To Be Or Not To Be.............

Patrick Kennedy, a member of the House of Representatives elected by the state of Rhode Island, is in a quarrel with his church. The Bishop from his parish has asked him not to receive Communion as his support of the abortion inclusion in the health care bills is in direct violation of church policy. Kennedy had this to say.....

"While I greatly respect the Catholic Church and its leaders, like many Rhode Islanders, the fact that I disagree with the hierarchy of the church on some issues does not make me any less of a Catholic," Mr Kennedy told Bishop Tobin in a letter. "I embrace my faith which acknowledges the existence of an imperfect humanity."

Now as a child I attended Catholic school for nine years so I'm somewhat familiar with what the church believes and how this all works. For those who don't know, Communion is a Sacrament offered during service as the replica of the body of Christ, who gave his life for our sins. The Bible mandates that you attend Confession, another Sacrament, and confess your sins, ask for forgiveness, and do penance to purify your soul. Only then are you worthy of accepting Communion as your soul is pure. It's pretty cut and dried. If you sin, and we all do, you atone, then you can receive the Sacrament. If not, then you pass. It's an honor granted by your behavior, not a right.

Abortion in the eyes of the Catholic Church is murder, murder is a sin, supporting abortion is aiding and abetting a sin, this ergo excuses you from eligibility of receiving the Sacrament of Communion. Mr. Kennedy and some of his family believe and support abortion. If your a devout member of the Catholic Church and respect it's hierarchy, supporting abortion is not a good idea, it shows disrespect for their doctrine and it's leaders. To complain about the church applying the rules after you made your decision to go against them is not accepting responsibility for your actions.

While Mr. Kennedy is not the king of bad decisions, he is certainly a prince! The doctrine of the church is not open to amendments. It's cut and dried. Your supporters were told your a practicing Catholic. Are you not misrepresenting yourself? Mr. Kennedy, your ideology is your own and a choice your entitled to by our Constitution, but don't complain when your church asks you to either support it's rules,(You know those pesky Ten Commandments), or not participate. Your either a devout, practicing Catholic, or your not. Accept responsibility for your actions, it's the first step to atonement and forgiveness.

This all speaks to Mr. Kennedy's character and integrity. You can't be somewhat Catholic. You either believe or you don't. If your a devout, practicing Catholic as you profess to the voters, support the doctrine as the voters would want, or drop the title Catholic.

God Bless
Capt. Bill