"If Hunte expanded abortion rights, he did evil. And if he was given a knighthood in the full knowledge of that, then somebody at the Vatican did a bad thing too, IMO."
We all do evil. I'm not convinced that a papal knighthood should be reserved only for the immaculate.
That bit of hyperbole aside, I realize that abortion is the most pressing and high-profile issue in our time, but at the risk of sounding like a liberal, it really ISN'T the sum-total of Catholicism. I agree that communion shouldn't be given to pro-aborts, but a knighthood isn't based on the state of the recipient's soul at the time, but on their entire life's work.
I don't know what Hunte did to rate a knighthood (I haven't been following the story) but Idon't get the impression that they're given lightly. If a pro-life pope gave one to Hunte, then he must have had a good reason.
Just tossing my ignorance into the arena. 
Right with you on this one Joel.
Mark,
Where do you get the information that Hunte is Anglican?
John Allen says that he is a pro-choice Catholic here.
My second point tying this to the Communion controversy that you seem not to agree with (partly on the presumption that Hunte is Anglican) is that teh USCCB's recent statement would not bestow such an honor on Hunte even if they gave him Communion (assuming he is Catholic).
So, the point is that the Vatican is softer on a pro-choice Catholic (assuming he is Catholic) than the USCCB.
Which goes demonstrate that the Vatican is not in the rush to invoke canon 915 the way Catholic laity in America are.
Listen. I am not pro-choice. I would fully support and do everything I can to make a Right to Life Amendment pass in the U.S. (and the President has nothing to do with the Amendment process).
If we can't have an Amendment, I normally settle like yourslef on people like Bush who would limit the harm. Heck, I voted for Bush in 2000!
We're not as far apart as we sometimes make ourselves sound with each other.
You and I also even seem to agree that there may good reason to say the war in Iraq is an unjust war - though I may be a little more "morally certain" it is unjust than you.
So we both believe that Kerry's position on abortion is evil, and Bush is no saint on either abortion or the war.
Our key difference in comparing Kerry and Bush is that in determining "proportionate reason" to vote for either stupid or evil guy (pick your insulting lable), I believe the war is the graver evil because it literally forces more people into complicity with the act of murder, and you believe abortion is the graver evil because it has more victims of murder.
So set this disagreement aside. On another matter, many of your readers think the USCBB is simply being weak, and they want all the bishops to act like Burke. While you soemtimes think your own readers are a bit to quick to deny Communion or invoke excommunication, on the abortion issue, you're sort of with them.
What I am saying is that even as evil as Kerry's acts may seem to you and I, we cannot rashly judge him sin without knowing everything going on his mind and heart - nor can we judge him in heresy without fully understanding hsi position. The Vatican and the USCCB recognize this, and therefore, they do not hastily invoke canon 915.
Even Ratzinger's letter stated that there has be some private consultation and warning for the person about to be sanctioned.
far from being weak and beauracratic, the Vatican and the USCCb are correctly taking the gravity of thesesanctiosn seriously, and exercising some mercy, compassion and "constructive engagement" before they go so far as to deny Communion or excomunicate someone. This is the right thing to do, good canon law, and sound pastoral theology.
So, the bottom line is that if a bish
(continued)
So, the bottom line is that if a bishop is giving Communion to someone you don't think he should, shut up! The laity have no right to declare who is Catholic and who is not, and serious sanctions like denying Communion are only invoked after a lengthy process that involves some private discussion between the bishop and the person involved.
Peace!
I will pray for you jcecil3. You really are trying hard to justify this IMHO.
According to Carribean News reports
Found here.
http://www.hardbeatnews.com/
deta...details2096.htm
He is an Anglican. The Vatican said he was an Anglican.
Interesting.
So just how often *does* the Vatican award "Papal knighthoods" to non-Catholics...?
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