Matt C. Abbott
'Catholic' Kaine isn't able
By Matt C. Abbott
First, I'd like to thank New York Times bestselling author Joseph Finder for mentioning me in the acknowledgments of his latest novel, Guilty Minds. Two of his previous novels became major motion pictures, including High Crimes, starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd and – one of my favorite actors – Jim Caviezel.
From LifeSiteNews.com:
In an interview with NPR, Father Arsenault spoke highly of the pro-abortion senator, saying: "I know that he's definitely against capital punishment and works to help defend those who are on death row. The church has a teaching with regard to we're pro-life, and we believe in that seamless garment of life. We respect sometimes lawmakers make difficult decisions."
Ugh.
Kaine's bishop, Francis X. DiLorenzo, released the following statement:
I asked Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, to comment on Kaine, his pastor, and whether Father Pavone would deny Kaine Holy Communion.
Father's response is as follows:
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
© Matt C. Abbott
July 29, 2016
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'The most evident mark of God's anger and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world are manifested when He permits His people to fall into the hands of clergy who are priests more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than charity and affection of devoted shepherds ...
'When God permits such things, it is a very positive proof that He is thoroughly angry with His people, and is visiting His most dreadful anger upon them. That is why He cries unceasingly to Christians, 'Return O ye revolting children ... and I will give you pastors according to My own heart'. (Jer. 3:14,15) Thus, irregularities in the lives of priests constitute a scourge upon the people in consequence of sin.'
– Saint John Eudes
First, I'd like to thank New York Times bestselling author Joseph Finder for mentioning me in the acknowledgments of his latest novel, Guilty Minds. Two of his previous novels became major motion pictures, including High Crimes, starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd and – one of my favorite actors – Jim Caviezel.
From LifeSiteNews.com:
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U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine renounced his opposition to taxpayer-funded abortions before gaining a spot as Hillary Clinton's vice presidential pick, according to the Clinton campaign....
On CNN, Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook played up Kaine's 100 percent rating from Planned Parenthood when he was in the senate and the commitment Kaine apparently made to Clinton to support the repeal of the Hyde Amendment.
In an interview with NPR, Father Arsenault spoke highly of the pro-abortion senator, saying: "I know that he's definitely against capital punishment and works to help defend those who are on death row. The church has a teaching with regard to we're pro-life, and we believe in that seamless garment of life. We respect sometimes lawmakers make difficult decisions."
Ugh.
Kaine's bishop, Francis X. DiLorenzo, released the following statement:
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The Catholic Church makes its position very clear as it pertains to the protection of human life, social justice initiatives, and the importance of family life. From the very beginning, Catholic teaching informs us that every human life is sacred from conception until natural death. The right to life is a fundamental, human right for the unborn and any law denying the unborn the right to life is unequivocally unjust.
Legislative issues pertaining to these matters are advocated on behalf of myself and Bishop Loverde, of the Diocese of Arlington, before the Virginia General Assembly, U.S. Congress, and with state and federal agencies and administrations through the Virginia Catholic Conference, a public policy advocacy organization. Through this organization, elected officials in Virginia are aware of the Church's positions on such important issues.
We continue to maintain an open communication with public officials who make on-going decisions impacting critical, moral and social issues. This is a responsibility I take seriously, along with my brother bishops, to reach out to public leaders to explain Catholic principles and encourage them to protect human life and dignity in all decisions they make.
We always pray for our Catholic leaders that they make the right choice, act in the best judgment and in good conscience, knowing the values and teachings of the Catholic Church. It is the duty of all Catholics, no matter their profession, to decide through an upright and informed conscience as to their worthiness to receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
I asked Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, to comment on Kaine, his pastor, and whether Father Pavone would deny Kaine Holy Communion.
Father's response is as follows:
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Vice presidential candidate Senator Tim Kaine is on a very predictable path. No matter what one believes 'personally' about abortion, the higher one climbs the ladder in the party of death, the more one must conform to its pro-abortion doctrine. Senator Kaine, good job on taking the Democratic company line on the holocaust of our day!
As for Communion, I certainly wouldn't give it to him, because he doesn't want it. Why would one treat Communion as the Body of Christ – when your eyes tell you it isn't – while treating the unborn as if they weren't human – when your eyes tell you they are? Why would one believe the Church when she teaches that the Communion Host is divine but refuse to believe the same Church when she teaches that the unborn child is to be treated as a human person?
Why would one want to accept Christ while rejecting his brothers and sisters in the womb? It's like breaking off part of the host and giving it back to the priest. As our Lord said, if you bring your gift to the altar and there recall that your brother has something against you, go first and be reconciled with your brother and then come and offer your gift. Senator Kaine, go back and reconcile with your unborn brothers and sisters first. I'll be waiting at the altar to give you Communion as soon as you do.
As for priests congratulating him on his candidacy, I'm glad to see more of my brother priests abandoning the silly advice many of us will get that says we should not 'appear to be partisan.' Of course, those of us who focus on opposing abortion get criticized for appearing to support Republicans; I don't expect my brothers who are congratulating Senator Kaine to get much criticism for appearing to support Democrats.
As I explain in my book Abolishing Abortion, it's time for us to preach neither from the Republican nor Democratic platform, but rather from the Catholic platform, without any concern about how political it might seem.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
© Matt C. Abbott
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