe that the Catholic Church is permitted to speak out against > White Supremacist politicians? > > -Do you believe that the Catholic Church should have spoken out against > National Socialist polticians in Germany? Do you believe that the > Catholic Church did speak out enough against those politicians? > > -If yes, can you explain why the Caholic Church is permitted and morally > obligated to speak out against politicans who abuse the rights of one class > of persons but not politicians who abuse the rights of another class of > persons? > The Catholic Church should be able (and is) to speak out on any subject it desires. But threatening to refuse communion and/or excommunication goes far beyond free speech. It is coercion. ---- Nobody expects the Catholic Inquisition.
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