Church And State Or Church And Parishoner

Yahoo News has posted an Associated Press article about Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin banning Representative Patrick Kennedy from taking communion in the Catholic Church in Rhode Island because of the Senator’s stand on abortion.  This is an interesting story.  The article goes on to point out that the ban only applies to Rhode Island and that the Bishop did not bar Representative Kennedy from taking communion anywhere else.

Should a Congressman’s faith play a part in his legislative views?  Thomas Jefferson seemed to think so.

“”[I consider] ethics, as well as religion, as supplements to law in the government of man.” –Thomas Jefferson to Augustus B. Woodward, 1824. ME 16:19 from a website of Jefferson Quotations.”

Every one of us has a basis for what we believe.  That basis is founded in religion or some sort of life experience.  It is my feeling that any Church has the right to exclude people who openly espouse views that are in disagreement with their teaching.  If Patrick Kennedy wants all the privileges of a Catholic, then he should not be promoting legislative ideas that are in conflict with the Catholic Church.

If being a Catholic is important to a Congressman or Congresswoman, then the morality of the Church should have a place in their lives and their legislative decisions.  The fact that the Catholic Church opposes abortion is not new.  Most major religions of the world teach that killing the innocent is wrong.  I can think of nothing more innocent than an unborn baby.  There are churches that do not take a strong stand on abortion.  I am sure Representative Kennedy can find such a church to attend.

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