Great letter from Catholic Bishop

[johnlal]

After the Catholic Church's intervention in the latest election, the recent "Justice Sunday" and the blurring of Church/State, I wrote a letter to my Bishop. I told him that I voted for Kerry, and that I will continue to vote my conscience. I simply asked him if I was still welcome in the Church. This was not an attack, but simply an honest question. I think his answer was a great one. I will share it with you:

"Thanks for yoru heartfelt letter. I am very sorry for the distress caused by the recent elections. It was an odious time for all of us.

I certainly respect the opinions of other bishops, but in the long run you and I belong to each other in the communion of believers, and it is up to me to answer your question, "Am I still welcome in the Church?" My answer is a firm yes. Be faithful to the law of love given to us by Christ, and vote your conscience".
(Signed)


This, I think, was a reassuring response. This response gave me courage to stand up for my Church. When I think about the Waynesville Baptist Church incident, those people dug in their heels and got their church back from the Wackos. This is the same thing, only on a bigger scale.

[cap]

1. it's nice to know that some of our hierarchy

are not on board with "The Plan"

[Ian David]

2. This is encouraging. Thank you for sharing it.

The above picture is from a French campaign against anti-semitism

[James T. Kirk]

3. I didn't think "Justice Sunday" was in Catholic Churches.

Was it?

[beam me up scottie]

4. I agree.

It is reassuring, just like the fact that you are willing to question the acceptance of ethically dubious dogma.
I wish more people would do the same.

[IrishDemocrat]

5. Well

It's a shame the Catholic church which was once a bastion of social justice and comfort for my immigrant ancestors has become such a right wing theocracy. I know there are clergy even I like, but by and large, pro-choice/stem cell people like myself are told to take a hike.

[CatholicEdHead]

7. Still churches that focus on that

but you are correct, more and more bindly follow the Republican "pro-life" line (which was mostly "tweaked" and narrowed in focus from John Paul II's teachings).

[CatholicEdHead]

6. Nice letter

Which diocese?

Catholic Bishops can still vary quite a bit from diocese to diocese. Sadly, more of the newer appointments are the hardliners/Republican activists.

[IrishDemocrat]

8. Where I live

I know Bevilacqua and Rigali are in the hardline sector.