June 27, 2007
YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN TROUBLE...:
No Wafer for Rudy: Giuliani campaigns as a Catholic, but he's on the outs with God (Wayne Barrett, June 26th, 2007, Village Voice)
When Pope Benedict XVI attacked Catholic politicians in Mexico who supported abortion rights last month, Rudy Giuliani was asked for his opinion. The presidential candidate replied in the language of the church: "Issues like that are for me and my confessor. I'm a Catholic, and that's the way I resolve those issues, personally and privately."Giuliani has invoked his Catholic heritage on Larry King; he's been described by The Washington Post as a "devout Catholic"; he's appeared on Fox News with the label "Catholic" floating on-screen; and he's handled a CNN debate question about a bishop who denounced him with a declaration unfamiliar to those who covered him as mayor. "I respect the opinion of Catholic and religious leaders of all kinds," he said. "Religion is very important to me. It's a very important part of my life."
The ex-mayor's newfound piety also includes a mantra about abortion that wasn't heard while he was in City Hall. "I hate abortion," he now says across America and, in a proposed 12-point plan, he declares that he's committed to decreasing the number of abortions. "I would encourage someone to not take that option," he says, though as a candidate for mayor he said he would pay for an abortion for his daughter. Today, he says it would be "OK to repeal" Roe v. Wade, though he hosted celebrations of its anniversary three times at City Hall. His wholesale reversal on Medicaid funding, late-term abortions, and parental consent are all part of a repackaging designed to soften not just his New York public record, but also the inconvenient details of his personal life.
Married three times, Giuliani simply isn't the Catholic candidate he claims to be. He can't have a confessor. He can't receive the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist, or marriage. While bishops disagree about whether or not a Catholic politician who supports abortion rights can receive the sacraments, there is no disagreement about the consequences of divorcing and remarrying outside the church, as Giuliani did a few years ago.
...when even the Voice has a better grasp of the basic tenets of your putative religion than you do. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 27, 2007 12:34 PM
"He can't receive the sacraments of penance"
Huh??????? I don't think that's anywhere close to being accurate.
Posted by: b at June 27, 2007 1:07 PMAnybody can receive the sacrament of penance. In a case like this, in fact, it's to be encouraged.
Posted by: Mike Morley at June 27, 2007 1:42 PM... on the outs with God. So then the second coming is here, but this time, his name isn't Jesus, it's Wayne! Wow, who knew!
Posted by: erp at June 27, 2007 4:12 PMMike: Yes and no. A purpose of amendment is an essential part of the sacrament of Penance.
It is the words of absolution which are the operative matter of the sacrament, but the dispositions of the penitent are quasi-material.
Now a part of contrition is a purpose of amendment. The penitent must desire to avoid sin in the future. Of course it were desireable that every sinner confess his or her sins and receive absolution. However, one who has no intention of of refraining from his sins in the future cannot be said to have any purpose of amendment. He or she would be lying to the confessor in the words of the Act of Contrition.
Must I spell it out? The Catholic in an illicit, so-called "marriage" is continuing to sin with every further act of adultery and fornication. Without the decision to abandon the physical aspect of the second or third so-called "marriage," the "confession" is a sham.
Posted by: Lou Gots at June 27, 2007 7:42 PMI haven't seen much mentioned on this site about McPain's free fall in every poll. Just saw a NH poll today that puts him at 13% - tied with the undeclared Fred Thompson, while Romney leads easily and Giuliani is in a strong 2nd - with about 24%.
Posted by: obc at June 27, 2007 7:56 PMMA pols always win NH--even Tsongas. Romney won't.
Posted by: oj at June 27, 2007 9:55 PM