So will Bishops now deny communion to pro-war politicians?

[NewHampshireDem]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=518&e=1&u=/ap/20040604/ap_on_re_eu/bush

The ailing pontiff complained about recent "deplorable events," an apparent reference to the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. troops. In the absence of a commitment to shared human values, "neither war nor terrorism will ever be overcome," he said, struggling to speak.
<snip>
"Mr. President, your visit to Rome takes place at a moment of great concern for the continuing situation of grave unrest in the Middle East, both in Iraq and in the Holy Land," the pope said.

"In the past few weeks, other deplorable events have come to light which have troubled the civic and religious conscience of all."



I saw some of the audience on Friday as I got ready for work. Did anyone else catch the smirk on * face when the Pope was talking? I can only image what he was thinking about JP's difficulty speaking.

[brainoverload]

1. the chimp's smirk was deplorable

but his Holiness and his minions would not suggest communion be withheld from the commander of primates because - Heaven knows - the chimp ain't gonna speak in favor of a woman's reproductive rights, much less the right for a homosexual to be a homosexual.

[Padraig18]

3. Neither His Holiness not MOST of his bishops have threatened to do so.

Only a handful of radical RW US bishops have suggested witholding communion from pro-life politicians. The vast majority have not, nor is there any evidence that they plan to do so.

[Not Me]

2. It must be frustrating for JP2 to deal with...

I am no fan of the pope...however, it must be terribly frustrating for someone as intelligent and articulate (in about 6 languages) as he is to have to stumble delivering his words.

Juxtapose this with *, who can't put a noun and a verb together to make a sentence.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

4. they had better because according to church teachings pro-life means

"reverence for life from the moment of conception to NATURAL death"

and the church should also DENY commumion to pro-death penalty politicians

[spanone]

5. That is a very valid question.

I think you can kill someone when war is involved without sin, or some twisted fucking logic like that! But if a fetus goes to war....watch out!

[Justice]

6. Church Seems to Be Backing Away From This Position

I've seen stories more recently that Ratzinger (cardinal) seems to be encouraging US cardinals/bishops to retreat from the position of "judging" politicans and whether they should receive communion (I think Rome realizes it is a double edged sword).

Which also makes you realize that the bishops/cardinals who spoke out originally did so on their own -- interesting bravery for a bunch that shielded child abusers.

On a lighter note -
You said you could "only image what he was thinking about JP's difficulty speaking."

That made me laugh out loud - what was Bush thinking? "this guy is what 80, he has parkinson's, english is not his native language - heck, I can speak better than him..."

[in_cog_ni_to]

7. Pro-war and pro-death penalty.

It's the usual repub double standard.