The story begins when Father Jay Scott Newman tells his congregation that if they had voted for Barack Obama then they should seriously consider if they are able to receive Holy Communion.
You can check out my previous blog on this.
Enter Ed Morrissey at HotAir.
A South Carolina priest who sent a letter warning parishioners who voted for Barack Obama that they may have placed themselves outside of the communion of the Catholic Church has received the backing of his diocese. The Diocese of Charleston agrees with Fr. Jay Scott Newman’s letter despite the controversy it generated, which brings the debate over “formal participation” into a new context...
Yeah, there's that word "context". Morrissey still hasn't figured that one out.
The main problem with Ed's piece - titled "South Carolina diocese stands firm on priest’s warning letter" - is that the Monsignor Martin T. Laughlin ( current representative of the South Carolina Diocese, as they have no Bishop ) had this to say:
This past week, the Catholic Church’s clear, moral teaching on the evil of abortion has been pulled into the partisan political arena. The recent comments of Father Jay Scott Newman, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Greenville, S.C., have diverted the focus from the Church’s clear position against abortion. As Administrator of the Diocese of Charleston, let me state with clarity that Father Newman’s statements do not adequately reflect the Catholic Church’s teachings. Any comments or statements to the contrary are repudiated.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, ‘Man has the right to act in conscience and in freedom so as personally to make moral decisions.’ The Catechism goes on to state: ‘In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path; we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice. We must also examine our conscience before the Lord’s Cross. We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church.’
Christ gives us freedom to explore our own conscience and to make our own decisions while adhering to the law of God and the teachings of the faith. Therefore, if a person has formed his or her conscience well, he or she should not be denied Communion, nor be told to go to confession before receiving Communion.
You can read an excellent blog here from a former member of the church in question.
Even when Morrissey was called out on his lack of using the correct facts, he tries to draw an equivalency between the press agent from the diocese, the Monsignor, and what the hierarchy of the church would say by doing his own interpretation of catechism.
Being an outsider to the Catholic church, I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to interpret church doctrine that is vague to beging with. However, this is a very clear window with which we can view the lunatic-fringe conservative movement through.
Ever eager to malign anyone with whom they disagree, they will just as easily mold church doctrine to make anyone out to be a "sinner".
Any chance that Morrissey - or those like him - can use religion as a weapon they will do it, even if they have to rearrange the facts to do it
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