Priest: No Communion for Obama voters

As a practicing Catholic, I agree with virtually every word Fr. Newman said, except that he is playing way over his pay grade, so to speak. This is the kind of thing that he should wait for his bishop on, and/or the Bishops' Conference, so that Catholics don't have to parish-shop. This way just comes across as an ego move. Do I think that Catholic pro-abortion elected officials are in 'material cooperation with evil' ? Yes; but those who merely vote for them are at a moral distance, could have voted for them the person for other reasons, and tactically, this will blow up in Fr. Newman's and probably the Catholic church's face.

WHO was the 'plausible pro-life candidate this Priest writes about? There were two candidates for the presidency and both are pro-choice.

How about the giving same tough treatment to those individuals in our Catholic leadership who covered up for pederast prelates since day one! They abused our Catholic children, bankrupted our archdioceses as a result of legal settlements. They got a free ticket pass GO right to a nice position in Rome and out of the obstruction of justice range in the USA. Look at Catholics first before judging a Non Catholic’s personal position on the law and the rights of American woman in our democracy. Separation of Church and State should be the guiding force on all these issues. What are we doing here creating another inquisition in the year 2008!

I like the warlike tone in Father Newman's letter. I hope that his example is followed by many other brave priests throughout this land. We are indeed in a culture war, and the only way to fight it in a civilized society is through words, many words spoken by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The victor will be (or should be) the one who has the soundest arguments. I happen to be non-Catholic and have donned the uniform of those who favor choice over non-choice. I suspect this will be a long war, with millions of words shot out of the mouths of soldiers on both sides. Let the war proceed .

I am Catholic and voted for Obama. I will take communion. Catholics aren't just about abortion. We are also against the death penalty and the Iraq war. What does that mean for Catholics who voted for McCain who is pro-war and pro-death penalty.

I think this is being hypocritical.

I'm wondering how Rev. Newman can turn people away from the body of christ. Are you a pharacies? Who are you to judge- why turn believers away? I guess it was ok for priest and religous leaders to moless young boys and I know several young men who were a part of the sinful crime. Try thinking first before you judge- I am so sick of people trying to use religon to make their point. It's all personal. I'm pro-life but I don't judge- stop being a wolf in sheeps clothing. Hell will be filled with so called christians- Satan knew the word better than any of you and he turned against God- wonder why?

Here's another headline: "Catholics: No Donations for Priest Using Pulpit for Politics."

the catholic church has gone mad

Catholics, check you minds at the door please.

Perfect example of the Catholic Church's lunacy.

this non, sense am acatholic, iattent Newmans church and am proud ivoted for obama, and if thats how he is judging us then ibetter go another church that to this confused moron

Father Newman's logic puts most all of us in a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" position because how can we in good conscience support the stubborn, deceptive, and violent stance of Senator McCain toward the "war on terrorism" and Bush Doctrine of preemptive strikes. We all know that the Catholic Church does not support this either. I guess we all are sinners and always will be despite our best efforts and we will all need forgiveness for actions regardless if they suit our own ethical judgment and best rational sense of morality. Father Newman needs to go visit Iraq and see the lives damaged by death and physical and psychological trauma. I'd also recommend he do more visiting of soldiers in the hospitals and rehab facilities, visit the soldier homes to find many broken and lonesome families, and most importantly start praying for himself more to be less judgmental of others and to start focusing on more important criticisms of a public nature.

I am so pleased that this humble priest who is a convert, by the way, has made this profound statement. There is no bishop for South Carolina right now as Bishop Baker was transferred to Birmingham Ala. He was very pro-life and probably is very proud of Fr. Newman's statement. I only wish our pastor would speak up more but he will not. I would love to live in Fr. Newman's parish. I only hope his parishioners know how blessed they are!

While everyone has a right to their opinion, Priests have a greater responsibility not to abuse their position by imposing what amounts to personal political views on the Catholic public. It is becoming all too common these days for priests to attempt to dictate my behavior in a voting booth, based upon some misguided belief that I have to obey. Free will , anyone?

Since when do priests have the right to rank the issues of the day and determine what is most important? Put abortion aside, for a moment - what's next? Am I soon to be told that it is un-Catholic to vote for a candidate based upon tax policy? What about foreign policy, am I to be told I am "eating and drinking my own condemnation" if I vote for a candidate that has different views on our policy regarding Israel ? Where does this end?

What would the IRS say about a priest directing parishoner's political votes? Ah, now we may have found something that will get a church's attention - the loss of tax exempt status. "Oh no! - money? - OK I'll shut up."

Its time for the church, whether Catholic or Protestant, or whatever, to return to being a place of worship, comfort and learning , and WAY past time for the church to GET OUT OF POLITICS!

Sorry, I guess I missed the statement posted on St Mary's website regarding the despicable conduct of Catholic priests that has been reproduced all over this land and virtually endorsed by the Catholic Church. Amazing

I think that Fr Newman is correct as long as he agrees that the parish of any priest that acts on what he has said looses their tax exempt status. It is not only necessary that the tax exemption is lost but that Fr Newman admit that he is practicing politics and not religion. In the absence of that I propose that the best response to Fr Newman is to ignore him as a well meaning hypocrite.

If the church wants to play politics, then it should be prepared to lose its tax-exempt status. Otherwise, butt out.

IT IS SUCH AN ILLOGICAL AND ABSURD CONCEPT PUT FORTH BY THIS PREIST THAT IT MAKES ME WONDER IF HE SHOULD EVEN BE A MESSENGER OF GOD. BEING A PREIST JUST MEANS THAT ONE IS AT A HIGHER LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE,WISDOM,DIVINITY AND BROADMINDEDNESS. HE SHOULD BE ABOVE THESE PETTY ISSUES AND CONCENTRATE ON THE MESSAGE OF LOVE,KINDNESS,FORGIVENESS AND
STOP CALLING ANYONE NAMES. WHEN DO THEY LEARN THAT POLITICAL AFFILIATION,GENDER,COLOR OF SKIN ETC ARE ALL MAN MADE CRITERIA AND NOT BY THE ALMIGHTY. COMEON GROWUP.

It is tainted leaders like this that pushed me away from the catholic faith. I would rather join my god in heaven than follow those that preach evil in his name.

I find it a shame that so many Christians are simply a one issue voter. To be fair, the majority of Christians probably weigh the bigger issues, but aligning one's vote due to one issue is just plain strange to me when larger, more Earth changing issues are out there. All in all, I am not for abortion. But one doesn't have to look very far to see a lot of fallacies, ignorance, and hypocrisy in this stance. Why Christians aren't as vocal about our destruction of the planet's resources and environment is a mystery to me. Native Americans had the biblical notion right, not Christians. Also, it's Christians leading the fear mongering about terrorism and promoting war. Christians promoting war? That is asinine.

I couldn't agree more with the priest. Anyone who supports the killing of live babies who survive a botched abortion attempt is not fit to be President, and any one who knowingly voted for him, is supporting his inhumane policies.

I have always found Fr. Newman to be an attention seeking mean mean man, ever since my first confession with him as a young woman. He is clearly out of touch with the needs of his community, the larger community of his church. He has twisted the Catholic faith into something unrecognizable to me, not the loving, accepting church of God I knew growing up. I thank God I moved away and dread visiting family and having to sit through his sermons as he talks DOWN to his parish. He's an obviously miserable man that does little to connect to his parish, he instills fear in them.
Church and politics need to stay apart... far far apart... That's why the pilgrims came to our shores.
I could go on and on...

Some points to ponder:

1. The only passage in Scripture that directly addresses a situation remotely parallel to abortion is Exodus 21:22. The silence of both Old and New Testaments on a medical practice dating from at least 450 BC, when Hippocrates included in his original Oath a ban on providing abortifacients to women, and no doubt known to medical practitioners of Israel who have been among the highest acclaimed in the world, is baffling.

2. The mentioned passage in Exodus refers to a situation where fighting men injure a pregnant woman in a fight and cause her to abort. If no mischief follows to the woman, the abortion is a civil tort matter, and the injuring party must pay damages assessed by the husband and confirmed by the Levirate judge. It is not named as murder or even accidental homicide in the Law, requiring the guilty party to race for one of the cities of refuge, nor is it a transgression requiring blood sacrifice and atonement.

3. By New Testament times, the widely known practice of medical abortion was not protested by Christ or the apostles, nor even mentioned.

I'd like to see the modern Church tone down its "murder" and "infanticide" rhetoric and begin looking for solutions that make it possible for women to afford to carry pregnancies to term, or that make it medically possible to transfer pregnancies to women who really want the children. Obama has a sane and justifiable position on medical abortion. My extremist brothers and sisters in the Church do not.

Ever notice that the people against abortion are the people that you wouldn't want to in the first place? - George Carlin

As a practicing Catholic, I completely disagree with what this priest has done. Although I believe abortion is wrong, I do not believe it is the only issue that should be considered when voting for a president. Certainly we mourn the lives of unborn children that have been lost to abortion. However, there are many lives that are lost due to other issue as well - involvement in a questionable war, poor health care, little or no access to much needed social services, poor education, etc. All these issues are considered when voting for a candidate. In the end I have faith that people vote for whomever they believe will best lead and protect all citizens. This is not “material cooperation with intrinsic evil”. To suggest that communion be denied and confession mandated is stepping way beyond his role.

The Catholic Church got this one right...good for them.

The best way to prevent abortions is to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The Catholic Church may be right in its claim that a fetus is a living being and subject to the same legal and moral protections as the rest of us. But if the Church really wants to put a lid on abortions its hierarchy should support safe and simple means of contraception. It's a no-brainer.

Does this priest intend to deny Communion to supporters of the death penalty and the Iraq War? The Right wing in this country is spiraling out of control. God help us all.

And this is why religion should be abolished. I'm so sick of ignorant, hateful, spiteful people who use glorified superstition to subjugate other human beings.

“And the chief battleground in this culture war for the past 30 years has been abortion, which one side regards as a murderous abomination that cries out to Heaven for vengeance...”
This is a Catholic priest? One might be forgiven for thinking the author to be a radical Islamist terrorist.

Just in case you didn't know, there is a movement afoot of Progressive or Liberal Christians who are organizing to fight these hypocrites.

As a Catholic, and actually a former member of St. Mary's, I am so very sad to read this letter. Our responsibilities as conscientious and faithful citizens are complex. It is a tragedy that a pastor, responsible for the well-being of his flock, has so little respect for those who develop their own conscience which happens to differ from his 'absolute wrongs'. I miss the church that encouraged me to think for myself, and develop my own conscience. It would appear Father Newman would prefer the members of his parish 'paint on' our opions without believing in them.

Throw the bum out and take away the tax exempt status of the church! I propose a ballot question on this issue in the next election cycle!!!

But bingo(aka: gambling) sponsored by a Catholic Church is not an "intrinsic evil", right? Let's seperate chuch from state here. What might the good Father have come up with if Senator McCain had been the victor?

Just who is this priest to pass judgement on the voters? Is he saying everyone who voted for President Elect is involved in "Voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative exists constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil, and those Catholics who do so place themselves outside of the full communion of Christ’s Church and under the judgment of divine law. Persons in this condition should not receive Holy Communion until and unless they are reconciled to God in the Sacrament of Penance, lest they eat and drink their own condemnation"? This priest is INSANE!! I answser to my GOD and noone else!

I didn't vote for Obama.(In spite of "Yes, we can", he couldn't ever come up with a valid American birth certificate + he has little experience). And there WAS a Pro-Life candidate on the ticket. Catholics are taught to believe theirs is the only "True church", so most think they have an automatic "in" to heaven, based on their infant baptism. It doesn't work like that. This priest did his parishioners a favor, by getting them to THINK about what communion means. It is NOT to be taken lightly. When the unrepentant die, and face God -- they face a just Judge, not the loving Father they like to imagine He is. "There is NO condemnation for those that are IN Christ Jesus". Better to understand what it is to be IN communion NOW, instead of waiting until after death. "My people perish, for lack of knowledge." Kudos to this courageous priest, for at least bringing it to their attention. He has more courage than most of the bishops that don't speak out, except as a group. Lastly, it wasn't only abortion that separated the two candidates, it was also homosexual "marriage" and embryonic stem cell research, that involves cloning, among other major issues that should be a "red flag" to any Christian, including Catholics, Orthodox Jews, or any educated voter with a conscience. Good for this priest for teaching! Maybe news of this will inspire other US priests!

Huzzah, Catholic Church! Fly your flag good and high! Need more cord? Taller pole? Whatever you need! Make it good and clear where you stand. Clear, that is, to everyone but your shrinking cadre of myopic misogynists, who'll aver that they're gladder than ever to see the backs of the kind, the heartful, the people who actually love those of their fellow humans who have already seen daylight. You go ahead and rend your garments in mourning for fetuses, flapping your sackloth and flaunting your ashes on the streetcorner and wailing, "Lord, Lord!" We'll be across the street, dishing up supper for the hungry and teaching the illiterate to read. Stop by any time.

What is wrong with this world? People are out of their *()^%$# minds!

Wow.

What a joke.

It is way past time to remove the tax exempt status for political organizations in the guise of religions. This priest is just another example of religious interference in the American political process. JonySky

Our founding fathers had it right with separation of church and state; Fr Newman should take a page ... I can easily see why folks like Tom left the faith because of these asinine idiots who's myopic views cloud the main purpose of the faith.

Where in the Holy Bible does it say Catholics MUST confess to priests? Isn't this founded by the Catholic Church ONLY?? How many Catholics confessed to "rightous" preists who engaged in rape and molestation of children?? Perhaps Newman is one of those very priests. As I see it, our faith is IN OUR GOD and NOT in priests!! We answer to God, not to some hypocrite hiding behind robes on Sundays!! I grew up in a Catholic Church until age 12 when my family chose to join a Protestant Church due to hypocrital views of the Cath Chrch. Priests do not have the power to judge others. How about adultery???

Tocradle catholic, you speak as if you just left the cradle. To seriously think Obama does not have a valid birth certificate is to show your`sad ignorance.

I don't know much about reigion or the bibile, but which is the worst sin, molecting young boys or abortion? Homosexuality or abortion? Just curious.

I agree 100% with Michelle. I turned away from the Catholic church because of things like this. So apparently it's ok to vote for a pro-death penalty, pro war candidate, but not pro choice. When will these idiot priests get it that ALL killing is immoral???

I agree with Rev. Newman. The sanctity of life is certainly a core belief in the church as well as a very important issue to society in general. The church needs to speak out for life and marriage! The next step in the assault on the sanctity of life in a nation, after the acceptance of abortion, is the killing of the elderly, calling them "useless eaters" as in Hitler's Germany. Thank you, Rev. Newman, for taking a stand!

The priest's statements and actions are absolutely un-American. He should not only be ashamed of himself, but he should be defrocked.

Bravo, Columbine.

Said a representative from the Church that protected child abusers....
And a church that idly sits by when thousands die in the War.....

So it is ok to murder innocent Iraqis, torture prisoners, and rob the poor by supporting corporations then? This is exactly why we have a separation of church and state. Sometimes our good church leaders can't tell the difference between good conscience and bad politics.

I proprose that all the wingnuts take a time machine back to the dark ages for that is the time they would feel most at home! The world is evolving and progressing, change is constant...

After not decades but centuries, the Catholic Church finds it self right where they started. They can not influence their fold, they will try to manipulate and abuse the need people have to congregate.
I pray this reaction from the leadership of the church will awaken the faithful that actually use the God given gift of thinking and rationalize their better decisions
Abortion is wrong no doubt but nevertheless morals and relationship with our creator can not and should not be force down on people, otherwise it will not be any different than the so wrongly done in the past INQUISITION.
Have they not learn from the past, I think not, but the question is, has the people.

Dear Father Newman,
War is not Pro-Life. McCain is Pro-War.
The Death Penalty is not Pro-Life. McCain is Pro-Death-Penalty.
Ignoring the poor and indigent does not agree with the social justice position of the Catholic Church. McCain makes policy of ignoring the poor and indigent.
Unborn children are innocent. Unborn children deserve life. But so do people who are already living. We have had an anti-abortion president for eight years, and abortion is just as legal today as it was the first day he was in office. Does that mean that everyone who voted for him can't take communion either?

This is way overboard. I went to catholic school and married a greek orthodox woman. She noted to me that catholic is greek for nothing. katholu. I want it noted for the record that we should sent a petition to this priest and let him know that we as catholics are opposed to his hatemongering. This is another Palin tactic of calling people terrorist or socialist. We do not need someone from high on his pedestal telling us what to do and how to think. We have grown up mister so cut the bull and get a life.

I guess Father didn't get the message on Faithful Citizenship. Abortion is not the only issue we face as Catholic Christians. Jobs, housing, education, and health care are the topic of concern and conversation at our dinner tables. As a community leader within my parish community, I have witnessed first hand how the loss of income leads to home foreclosure and the uprooting of families from our community. Many of our St. Vincent de Paul pantries are bare and our local food banks struggle to keep up with the growing number of families in need. I feel good about my vote and pray for our new president daily that he lead us all to the change of common good for us all including the unborn.

I have bad memories of the Catholic church. My paternal grandparents immigrated from France and were staunch Catholics. To please them, I was put in Catholic school at age 6, in 1951. When school started that year, my family had just finished a long outdoor summer vacation, and I had fresh mosquitos bites here and there, and because I had allergies, they were particularly painful and annoying. I had a seat in the middle of the class, and though I was trying to be attentive, those mosquito bites consumed my attention and I reached under my skirt to scratch one on my thigh. The next thing I know I my arm was smote such a vicious blow I nearly fainted. The nun at the back of the class had decided I was performing an evil act. I was sent to the front of the class and she proceeded to humiliate me. My parents reacted by withdrawing me from the school. I excommunicated from that church shortly thereafter. But that memory refused to go away and traumitized me all my life. The Catholics are evil and God will judge them.

thanks for the donation to the treasury, Father.
Your right to tax exempt status just ended.

Religion has actually convinced people that there's an invisible man -- living in the sky -- who watches everything you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a special list of ten things he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place, full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish, where he will send you to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry forever and ever til the end of time! But He loves you.
-- George Carlin Politically Incorrect, May 29, 1997

Truth is truth, and it seems many people 'doth protest too much'. All the priest is doing is trying to save souls...I don't know if he was acting beyond his authority as the shepherd of his parish, and you don't have to believe as the Catholic faithful do - but to receive Holy Communion in a state of mortal sin is dangerous to your soul. Knowing what Obama stands for as far as abortion there is absolutely no doubt that he will NOT be trying to reduce abortions - he wants to make it even easier and more affordable. Why do so many people have so much venom against Catholics? The Church is not perfect - it is full of sinners, because we are all sinners. But it doesn't change the truth - 50 million babies aborted since Roe v. Wade. Don't cloud the issue with what you think of the Church....Just think about it. 50 million........50 MILLION......may God have mercy on us all.

Once upon a time, priests were necessary to help guide their followers because the average layperson was unable to read, and therefore could not read Scripture.

Most of us can read perfectly well now; I think it's time to retire the priests and let people start trying to think on their own.

Another religious figure enjoying tax exempt status while sharing his political views. I think it best if this man where to keep his political views to himself when behind the pulpit. After all, God does appoint His leaders, who is Father Newman to question Divine Authority?

Un f #*@ing believable ! These sick pedophile priests want us all to march off to war & eat "the body of Christ" every Sunday, yet condemn those that feel a woman should have right to choose ! This "Focus on the Fetus" movement ignores the fact that Bullets stop a beating heart too. If they truly believe in sanctity of life, why do they keep singing "Onward Christian Soldiers" ? I hope more religious sheep start thinking for themselves , and stop following these shepherds of hate. The IRS should immediately revoke tax exempt status of these institutions.

The Catholic Church obviously needs a back to basics class based on the incorrect and inaccurate comments I see posted here. There are intrinsic evils in the Catholic faith of which abortion is one, war is not an intrinsic evil and neither is the death penalty. When people speak of the Iraq war and capitol punishment and attempt to compare it to abortion they are supposed to look at it with a view of proportionality. There are over a million abortions a year, are there a million people dying in the Iraqui war? The Catholics who voted for Obama should be ashamed and in my personal opinion should leave the Church as they are not true Catholics as Obama has voted for infanticide in addition to abortion.

The priest was correct and in perfect accord with Catholic teaching. And note how gracious his words were!

One caveat is that a few Catholics, through ignorance, might not properly understand Church teaching on this issue. They might not realize the sinfulness of voting for Obama instead of Barr or Baldwin or (arguably) McCain. Now, the bishops went far out of their way to clarify this, so such ignorance could only come from individual negligence in understanding Church teaching (barring some learning disability, of course).

But such negligence would not always be a mortal sin; as such they wouldn't necessarily "eat and drink condemnation" by taking communion without first confessing.

Since this zealot is dis-endorsing a candidate AFTER the election, I suppose the IRS ban on tax-exempt organizations not politicking doesn't come into play. But the only plausible anti-choice person on the two major tickets was Sarah Palin, who is certainly extreme enough for this guy who will never himself be in a position to become pregnant but who also believes in witchcraft, which I don't think is a kosher Catholic belief, and who is neither by her own example nor by that of her daughter someone to hold up as a model for abstinence before marriage.

The Holy Father has had more than a couple of observations to make about the legitimacy of the invasion of Iraq, which killed tens of thousands of the post-born. I trust that Fr. Newman preached about that. In Matthew 25, Jesus condemned people who were indifferent to the sick, the hungry, the homeless to everlasting damnation. Did Fr. Newman also preach against George W. Bush and the Republicans in Congress (like Lindsay Graham) who were not just indifferent, but actively hostile, taking support from America's most needy and giving it to America's least needy?

Jesus had a lot to say about people with beams in eyes and about hypocrisy. I don't know whether it would be hypocritical for Fr. Newman also to preach about hypocrisy. Maybe this is something for the bishops, who were so concerned about child abuse, to decide.

Good Job Father!

I appreciate that you are telling them as it is, and not as they would decide in their own minds that it would be. As Christians we have to ask ourselves. On what side of abortion would GOD stand? Pro-life.

Also, it is almost funny to see that he is getting attacked by these bloggers for making a stand for what GOD wants. Us not to kill!
duh, didn't we hear that before?

It appears that the Catholics that voted for Obama chose the economy issue over the more/most important issue that GOD would have us fight. Right-to-life/ Abortion.

Some posters here made me giggle when they started mentioning the priest sex scandals that the Catholic church has been riddled with lately...ha! is that the best excuse for abortion that you have? to ridicule a man of GOD because of your own shortcomings? Would you rather he side with death? Without care to the unborn?

wake up Christians and side with the one who loves you. Yes, even you. Jesus Christ!

We need more George Carlins in the world, more Bill Mahers ect. to speak up and out against the atrocities of the worlds religions...

Aw. Carlin? Funny man, but on religious matters, what a sad ignoramus. (That others regard his rant on the topic as profound or insightful demonstrates the utter failure of education and cultural literacy in modern Western civilization.

This is the only way that "Rome" can try to control politics in the USA. If Rome really was trying to reduce abortions, they would try to find ways to reduce unwanted pregnancy.

This is disgusting. Another embarrassing feather in the cap of intolerant religion. The communion of intolerance - in full force. Just disgusting.

to jim wingnut browning, If you say you know what god wants and says and it sounds as if he speaks directly to you, then please ask him/her why in his/her name does he allow abortion to go on?

How about this: If you are Christian, don't have an abortion. Problem solved.

The government can't support a specific faith, due to the Establishment Clause. Prohibiting abortion because Christians believe it is wrong would be like forbidding people to eat meat because killing animals is wrong. If you're a Vegan, you just don't eat meat.

We need more Christians to stand on the side of Christ!

To ridicule a Priest and side with abortion because one, or a few priests in the church committed atrocities is outrageous and shallow. Does he not deserve the right to stand up for what he believes anymore?

I think it is an excuse to turn a blind eye to what GOD wants.

The Catholic church has asked the faithful to consider the totality of issues facing voters (in the past). Whatever happened to Catholic social justice teaching?

I'm with you, Debra K, if Catholics can't agree with the Church on every single issue, they should leave, and take their donations with them.
I left after my religion teacher told my class that as Catholics we could not talk to Jews (in the 1990s!!!). Then when several of us argued, she claimed that her viewpoint was more progressive than the church's in general. Yikes. I left and never looked back.

The Catholic Church by supporting Republicans increases the number of abortions and miscarriages. That is an absolute fact. If you disagree you should be ashamed that you are putting your pride ahead of lives. Period.

These sick pedophile priests want us all to march off to war & eat "the body of Christ" every Sunday, yet condemn those that feel a woman should have right to choose ! This "Focus on the Fetus" movement ignores the fact that Bullets stop a beating heart too. If they truly believe in sanctity of life, why do they keep singing "Onward Christian Soldiers" ? I hope more religious sheep start thinking for themselves , and stop following these shepherds of hate. The IRS should immediately revoke tax exempt status of these institutions.

God our Father, as a practicing Catholic, please help our friend, Fr. WhatsHisName (Newman), come back to your good graces and avoid adding insult to injury on our one truly holy catholic and apostolic church. Fro we recognize that a culture of life begins with the notion that lies and deceit in the name of killing tens of thousands to protect oil profits is evil, and it is in Jesus' name that we give thanks for the providential election of our new President, Barack Obama. Through Christ our Lord...

Psst. Fr. Newman. Its time to sit down -- you know that part of the Mass?

to Jim Browning, stop speaking as if you know what god wants, it's sacreligous. Everyone is open to ridicule when they speak the ridiculous!

When religious figures like Father Newman spew their intolerance, one can imagine the Lord looking down and saying, "This is not what I wanted from my church..."

The Catholic Church is dying. It is easy to see why when a Priest like this can't argue his way out of a phone booth. Republicans kill. Republicans kill babies. Quit accepting murder because you can't comprehend those smarter than you. If you don't understand politics don't vote. If you don't understand how to be a decent world citizen than stay out of politics. Don't follow a scumbag like Jay Newman.

Catholicism = More Abortions. The more politics Catholics practice the more fetuses die.

Jay Newman is sick power hungry child. Would he be willing to debate his flock? Of course not, they would prove him to be incompetent. Those pro-life candidates he supports, love to promote policies that increase abortions. Jay Newman is a hypocrite.

Just because a candidate claims to be pro-life doesn't mean they are. Today pro-life means killing innocent children is ok if your party can get elected. Pro-life means that's it's ok to not provide pregnant women with health care. Pro-life means it’s ok to let the sick die if it means your party can get another bribe from GM.

Typical follow-the-platform Republican. The Catholic Church cares more about one loss of life than another. Why wasn't it opposed to the senseless killing of civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq? Why is it that Bush and McCain are given a pass on this, plus supporting the death penalty, yet it is only abortion he is hanging his hat on? Hypocrisy--the Church practices it and the Republican prists in the US practice it too. You are offically obsolete you Republican hypocrites,yes, even those of you who pretend to be holy, Father.

President elect Obama DOES NOT SUPPORT ABORTION!
Indeed, NO ONE I KNOW SUPPORTS ABORTION!!!!
What many (including me) DO support is a woman's right to choose her medical proceedures along with her doctor.
Let's face it, the catholic church is ruled by men. Who gave them the exclusive on God? I will take communion WHENEVER and WHEREVER I CHOOSE TO...and no priest who's decided that HE is more connected to God then I am will EVER stop me!

Whats happening to us ??? We are becoming more Evangelic everyday,stop influencing your congregation from the pulpit,that's what Evangelics do and why we have thousands of interpretations of the Bible,The church is our safe place from all the judgement in this world,help us defend our faith,please quit dividing us,I love my faith,but now the only peace I find in the church is adoration,we all need to pray for forgiveness especially for our priests,if priests continue this you will loose millions of faithful Catholics who LOVE their religion,please set an example of peace and non judgement,PLEASE !

if killing live babies who survive after a botched abortion is wrong, then the abortion procedure should be improved so that it has a near 100% success rate. this should appease some people, right?

Where does voting for a pro-choice, not pro-abortin, as some say, candidate, fall under the catholic Church's 7 deadly sins, i.e:

- Lust
- Gluttony
- Greed
- Sloth
- Wrath
- Envy
- Pride

???

Should not the good priest be, instead, leading his congregation in praying for President-elect Obama who has a really tough job ahead of him?

- Alu

If ever there was a church that should have its tax exemption revoked, this is it. Father Newman's message that you are damned if you vote for a particular candidate is bald-faced electioneering.

I run a non-profit myself, and I take very seriously my obligation to keep politics out of the business of the organization. I would like nothing better than to use my non-profit status to benefit political causes I support, but the deal with the government is that in return for my 501(3)(c), I must do no such thing.

I highly resent any other non-profits, religious or otherwise, flaunting this rule.

It is well established that countries that allow and provide safe, legal abortions (along with sex education and available birth control) have much lower abortion rates than countries where abortion is illegal (which countries almost invariably provide little sex education and restrict or prohibit use of birth control). But the Catholic hierarchy does not want to reduce the number of abortions, it wants to have a part of the population to control absolutely and a smaller part to condemn.

I'm pro abortion, and he's right. You can't play both sides of the fence. I don't see how confession changes anything, but I guess you have to be Catholic to understand. Good luck to you.

Oh no! No communion? So many souls will languish in eternal torment for because they were denied the chance to eat some wafers! And woe unto them that take the holy cookie without repenting for their vote! The walls of many a church will certainly weep blood! Woe unto us all!

Makes one wonder where the Christ in Christian went to....try to picture Jesus speaking to his flock in Fr. Newman's words......I just don't seem to be able to picture that at all.....we must be reading different Bibles.

Obama won. Therefore he's God's choice.
Certainly, God could have prevented that if he wanted to.

So perhaps it is the McCain voters who have voted against God, and should be asking for forgiveness.

McCain = son of Cain, hmmmm?

Father Newman has abused his position as 'shepherd' by sending this message to his congregation and presuming that he has the right to refuse Holy Communion to any Obama supporter until they've repented This is a profound example of one of the most troubling hypocrisies of the Catholic Church - "Right to Life Until Birth'. Indeed, where does the good 'shepherd' stand on the slaughter in Iraq (supported by the other candidate in this election), universal health care and other such life-related issues...I find this man's action repugnant and certainly not one taken by a life-loving, peace-loving person. That would be our new President-elect, Barack Obama.

What will Augustinus have said? What would jesus have said? Sola Gratia, Sola Gratia, Sola Gratia, Sola Gratia, Sola Gratia, Sola Gratia , Sola Gratia, Sola Gratiia is this not Hypocritical, Show me some one without sin! read Your Bible again

Here is one more clear example of the hypocracy that lies within the so called Catholic Faith.....I guess it is okay to sexually abuse children when you are supposed to be serving as God's teachers on earth and to support the thousands of people being slaughtered every day in Iraq and Afghanistan. Where is the argument here supporting the twisted thinking of the Catholic Church.....right to life people.....what about all THOSE INNOCENT VICTIMS?? I am Catholic and I am beginning to become more and more disillusioned by the insane thought process of these priests..I am sure those pedophile priests are still taking the host daily!!

The folks who are gonna "parish shop:"

You gonna God shop too? Abortion is a mortal sin in every parish

Thank you Father Newman for reminding me once again that the Catholic Church will always find a way in the end to align itself with the rich and the powerful. The voice of the people is so much sweeter when heard over your bullying tone.

The priest ought to be suspended or otherwise punished. This is unbelievably out of line, not to mention incredibly uneducated. I am convinced that one of the worst crimes of which the American voting public is guilty is that of intellectual dishonesty (yes, that's an attempt to say "incredible stupidity" politely). It is so utterly insulting to the intellect of anyone who votes based on any single issue.

America (especially my fellow Christians): THERE ARE MORE ISSUES ON THIS PLANET THAN F***ING ABORTION. If you vote based on that issue alone (or any single issue), you are partially to blame when the rest of the world calls Americans stupid.

He who is without sin can cast the first stone
sounds like a quote by someone important

This guy should stay out of politics the iraq war killed up to 1000000
people and over the last 8 years we have tortured innocent people
and also run the economy into the ground worldwide this will cause millions of people to suffer and many to starve
So if you voted for mccain you also should not be taking communion according to this guys standards

God said he is the only one that can judge us so this guys should
quit his day job he hasnt read the instruction manual properly

1. When this person has a sex change operation and becomes a woman then he should have a say in what he can and can't do with his body.
2. Supporting the unborn and turning a bling eye to the injustices in which the republican party upholds by being enslaved by the military industrial complex is ignorant.
3. Being a priest in this day and age is really not very mature at all.

Maybe Obama should respond by asking of his followers who are obviously in agreement of the fact that pedophiles should not be supported and thus encourage every one of his voters to stop attending Mass. Obviously this priest didn't do anything bad (abuse wise) but still wants him name somewhere. Dope

Its your soul, think about it.

I have come to believe there is no such thing as God. Humans have created for themselve cacoons ( religions ) simply because they fear death. That is why many people cling to religion. I don't agree with abortion but I would rather leave that decision to the individual who decides to end life.

Religion is the world's oldest profession. It's purpose is to lead people around by the nose in order to effect it's political and economic policies.

"Organized" religions are nothing more than corporations peddling thier product - ignorance.

I was a practicing -- and very active -- Catholic for 60 years. I can no longer attend the Catholic Church because of edicts such as this. Who does this priest think he is? Like many have said, it's OK when the church protects its own (pedophiles), but God help anyone else who makes an "immoral" decision.

The Left ought to ask the Irishman, Barry O'Bama, for forgiveness. Running for the highest office in the land under Article II, Sect 1 demands he be a natural born citizen. Barry, who's mother unfortunately did not abort him, nonetheless has committed fraud. I wonder if he will have the courage to seek for forgiveness?

What about the Death Penalty which the church opposes and McCain/Palin supported? Deny communion to those who voted Republican too?

Dying groans of a noble institution

As far as I'm concerned, any Catholic that voted for Obama did so-mistakenly-for his wallet. The number of deaths in the war along with the number of executions in this country, in no way compares to the number of abortions performed. Claiming that as a reason to vote for Obama is a transparent cop-out.

Idiot! Just one more reason NOT to support the faith.

So abortion is the only issue that matters, ever? Would Catholics still be obligated to vote for McCain had he promised to take away freedom of religion or burn our country to the ground yet was pro-life? To say that a person is committing a sin by casting a vote for whom they believe is the best candidate for the leader of our nation is absurd!

The Bible I read now is called TOLERANCE , a book written by Hendrik Willem Von Loon about 1925. Bush and this idiot priest are in the book. Please get this book now and read for a sane look at the religious attrocities.

It is far overdue that all the religious organizations lose their tax-exempt status. Next Congress - step up and do the right thing. Meantime, countryclub church members socialize and politicize at my tax expense!!! If their belief is there, then their cash is there, not mine.

I suppose God is going to give the Heavenly Nobel Peace Prize to the two priests in Jerusalem for their bloody fight the other day?? We do not need any more proofs of hypocrisy.

"Nutcases" doesn't come close.

Religion poisons everything.

With the abuse scandals involving Catholic priests and the decrease in the number of practicing Catholics ... This is really ecumenical! "lest they eat and drink their own condemnation". You must be a part of the religious right - another Republican wacko!!

religionists in general and xtians in particular won't be happy until they have destroyed america. religion kills. abortion saves.

In my parish, all are welcomed. There are no restrictions to the Holy Table, since I am only the maitre'd. God is the host. The ones who need what we offer the most are the hurt, the lost, the broken and the downtrodden...especially those who find themselves in the situation to need an abortion. Homeless, wealthy, hungry, obese, gay, straight, blind, deaf, rich, poor, Ph.Ds and the illiterate are all welcome. All those labels are meaningless before the simple majesty of Holy Communion. Each one who comes is created in imago dei and therefore are equal before God.

I will pray for Fr. Newman and his parish. I will pray for the people he has driven out of their church by his irresponsible action.

Voting for the guy who authorized an illegal war that has led to the death of millions is not a sin? Does the catholic church's hypocracy know no bounds?

Everytime I read things like this it makes me so happy that I switched to the Episcopal Church.

What's good for the goose isn't good for the gander when it comes to the catholic church. I feel sorry for the people that have faith in this church. It must be hard to have faith in your church when they are so hypocritical.

Religious organizations seem to only regard seperation of church and state when it's convenient for them...

more proof of the irrelevancy of religion...mankind's worst creation EVER.

There is more than meets the eye with this Priest. I guess he has forgetten that he who is without sin should cast the first stone. Isn't it wonderful that this Priest is so "pure." Perhaps he should have been the Pontiff ... I wonder why not? Let us not fool ourselves, deep down in his heart, Father is suffering from many other issues that are not related to abortion. I will give him the respect and not name one issue in particular, but he needs to ask for forgiveness himself and re-direct his soul to his greater issue and ask God if he, truly, should "try" and remain his servant or be doomed forever in hate.

REVOKE HIS CHURCH's 501C(3) designation NOW.

IRS rules are clear. He is practicing politics. They are no longer eligable.

Enough with the misogynistic, hate spewed from the pulpit; it is time for Catholics in America to brake it's ties with the abomination that is the Church of Rome.

What a load of cr*p. Yet another example of why the church is driving away more and more people.

Yet another reason I'm an ex-Catholic. Does this remove the tax-exempt status of this church (it should)?

"Let he among you who is without sin, cast the first stone."

I see a whole bunch of rocks flying here. Consider the human condition, and how easily we make mistakes, or sin if you will. Additionally, consider that we as Catholics believe that "communion" is truly the flesh and blood of our Lord. In this light, how is it ever possible to present yourself as truly worthy. Each and every individual should comptemplate thier own worthiness and preparedness every time the approach the altar to recieve our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Lest we "eat or drink damnation upon ourselves" as Paul says.

re comment #4
"I like the warlike tone in Father Newman's letter."

Yeah, that's just what a representative of Christ should have.. a warlike tone. That's totally in agreement with the Sermon on the Mount and the 1 additional commandment that Christ and the New Testament gives us...(sarcasm for those too brain damaged to understant) stupid putz. Read The Book and see if that's what Christ was about, instead of listening to man's representative that works for an institution responsible for "disappearing" books of the bible they didn't like, changing others, repressing opposing views, torture... The history of the Catholic Church is a shameful example of Christianity. Popes with multiple concubines and children. Wars to increase the wealth of the church. I could go on for... well, multiple books worth. I studied Greek, Latin, and a little Aramaic at University in order to get closer to what was written, translated, mistranslated, translated again, dumbed down for the populus. Granted I didn't like what I found, and decided to invest my time in the sciences to see Gods work, but I put in a herculean effort to understand The Book as best I could- rather than listening to those with agendas.
-Christ was a man of the people. A lover. A forgiver. A uniter. A healer. He fed the masses and threw the money lenders out of the church. Does that sound like guys on throwns in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewels? Or those preaching in ornate "temples" adorned as they are? If you look at the pope and see Christ- you haven't read The Book. I don't subscribe to any particular dogma- but for those of you who do- You've only got ONE FRACKING BOOK TO READ. Read it. Memorize it. If you think it's God's word- don't you think you're gonna look stupid at those pearly gates if you didn't bother to AT LEAST read and understand the whole book?!?!?!
"but...but....but Jesus! Some guy in fancy robes told me this is what you said and meant!!! I was busy accumulating wealth and judging my fellow man. I didn't have time to read ONE book and follow your word. Hey, I said I was sorry once a month for banging my best friends wife and selling old people bad stock tips, and sat through one hour a week listening to some guy interpret what you said...." PATHETIC!

Total ex catholic here. Can't stand the church dictating to me what i should believe and what I should believe on a political level. It's none of their business. Stay out of my life. Take your culture war some place else. Can't stand the non separation of church and state that currently exists in this country. Shut your yap old man, be lucky that you are allowed to practice the religion of your choosing at all.

Another step in the slow death of the catholic church. Where do these nut jobs come from???

I am a Catholic and I am Pro Choice. I do not see any conflict in my belief in any way. How? It is simple. I am not in favor of abortion; it is my sincere wish that one day no woman will ever ask for an abortion. We need to work to prevent unwanted pregnancies so that every child is conceived and born in an atmosphere of love and kindness, but we cannot legislate that into existence. In the meantime, it is not our place to decide for other women what they should or should not be allowed to do on such an emotional, personal thing.

Removing the option of safe abortions will not prevent abortions; it may limit them, but they will continue, as they have for centuries. Only preventing unwanted pregnancies from happening will ever work to stop abortions from happening.

My God doesn't judge and condemn. We all come into our bodies to learn lessons before we return to our source. The bible is only one book. I believe in God and freedom of religion, freedom of choice and separation of church and state. The middle ages and the Salem witch trials don't need to be repeated, people will do anything in the name of their God, but that is not what God wants, he is right here in my heart, not on a pulpit telling me what to do.

This priest who puts himself ahead of God to promote himself and who appoints himself God will never know God.
BTW - he and his friends are against abortion because they need more victims for their sexual abuse, more fools to fill their coffers and more souls to lead straight to hell.

If your god is all powerful....and your bilble says this is true....where does evil
come from? The answer is...from your god
If your god is all powerful...nothing happens unless he/she/it
wants it to happen....therefore...if a woman gets an abortion...it is becasue
your god wanted her to get one...
Perhaps someone should point this out to the intellectually challenged priest.

The solution for the Massachusetts budget crisis is to remove the charitable organization tax exemption from the Church.

Abortion is not politics any more than murder is politics. If a candidate supported a persons right to murder another person and priest said that as a Catholic you cannot support that candidate and call yourself a Catholic no one would say a word. Here is an inconvienient truth, abortion is murder. Since Roe v. Wade we have murdered fifty-five million Americans. Think about it, fifty-five million people killed because their existence was deemed inconvienient. So you say, well supporting the war is wrong too. Freeing people from oppression through violence is not wrong and even if it were it is not remotely comparable. Over one million Americans are murdered every year under the name of abortion because their existance is inconvienient. How many Americans have died in all the wars America ever fought? Maybe 1.4 to 1.5 million. We kill about as many babies in this country every year as all the Americans ever killed in War. It seems choosing a pro-murder candidate vs. a pro-war candidate is indeed a little different. Bravo to Father Newman. I wish we had a thousand more like him.

This priest sounds more Republican than Catholic.
Ususally big mouth Republicans have a dark secret kife they're hiding.

You catholics should be the last to tell people what to do, especially since you have the most cases of aids and homosexuality in the priesthood today. Pot calling the kettle black?

Yet another justification for my not having gone to confession since they marched us over to the church in preparation for 8th grade graduation from St. Joseph's in Holbrook. That was in 1969, and my disdain for people like this pastor and all the rest of the hypocritical behavior by Catholic leaders has only grown.

I am Catholic, and campaigned heavily for Obama. I will not be receiving Communion... because this whole situation has opened my eyes to the insanity that is the Catholic Church.

McCain is pro-life? HA! Tell that to any mother getting a casket shipped back from Iraq.

I am a Catholic, an Irish Catholic at that, so being a Catholic is my heritage. I am pro choice and very liberal. And I march right up and receive communion every Sunday and I always will. It's MY church, not the pope's and priests'. I don't give a flying crap what priests or anyone else says about who can be Catholic. Just because someone is wearing a white collar, a skirt and beanie, doesn't make him the representative of Jesus Christ on Earth. He's just a man and right now I have no respect for priests after what has happened in the World re paedophile priests. Christ must weep when he sees what those priests are doing and have done to his Church..

I am reminded why I do not practice Catholicism anymore: not to be subjected to these "SINNER!" accusations and fear of eternal damnation if I don't fall in line with their beliefs.

Big. Catholic. Guilt. is CLEARLY alive and well.

So Catholics who voted for the anti-war, anti-death-penalty, pro-choice candidate are in cooperation with evil, but those who voted for the candidate who is pro-war, pro-death-penalty, and chooses between pro-life and pro-choice stances according to political expediency, they're ok. At least the Catholic Church is consistent in being completely ridiculous and blind to the realities of modern life.

Can we please stop calling President Obama pro-abortion?
He is pro-choice...there is a BIG difference.

And until the GOP starts providing monetary help to the poor and powerless instead of cutting social programs, they need to quit yapping.

this is why catholics make people hate god . they are doing the devils work diguised as gods . a special place in hell is reserved for people like this.

Blah, blah, blah..... Does anyone really listen to the Catholic Church anymore?

Post #109 by the self-labeled, Truth Seeker, is quite an expression of faith at work! Lamenting the fact that Obama's mother did NOT abort him is hate speech at its' very best, there, TS......Way to go!!
Sadly, just another example of the haters who dwell among us and who seek to impose only their own narrow views on others. Another example of religious intolerance and control. Abortion is one of the issues of disagreement among our citizens, but by no means, is it the only one. I stand alongside those who decry the senseless slaughter of innocents around the world, orchestrated every day by our political leaders, many of whom are the Republican war-mongers of the Bush/Cheney administration. I am opposed to starvation of millions (far more than the 50 million 'aborted' fetuses) of innocents whose brief lives consist of swollen bellies, mouthfuls of flies, and wretched disease. Those are living babies, neglected and forgotten, and they are with us each and every day, both here at home and around the world. Their numbers do not shrink, merely our recognition of their plight. I am opposed to senseless wars that do little for people but establish control and profits for those more powerful. I see no value in dishonoring human dignity by designing and implementing excruciating torturous methods in the name of power, corruption, and money. How about those Oil Profits for corporations, Newman? Have any thoughts on that? Wall St. greed that has destroyed millions of people's futures and well-being? Nothing to add there?
Let's not forget the pedophile priests, and one Cardinal in particular, who deliberately turned a well-nourished blind eye to its existence in his own diocese in Boston? That would be Bernard Law. A hypocrite of the first magnitude who is now safely ensconced in Rome with another lavish appointment - one that places him safely out of legal danger for his lack of responsible stewardship. Let's never forget this.

One issue religious voters are dangerous. There is an excellent reason why our forefathers favored a clear separation of church and state. This is the reason. Religion and politics do not mix, and people of good conscience differ on many issues. Here's a parting thought............Since the church is opposed to abortion, how about contraception? The hypocrisy in the catholic church is baffling.

Does this mean the Catholic Church is going to lose it's Tax Exempt status?

Let's say that the laws that support abortion in this country were overturned. What would happen? Woman would still have abortions. Yes, they would be harder to obtain, but they would do it. It's much too easy and economical to jump on a plane to Canada or Mexico--or to drive dozens of hours to an underground clinic.

I'm anti-abortion. But these statements made by the likes of Rev. Newman are ignorant and ridiculous. If you're pro-life and anti-abortion, how about helping at-risk women? How about giving them options beside abortion? How about educating these women on the trauma and subsequent loss that many women feel after having an abortion?

Eliminate the need for abortion and you'll eliminate abortion. Eliminate the laws supporting abortion and you have women turning to less-than-ideal means to obtain an abortion.

Yes, our Dear Lord is against abortion. But he also would not ever take away the act of Communion. Geez, even Judas drank from the cup and ate the bread.

Looking for his 15 minutes of fame. The church will eventually slap him back into place.

WOW! As not only a non-catholic but also a non-christian i am so glad i got away from all that lunacy. What ever happened to free choice? are we going back to meidaeval times here where the church can make all the laws and decisons for everyone? and what ever happened to seperation of church and state? i think the churches, catholics in particular, should look more closely at your religion and its history. Make your religious and political arguments and stances based on personal feelings not just what someone is telling you to do. that is why i dont like organized religion, it tends to, though not always, to create a bunch of sheep no different from many of the middle eastern religions so many of you hate. study you history and stick to your guns. ALWAYS make your own decisions with out guilt, otherwise you will become a sheep.

There is another model out there that says it is Christ's body and blood that is on the altar, and no human should judge another human about their fitness for communion. The priest does preside at the Mass, but not be the judge and jury too. My hope is that the Catholic Church will go back to the seamless robe understanding about the sanctity of life, and speak up every time someone is executed for a crime as well as supports an abortion. The late Cardinal Bernadin was the proponent of this view.

This priest is out of bounds. He is almost rogue. He is is taking an aggressive stance on a issue, where he is not high enough in the Catholic organization to represent the huge population of Catholic people.

More lunatic ravings from the American Taliban. And they wonder WHY they (the RC) grow more and more marginal in American society. Amazing

Does Rev. Newman not care that McCain wants to prolong a war in which thousounds of Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis have died? Does he only care about the lives of the unborn and not the lives of those soldiers and civilians that are dying everyday. I would accuse the priest of intellectual dishonesty, but he clearly has no intellect.

Each person has a moral obligation to follow his or her conscience. To impose one's convictions on others in matters where there is no universal agreement among theologians, ethicists, scientists, physicians and thoughtful, good, moral people, is just plain wrong. People are to exercise the choices their conscience dictates. To do otherwise, even in Catholic teaching, is sinful, ... nothwithstanding the Inquisition.

I'm pro-life but I don't judge-
You don't judge? Really?
Are you a pharacies?
Judgment.
I guess it was ok for priest and religous leaders to moless young boys . . .
Judgment.
I am so sick of people trying to use religon to make their point.
Judgment.
Hell will be filled with so called christians- Judgment.
Jud

this is a travesty! How dare anyone condem someone on how they vote? What ever happend to keeping the church out of politics?? This fool should be ashamed of himself. Why doesn't he condem those so called "priests" that abuse and molested children..they STILL practice and receive! Look at Bernard Law!!!!!!!!!!
I would NOT want to partake is such a community if that is how they treated me. This priest adn any other oen that follows this should be dumped. I am appauled at this!

this priest is supporting one of the tenets of his Faith, he has every right in America to do that. As far as these positions causing the "slow death of the catholic Church" that is truly laughable. The Catholic Church is the OLDEST continuously functioning institution in civilization, no brag just fact. It will be here as long as the world exists, Christ has promised this. And "JMc" will be a long time is his grave,(or elsewhere for that matter) & his children & grandchildren & his great grandchildren etc. & there will still be The Catholic Church.

I am a practicing Catholic and also an usher. I'm also a Viet Nam Vet who made hispeace with God at 19 years of age. I beleive the Constitution says a little something about separation of Church and State. Thsi applies to all aspects, not just not paying taxes for the Church. Fr. Newman is more than entitled to his opinon, but is should be just that, 'his opinon'. He has no right to tell any Catholic what they should do regarding the lat political process. Stick to religion Father.

Sometimes I am embarrassed to admit that I am Catholic!!

That priest is a total moron..Obama is PRO-CHOICE . There IS a difference between pro-choice and pro-abortion..they maniplate things to go their way.
Shame on him adn sahme on the Catholic church for allowing this behavior. If the parishioners want to receive they should be able to, go to another church....maybe you will receive by a fair impartial priest who is there to worship God and not play politics.

This is probably the most disgusting thing I have read during this election cycle. This priest is an abomination to all who seek Jesus. It is curious that his directive does not include people who voted for candidates who supported the death penalty or are merchants of war or spewed racist thoughts or sexist thoughs about the candidates. I will pray for him. I do hope he hurries to make his confession as well. I will be curious what he bishop is saying.

Well, it's admirable that Father Newman has become so embroiled in politics, making such a strong statement about his and his church's beliefs!

He's inspired me to form a grassroots movement to have the Catholic Church pay it's fair share of taxes, now that they no longer believe in separation of church and state and have become an advertising and public relations company for right-wing, culture war politics. Anyone want to contribute?

As a Catholic I am particularly incensed by what this priest has said, in essence voting for Barack Obama constitutes a mortal sin requiring penance before appearing for communion. I do not think I have ever before heard that voting for a presidential candidate is now a sinful act. I will pray for father Jay Scott Newman and I sincerely hope that he will refrain from taking communion until he has done penance for his words lest he eat and drink his own condemnation.

No more body and blood! Dang! And now I'll go to hell because I voted Democratic! If only I had known before Nov 4th...

I would really like to know how abortion poses the greatest threat to our national security? Someone, please "flesh" out that argument.

To all of you saying "RIGHT ON!" to this guy...KEEP IT UP...BE LOUDER AND PREACH MORE POLITICS IN CHURCH. I'll be waiting with a grin on my face when your tax-exempt status is taken away and the doors start closing for good!

>

Me too. I had quite a struggle this year as both major candidates had major strenths but also major flaws. Usually in Indiana my vote wouldn't matter if I chose a party other than Republican, but knowing that there was a very real chance that the state was purple, I took my vote very seriously. Besides abortion, I considered:
* marriage (hetero vs homo)
* the war
* the admonation to help take care of our fellow humans (not in a socialist way, but for example, health care is a huge issue, when people are DYING because they cannot afford it)
* environmental issues - we are caretakers of the earth and animals, and have been failing at this badly
* the admonation to spend funds wisely - something Obama did extremely well during his campaign, as regardless of the huge amount of funds he had at his disposal, spending was closly scrutinized. I am hopeful that the trend will continue in the white house.
* some of the characteristics of Obama that to me reflect a godly person are discernment, self-discipline, wisdom, and control of the tongue (which is partly self-control). All of these are mentioned in Proverbs multiple times, as well as other places. Self-discipline and wisdom in particular are hot topics in the bible. I have been very impressed with Obama's far range thinking, how he considers how actions today will affect 20 years from now. He has shown incredible self-discipline and restraint and has insisted that his campaign do the same. The lack of leaks, hubris, and gossipy backbiting reflect his leadership. The country could use more of that. I have also been impressed by how he clearly makes his family a priority in his life, again another biblical trait. He also clearly seeks wise counsel, again from Proverbs, as he has surrounded himself with some highly regarded experts in various fields, like Buffet and Powell.

Regardless of his views or votes on abortion, Obama has other qualities that are consistent with a good Christian. McCain, while perhaps supporting pro-life, exhibited behavior that is worrysome, like rash thinking and failure to stay true to his morals (ie allowing the political campaign to go so negative).

There was no one good candidate. I made my decision after weighing out what I knew about each of them, and then praying to God for wisdom to do the right thing. Now I pray that our president elect will be kept safe, and that he will be given wisdom to lead our country. If I was an Obama-voting Catholic (I'm not) I would take communion with a clean concience. If I made a wrong voting choice, the Holy Spirit will convict me and urge me to repent. It's not my priest or pastor's job determine where I stand with God, particularly since it clearly states in the bible that only God can know our deceitful heart - we don't even know it ourselves.

Gah! This is why religion gets such a bad name. :(

It is high time we take away the tax exempt status of any religous organization. They meddle in politics far to much, hire lobbiest and preach who should vote for who. All religons not just the Catholics. No exempt status for the Mormons, Baptists, Evangelicals and especially Scientology.

agree with kilroy. abortion is a private matter, a woman's choice. if you are against it, more power to you, but don't claim to have moral superiority over others. and priests should stay out of it. separation of church and state.

Communion is a primitive cannabalistic ritual in the first place.

I left the Catholic church decades ago. I suppose it is easier to swallow their stall bread than their hypocrisy over anal/oral sex with little boys.

Unbelievable cognitive dissonance from a church authority, and symptomatic of the Catholic Church's growing irrelevance and moral decay. Where was this priest and his soap box when this current administration lied to the American people, started a pre-emptive illegal war that cost the deaths of 10's of thousands of innocent people. Oh wait, they're not "white" or Americans or westerners for that matter, they're godless Arabs, so the Catholic Church could care less. What a charlatan, a complete and utter tool in the truest sense of the word.

I think I will make a donation in this priest's name...to Planned Parenthood. I'll go to their website and under "donations" they'll explain what to do--and that nice pastor will get a card from PP letting him know about the donation that was made in his honor. I heard Sarah Palin got tons of "thank-you's" as well. They'll be delighted!

Hmm, I went to the good Father's website and noticed that he proudly proclaims his website was "made with a Mac". Wait till he finds out that Apple donated $100,000 to fight the anti gay marriage amendment in California, another one of the Catholic churches pet projects.

Hmmm...well isn't it also a sin to vote for a man who voted to enter into a war that has slaughtered hundreds and thousands of innocent people, and who stated that the war should continue for "100 hundred years, if necessary"? That's what voting for the "viable alternative" brings you. But I guess embryos and fetuses are more important than human beings who have been born.

So any Catholic that doesn't agree with the Catholic Chruch's positions and think they should be institutionalized into the laws of the land (never mind the fact that there are other people who have other religious beliefs that are contrary to the Catholic position, and last time I checked we still had the freedom to practice the riligion of our choosing in this countyr) is a sinner and should not be allowed to take communion? Tell that to the millions of Catholics who are pro choice, or who practice birth control (BTW, the pill is considered an abortion by the Catholic church because it prevents a fertilized egg from implanting.) Yes, drive them out of your church, and good luck paying the bills (esp. the big lawsuit payouts from the cild-molesting priests).

Catholics have historically been reviled in this country because Protestants feared that the country would become a theocracy run by the Pope if the Catholics took over power. I always thought that was totally paranoid...but maybe they had a point after all.

This kind of behavior from the Catholic church, among other outrages, is why I'm no longer Catholic.

This priest doesn't seem to understand that most people don't vote for a candidate based on one issue like abortion. I happen to be against abortion, but voted for Obama without hestiation because he was the right person to lead us through the myriad of problems our country faces.

I love that the Catholic Church rips people to shreds, then says a nice little prayer to make amends. The prayer always centers around the target living a good life and finally finding God...The Catholic God.

You're all brainwashed by fear and guilt...

We can't even agree on a description of the event, nevermind it's cause, effect, or craziness. Some people have written that this is an example of "Rome" or "The Catholic Church" being nuts and/or exerting its power. Other people have written that it's this one crazy priest and why doesn't he wait for the bishops, etc., to tell him what to do. That makes it sound like it's neither Rome nor the Catholic Church, but just one priest, which I think is a more accurate description. This who event also brings up the age-old issue of who's "in charge" when it comes to a specific religion's tenets? Who makes the rules, and if you don't like one or more of them, can you still be a member? At least this guy isn't afraid to state what he thinks. Also, I also read a comment blasting the priest for referring to a pro-life candidate. I don't know where they all stood on the issues, but just to clarify: there were indeed more than 2 presidential candidates on my ballot in Massachusetts, perhaps one of the others was pro-life. I'd sort of doubt it, given the parties I think they were from, but as I said, I don't know. The whole thing raises all kinds of questions. What about this one? Even when I play devil's advocate and say one should follow all the rules of an organization in order to be a member of it, keep in mind that change and reform can't happen if people stick to that principal. Some person or group has to question and try to shake things up, or else when it comes to Christianity there would only be one church, not the man different ones there are - Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, a number of Protestant denominiations (where would western religion be if Martin Luther hadn't posted his protests on that church door?????)

Father Newman, a wise man once said, "Judge not, lest ye be judged."

boy why can't you give obama a chance. I voted for him and i am a catholic and i am for abortion when in doubt to save the mother from dying or the woman that has been raped. then by all means she can abort the baby.

Abortion is not politics any more than murder is politics. If a candidate supported a persons right to murder another person and priest said that as a Catholic you cannot support that candidate and call yourself a Catholic no one would say a word. Here is an inconvienient truth, abortion is murder. Since Roe v. Wade we have murdered fifty-five million Americans. Think about it, fifty-five million people killed because their existence was deemed inconvienient. So you say, well supporting the war is wrong too. Freeing people from oppression through violence is not wrong and even if it were it is not remotely comparable. Over one million Americans are murdered every year under the name of abortion because their existance is inconvienient. How many Americans have died in all the wars America ever fought? Maybe 1.4 to 1.5 million. We kill about as many babies in this country every year as all the Americans ever killed in War. It seems choosing a pro-murder candidate vs. a pro-war candidate is indeed a little different. Bravo to Father Newman. I wish we had a thousand more like him.

Let stick to the separation of church and state before the greatest sins of religion are once again ruling our lives. We must never forget the atrocities committed by the Catholic Church with it's army of inquisitors. Now, let us all denounce this man's attempt to put iron chains around our ankles.

I don't get a cookie because I voted for Obama? Waaaaaaaaah.

Religion is for simple minded followers. Think for yourself and not how "god" wants you to think. don't be a sheep led around by hypocrits...baa baa religions are basically socially accepted cults.

Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine
meltin' in a pot of thieves
wild card up my sleeve
thick heart of stone
my sins my own
they belong to me, me

Gloria/In Excelsis Deo
-Patti Smith

I don't believe God is keeping a scorecard of sin on any of us. He loves us, all of us, not matter what religion you choose, or not choose at all.
For Catholics, I think If you take the Sacrament of Reconcilaition seriously, I think you would understand that by examining our consciense, we know when we are causing a rift between ourselves and God... and we should all take steps to heal that rift.
I go to confession often. I think it's a beautiful thing. Only an idividual can make the call on whether they are ready to recieve communion.
I think this parish priest overstepped his boundaries, this type of statement should only be made by a Bishop in that area.

What a surprise- more hyprocricy from a priest and the Catholic church will turn yet another blind eye to this kind of behavior and they wonder why people are leaving the church in droves. He should be ashamed of himself, as should The Chruch.

MediaWatcherNV, so let me guess this straight. You hate all Catholics and think they are evil because of a bad experience you had with a nun as a kid? I find that completely absurd. Just because one person may have hurt you that does not make it right to project your feelings of hatred onto an entire group.

How can anyone take this clown seriously? He claims : "the unholy slaughter of children in this nation is the greatest threat to the peace and security of the United States and constitutes a clear and present danger to the common good"

THE greatest threat to peace and security? Of ALL the threats the US faces, abortion is #1? Wow - that's some unholy bullsh-t right there.

A 'clear and present danger' ? How in the world could anyone seriously say that abortion is a clear and present danger... this is frightening. Religion = Blind and Ignorant.

Ridiculous! I'm a Catholic who has both had an abortion and votes mostly for pro-choice candidates. I receive communion and follow my own conscience. I believe organized religions can help guide people to their maker but ultimately our maker lies within and it is up to each and every individual to formulate their own personal and intimate relationship with God and guide their life accordingly. I have been called a "black Catholic" and a "smorgasbord Catholic," and it really doesn't matter because I will continue to receive communion and more importantly stay connected to my God on terms that work for me. I believe there are many Catholics like me throughout the U.S.

As a Protastant myself, maybe I have no business butting in......BUT :D

As far as I'm concerned, the "Church" is in it's full moral obligation to express their feelings about it and deny communion. When I was married to a Catholic I was asked by a member of her family not to take communion because it was a "Catholic" thing in the Catholic Church. Which I agreed with....just listen to what is droned before taking communion.(how many Catholics actually LISTEN to what is said in the "We believe in one holy and aposcolic (sp) Church"?) So if you want to take "Catholic Communion" you should follow the "Catholic Way". (The Protastant Churches (at least the one I attend) doesn't have the "members only" clause to communion. It's for those who believe in Christ. While I'd never say that I follow all the teachings of the Protastant Church I'm a member of there is always room for how the individual feels. Gambling is against the teachings.....like I never bought a scratch ticket........or ten! LOL

I, myself, am mostly PERSONALLY against abortion except in extreme cases (rape, incest, mother's life...) I'm "politically" pro-choice. I am also pro-death penalty and agree on why we went to war with Iraq. Seems all the "Where's the WMD crowd" forgets the ONE report at the start of the war about a CONVOY of trucks spotted going into Syria. Soon as the media figured it'd help Bush it was shoved under the rug.

I also don't think that everything that pops up with the Catholic church should go right to the child-diddling priests. Was it wrong? Evil? Covered up? Of CORSE! But it's become a "one trick pony" for the anti-Catholic people out there. (Believe me, I've never had much love for the Catholic Church and their teachings! That's why I'm NOT a member!)

I voted for McCain but don't hate Obama! I feel bad for whomever gets this mess handed to them! It's also not ALL Bush's fault....sadly those on the left, like Barny Frank, refuse to take their share of the blame too!

So after the church got rid of the pederasts, that just left the crazies? Maybe the house of the lord needs more cleaning out.

.......and the Catholic Church still enjoys tax exempt status............why?!

Do you think Christ would agree that some people should be denied his salvation?

Or course not

Stop the tax-give away to churches. Tax them like any other political organization. They have become overwhelmingly concerned with influencing politics and aggressively converting others to these 'beliefs'.

Americans should not be forced to subsidize these "political rallies" each Sunday through tax law. I don't think you can stop or effectively regulate speakers in churches from influencing their 'flocks' political opinion, so level the playing field and call it what it is - politics with a thin veil of religion.

Will you morons who keep mentioning separation of church and state please dust off your GED manuals and read the 1st Amendment. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;..." That is your vaunted separation of church and state.

So unless Congress passes laws establishing or restricting religion it does not apply. The Bill of Rights does not give you protection from anyone except the government. What you idiots are proposing is actually a government restriction on the free excersise of religion. Telling a church that if any of it's clergy make a statement about a politician the government will punish them(ie take away their tax exempt status) is a clear violation of the 1st Amendment.

i really don't need to add much more. so many have put it so eloquently (most recently, aquanet2). the catholic church will become irrelevant by the end of this century as it continues to bumble its way with the modern world.

remember when they made father drinan give up politics (because he dared to think that central americans had a right to freedom)?

The Father is absolutely correct. He needs to let the US bishops borrow his cahoneys.

Read no. 12 comment by Craig Alterboy and that's my thoughts on this subject. Well expressed -'Craig Alterboy'.

I would like to add one other comment - one Sunday before the election, our Priest read a letter before our congregation, that basically said don't vote for Obama - vote for McCain siting the 'Pro - Life and the Pro - Choice stance. It was a poorly written letter - that rambled on and on. Leaving most people board and losing interest in what he said. Me, I lost him after ten minutes and suddenly became very upset. I guess I should have got up and left the Church and I'm sure other people would have followed.

I believe the priest has a right to say these things. I don't agree with him and find his comments narrowminded, childlike (it reminds of the black and white view of life that children have), and selfish. I also feel strongly that he shouldn't break the law-he should lose his churches tax exempt status-so that his parish will have to pay more for his comments-literally. I believe he needs psychiatric help or a psychologist (his behavior is way off and since i believe most find it negative, i believe he has very unhealthy qualities).
The social and financial marketplace almost always prevails. His parish will let him know whether they want hiim as their pastor.

What ever happened to separation of church and state? Maybe the church should start paying taxes if they are going to influence the political process in the United States!

He expects voters to ignore every other facet of a candidate's candidacy?

The greatest threat to the peace and security of the WORLD is religion itself.

Many of the posters here clearly believe in Obama more strongly than they believe in Christ. Their choice, but accept the consequences.

Its my ball - and I'm going home! Go somewhere else for your free crackers.
These fantasy-prone old men are just sufficating the species

For all who are proud to be an American. Abortion is analagous to slavery insofar as slaves were once viewed as inferior, or not human. The life within the womb is currently viewed as lifeless, lacking human dignity, much like the slave. We cannot be wholly proud of our history, for the nation was built with slavery. Fortunately, slavery ended, and now we have a President-elect to prove so. The Church is merely alluding to the strong similiarities between then and now. The Church does not worship politics for this very reason. The intellect is clouded. The priest is representative of the whole Church. Not only is there separation of church and state in American, but religous liberty.

This is exactly the reason I left the Catholic Church years ago.

One of you Christian geniuses wrote, "Why Christians aren't as vocal about our destruction of the planet's resources and environment is a mystery to me."

Its simple you don't need the earth cause your all going to heaven. If you had a better agent like some of those Islamic Fundamentalists you'd be getting 69 virgins.

Here's a few more reasons by our illustrious former Secretary of the Interior under Reagan:

On the Coal Leasing commission "We have every kind of mix you can have. I have a black, I have a woman, two Jews and a cripple."
--James Watt, September 21, 1983

"We will mine
more, drill more, cut more timber."
--Secretary of the Interior James Watt

"A left-wing cult dedicated to bringing down the type of government I believe in."
--James Watt, describing environmentalists

"I do not know how many future generations we can count of before the Lord returns."
--James Watt, February 5, 1981

“My responsibility is to follow the Scriptures which call upon us to occupy the land until Jesus returns”
“We don't have to protect the environment, the Second Coming is at hand”

Be Who you wish...Act in any manner that suits your life's needs...That freedom has been granted to All American's by triumph in war and not via intellectual sit down meetings. American's have become ignorant of certain truths as these may conflict with their own self importance or political affiliations. This truth is simple and people should stop being ignorant on this subject and stop waging attacks against the church because of it's position on LIFE. The Catholic Church stands PRO LIFE. PERIOD.

You don't have to like it and you don't have to agree with it. You are free to never step foot in a Church, choose a different religion or be an atheist. This priest did not revoke a welcome to pro-choice individuals, he simply stated that these individuals have to be "reconciled to God in the Sacrament of Penance, lest they eat and drink their own condemnation."

Use whatever arguments or rants that makes you feel better about your decisions but know that God is watching. That is an undeniable truth for believers in any religion. Thinking for yourself and, trying to convince others that God should be PRO-Choice makes you sound ridiculous.

Who are you crazy people? Abortion IS an important issue. I am decidedly pro-choice, but givevn the other issues at stake in this election cycle I would put it about 67th on my list of most important. If I'm Catholic I should have voted for John McCain even if I disagreed with him on other issues like the war in Iraq, healthcare, and the best way to stimulate the economy? This is the type of backwards logic that leads me away from the church.

Why does the Boston Globe put a story about one priest in some backward state? I am sure that you can find one person somewhere to take a position on anything. I heard that there is a notary public in Maine that thinks public education in the United States should be abolished. Maybe you should have a headline stating "Official Advocates Ending Free Public Education."

At worst this story is an example of the Globe going very far out of its way to smear Catholics. To bad the priest wasn't Irish and from Southie, you would have had your trifecta.

In regards to speaktruth's statement... a priest/reverend/rabbi/imam/etc. has a greater responsibility to teach and shepherd their parishoners/believers in the faith that those people choose to follow. People of the cloth believe that they will face judgement based on what/how they teach/lead their people. Their "greater responsibility" is NOT to keep their views (which, supposedly, are the views of their faith) but to boldly proclaim them to the followers of such faith. Teach them, lead them, help them understand WHAT it is they BELIEVE and understand WHY they follow the faith that they do... if they choose NOT to follow the faith, that's fine, but DON'T expect your church/temple/whatever to change their stances on things just because you don't agree...

Just two words for this priest: "Shut up".

Another reason I gave up Catholicism.....absolute hypocracy.

Abortion is sin? Where in the bible does it define life as beginning at conception. In fact it clearly defines the existence of the soul as commencing at birth. There is no legitimate biblical based stance on abortion. Oops! Wait a minute! Sorry, my bad - Catholics don't use the bible.

Free will? Voter privacy? Human rights (you know, the ones that are actually born)? This is ridiculous. There shouldn't be "consequences" for your personal preference- aren't we all equal in the eyes of God? Who does this priest think he is to judge others and interpret God's intention?

If the Catholic church doesn't modernize, it will phase itself out eventually . Maybe the GOP will go the same way! I'm Catholic, liberal and pro-choice. The pastor at my church did not tell us how to vote before Election Day. He simply said to say a prayer that the Holy Spirit would guide us the make the right decision for our country. Now this is the correct approach to take from the almightly pulpit!

Organized religion is dieing because clowns like this guy keep peddling nothing but fear, guilt, and hypocrisy. Church attendance numbers are dropping across the country because people are finally starting to see through the nonsense. Unfortunately, a new movement has sprung up to take the place of religion. Offering the same message of fear, guilt, and an utter lack of reason and logic, this new movement only wishes to control people and plays on their sense of guilt for existing on the planet. I'm talking about the so-called green movement - the new religion for those that need to feel guilty and prefer darkness and rhetoric to facts, perspective, and logic.

"nononobama" (too late, huh?) says: "Many of the posters here clearly believe in Obama more strongly than they believe in Christ. Their choice, but accept the consequences"
to which i say, Exactly! You've got it right! & bring on the consequences!

I always vote for the pro-warfare/pro-slaughter candidate.

This guy is a hypocritical fool! Abortion may be wrong, but supporting a candidate ...John McCain who supports the war in Iraq where hundreds a day are killed and blown to pieces would allow you into the gates of heaven?

I like the fact that he uses terms like "cultural war" - how about the real war that cost thousands of lives and the fact that Republican look to cut heathcare benfits and only help the upper class. How is that "Catholic"? Statements like this are excatly the reason nobody goes to church anymore. Who would want to sit there and listen to a crochity old man potificate about he is the only person who knows what is right and wrong. I know this is the reason I don't go to church, I'd love to have faith but not with the leadership the church gives.

I guess he was right in one other thing we do need to pray for our leaders, but maybe we should start with new leaders of the church

God wouldn't stand for any of these religions.

I am pro-choice and grew up in the Catholic Church. It is an organization to which one chooses to belong. If you don't like the rules, don't go. Obama is not pro-choice in a moderate sense- he is far, far to left on the issue. The Vatican has issued similar edicts in the past, so this priest is not out of bounds.
http://timetorevoltamerica.blogspot.com

I've seen the pride in religion that many refer to. I don't see pride in this man's remarks. He seems to be acting purely according to His conscience. He is also very humble about respecting the position and person of Jesus Christ. Further, he is bold is courageously calling it what it is: slaughter. We need people to stand in the gap. I know there may be better ways, but this man seems to be acting honestly.

It would appear that the election of this pro-abortion, pro-infanticide fanatic has finally pushed things to the breaking point. Reading through these comments only reinforces my conviction that the rift between pro-life and "pro-choice" Catholics is unbridgeable. We inhabit entirely separate moral universes. Those hypocrites who demand that the Catholic Church's tax-exempt status be revoked are the same ones who voted for a man who wants to force Catholics to pay for partial-birth abortion and every other kind of abortion with their tax dollars. If Obama's "Freedom of Choice Act" manages to pass, even Catholic hospitals will be forced by the government to provide abortions--or shut down. Believing Catholics and other Christians who consider abortion to be murder are the ones who will need tax-exempt status under an Obama administration, as long as Obama wants to use their tax dollars to murder babies in clear violation of Christian teaching. Unlike capital punishment or war, abortion is non-negotiable according to Catholic teaching. There is no room for common ground or compromise. You can oppose the Iraq War or any other war and remain a Catholic. You cannot support abortion and remain a Catholic. Form your own Church, people do it all the time. Why is it so important that your bizarre theology receive the imprimatur of the Church? Why not be rebels and strike out on your own? Just think of it! You'd never have to worry about bothersome things like the Ten Commandments or Catholic dogma again! I'm sure you'll find it really liberating.

As a recoveering Catholic, this is exactly the type of thing that has me shaking my head at this cult posing as a religion.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God., not as a result of works, that no one should boast. [Ephesians 2:6, 7]”
“for God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son' John 3:16”

That's it. Very simple. Salavation is a gift from God that is requires belief in Jesus Christ and that his death on the cross is your forgiveness for sin.

Period.

No communiion required. No mandatory attendance at servies required. No confessions required. No pomp, no circumstance, no bs.

It's too bad that most Catholics just do the same old rote repetition without thinking, is this right? Does this actually make sense? Who says this is true? God? Or is it some powerful religious group with fundamentalist tendancies?

Think for your selves people, and try reading the Bible and make your own decisions.

W

umm. How about no more tax-exempt status for churches and their representatives who make official statements like this? Separation of church and state, and all that, doncha know.

Maybe that's YOUR religious belief, but it's not mine, and I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your religion off my body. Thank you very much.

God would not want us to act in this manner. He would be shocked by the hatred put forth in his name.

Politics, and the presidency, do not exist in a vacuum. The good father should put the onus on the "sinner" who is inevitably responsible for his own salvation. It's Obama's job to save our country...not our souls.

I am not Catholic but a Bible beliver and I don't see this type of stuff in the Bible. I am not neccessarily for abortion but I know that there are (some) very sensitive cases in which a person would feel compelled to have one. So i am pro choice because each case is different. I don't believe that a person should be sexually irresponsible and then make an iresponsible decision about having an abortion though. But I don't believe that this chuch has this authority that it has taken because I don't see the biblical standard that i read about it the scripture.

The Catholic Church is a non-entity. Simply because there are millions of 'believers' doesn't give their backwards, hateful, shaming, and specious philosophy any more credence than Metallica's fans or Chelsea's hooligans. Eating wafers and drinking grape juice has no consequence in your life or spirituality and any threats to that matter are silly at best.

I see an argument here for the Catholic Church to lose it's massive and unwarrented no tax status. Believe all you want to believe but your beliefs are not mandatory for anyone else and is not the basis for policy in this country.

Wow, reading these comments, it is amazing how dumb so many of you people are. No wonder Obama won. This priest has every right to take this viewpoint. Obama supports no limits on abortion, which I can understand the church finding very offensive.

Don't make assumptions about me, either. I am a pro-choice atheist. I just think the Dems and Republican are both terrible hypocrites.

They should take a more consistent platform, like myself. Pro-death (pro-abortion and pro death penalty). Abortions are good, because they eliminate future Democrat voters and thin the crowd seeking public assistance. The death penalty is good, but they need to eliminate some of the appeal to make it cheaper.

If the priest is going to use that logic than he should ask his parishoners who voted for McCain to refrain from communion. McCain wants to continue the war in Iraq. War leads to killing and killing is wrong whether that be the killing by abortion of a fetus or killing by declaration of war. Also, what about those support the death penalty? This priest is an idiot and a hypocrite and is not responsible enough to have his own parish. It's amazing that people would actually listen to him!

How about the fact that McCain got divorced? and was dating his new wife before he even got divorce? Isn't that a mortal sin or something? No comments on that? I bet he was involved in killing some people too, which might be considered "material cooperation with intrinsic evil"

The church has become a total joke

I don't understand how pro-life people support the Iraq war. A life is a life, whether it is a baby or a soldier.

I also think that it is the duty of a Catholic priest to understand that all people are fallible. If he only tended to the completely righteous, he'd have a pretty small following. I really don't think God intended communion as a method of blackmail!

This is why I will never vote for a Catholic. Don't support this ridiculousness.

Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

The upside of this kind of appalling abuse of power is that its exposure pulls back the curtain on an entire system of thinking. If it drives just a few intelligent people to accept responsibility for their actions by acknowledging their absolute FREE WILL, our society will be just a little bit better. The day we decide to walk away from these bureaucracies -- churches, governments, banks -- is the day they lose their power over us.

Nothing wrong with a priest preaching that abortion is wrong. Preaching the precepts of your faith is a religious act.

But telling a parishioner how to VOTE is a POLITICAL act. Not allowed, if the church wants to retain its tax-exempt status.

But as a Catholic, I don't condemn the entire church on the basis of one foolish priest's act. The priest at MY parish urged parishioners to examine the full meaning of "pro-life," not just abortion policy. He did not name either candidate.

Let's not judge an entire religion off of the rantings of a single man. I am a practicing Catholic and when I attended church this past weekend, the pastor simply said "Even though we may not agree with all of his ideas or policies, we must keep our new president elect in our thoughts and prayers as he begins his position of leadership during these tough times." That's the way that you handle it.

Mr. Newman is a priest and he is just a man. He is conflicted because he owes his first allegience to Rome and not to the United States and our constitution. The catholic church is a church of men and they have developed policies that are the policies of men. That they interpret abortion as the single issue that divides the country and puts people's souls at risk, is a travesty. I would say it is religious terrorism. Where is war, poverty, famine, abuse of women and children? The irony is that support of very low cost and very accessible birth control would make abortion rare. This is President-elect Obama's approach to make abortion rare. It is a win win. However, the catholic church and Bush are against more accessible birth control. This is a travesty. The church through its policy stands in the way of lowering the abortion rate in our country by not backing birth control. They choose the issues they support by putting not only abortion on the top of the spiritual dividing line- they also put war, starvation, sexual abuse of women and children at the bottom of the pile. These priests have lost their moral compass and we see it by Mr. Newman and his hypocracy and shrill non-Christian hate.

If you truly believe in God thats all you need. No man, Priest, Church can make or break you. This is the main problem with the world now. I believe in God, but what i don't believe in, is judgement o right or wrong and even worse sometimes life and death over something that isn't physically seen, only believed. Faith is a good thing, but in my opinion God is not going to make a decision based on how many times you go to church, or what a priest or preacher tells you, the decision is going to be based on your belief, not what you believe via a middle man, and this issue definately has no business in politics.

I don't know who tis jerk who calls himself a priest is. But this is the United Staes of America where there is a separation between church and state. This turkey needs to mind his own business and keep his head out of politics or go to Rome where there is only one dictator.

Odd. I would have thought that anyone who voted for John McCain would have to do penance. After all, McCain supported a war that was opposed by the Pope and which failed to meet the standard of a Just War and which, in execution, continues to fail the standard set by the Church for the conduct of war. In addition, McCain is an active supporter of the death penalty, which violates the teaching of the Church regarding the sanctity of life. Also, McCain has failed consistently to support legislation to care for the environment, which God placed into our stewardship and whose care is our obligation.

Can it truly be the case that the only issue which a voter should consider according to Roman Catholic teaching is abortion? And what happened to the idea that the informed conscience of the individual Christian is the last, best source of moral discernment?

I think this priest needs to go back to seminary and get a better education.

I also think the non-profit status of the Church should be reviewed if this statement is allowed to stand.

LOL, yet another fool that thinks the Republicans are against abortion. They had control of the Presidency, both houses of Congress and the Courts for 6 years and they did nothing.

I wonder how quick Rev. Newman will shut up when he sees his donations drop off? Oh and when he decides to welcome his flock back, how soon he will ask for more money? And let's bet that he won't give those funds to any abused child who fell victim to priests abusing them over and over. The same priests who were never prosecuted for these crimes, but promoted. Make no mistake - if Joe the Plumber did this, he'd be in jail getting what he deserved from the general population. Rev Newman needs to keep his political thoughts to himself.

All I can say is how glad I am in being so far away from the Catholic church. It's become such a reprehensible institution. Jay Newman should be ashamed of himself. Utterly disgusting person.

Coming from a country where abortion is viewed as "do it if you like/if the unborn will bring you an inconvenience/unplanned future....". America is still a country dotted with those who care about real human rights even for the ones who cannot speak for themselves. I constantly amazed by people like Rev. Jay Scott Newman who is caring and courageous. May God heal this land and bless America - my new adopted country.

If he is reading this, there is so much hypocrisy on this subject Fr. Newman. I believe Roe vs. Wade is a Constitutional crock but I also think many could make a case that voting for Obama under the current economic circumstances was like getting an abortion because the life of the mother was in danger. No sin at all.

The Republican Party once sponsored and Amendment to the Constitution that would have restricted legal abortion to cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Under the RC dogma of where the act of conception is considered to be the creation of a new person, rape and incest or acts committed by other separate persons, are not reasons for an abortion. I wonder if there would have been much protest from this cleric if that were the issue.

The lesson here is if it because of a crime or of simply too much partying, you are innocent of the reasons you are alive walking around holding up Obama or McCain signs or staying home because you have never seen so much crock in you entire life.

Peer pressure, both male (remember them) and female, has created a very hostile mood towards carrying unwanted pregnancies, Obama's mama choose life in 1964 in a time where in the case of a an inter racial pregnancy an abortion could have been found if you really needed one. Catholic women who allow a pregnancy to go full term under the conditions of rape or incest or other anti social behavior (physical abuse) are like the early Christians bearing the burden of their beliefs as they were fed to the lions or put up on the cross.

Saints.

So much for the separation of church and state.

I believe in having a choice for our selves - and I am catholic. And I am pro-choice AND pro-life. Translate that any way you will but be aware: Pro-Choice means alot more than Pro-Abortion. It means protecting my right to choose what I want to do with my body and how to life my life. In the same vein, pro-life means more than just anti-abortion.

Both sides are highly emotional topics. I don't think it is right that this one man, who has chosen to leave behind the more complex world for his structured religious life, can pass judgement on others based on exercising their rights of choice and use that right to vote for someone who also understands that pro-choice and pro-life mean more than this one priest cares to admit.

For the priest in this: the Bible also says "Judge not lest ye be judged". And I seem to remember some story to support that from CCD.

And for everyone else who will jump on the flame-war band wagon, keep in mind: We all CHOOSE to exercise our right to free speech. We CHOOSE to make decisions about our appearance every day - nice clothes or casual clothes, get those ears pierced or not, get a tattoo or don't get a tattoo, etc. We CHOOSE to take a stand on issues. We CHOOSE who we feel will be a good leader. We have that freedom. Don't let one man's narrow-minded thinking take those rights from us away because the umbrella of those rights include something that you may not CHOOSE to do yourself.

So much for Separation of Church and State!

Let's keep this in perspective. This is one man who HAPPENS to be a Catholic Priest. His personal views are not those of all Catholics, nor of all Priests. He is entitled to his views, he is entitled to share them with people - but the way he went about it was wrong. His role is as a religious leader to "mentor' a parish. Instead he was punishing people for making a political choice.

I am Catholic and I voted for Obama. I think what the county needs is a president who will take steps to improve the country, increase jobs, spend money domestically - while not compromising on the essentials like health care, education, public works, etc. I think we need to feel safe, secure and thrive - and to be honest I think EITHER candidate would have taken steps in this direction. If McCain was elected, I would have stood behind my President-Elect and hope for good things in his administration. Fact is, Obama was elected - and we can stand together as a country and try to support the elements of his administration we support, or we can debate our choices and argue about it causing stupid situations like this. I personally would prefer the first option and give him a chance before we condem him.

Being agnostic at best, you should probably disregard my advice, but that said, let no man stand between you and your God.

This is just more of the Catholic Church preaching the word of GUILT, GUILT, GUILT. Kind of reminds me of the republicans.....fear, fear, fear. These sniveling little men are so afraid of losing their perceived sense of power, (here's a hint: you have been losing power and members for decades) that they are now reduced to preaching guilt trips to keep members in line. Are you kidding me? GET A CLUE. Your brand of intolerance to women (no women priests) and people that don't fall into your narrow view of what is 'proper' is OVER! You had better wake up or you and the church will continue down the road to obscurity.

Ah the moral high ground for the catholic church. Wonder is he thought of that while he was protecting all his friends and colleagues who like to touch little boys.

Mortal sin huh ? Well so is all those children you hypocrits molested through the years ya sickos !! Put that in your daily penance !!

Catholics do not have the right to force women to carry babies to term -- especially not for abortions in the first trimester, for rape, for incest, acephaletic babies, etc. What gives them the right? What would they do to a woman who tries to do the abortion herself with a coat hanger? Tie her down to the bed for the next 8 months, with her arms strapped to her sides? This is ridiculous. Now they make a sin out of a simple matter of voting for president, when faced with a choice between McCain/Palin/Joe or Obama. Oh, well, good for them, since the more "sin" they can fabricate in this way, the more "necessary" the priests become, for people to do their penance. What a (bad) Joke.

You would almost think that the last two Popes did not declare the Iraq War to be an unholy war. . . but they did!
No sacraments for you, Bush & McCain voters!

i hope he is equally opposed to both wars, and all other military operations that end in fatalities

Type your comment here...
Does this priest still give communion to priests that ass rape little boys?

give me a break

In the immortal words of B. Bunny, "what a maroon!". Now, we get to see the full-on rage of the Catholic hierarchy. It's not about abortion (they could care less about abortions, since they support an administration that has acquiesced in forced abortions in Northern Marianas sweatshops, and aborted any number of fetuses in Iraq when they dropped bombs on the mothers). It's about choice - they despise the concept of choice in general, because so many people choose to ignore them. So these enablers of war, torture, pedophilia, and attacks on the most vulnerable are now relegated to throwing their pathetic little fits - Catholics didn't take orders from them this time. The United States didn't take orders from them this time. Poor pathetic little crybabies.

this guy is a nutjob -- but Dave, please, molesting young boys is not homosexuality -- it is pedophilia -- much different animal -- please educate yourself.

Bravo! Obviously many political positions intersect and often contradict spiritual and moral teachings of the Catholic Church. It is overly simplistic for one to claim that the Church should stay out of politics. When a political position violates a tenent of the Faith, it is not only the priest's right to speak out, but his obligation. The Catholic Faith demands that its followers perserve the dignity and life of all human beings, including the unborn. Economics, taxes and even war, can never be compared to the killing of innocent children. Over one million innocent children are murdered a year by abortion in the United States alone.

This priest is 100% correct in his assessment of the situation and I agree with him 100%.

Now that I have said this let me tell you that I am NOT a catholic (or really any religion).

Why do I say he is 100% correct then? because if you agree to follow a faith then you MUST follow ALL of it. You do not get to pick and chose the points you want to follow.

So, either give up your faith because you really don't believe it anymore or find a new religion that conforms to your morals.

Religion only serves the purpose of keeping many of us in check. Thank heavens we have it or society would be even more in a mess!! If he feels that strongly about an issue, so be it, and just turn the other cheek!!

Wow. I am amazed and appalled at the comments here. There is a serious misunderstanding by many, many Catholics about what it is to be Catholic. For all of you who think you can ignore Church teachings (which the Fr. Newman is presenting acurately, by the way) because you "know better" I say PLEASE go be Episcopalian. PLEASE.

What is the point of being part of the One True Church if you don't listen to Her voice? All the rest of you...don't waste your hate speech on what you don't understand. If you haven't taken the time to at least read the reasoned theology behind the Church's stance on abortion, you don't have a CLUE about what you are commenting on, or how reasonable or unreasonable the priest's words were. www.catholic.com - read it...Catholics too.

Go to St. Mary's website and like I did, send this so called holy man a message that in The United States of America we have what is called, separation of church and state.

This answer is not for non believers, this answer is not for Cafeteria's Catholics.Non believers and Cafeteria's Catholics have not point for morality, just MSNBC. This answer is for Catholics and specially for Michelle November 13, 08 08:25 PM, who voted for Mr. Barac Hussein Obama. Is senseless compare the War against Terror with abortion, in the war our troops are dealing with armed people who don't care even the life of their own fellows, the Aborted baby are un armed and just have their mothers (the same who want to kill them) to defend their life. You are excommunicated "Latae Sentencia" and If you approach Holy Communion, you will "eat and drink your own condemnation", all of you will face one day Jesus..The blood of the killed baby upon you.

Frank Morera

The whole point of the RC church is to regulate access to the "sacraments" that they made up. That's why they invented confession and excommunication so that they could control access to Communion and the Last Rites. So this guy is just doing his historic job. I'm sure if he had his way he'd have Presidents putting on sackcloth and ashes and crawling to the pope of the moment on hands and knees, just like in the medieval church. But he can't do that, thanks to the Reformation.

To all of the people trumpeting the virtues of CHOICE: Last time I checked a pregnancy was not cancer, multiple sclerosis, or lead poisoning. It's not something you inherit, or a result of a genetic mutation you can't control. I'm wholeheartedly for "reproductive rights" -- so if you don't want to have a baby, CHOOSE not to get pregnant! When the choice to get pregnant is fundamentally violated, i.e. one is a victim of rape or incest, then I have some sympathy for the position, but the reality is that rape cases constitute merely a tiny fraction of the ONE AND A HALF MILLION abortions every year. For the vast majority abortion is little more than a form of "second chance" birth control. That is sickening, and should be illegal.

Here we have a example of metaphysical belief morphing past dogma to out-and-out religious fascism. Some of us out there are atheists who happen to think Jesus was one of the best guys who ever lived. People like this intransigent priest dishonor him with legalisms.

MAYBE IF JAY SCOTT NEWMAN STOPPED MOLESTING YOUNG BOYS LONG ENOUGH HE MIGHT THINK A LITTLE CLEARER

Well, I guess all the Catholics who voted for George W. Bush shouldn't be allowed to receive Communion either, since despite being "pro-life," he hasn't changed our country's abortion laws in his 8-year reign of terror.

I would never have left the Catholic Church if it weren't for the Pope & the priests & the nuns.

People didn't choose Obama because of his extreme views on abortion, such as partial birth and after birth killing of the baby. McCain was prochoice, too. Abortion rights were not the center of the debates-those are saved for the times when the economy is blooming! People elected Obama because we need a change, a turnaround in the economy, a resolution with Iraq, improve international diplomacy and revamping US's image abroad. And those Catholics and christians made a tough choice and put themselves at odds with their church to make the choice that seemed right to them. Yeah, THAT takes guts, my friends!

This kind of stuff is why I left the church. I'm thinking their god is a lot less forgiving than some of their priests. Didn't that pro-life candidate drop bombs on Vietnamese children and kill them?

Where is this priest on the Iraq war?

Killed and wounded total in the six figures, with many of the deaths among completely innocent victims. Did he move to bar people who voted for Bush - the instigator of this war - from Communion? Is this sort of behavior OK? Read Vincent Bugliosi's book : The Prosecution of George W. Bush For Murder. Think things over. Anyone who voted for Bush backed what is laid out in that book.

I am a Catholic and I have not left my faith, but the construct of the Church as it presently operates globally has clearly left me. This priest proves it.

If the Catholic Church is going to start campaigning, then it's time they lost their tax-exempt status.

I'd be willing to bet that the most angry people here are lapsed Catholics. I've known quite a few and am married to one. To tell the truth, I really don't understand the pure hatred directed toward Christianity in this culture. People are not being stretched on racks, burned at stakes etc. If a woman wants an abortion, she can get one legally. If people don't want to believe in God, nobody's forcing them. If we don't agree with someone, we can walk away. We seem to have become a very angry thinskinned people.

I hate when people claiming morality, like Frank M. (#268) refer to the President-Elect by his full name - obviously insinuating that Hussein makes him less holy or less American. It's his name, not ammunition for hate speech.

Frank M.- don't preach your moral high-road B.S. when you clearly judge people based on ethnicity. Wasn't your "Savior" Middle Eastern?

What's John McCain's middle name? Oh that's right, it doesn't matter because he is white...

Repent that.

Unfortunately, Fr. Newman's blatant political stance has made a number of people believe that this is the view of the entire Catholic Church, and to use this as a way to vent their personal frustrations. What we need to remember is that priests are human, they are not infallible, and they are not always the best representatives of Christ’s teachings. The pro-life stance is one that the Catholic Church believes in; however, this means protecting life at all stages. Therefore, it was a difficult decision for Catholics all across America. The options were either voting for a candidate who supported abortion, or voting for a candidate who supported war and the death penalty. No candidate in politics will ever be perfect. Catholics all over the country were divided on this topic. Many priests, nuns, and lay people around the country help the homeless and sick every day. They saw a better future for the people they help in Obama. While many people put up a strong fight to protect the lives of unborn babies and elderly, and believed that McCain was a better choice. Regardless of whom a Catholic voted for it was a difficult decision that required prayer and they should not be condemned for it. I believe it is wrong for a priest to bring his own personal political stance on the issue to his website and parishioners.

I'm thinking BENEDICT needs to recall this guy and send him to the WOO WOO farm for awhile and never, EVER give him a position of responsibility again. What an IDIOT. The Church is still having trouble making payroll and they can't even sell their properties for what they are worth--of course, all this financial angst was THEIR FAULT, for molesting innocent children.

This nitwit has got a lot of nerve telling other people how to live and how to vote when he actively and willilngly participated in an abusive organization that robbed children of their innocence, self-esteem and normality. A pox on him!

I was raised Catholic and taught that the decision to take communion is between you and God. Unless you have committed a major sin (can't remember the proper term) and not confessed it, nobody should decide for you. It is a personal decision. The fact that politics has entered into the arena is ludicrous. The bar of separation of church and state gets lower everyday.

If you vote for a pro-rights candidate you are going against the will of God.
However, God apparently has no problem with you voting for a Pro-War candidate like McCain (2008) or Bush (2004).

I don't think I could become a Catholic. The logic would give me a headache.

Excuse me Father, but was that a 10 year old altar boy exiting your bedroom at the Rectory last night?

This is one of the reasons I left the Catholic Church many years ago. As Chris said (#277), if they are going to start "campaigning" for certain political causes and try to dictate FROM THE PULPIT who we should vote for, then yes they should lose their tax-exempt status.
This is the reason we have separation of church and state in this nation.

This is incredible.

Father I have sinned I voted for Obama
I guess that is going to be the 11th commandment.

11. You shall not vote for a candidate that supports abortion

Bye Bye Tax Exemption = Bye Bye ReverendJay....

Although I'm concerned about the drift of the Catholic Church toward medieval fanaticism, in all fairness to them, I don't believe a parish priest has the authority to make such a decision on his own. I predict that the higher-ups in the Church will make this guy retract his letter.

I'm guessing the Catholic Church is not growing. Can't imagine why. Nothing like intolerance as a marketing strategy.

Dear Father,

You might be more comfortable in a parish in say....a less democratic country.. like maybe a dictatorship. I am a Catholic and I will receive communion any time I so decide. I do not rely on priest-made laws to determine my status.

Further, I have written to the IRS to inform them that St Marys Parish no longer meets the criteria for tax exempt status. I know that you won't mind paying taxes in support of your political beliefs like the rest of us. You may want to run over to the confession booth yourself for a little closer supervision.

McCane isn't pro-choice, but he counts on people not knowing that fact to get pro-choice votes.
American Catholics don't ask the bishops or priests who to vote for. Most of us went to private Catholic schools and learned to think for ourselves. Not going to church on Sunday morning used to be a mortal sin, too. After my college days, I don't know how many mortal sins I must have now.
Voting for Obama? I'm really not feeling the guilt father.

So...now that the Church has its hands FULLY in politics, isn't it time to revoke their tax exempt status?!

Comment #1 had a good start stating this is over Fr. Newman's "pay grade". I would suggest that this is over the Bishop's pay grade too.
When Augustine of Hippo reached out the the "Donatus" in the 4th and 5th Century to remind them that there is only one catholic (universal) church he did so because the Donatus believed their Bishops, Priest and followers were all Saints. Augustine of Hippo basically said "a congregation is a mixed community of saints and sinners," and that "it is not our business to sort it out. It is God's position (responsibility)"
Let's stop playing the role of God and allow God to judge not us!

I am a cantor in a Roman Catholic parish. It is my joy to sing and praise God each weekend. However, I am appalled at the position of this Priest. The simple fact that he used President Elect Obama's middle name leads me to believe that he is in the tank with all of the war loving, right wing lunatics who have steered this ship for the last eight years. Those who use his middle name seek to label him incorrectly and put fear into those who fear the unknown or who fear Isalmic extremists. By that one word, he has betrayed himself as having a much larger political agenda. If you listen closely to the gospels, you know that Christ came to save us from ourselves...to teach us to take care of each other: to Love God and Neighbor. to minister to the least ones: the poor, elderly, disadvantaged, lost and ill. Those are the ones who are doing the work of Christ in our world. Those who seek death in WAR live their lives counter to what Christ taught. As far as I know, John McCain supported the war in Iraq. President Elect Obama does not. HOw is that any different than the abortion debate? This priest is a hypocrite of the highest order. And obviously, a Repulican. You cannot use the Church to advance political views. I don't believe that Christ would support the Survival of the Fittest views of the Right Wing.

All you anti-religion Bush hating zealots make me sick. Grow up! The pastor has a right to his opinion. His religion has the right to oppose abortion.

It is not much of a stretch for him to suggest that people who voted for a pro-abortion candidate should make amends before taking communion. He did not say he would unilaterally decide who received and who does not receive the sacrament. This fellow sounds so reasonable I have great resepct for him. His non-violent, well presented opinion demands respect- even if you disagree.

and religious people wonder why athiests make fun of them...

Now that's funny, because last time I checked, John McCain was in favor of the Iraq war - that's anti-life, folks. Where does Rev. Dumbass get these foolish ideas anyways.

The country needs less single-issue voters !

Each candidate choice represents a variety of positions on the various topics that tend to be the 'determining factor' when what I consider 'one-issue voters' -- guns, abortion, taxes are good examples ... there are myriad issues that any elected official will need to deal with, in the case of the President there are critical considerations such as national security, immigration policy, fiscal policy, taxation, health care, the US economy, free trade agreements, energy policy etc. How anyone can overlook the complexity of the tasks confronting the next president and boil it down to ONE binary issue (such as guns, taxes, abortion...) is beyond me, and quite frankly it has contributed to how we got here in the first place ... The GOP was good at sowing this landscape of (in)fertile minds out there and they made promises, promises, promises to secure these 'single-issue' voters to propel them to victory in '00 and '04. How has that worked out for everyone ??

Anyone that tries 'dumb-down' the election decision process to a single issue is UN-American !!!

If he refuses communion to all those who support war, to weapons builders (especially bunker busters that have killed more children and women, probably some pregnant, than terrorists) , to those who willfully destroy the planet that hosts humans and all living creatures, to those who pollute the air, the water, the food, so that babies are conceived with massive, fatal genetic defects, If he castigates them as well, then "I say hail to you, padre."

If he doesn't, then I say: go to H.** and good riddance.

Don't bother answering.... I know the answer and it is the usual hypocrisy. The church has more often than not sided with the rich and powerful. When they get the abortions, the church is quiet.... esp. if one of their priests accidentally became hetero and impregnated his housekeeper..

religion is the drug of choice for idiots

Elaine Jackson,
I hate to point this out, but I believe in my heart that you have missed the boat on hearing the Church's voice. If Christ was to return to us today, believe me, he would not be a Republican...nor would he support war.

I think you need to Listen to CHRIST"S voice....really hear Him. Read the gospels a little deeper, with a pure heart. He wasn't preaching for the rich or the greedy...he wasn't teaching us to kill each other in senseless wars...or sneering at those most in need. If you are a catholic...a true follower of the Universal Church of our Lord, then you must believe in the sanctity of ALL LIFE...not just the Unborn.

Respectfully,

When I was young man growing up in the Catholic Church we were taught about social justice and compassion for others. Since then the church has become a single issue institution without a moral compass. That is one reason that I am one of millions who have left a church our consciences could no longer support. Maybe if the catholic clergy came out of the middle ages, married, and welcomed women as equals the church might once again become relevant.

What would Jesus do, indeed.

Perhaps if the Catholic church spent more time praying about the word "inclusive" and less time diddling little boys, things might be different. I say this as one who was "diddled" as a young boy and lived to tell the story.

Wonder how many alter boy's this priest has had sex with?

Good job father, from time to time I need to be remembered why it was so intelligent that I left the church

The tax-exempt status needs to be revoked, not just the Catholic church but for all religions. Separation of church and state -- they are not holding up their part of the bargain.

I am a Catholic. I voted for Obama. I read this type of thing and wonder if I need to find another religion.

Did Newman have to spit out a mouthful of Altar Boy before he could make this declaration?

Our church is - at best - inconsistent on pro-life issues. When a political figure is supportive of a woman being able to make a choice, then that political figure is attacked and barred from speaking at Catholic colleges, etc. That political figure is NOT, pro-abortion, but is only supporting the ability of the woman to make a choice. BUT, when a political figure advocates for the war in Iraq - labeled by the Pope as an unjust war, or when the political figure advocates for the death penalty, also condemned by the Pope, that political figure who supports death over life is welcomed in the colleges and is embraced by the Bishops. Pro-Life has only one dimension for the priests and bishops, to their everlasting shame.

I could decide to agree with Newman, but that would make us both wrong.

Shows why you can't use "religious" and "intelligent" in a sentence together.

This is why I dropped Catholicism and became an Episcopalian. It's the same religion without the baggage of complete insanity that has become the Catholic Church.

My good friend, a catholic priest is being villainized and defamed by this church for taking a stand against the pedophilia that ran rampart throughout the church clerics. He is fighting for his good name because the church slandered and defamed him for bringing forth evidence of misdeeds commitred by a ranking catholic prelate. Should not the same standards apply to those who surround this demon of a man who now heads an archdiocese of the Catholic Church. When and until the catholic prelates of the world condemn their own with such vehemence, they might hold the moral high ground. Until then, never

Thank you Fr. Newman for speaking for all the murdered children whose voices were never heard and whom were not given a choice as pro-choice people have. This society is killing people who could be our future Doctors with cures for aids, cancer and other afflictions as well as people who could bring peace throughout the world. It is obvious by the many comments that you have struck a cord and that there is much hatred directed at you for speaking the truth. My prayers are with you and to all who think that the most innocent of our society do not deserve to live.

Of course Rev Newman is right. But it is so rare to see it publicized in an open forum. What a sensitive nerve this has touched! Apparently the horror of abortion will never be silenced...

Dave Farrell

I think we are hopefully seeing the decline in religious institutions as a whole in this country. I can only hope as more of these "messengers from God" continue to speak out; only to be met with public backlash from free thinking citizens. As earlier posters noted, when are people of faith going to realize the hypocrisies that exists in these institutions and keep their faith between them and their beliefs.

For our country unfortunately abortion benefits us as tax paying citizens. Abortion should be between a woman and doctor and used as a last resort, but until these idiot priests start realizing that we do not have enough qualified parents (partially due to other idiotic policies like anti-gay adoption), money from the church to pay for decent foster care (not prisons for these kids), and the teaching of safe sex or birth control, then we must as AMERICANS FIRST worry about more important things. Let's support the taxation of these churches that violate the rules our country was founded on and then allow them to speak the agenda they want to put forth.

Obviously, this moron of a priest knows nothing about God or his teachings. If Christ can hangout with a prostitute, forgive her sins and tells us her story will be told till this day, then Buddy(priest) you need to say 10 hail whatever you pray to. Cause it ain't Mary. You are a sorry ass fool. I am glad that people read their Bibles and can reason for themselves. I bet you this fool has a copy of porno under his bed and wanks off on the hour. Shame on you!!

spoken like a one trick Pharisee......

And you wonder why people laugh at these idiots ??
What about refusing communion for people who voted for supporters of the Iraq War ??

Ladies, if your going to have sex and you don't want to get pregnant, use birth control-Catholic or not. That simple practice would cut back on the need for abortions in huge numbers.

Don't kill the messenger if you're not happy with the message. As others have noted, this Father is only endorsing the RC Church's long standing views.

By way of disclosure; I'm not catholic, and I'm pro-choice. (I'm also adopted, so I'm pro-choice despite some conflict... because it's the right thing to do some times, even if it's what I find preferable.)

That being said, either the Roman Catholic Church needs to convene a Synod to re-examine doctrine from a purely biblical perspective, or being Catholic means you must follow the Church and condemn abortion and abortionists.

I couldn't be Roman Catholic. I'm a very spiritual person, I meditate and pray at least and hour a day, (couldn't start a day without thanking my God for waking me up in it. :) I follow the spirit, and attempt to stick to my 'Moral Path' at all times. Following any one man to whatever afterlife awaits, seems counterproductive? I try to follow those inspirational leaders, and choose those teachings that resonate the most with my spiritual core. Be it the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, Buddha, Talmudic interpretations, Vedic scrolls etc.

When one man tells all others that the only way to Heaven is through him, than I must demur. The unspeakable evils that have been thrust upon us this way, from the Inquisition to the Crusades, to the tacit support of Nazi genocide...

Take the measure of a person on the whole person, not just of their beliefs - even when that's hard. Speak in measured tones and attempt to sway with your logic, your spiritual conviction... but never, never, ever condemn. It's just not your place.

Pray. Meditate. Love more than hate. Smile more than frown. Keep to your own path of light. Try to set an example and be positive in spirit... not always positive in purpose. [ I personally always reserve the right to be wrong! :) ]

Folks might be interested in Rev. Newman's response to the AP story:
http://www.stmarysgvl.org/ourparish/2008-dear-friends-in-christ

You're not alive until you're born and you can only be born once...

Let me understand something, Is this loony going to be asking folks as they are about to receive communion if they voted for OBAMA? Dude, you better go wash out your mouth from you know what.

While I would fight to the death to protect people's right to worship as they see fit, I draw the line at allowing tax exempt status for organizations who disrespect our community and political process. Can you imagine how much lower our taxes would be if the Catholic Church did pay taxes on all its holdings? It's us the taxpayers paying for their garbage pick up and all the infrastructure services they use, making up the difference in taxes if that land was business or residential. Why are we supporting their actions with our hard earned dollars?

If you want religious groups to stop being involved with politics, write to the IRS and/or your congressman and complain. The more people who write, the less IRS will be able to pretend they didn't see it, again. Right-wing religions walk all over tax-exempt laws, and it's not okay that our officials allow them to do it. Think about it - it's your money.

Tax exempt status isn't a right, it's a privilege.

Father, forgive you.

The Lord is the Shepherd...not you.

Give a man a pulpit, and he will say something stupid.

Stay out of politics.

All of the ANTI-WAR Wingnuts posting on this topic need not fear. You have your new demigod to worship and follow and we hope for the same things. Please get our troops back from Iraq and Afghanistan soon. We're going to need them in our streets. The next 9/11 will be here under this administration's watch.

The war in Afghanistan and Iraq were brought to America on September 11, 2001. But, you'll pay no attention to the terrorist training camps, sympathy for for Islamic extremists, women slaughtered for uncovering their faces, people murdered for speaking against the government, freedoms and liberty suppressed by a vile and ruthless dictator. It's ironic that the same people that cry about freedom of speach, rights for gays marriaige, and truth in government see no value in a democratic government, a nation of FREE people in the most volatile area on earth. Middle east peace talks is a political talking point in our country and, has been so for more than 40 years in much the same way, universal health care and fixing social security is. Nothing has been accomplished, no changes made. There were 8 straight fruitless years of middle-east peace talks during the Clinton regime.

I will continue to pray for the safe and QUICK return of all our troops.

Having children has nothing to do with god or the state it has everything to do with science. Its the human body working the way it should. No wonder I stopped going to church with people like that in this world.

As A catholic, I vote with what I feel is best for My Country, Not My church that is why most catholics keep pro choice feelings private I will keep my opinion private.
Rome will not judge me Only God Will.
People of all creeds, died to protect my right to vote the good father must have voted for McCain, and still crying about his loss.

Does this man consider himself a holy man who is free of sin? And does he somehow believe that all Republicans are free of sin as well, including those who support an unnecessary war in which many innocent children and other civilians have been killed. What a selective and self-serving moral code this man employs.

Jesus gave himself, surrendering his own body, in expiation for our sins. How DARE someone (who claims to represent Jesus) withhold His most precious body and blood?

Wow, there's a reason people in the US are leaving the Catholic Church in droves. I guess it's OK in the Church's eyes to support the Republican candidate who advocates capital punishment and reproductive freedom, but not the Democratic candidate who's opposed to capital punishment yet who's supportive of women's reproductive freedom. The hypocrisy is mindboggling, and--to me personally--disgusting.

Do any Catholics REALLY think that anyone who voted for Obama should be denied communion if they haven't gone to confession and said they sinned by voting for him?
I don't believe it's a mortal sin to vote for someone, but maybe I'm wrong?

I hope he and others like him succeed in reducing their numbers by turing away people of good will. Every loss to such a community is a blessing from God. His congregation has to be getting old. There is reason for hope that they will be replaced by the younger, smarter, and more educated.

My favorite bumper sticker (saw it in Missouri) " the Christian right is neither"

I would not try to argue with those who agree with him. As the old saying goes...
"don't try to teach your pig to sing. It will only frustrate you and will irritate the pig"

The whole pro life movement is insane by definition. I am pro-life but only for myself which qualifies as pro-choice but by no means pro-abortion. I am also Catholic and I'll have Communion on my terms, not this priest who seeks to judge and control. Others will have to use their own minds, especially as long as those who demand everyone ever impregated must have their chilren also believes in providing ZERO support for the raising of that child. That's what we have in the Republican Party. FInally and more importantly, I reject that any law will ever stop this practice whether you see it as good, bad or indifferent. Government can never, ever get into the confines of one's private home to catch someone in the act. It will be done regardless of whether there's a law on the books or not, just as it was done before it was done safely and legally. Therefore, This issue was created by the Right to insight people to vote Republican -- when in fact the assumptions that this practice could even be stopped by government is false. The better road is to urge people to not do it and help them find ways to meet the challenge, not judging them and their situation, something the preist by definition cannot know personally. For those who are perfect, go ahead and cast your stones. Once again, I question why I am part of such a controlling juvenile religion.

And to this Republican priest - doesn't war kill people as well? And how well do we take care of these children once they are born to people of limited means? How about a right to a meaninful life? Or would he rather they're dropped in Nebraska at age 12. Enough of this no birth control, no abortion nonsense. It's 2008 and the facts matter. I'm Catholic and am sick and tired of being sick and tired of their judgmental ways that fly in the face of science and reason.

Obama supporters may be unpatriotic but that certainly shouldn't keep them from receiving communion. However, the Catholic Church can do whatever it wants. If we don't like it, we have other options. That's what is so great about America. People need to stop running everybody's lives and simply mind their own business. Merry Christmas everybody!!!

Mmmm. My own 'condemnation', served with a side of 'material cooperation with intrinsic evil' tastes DELICIOUS! It's Almost as good as 'altar boy'.

I have to say I agree with him. The Catholic faith has rules as said in the 10 commccandmencts. If you do not like them, then don't go to church.

Johnny 27:16 - Thouest can not further the one true religion by tolerating any others. So sticketh it to kindom come. Amen.

why people choose to be a part of this ridiculous organization/religion is beyond me

Wait a minute folks, don't forget this guy is from "the South". The real sin he wants people to repent for is voting for a black President! After all, John McCain did not put himself out there as "pro-life" candidate...he let Ms. Palin handle that issue.

Um, excuse me #321: why should birth control be the responsibility of the "LADIES"??

I think we should ask all people to make a commitment to say a prayer for Barack Obama every day. Some of the people above could pray that he will decide not to sign the bill which he promised would be the first thing he would sign when he was elected Others could pray that he will be guided by the Holy Spirit in this words and actions. Commitment should be private, not public Obviouslu nobody can check up on whether someone really said those prayers every day. I read in the Autobiography of Saint Therese that she began praying for a murderer who had been sentenced to death and heard that at the moment of his death he grasped a crucifix that someone presented to him and kissed it.

This priest's logic and position are flawed. The Church has a belief in the sanctity of ALL life. Therefore, a vote for a pro death penalty or pro war candidate, and by extension a pro moose murder for sport candidate, would also be condemned under his skewed viewed of the Church, my church.

Father Newman edict is another reason I am no longer a practicing Catholic. In addition to this, Cardinal O'Malley in Boston has condemned the Obama Administration for their abortion stand. This same church condemned the Vietnam War and myself and many o thers felt we were condemned by our church for our participation.

The Catholic Church needs to revisit its mission, religion and not business. If they want to run it like a business, tax them.

As a non-practicing Catholic, I applaud Fr. Newman for taking a courageous stand. Separation of church and state does not mean separation of state and morality. Our government must reflect the morality of its people; one can't identify as Catholic without being pro-life. In an election where the incoming President will have the ability to alter the balance of the Supreme Court to prevent justice on the issue of abortion, and the ability to set policy on embryonic stem cell research, to select the candidate who is against the Church's teachings on these vital issues can't been seen as anything but sinful in the eyes of the Church.
How can practicing Catholics dismiss this? I can understand feeling justified in selecting the lesser of two evils, but going against life is still a grave sin requiring Penance.

To date, more than 10,000 people have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic priests.

The Catholic Church is in serious, serious decline- and this guy focuses on driving more people away?

What a beautiful sacrament is reconciliation. Whatever you have done to go against the Lord, bring it to Him in reconciliation and be joined to him once again. We live in such a time of selfishness. There are so many people in our country who can benefit from the forgiveness that can only come from Him. "Repent and you shall be saved, and you shall have everlasting life." Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1209986/priest_in_south_carolinas_judgement.html?cat=49

PETITION!!

This article has a petition in it to try and get their tax exemption status taken away!

To Alu:
Abortion and a woman's right to "choose" falls under the deadly sin of "Pride". It would be putting the will of a woman over the will of God, which is always to choose life, or, He would not have given the life, in the first place. Children are a gift from Him. I know of cases where a child has been born to a family, with what would be "imperfections", and that child was precious to them. The imperfections and all. In some cases, those imperfections make a child dear to a whole community. I know a 36 year old man that had a syndrome called "Williams". He just died. He was such a treasure to the community, that his friends, old and new, want to build a life-size statue of him downtown, smiling and giving people a "high 5", his trademark welcome to all. He remembered every person's name, even if he only met them once. His death during the summer left a gaping hole in the lives of an entire community. His parents and family never knew of the impact he had on people, until his funeral that was attended by a vast number of people. Just writing this about him, makes me tear up, because everyone misses him. His contribution to this community was HUGE. He is not alone. I have heard and read of many cases where what would be considered an "imperfect" child, is, when allowed to live, highly cherished by all. To second-guess God is to commit the sin of Pride.

As an aside: U.S.Supreme Court Justice David Souter has given President-elect Obama until Dec. 1st to respond to a suit claiming he is not a US citizen. The governor's office in Hawaii said Obama had a valid birth certificate, but rejected requests for access and left its origin ambiguous. Obama's half-sister, Maya Soetoro, has named two different Hawaiian hospitals where Obama could have been born. Defendents are required to respond to the "Writ of Certiorari". Anyone can check out the Supreme Court's own Web site for further details. Look for news about this on or before Dec. 1st.

This is yet another example of so called believers mistaking dogma for an expression of God. As a Catholic I am repulsed by this knee-jerk, fast-food road to salvation. Its apparent that this priest and others like him need to speak for an anemic God at their beckon call. They are terrified of a complex, universal, God who speaks directly to people of all faiths, living out pluralistic expressions of faith with different sets of needs. How is it possible they this neo-Sanhedrin alone claims to speak for God? And why do so many continue to heed them?

Geez. You can barely see the b***s on THAT high horse. We Christians are far too often the greatest cause and easiest excuse that people use for turning away from the love of God. C-ism's penchant for exclusion of God's children has now turned on itself. Again. May God guide and protect us all.

I am reminded of the Seinfeld Soup Nazi episode.

As the priest yells: NO COMMUNION FOR YOU! NEXT!

oh my! Father whatshisface better be careful! The Catholic church is a non-profit religious organization and as such is not allowed to get involved in politics and endorse a particular candidate or they will lose their tax-exempt status!

I'm tired of the Catholic Church's hobby horses — womens' rights and gay rights. Why not spend time helping people who need its help instead of attacking those rights it disagrees with? The only "intrinsic evil" I see comes from the church itself. If the church is really "pro-life", perhaps they should spend spend time condemning war and the warmonger politicians that urge it.

The issue of abortion is simple: choice. Either the woman has the choice (what to do with her body) or government has the choice. Everyone who takes the "pro-life/anti-choice" position wants the government to make the choice. Talk about big government interference in people's private lives.

And yes, we need better sex education. When abstinence ignorance is taught, more unwanted pregnancies occur. The church should get behind better sex education if they really want to cut abortion numbers (which really aren't that high at all).

I was raised Catholic. When I was younger, a priest I was particularly close to (no, not in that way you creeps!) told me that if Jesus were alive today he would probably be a Democrat (actually more likely a socialist but he wouldn't be a Republican). The Republican party is all about greed, money, big business, strong national defense, national pride, pro-life, pro-death penalty, guns, conservative social values etc. Pretty much ALL of the ideals are against what Christianity stands for except for their stance on abortion. Sure they are pro-life but support the death penalty, a military who's job is to kill other people? What happened to turn the other cheek? I'm not saying that I disagree with all Republican values (I think capitalism is the best system for an economy) but so many of the ideals are counter to what the Bible says (well, if Catholics were allowed to read it). The abortion issues is just one of many.

Is this the same church that thinks that it's all right for priests to rape children and then instead of going to jail just get moved to a fresh supply of youngsters?Shame on You .

What the Rev. Newman said was for MEMBERS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH ONLY if you are not a member no need to comment on this. It is possible that some Catholics who voted for BHO have regretted and are deeply sorry for voting for a candidate thats for killing babies after the baby is born, not to mentiion abortions. If you are an EX-MEMBER of the CATHOLIC CHURCH SURELY HE WAS NOT TALKING TO YOU. For the others well, that is for you, and I agree.

As a practicing Catholic who voted for Obama I will march right up to Holy Communion as my conscience is clear.(I voted to make life better in this country.Abortion exists and will always exist until such time as we eliminate the things in society that force people to choose abortion as an option. (Poverty, illiteracy, lack of healthcare) These issues have their best chance of being advanced by a Democratic president. After seeing some of the high jinx of the Catholic church vis-a-vis the abuse issue, my response is you first in the confessional.

Hello Minnie #361, i am a practicing Roman Catholic who proudly voted for Barrack Obama. Although i disagree with his position on abortion, I know that his leadership will serve to support and fund programs to prevent unwanted pregnancies thus limiting the need for abortions. He will provide the moral leadership that respects the needs and the lives of those who are having difficulty helping themselves, e.g., the poor, the infirm and the elderly. GOD IS BLESSING PRESIDENT ELECT BARACK OBAMA AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HIS LEADERSHIP FOR OUR TROUBLED, MISBEGOTTEN NATION!

I can't help but think that this is racism in disguise

I commend Rev. Newman's spiritual works of mercy (admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant) for reminding catholics and informing non-catholics of the proper disposition to receive communion.
For those who have sincere, honest questions about the Catholic Church, I invite you to call the Apologist Line at catholicanswers.com
A.M.D.G.
~alicia

Father, thank you for your clear teaching and for the courage to speak the truth.
Personally I am upset with bishops and priests who do not have the courage to carry out the duties of their office. Archbishop Raymond Burke, prefect of the supreme tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, has made it clear. Not only is the bishop to deny Holy Communion "all" ministers of Holy Communion are bound by canon 915 to deny pro abort candidates as well--under pain of sin.
The complete teaching is available http://www.ewtn.com/vlibrary/search2.asp
I urge every person who voted for Mr. Obama--the most pro abort candidate in history, to watch an abortion. It is available in English and Spanish at durarealidad.com Then come back and say to promote this evil is NOT a mortal sin. When you see the little arms and legs torn off and eyes of the crushed skull looking at you see if you can convince yourself this should be legal. Only a sociopath would have no problem justifying murdering a baby by tearing it limb
from limb.

This type of garbage is what drove me out of the catholic church and turned me off anything that comes under the guise of organized religion. Or all that other stuff that has been sold to people since the beginning of time. Is the catholic church looking for another inquisition. Kill all the unbelievers. Our way or death. And don't forget to molest little children along the way.
Does signing my name put me on a list of suspects for persecution when the catholic church is looking for victims to torture. History has been known to repeat itself.

Never try to teach a pig to sing. It only frustrates the teacher and annoys the pig.

I walked away from Roman Catholicism as a young teenager, recognizing even then that its focus on legalsim was totally contrary to the very essence of the Gospel. Just before I left, I was in a CCD class where abortion was being discussed. The walls were plastered with essays about if abortion was allowed we might never have had a JFK or a Dr King. The class soon evolved along a similar line, with teen after teen making the same argument. Then I spoke up.

It seemed to me that JFK and Dr. King were born into homes where they were wanted and loved. They certainly learned to love from somewhere. Wouldn't it be more likely that parents seeking abortions might not love the child once born, might even resent it? Was Hitler loved as a child? Is it possible that abortion would more likley result in people who would not be loved and therefore learn to love not being brought into the world?

Oops... One thing one does not do in Catholicism is ask a question that contradicts a formal teaching. I got a good talking to from a priest about that one.

I'm an active member of another Christian denomination. One where we're allowed to think. It also opposes abortion, but it doesn't tell people they cannot commune with God for going against that or any other teaching.

Our clergy know better than to pretend they are proxies for God.

This is the last straw. Barack Obama is not pro-abortion! He is for giving the option when it is necessary so women don't go back to back alley shops with dirty knives. No one is running around saying "Abortions for everyone!" Who are you to judge those who make the terrible decision to end a pregnancy? Isn't it God's job to judge us? What about the poor woman who finds out she is pregnant and that she has aggressive cancer that will kill both her and her unborn child? This is not a clear cut black and white issue, there are many gray areas, but those of you who think you're better because you "protect the unborn", what about your extremists who bomb abortion clinics? I was raised Catholic but am tired of the Catholic Church's hypocrisy and messages of hate. As a result, my husband and I will be raising our (unborn) children Protestant. Shame on you, Benedict and your minons!

Fr. Newman,

Thank you for your clarity with respect to this issue, as well as for your consistent adherence to the teachings of the bishops (via Faithful Citizenship), the Pope, the Holy Catholic Church, and to Christ himself.

So glad I mostly recovered from Catholicism! (and also grateful I was never sexually abused by a pedophile).
...and glad my children will never have to endure hypocritical bigots like this priest.

....but really can he legally do this....sounds like their 501 c3 should be ripped to shreds.

For the propaganda spreaders who continue to claim Obama never produced a birth certificate, do you realize that you can't get a regular old legitimate job without producing such documents? In order to have security clearance in government jobs, you have to prove and produce all sorts of things. Just because you and Rush and Faux News haven't seen his birth certificate doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Are you gonna keep spreading lies or are you gonna get on board and try to help straighten our country out?

Fr. Newman is correct and is only providing the appropriate warning to his parishioners who voted for President-elect Obama. Mr. Obama is a radical supporter of the intrinsic evil of abortion. Additionally he has made clear his intent to have passed and signed the "Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA). This act would remove any federal or state restrictions on abortion for the entire 9 months of pregnancy. My cats would have more protection then a pre-born child under FOCA. It is always eye-opening to see the anti-Catholic and anti-Christian bigotry of so many of your readers and so many abortion advocates. The federal government should remove the IRS retrictions about churches being involved in political speech. It only seems to be used and come out from "liberals" who oppose the Church's moral stands on various issues. I haven't seen any of these secularists call for the tax-exemption being removed from Obama's former church or the Unitarian Universalist Church's advocacy of same sex "marriage" Curious isn't it?

All this matters if you believe in the fairy tail of Christianity.

Let me get this straight...

The universe was created by an all-powerful all-knowing being who came down from the sky to us in the form of a cosmic Jewish woodworker, turned cult-leader, who was his own father, who can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in all humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat an apple from a magical tree.

Moreover, this all-powerful being refuses to communicate directly anymore, but sends us vague signals thru various persons, such as pedophiles, and T.V fundraisers to let us know that he loves us so much that if we agree that he is supreme, then we get to live forever, but if we have doubts (cause he won’t reveal himself directly) we get to burn in hell for all eternity (cause he loves us so much)

He used to do lots of miracles, always appearing to people, giving specific instructions such as “don’t eat the apple” or “build an arc that is 40 cubits by 40 cubits,” turning water into wine, raising the dead, walking on water, that sort of thing, but nowadays, not so much. Presumably, he still can appear and do miracles, but he doesn’t because...well, he just doesn’t - get over it. (Woody Allen says he doesn’t know if God exists, but if he does, he’s a real underachiever)

If you don’t believe this, you can look it up in the Bible, it’s the literal, inspired word of God Regardless of the fact that it was passed down as oral history for generations before it was ever even written down, and that it was written in many versions by many different people, who didn’t always agree on some very important points, such as whether Jesus was actually God, but nevertheless, you can believe it literally. Pay no attention to other non-God writings such as the Koran, or Buddhist writings, and oh, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

(Found on the Internet)

who does this man think he is -- this is preposterous---god help th catholic church if this narrow-minded and intolerant man is indicative of what th church stands for --let each man and woman be responsible for his or her own conscience -- how ignorant of this man NOT to perceive what a good and conscientious person is BARACK OBAMA -shame on this priest

As a former St. Mary's parishioner, I'd like you all to know that about five years ago, this priest told children at a school mass that Santa Claus was a pagan elf and did not exist. Granted these children were age 10 through 14, but the news quickly spread through the school, right down to the kindergarteners. Isn't it funny that someone who doesn't believe in abortion also has no regard for children?

It is fantastic that a Catholic person is finally stepping forward to tell the Truth. Jesus' ways are based on the Truth. Some of the comments above try move the focus of the debate to the mistakes of others (preists, public officials, etc). The single point of Fr. Newman is that Barak Obama is a radical supporter of the intrinsic evil of abortion. Obama agrees with killing babies in the mothers' womb. Obama is for cutting babies up inside of mommy's womb prior to pulling the murdered baby's parts out of mommy. Obama is for allowing girls of any age (9, 10, 11, 12...) to get a public funded abortion in secrecy with zero parental notice...

Fr. Newman is simply saying that people who voted for Obama need to reconcile with God before receiving the body of Christ. The Catholic Church offers the Mystery/Sacrament for this purpose; Reconciliation.

We are becoming just as bad as China. In China there are documented cases where mothers-to-be are dragged by gov officials to an abortion performance local and forced to have an abortion. In China Roman Catholic Ordained and Lay are jailed for practicing their faith. We have a choice in the US to either go back to the Christian ethics/morals on which this country was based (and that are incrementally being removed), or we will fall and face God's wrath.

Personally I don't think our president elect Obama is for any of the sinful things
such as incest, gay, abortion thats going on around the world, he is a godly man
he knows what he is stand for, he is doing the right thing that all we all can ask of
him so let's embrace him like any president. He loves his God and he is serving
him by living by the book as much as he can.(the bible).

Unbelievable and sad article. Obama is a breathe of fresh air.

Perfect!

Hey Reverend Newman... there's a perfect place for those like you in this world... Saudi Arabia. Have fun mate!

Right. He will deny you communion, but he'll rape you KIDS! Who do these priests think they are anyway? God is within ALL of us. I don't need some child molester in a holy robe to tell me how to live. Pardon the expression but, GO TO HELL father whoever you are...

It's ashame the Catholic Church did not take a firmer stand on ALL the pedofile Priests, they covered it up, protected one another, lied and did a number of other absolutely unforgiveable things. Instead of looking into their own family and correcting the wrong they spoke out on other political causes not as damaging as raping young boys. I don't know how they can hold their heads up and preach, shame shame shame shame on them. What a joke, they will have to answer one day.

IF YOU ARE AGAINST ABORTION DON'T HAVE ONE

Will the reverand asks the policeman,fireman,mechanic doctor etc. how they voted before asking for help?

Look at the natural world. Look in the mirror. This is creation. This is the product of God. The war is legitimate, effective self defense. Abortion is murder. The Bible reveals prophesy that predates the New Testament, and it forecasts events yet to come, and it's predictions of the world in the time of Armageddon describe the Marxist world we're creating in an uncanny fashion.

Volumes could be written on this subject!! But, how un-Christ-like is this priest! Pres. Kennedy, I believe was pro-choice was he not?Was he too denied the sacrament? JUDGE NOT, LEST YE BE JUDGED! Jesus' words I believe? I am a Protestant, Lutheran turned United Church of Christ. I am pro-choice and I resent people who are anti-abortion co-opting their label of Pro-life when many of these same individuals favor capital punishment and often are against any kind of common-sense regulations on guns. many also were right there cheering on bUSH nd Cheney as we invaded an innocent country and caused much loss of life to the Iraquis an

Elsewhere, parishioners try to keep their church from closing by continuing their vigil, now sans electricity . . .

Thank goodness radicals like this Catholic are a minority in America. Obama will accurately reflect policies that his constituents voted for, and I expect nothing less.

So, if I voted for President-elect Obama, you don't want me to eat the flesh or drink the blood of Christ. No problem - way ahead of you on that one. Thanks.

For all you rationalizing Catholics that don't seem to know your faith and don't understand the good father's letter.... Here it is simply:

1. The Bishop's have all but come out and said that voting for Obama over McCain is a mortal sin, that's what it means when they say cooperating with intrinsic evil (i.e. go straight to hell, do not pass go...)

2. If you have committed a mortal sin, you should not receive communion (St. Paul..."if you recieve unworthily you eat and drink condemnation on yourself")

3. The only way to be forgiven of a mortal sin is to be truly repentant AND go to confession.

He's just teaching his flock what has been passed down by the bishops and what is taught in the Catechism. If you don't like that, then stop calling yourself a Catholic and go join Oprah's new religion.

For all you that want to dig up the sex scandals. The church has more than done her pennance and has purged herself of it. She is stronger now than ever. Get over it.

What about voting for a candidate who is for keeping the war going in Iraq and killing thousands of our youth in battle?! What is the catholic church's stance on that?!

11/05/2008

ROME—Pope Benedict XVI sent a telegram of congratulations Wednesday to Barack Obama to hail the "historic occasion" of his election as US president, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.

The Roman Catholic pontiff expressed to Obama "his blessing so that God will support him and the American people, and that all people of goodwill can work to build a world of peace, solidarity and justice," Lombardi said.

Are there any praticing Catholics out there-------Those that are know the truth,The road to the Father is very narrow. Judgement will be very harsh. Most catholics I know think they are living a good life ,working ,raising a Family,going to church once in a while,Can't wait for service to end to hit the local bar ,cussing up a storm& proudly say I'm a Catholic!!!!!!!!! once again I say,judjement will be harsh,again I say its no to late "REPENT & FOLLOW THAT NARROW PATH"

I am so happy that someone stands up for the unborn child. As a former pro-choice supporter, who has now gone through pregnancy- I cannot believe that ANYONE can truly believe that abortion is not murder.
Now as far as the Catholic issue- if you are going to be a Catholic than be a Catholic- this is not a buffet where you can pick or choose- take it or leave it. (And some of you, I hope, will leave it.)

Another piece of the larger puzzle ... how does the Catholic Church keep so many people coming back, to keep coughing up money (that IS the main reason for parishioners to exist)???

Kudos to Fr. Newman. Abortion is the murder of innocent baby boys and girls...to the tune of 4,000 per day in this country. Obama went furtherthan that. He voted against giving medical care for babies who survived abortions. That's infacticide. One such baby died in the arms of a nurse in an Illinois hospital. Also, it is the duty of clerics to protect the sanctity of the Eucharist and its reception. Even St. Paul said that! Read the Bible. Fr. Newman writes his piece after the elections; therefore, does not infringe upon tax exemptions...and, so what if he did? Is not the protection of human life above all other priorities? I am pro-life and love my Catholic church! Good job, Fr. Mewman.

As a survivor of the predatory bishop Anthony J. O’Connell, I can tell you that the Roman Catholic Church its bishops and many of its priests and nuns have relinquished their moral authority as demonstrated by their inability to deal honestly with child molesters within their midst. Unless they seek confess to their collaboration in crimes against children, do penance, and make full restitution they cannot be taken seriously. As for dictating the norms of American democracy and political life, they have no place in the system, that is unless they want to start paying taxes, open their financial records to public scrutiny, and operate their businesses per legal and financial dictates.

Fr. Newman has acted appropriately as the pastor of a Catholic parish according to canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law. Anyone who disagrees with his action is free to appeal to the Papal Nunciature in Washington, which represents the Holy See in such matters, and they are also free to take their grievance to the Church's High Court, but of course Archbishop Burke is the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura (i.e., the Church's Supreme Court) and he already used canon 915 a few years ago against pro-abortion politicians in Wisconsin.

All of you on this site who see abortion as some political position or as somehow morally equivalent to the death penalty have no clue what abortion is or what it does to women.

Abortion is a highly profitable industry that treats women and their babies like cattle. They have no concern for a woman's right. They are all about profit and productivity. Just do some basic research before you support abortion or some one like Obama. By the way, you ain't going to find the truth on the planned parenthood website... dig a little deeper.... Google ex-abortion provider testimony...

They have people (usually the junior workers) that are responsible for counting the baby's parts to make sure they got all of him or her. Then then take those parts and put them down the disposer or toilet!!! How sick is that!

It's not a political position. It's a tragic disease that has infected this country and, apparently, now our Catholic faithful....

I am glad I listened to the church and don't have to feel the guilt when Obama rescinds the partial birth abortion ban. The blood of that first 8 month old baby that gets partially delivered and stabbed in the back of the head is on your hands and yours alone.....

With five Catholics on the Supreme Court, it's only a matter of time until the Vatican starts threatening our justices with eternal damnation if they don't sell out the U.S. Constitution in favor of misogynistic doctrine from Rome.

This has nothing to do with the pro-choice or anti-choice stand. I strongly believe Fr Newman made his decision solely on the basis of color. I'm not white, or black or a mixture, and believe myself to be fair and impartial to this situation.

Quoting from Pope John Paul’s Address to the U.S. Catholic Bishops in Los Angeles in 1987:

It is sometimes reported that a large number of Catholics today do not adhere to the teaching of the Church on a number of questions, notably sexual and conjugal morality, divorce and remarriage. Some are reported as not accepting the Church’s clear position on abortion. It has also been noted that there is a tendency on the part of some Catholics to be selective in their adherence to the Church’s moral teachings. It is sometimes claimed that dissent from the Magisterium is totally compatible with being a “good Catholic” and poses no obstacle to the reception of the Sacraments. This is a grave error that challenges the teaching office of the Bishops of the United States and elsewhere.

Quoting from Pope John Paul’s encyclical TheGospel of Life:

Saint Paul emphasizes that "the commandment ... you shall not kill ... and any other commandment, are summed up in this phrase: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself' " (Rom 13:9; cf. Gal 5:14). Taken up and brought to fulfilment in the New Law, the commandment "You shall not kill" stands as an indispensable condition for being able "to enter life" (cf. Mt 19:16-19)…
From the beginning, the living Tradition of the Church--as shown by the Didache, the most ancient non-biblical Christian writing--categorically repeated the commandment "You shall not kill": "There are two ways, a way of life and a way of death; there is a great difference between them... In accordance with the precept of the teaching: you shall not kill ... you shall not put a child to death by abortion nor kill it once it is born ... The way of death is this: ... they show no compassion for the poor, they do not suffer with the suffering, they do not acknowledge their Creator, they kill their children and by abortion cause God's creatures to perish; they drive away the needy, oppress the suffering, they are advocates of the rich and unjust judges of the poor; they are filled with every sin. May you be able to stay ever apart, o children, from all these sins!".

I have always been very proud of my faith as a catholic and yet the more I see how the church judges and places judement on others which is NOT THEIR PLACE.. the more disgusted I am with it iall. Do you realize how very very wrong this is??

so you preach the bible the word of God so what?? That does not make you God, that does not mean you get to choose who is evil and who is good. The bible also states to love thy neighbor it doesn't say "love thy neighbor unless they get an abortion or are unless they are homosexual".

It makes me sick that a religion that I grew up with and still hold to me, is so judemental of not only a womans right to her own body and what happens to it but also to how they treat people from the Gay community. I for one will be marching in protest of the approval of prop E, I believe that every human being has the God given right to love and to be loved! So what if they happen to love someone of the same sex.

I am very sad and very disgusted to call myself a catholic at the present time.

This is a great way for a priest to jeopardize his church's tax exempt status. Not only that, though his speach may not be illegal, any attempt to enforce this could be a federal crime.

Will of God... Life... Existence here is a temporal one. I haven't seen an everlasting body, have any of you? A vessel for learning keeps not the learned. Of little faith if you believe the body is you. Of course this not take away responsibility of action. We will inherit what we give and if we take so will it be taken. Why then will the wish to stop the learning. It is law that what you hate you saw in yourself first.

As a Catholic I am offended, as an American I am as appalled by this statement from a priest.
Father, We Americans believe in separation between Church and State. We do not pander to one group of Christians over another; or for that matter Christian beliefs over non-Christian beliefs. Pres. Elect Obama understands this.
Geo. W's pandering to "Faith Based" anything from the White house has been an abomination against our Constitution.
People, historically, come here for freedom from intrusion into their spiritual lives.
Our votes are also supposed to reflect our stepping away from the influences of "Faithful Sheep" who allow others to decide what educated voters are supposed reason
out for themselves.
Your stance on the Obama vote is religious blackmail. I think your ability to consecrate the host should be suspended.
I believe that you are giving the Catholic church a black eye with the American public. We Americans are supposed to be tolerant of other’s faiths or lack there of. We are ruled by Law here. I will remind you that no one is forcing anyone to get an abortion.
There are other more pressing issues to consider in this election. The abortion issue will be decided in the courts or in Congress. Not by the President. Among the more pressing issues are the very rights to our religious freedoms that you seek to steal from practicing Catholics.
You shame your robes with your intolerance..

Another great example of hypocrisy in the oldest form: Religion.

This priest has made a laughing stock of the Roman Catholic communion; he should be defrocked and excommunicated.

the reason i've turned away from religion is because of nutcases like this. the lies, the hypocrisy, and the fanatics have shown that religion is not the way to peace, but just another means of segregation, holier than thou attitudes run amuck by insane preachers and even more insane followers. If there ever is a heaven (neither denying nor confirming that there is) these nutbags are sure as hell wont be entering those pearly gates.

First it's targeting those who support choice. Then what? Withholding communion from couples using contraception? Or couples having premarital sex? The divorced but sexually active adult? This priest doesn't have the cojones to call for that. That cuts too close to the lives of many of the folks that sit in their pews. Definitely wouldn't be good for the bottom line.

I have met many women that thought about abortion and did not have it, but instead gave birth. Not a one regretted their decision. On the other hand, so many women, and the most dedicated people against abortion are women that as youngers had abortions and are probed with guilt throughtout their lives. The guilt of abortion grows stronger as a women ages, has other children, and thinks in silence what was and is no more.

i am fascinated by the fact that so many of these comments are blatantly anti-catholic in general..bringing up things that are WRONG among SOME priests(abuse etc) and linking that with this speech. 1) During the Vietnam War when i was a war protestor...the Berrigan Brothers(Priests) who got arrested for their antiwar activities...were hailed as heroes by the antiwar people...everyone was so glad that the Church was involved 2) the Church has been criticized often for not being more forceful against Hitler It seems that if the Church speaks out against something u dont like .you are thrilled to have the backing..and if they disagree with you ..well they are supposed to remain silent!!=u are the hypocrites!

After reading some of the vitriol, misdirection and downright lies here from the pro-babykilling crowd, I'm beginning to see where Reverend Jeremiah Wright formed his opinion about America.

Again, The Founding Fathers did not want to rule out Religion (ie: Faith in a Higher Power whoever or whatever he/she may be), as part of common civil society, but come out against a Government Established Church, such as the The Church of England, Anglican. "The Keep Out of Civil Society and Political Thought" folks (especially the legal profession) has conned American Public into believing that Church (Organized as a State Entity) and Religion which is a faith based belief system are both the same and Church/Religion are against the Constitution. Nonsense.

This is hypercritical.....thats what makes it so good. Virtualy all Obama voters are hypercritical also. So whats the difference...............
I would explain that , but knowing you are all clinching youf fists right now......well lets just say it entertaining to me...
toodles!

WOW, Father Newman. If I were in the college of cardinals, you'd have my vote for pope!! Good job and we need to hear more sound doctrine from the pulpits.

Oremus

I was raised catholic and have thankfully recovered. During the entire history of the catholic church hellfire and brimstone tones have been used to control the "base." All the while, those spewing the message live in bold contradiction of what they preach. IE: Vow of poverty does not equal papal residence and privilege. Oh, and the vow of celibacy? I didn't realize little boys were the loop hole. One final rant: "And the meek shall inherit the earth" So I guess that means the catholic power structure won't be invited to the reading of THAT will...Hypocrates!

I am not sure why the Globe thinks that every aspect of the Catholic religion should be subject to secular review. I am sure that there are comments from Rabbis, ministers and other religious leaders that could be posted for critisism, however the Globe has continually attacked the Catholic church, and occasioanlly publishes articles that attempt to make the Globe appear as if it is "fair" to the Catholic Church. I am not a Catholic, nor am I originally from this area, but it is obvious that the Globe is looking to create tension for the Catholic Church in this region.

SHAME ON THIS PRIEST. HE IS A FOUL MAN AND SHOULD BE STRIPPED OF HIS COLLAR!!!!!!!!! HOW DARE HE TELL ANYONE WHO SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT RECEIVE COMMUNION. I WILL BE SENDING A VERY ANGRY LETTER TO HIS BISHOP.

Wow! Look at all the anti Popes out there! Have we gone from "This Old House!" to "This Old Church?"

Man bites dawg! The newspapers ought to send this Priest a big fat contribution check. I hope FOX has sent one to Rev. Wright. After all, both Clergyman's opinion became public when it was too late (after Super Tuesday and after the election) to do anyone any good.

And when are you guys going to bring back Mutt and Jeff? I loved it when they painted themselves into a corner and then hung themselves on the wall to finish the job. Maybe we should update it and call it Barry and Joe?

Please remember, the Priest may be corrupt but the Mass is always sacred. Had he spouted off before the election it would have caused more sin just like when the Church used to rate films. Once a film was given the official Church "condemned meat" stamp of disapproval, the attendence would shoot up to Heaven.

So poop!

Good for Fr. Newman in writing an eloquent letter. Some of you commenting as
Catholics are gravely in error on your facts of what the Catholic faith is about.
The cathecism DOES allow for the death penalty and war to preserve
civilization. Would you rather have anarchy? Study the words of Christ Jesus.
He never waivered from his main message nor the 10 commandments.
Neither has the Church. Not when it comes to the treatment of children and
the unborn. Interesting that Hippocrates was pro life in his time. No, not all members of the Church are honest people.. There are hippocrites. Just as there are amont Church members ! If you want to get back to the separation of Church andState, then you must, MUST remember that some of what many of you are advocating as the Church modernizing, is actually you putting your politics to work against the Church demanding it change. Jesus never waivers.

Of the handful of women I know who have had abortions, none regretted it at all, and all were grateful to have the option of safe, legal abortion. Incidentally, I've also been present at an abortion (as an interpreter) at Planned Parenthood. From the time the woman begins the consultation up until the very moment before the procedure, she's asked at least three or four times if she understands and wants to back out. They simply are not gleeful about "killing babies", they are just providing health care to an adult woman who requests it. Anyone who says she was "coerced" into an abortion by a health professional is in serious denial and having trouble acknowledging her own personal responsibility.

Can you blame so many folks for being anti-Catholic? The disclosure that so many priests raped so many boys was unearthed right here in Boston. Made me feel wicked ashamed that this has been happening under our own sanctimonious noses. Horrific! What a blow to this 'religious institution.' This has tarred the image of Catholicism in an unreversible way.

What kills me the most (yeah, Fr. Newman, yer killing me with your dumbass logic) is his line about how a woman's right to choose presents A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER to the country. Hello?? Abortion has legal for 25 years and I haven't heard of pro-lifers blowing up federal buildings in Oklahoma or plotting to assassinate political officials.

Annie,

You are a beacon of reason in a sea of madness.

Father Newman has a conscience too. I have every reason to believe that he wrote the letter to his flock in good conscience and in keeping with his role as the pastor of his parish. All of you who think that conscience is king should understand that.

Cheers,
Tom from Greenville, SC

Beyond the separation of church and state issues, in which I feel that parish should lose its tax exempt status.

Could this be considered a type of voter fraud? Is there a threat to people who voted in a particular manner? Were any of the votes from that region under duress and thus as a contract invalid?

To this I say: AMEN! AMEN! we need more priests who stand up for what is right in following the doctrines, rules, and regualtions of the Catholic Church.
You cannot be a cafeteria Catholic--- either you are a faithful Catholic or you are not Catholic!

If you vote for God, you wind up with George Bush. Apparently, the wacko priests value unborn Americans over living, breathing Iraqi babies.

The following extensive quote is from something written and posted by Alexander Abraham Winogradsky Frenkel , a theologian and Eastern orthodox priest specialized in the connection between Judaism and Christianity, on his blog. He states a few things that are relevant to this discussion much more eloquently than I feel I can.

“When Jesus decided to choose and appoint His Disciples, he did not select new friends, companions, buddies, pals. He performed a sort of “liturgical and churching-in” by calling the Twelve so that they would witness for the oneness of faith in God and the reality of the universality of the Church as born of God and not self-cooptation. We do not choose each other in the Church. Or if we do so, we quickly experience that we exclude the others, those we consider as aliens and they usually behave the same way.

Indeed, Jesus does not belong to anybody and the Holy Spirit that abides the Church cannot be packed up and distributed according to our measures. This tracks back to the “Catholic or sobornyi” aspect of the Body of the Risen Lord that the Church assembles. In my opinion, there is no “from above” or “from below” relationships in the Church. All despotic systems are called to die and also those who would try to introduce such method into the realm of faith and ecclesiology. On the other hand, in Aristotle’s’ Greek “to kath’olu = in general” refers to a wide range of adopted theological Christian realities. “Kath’olou” is not linked or limited to measures, spaces, cultures. “Kath’olu” means “toward the whole” and, in the tradition of the Church, encompasses all things/anything working as “an acting factor leading to unity and fulfillment”. Therefore, the Church is “Catholic = katholika” when she in-gathers any “tiny” and global matter, thing or person that reaches out to the totality of God in the Body of Jesus Christ, which is strictly a gift of the Holy Spirit as Saint Paul stated (1 Corinthians 12:-4-13).

Like most organized religions, it is based on driving a wedge through communities and producing prejudice all in the name of some sky dwelling entity. It is really pathetic that it is still relevant.

Hey Newbie, My father used to say: "if you don't play the game, then don't make the rules" Since you prefer sleeping with boys, you shouldn't be telling a woman what to do with her body! Go Obama.

#412 Did I see you come out of Newbies quarters?

Ultimately the issue is the Roman Catholic Church's interpretation of the sacrament, rather than abortion. I, a Protestant, am excluded because the Church has decreed that only people who subscribe to its dogmatic interpretation of the Body and Blood (and therefore all its other interpretation of what constitutes sin) are worthy to receive Christ. Fr. Newman may be correct as a Roman Catholic, but, as a non-Catholic Christian I have to wonder about a theology that denies me or even a pro-choice voter the possibly that Christ could meet me on his terms at the Table of the Lord. The Sacrament of Holy Communion has been turned into a weapon against sinners rather than an opportunity to meet the Risen Lord.

Culture war? There is no culture war. You do what you believe to be right in YOUR life, and I'll do what I believe to be right in MY life. You oppose abortion? I understand. Make sure then, that YOU don't have an abortion. If my wife determines that she needs to have an abortion, she will have an abortion. And that effects you --- ZERO. Her decision is none of your business. Stay out of other people's lives and other people's business. Tend to your own life and your own business. If there's a war, it's because you want to fight.

God bless President-elect Barack Obama.

McCain is pro-war, and both are pro-death penalty. Therefore, wouldn't that make neither of them, "Pro-Life?" Hopefully in future elections, there is a further trend against theological mythology that oppresses women, homosexuals, and anyone else who doesn't agree with outdated, debunked dogmatism.

I'm so glad to see logical, rational and hopeful thinking triumph over the phenomenal hypocrisy, lunacy and self-aggrandizing "leaders" of the Catholic Church. This priest is clueless and arrogant, not unlike George Bush who thinks that complicated decisions for the world's most powerful nation should be "faith-based." The most important thing our nation ever did was have separation of church and state. This priest is entitled to his opinion and to his religion, however ridiculous the former, and hypocritical the latter. I hope his parishioners and other Catholics see this for it's profound insanity. Just because he is a priest doesn't mean he's right (as though we needed any further evidence). I'm a 40's white male from the Carolinas, now living in Boston, and I have never been more proud of my vote than when I cast it for President-elect Obama. He has massive challenges ahead, but he's earned my vote and he will have my support as a citizen to try to meet those challenges. That some priest would take a position that his parishioners shouldn't take communion because they voted for Obama based on a single issue like abortion shows the depth of arrogance, the narrowness of focus, the pervasiveness of hypocrisy, and the vastness of the Church's irrelevance in today's world. Get real. Are we still having these conversations?

There will come a time when religious zealots cannot hide behind Christianity to exhort their will on the rights and decisions of woman who have and will make the most difficult decision of their life, which is between themselves and their savior. Are your beliefs biblically consistent with Jesus' message of Love and Grace from God? If folks were as consistent with preaching and writing letters on their own church's sins against children - maybe they would have some credibility to speak against the rights and decisions of others. Until then, stay out of peoples’ bedroom and pray for their salvation. You have no right to judge anyone. Your hands are not clean. Would Jesus Christ be consumed by this issue, I think not.

isn't the catholic church the one that has been taking of advantage of innocent helpless children for years? C'mon mr priest, get with the program..Separation of Church and State..This is the 1300's when the church ruled how society is supposed to think..

Comment #22 says a lot about the man. Having someone that has actually sat in front of this man while on the pulpit speaks loud and clear.

...and this is why I am no longer a catholic

Oh, if only he had molested some children ... then he would be solid!

"What me worry?!"

First of all,Catholics need to learn the basics of their church.To be a true catholic you must obey the leadership of the church.This is because from the beginning. the church was established by christ and was promised to receive his infallabe guidance.this was believed from the time of the earliest church fathers in the first century.So therefore for true catholics,to disagree with the Church is to disagree with God.Church doctrine is infallable.Catholics who disagree with the church should either change their minds or change their church,because you are really a protestant anyway..Protestants have no real church authority.

It seems to be the opinion of many, that because a small percentage of priests sinned horribly,that the catholic church no longer has any authority.and that they no longer can speak out against evils like abortion.The catholic church has paid a great price for the evil perpetrated by some of its priests,and has sought out ways to make reparations as best as possible. May those who murder children for profit in the abortion clinics and those who support them someday also seek repentance as the church has.It seems that many of you will condemn the priests who abused children,,but support the right of mothers to kill the one in their womb

What a perfect example of religious intolerance! But then this is coming from a church rife with pedophiles, so I guess pregnancy isn't a concern for them.

Kudo's Father Newman. This nation was founded as one nation UNDER GOD. That is one belief that many of us hold fast to today. By electing a godless heathen to the white house we have jepordized our whole country. And about the innocent Iraqi's, what about the innocents in the towers and the pentagon, and on those planes...save your bleeding heart crap for those who deserve it. Remeber one truth, war is a sin, but sometimes a neccessary one.

I think many of the people commenting here that abortion is only one issue of many have never seen the video footage of an abortion being done. I saw such a video a week or so before the election on YouTube. I challenge them to watch it and see if it is still only one issue among many. The Church has consistently maintained that killing the innocent, especially the most innocent children in the womb, is priority number ONE. Fr. Newman is therefore being entirely consistent with Church doctrine in exhorting "catholics" who voted for Obama to confess material cooperation with evil before receiving. While I believe McCain is also at heart pro-choice (up until this campaign he maintained abortion is ok for rape and incest victims, and he supports embryonic stem-cell research, and he also supported three of the pro-choice judges on the SC) catholics who voted for him were trying to prevent a greater evil. Chuck Baldwin and Ron Paul were true pro-life (if longshot) candidates,
One final thought - speaking as the sister of an abuse victim. Did it ever occur to some of you that the reason God allowed evil to flourish in the Church heirarchy was because the people adopted unnatural and anti-life attitudes and behavior concerning God's Natural order of marriage and family? Such as contraceptive use, and divorce? What makes you think it is okay for us to do these things and yet expect no decay among our leaders and institutional Church? Marriage is a vocation centered around creation and raising of children - not simply a vehicle for adult pleasures. If society takes pains to destroy the notion of marriage as vocation, that destruction spreads far beyond what we do with our own marriages, and spreads beyond that institution to others, including the priesthood.
God bless you, Fr. Newman!

Kudos Father Newman. Unborn Americans are dying at a rate of 3600 per day. Global execution of the unborn is 60 million annually, and Obama will be sponsoring that as well. Every one of us started in utero. But not every one of us will become a war casualty or soldier killed in action. We ought, by nature, to have a natural camaraderie with our unborn brothers and sisters, who die in exponentially higher numbers. I grieve for my fellow "Catholics" in this thread that still don't get that.

but voting pro war, pro death penalty, thats ok? this priest is a dummy.

Rev Newman is the worst KKK and racist of this century. He is talking for this Catholicism of which I belong.

In #436, it is asked: “isn't the catholic church the one that has been taking of advantage of innocent helpless children for years?” And if you mean that a small percentage of Catholic priests sexually abused children, the answer is yes.

But on Judgment Day, when God is judging you according to what you have done (Romans 2:6), will what some priests did be your excuse when you account for your vote for Mr. Obama, who appears intent on preserving and strengthening the Supreme Court-created “right” to abortion-–a “right” to kill innocent unborn human beings? If Obama had no supporters, he wouldn’t have been elevated to the presidential office. With abortion opponents on the ballot, a vote for Obama surely constitutes “material cooperation with intrinsic evil.”

Steve of MV

There is certainly a lot of stone casting here and I pray that Like St. Paul, it is lovingly accepted as a test of faith.

We know that the Magisterium is the teaching authority of the church but while the Bishops are the "collegial character" of the ecclesial ministry, our priests are equally "In Persona Christi Capitis".

While I've heard a few Bishops speak at the occasional Mass, the last time I met a Bishop was years ago at my Confirmation and I'll bet that's the same for most Catholics. Since then I have spoken primarily to those men who have chose to be on the "FRONT LINES" so to speak. It is Priests like Fr. Newman and Fr. Longnecker who are out there walking amongst us sinners trying to make us into saints every single day and whom have most certainly have helped form my conscience and I for one am very grateful. Their guidance together with the Catechism and the gifts I seek of the Holy Spirit through prayer has largely formed my conscience.

As Msgr Laughlin correctly states from the Catechism, man CAN form his or her own conscience. Of that there can be no doubt. But the CCC also recognizes that for Catholics the conscience is primarily formed through the teachings of the Magisterium aided by the witness and advice of others (let's hope that's our Priests), and guided by the Holy Spirit within ourselves through reflection and prayer.

Forming a conscience requires a lot more than agreeing or disagreeing with the internet opinions of others or with politicians and their policies. It takes many years and requires a clear understanding of first who we are, where we are, where we're going and how we intend to get there. As Catholics it requires asking many questions of ourselves and then with much study, reflection and prayer, asking some very basic questions: Is your eternal life worth more to you that your physical material life? Is your eternal life worth more to you than your political life? Or perhaps your Social Life?

Truly only you can answer those questions for yourselves. And only you can act on the answers, for indeed it IS your own soul that is at stake. That is what St. Paul was reminding us in 1 Cor 11:29 when he said "lest they eat and drink their own condemnation".

Either way you choose to form your own conscience, it is truly yours and only you are responsible for your own thoughts, actions and sins.

As Catholics, we are SUPPOSED to be in a STATE OF GRACE and as free from all sin as possible before receiving Holy Communion! This is nothing new at all. See how pure, sinless and "Full of Grace" was our Blessed Mother Mary when she received the Body of Christ within her! To receive the sacred Body and Blood of Christ within us, we should strive to be as free from sin as we can consciously be. That goes for all aspects of our lives, not just this particular issue.

I find an awful lot of irony in this. In St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 11, from which Fr. Newman correctly quoted, he calls for Christian Order and for us to be "Imitators of Christ."

If you believe as Catholics do that our Priests are "In Persona Christi Capitus", and that they are Imitators of Christ, then only to mock and jeer when they make a stand for your eternal souls in trying to ensure the same thing for you, are you not then also mocking and jeering Jesus the Christ Himself?

Then there's that whole casting of the first stone thing.

This is exactly the kind of religious zealot that has had people burned at the stake as witches, stoned to death because of adultery, and crucified on a cross because they don't toe the party line.

This clown is the reincarnation (just kidding) of high priest, Caiaphas.

I am from the south, the BIBLE belt, where church is an everyday part of life and we walk in God's path. There are deeper issues with obama than just his stance on abortion. It seems to me that the people who have the largest problems with Father Newman aren't even from the south and have probably never seen a southern church. A bunch of athiest who don't believe in Christ yet celebrate Christmas, Hypocrites. You people who voted for obama have in fact voted for the anti-christ (revelations). I think it will be interesting to see who is going to be praying the hardest when obama leads this country into pergatory.

As an Reverend, I am apalled that my brother of the cloth can come out with this political nonsence. when is it the place of those that preach the word to condem anyone. Christ says I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man come to the father but by me. no where does it says that those that vote against what the catholic church was is sent to hell. No where in the commandments does it say thou shalt not vote for obama. I am disgusted that this priest can stand in blasphamy using the name of Our Hevenly Father to preach worldly politics. He should be more concerned with saving souls and bringing them to the Lord, then shunning those that do or dont do what he thinks is right. Jesus didn't shun those that needed him, he gracisouly embraced them hin his arms. Even on the cross he didn't condem the sinners, he told him tonight your will eat with the Father in heaven. The bible, and Christ himself teach love one another. Everyone gets caught up in pro-life vs. pro-choice. The facts are simple, Roe vs Wade made abortions legal. This is a legal matter not a church matter. The constitution calls for a seperation of church and state. The churchs job is simple. Forgive as Christ forgave. Judge not for thy will be judge. It is the job us us priests to preach the word and guide in the teachings of christ not condem those around us. That is the Fathers job and the Fathers alone. For those that have accepted Christ as their savior is says that all sin is forgiven. All sin is all inclusive, Past, present, and future sin. The bible says he cast them in the sea of forgetfulness. The Father only sees those washed in the blood. Those that have accepted his gift. We as the Church need to remember our vows to teach and love as Christ has. Nowhere do our vows state take up arms against those that dont believe as we do. Let the Father Judge, for that is his job, Not the Preist, Rabbi, Minister, Reverend, or any other Clergy. Love one another as I love you.

GOD blesses those who stand in the assembly for what HE says is right.
Thank you for your spiritual conviction.

Reverend Mark,

"You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this?"

Permit me to respond to a few of your points:

1. "No where in the commandments does it say thou shalt not vote for obama. " The point here is that the Church asserts that the unborn are living human beings and that abortion is murder and therefore this is covered by the commandments.

2. "He should be more concerned with saving souls and bringing them to the Lord, then shunning those that do or dont do what he thinks is right." You have it completely wrong. Father Newman is concerned with saving souls. He is trying to shout, "Look out, you may have fallen into sin. Repent." Wouldn't you want a warning?

3. "Jesus didn't shun those that needed him, he gracisouly embraced them hin his arms. Even on the cross he didn't condem the sinners, he told him tonight your will eat with the Father in heaven." Do we read the same gospel stories? Jesus, of course, reaches out to the sinners, but not to leave them in their sin. He likens himself to a doctor who seeks out the sick and afflicted. Jesus, in fact, has rather strong words for those who are too proud to see their own sins; here are his rather strong words from Chapter 9 of John: "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains." No group hug there.

3. "This is a legal matter not a church matter." Are laws always right? Do we really always get it right? How can we measure the justice of a law?

4. "For those that have accepted Christ as their savior is says that all sin is forgiven. All sin is all inclusive, Past, present, and future sin." Here we get to the real nub of the argument. You have a very different theology from the Catholic Church (and, I might add, from most Christian churches). The Catholic Church teaches that your past and present sins are forgiven at Baptism, but that you can sin again. The sacrament of Reconciliation is there to bring us back to God. This is what Father Newman is asking his flock to do.

5. "Let the Father Judge, for that is his job, Not the Preist, Rabbi, Minister, Reverend, or any other Clergy." Yes, ultimately the Father will judge. But each of us must judge ourselves as well. Father Newman is not judging anyone in particular; he did not point anyone out by name. Rather he pointed out that the Church teaches that voting for a pro-choice candidate when a viable alternative exists is sinful. He wants us to examine ourselves and see if this applies to us. In the end we must judge ourselves.

Regards,
Tom from Greenville, SC

Simple. Revoke their tax-exempt status.

Wow! It is truly amazing to see how selfish and unconcerned the majority of Americans are...there is no seperation of Church and state. You either are a Christian/Catholic that believes in the authority of Jesus Christ as the Son of God,who came to die for the forgiveness of your sins...or you aren't. Believers are called to trust in the words he spoke and The Church He founded. Regardless of what 1% of priests did to little boys, we are not free to murder millions of innocent children. If any of you who mocked this priest read your Bible, you wouls see he is trying to save this country from God's Divine Justice. He is right on the money!

I have never read such a mass of ill-informed, cry babies, and whiners in my whole life.
That priest did exactly what he was supposed to do. Abortion is the worst evil that has ever been spawned by satan. That courageous priest told his congregation what he wanted them to do. He didn't yell it out in every media outlet in the country. If his parishoners don't like what he has to say, then they could go to the nearest Baptist Church. I think they approve of abortion there.

GET YOUR FOOD, SACRIFICED, FIRST HEREUNTO A PAGEN IDOL (while it still lasts)!

Just another reason I left the church I was raised in. Abortion is killing but the death penalty and war are not?!? What hypocrisy!! And don't even get me started on pedophile priests.

The alternative to Obama is was to drag this country down into serfdom. Oh yes, priests did fairly well in the dark ages didn't they? Spanish inquisition, wars all over the place, executions, burnings.........

It must be nice to live your life with such moral clarity, basing your views on God. who by the way, us mere mortals don't get to talk to like this priest.

What ever happened to render unto Caesar what is Cesar's In other words abide by man's laws for it is God's place to pass judgment, and Jesus' task to speak for us before God.

Additionally, didn't Obama's platform provide more for the poor than McCain? Didn't Jssus tell us that it is easider for a Camel to pass through the eye of the Needle than for a righ man to make it to Haevan?

Isn't there something about excommunication for Catholics who cooperate with abortionists?

Hey Idiots who say that the church should stay out of politics : the seperation of church & state is a restriction only on the federal government getting involved with religion; not that a church cannot speak to its beliefs. The priest is wrong in one respect: abortion cannot be absolved via the sacrement of pennance as this is one of Jesus'. However, abortion is a sin against the holy ghost and is a sin that is not able to absolved through any means ie abortion = fast track to hell; supporters of abortion the same??? Maybe; I'm glad I don't have to worry about this one.

ANOTHER example of religious extortion...

The Catholic Church was founded by....Jesus Christ himself. The only church that can truthfully make this claim. Jesus said "you are Peter and upon this rock I will build MY church and the very gates of Hell will NOT prevail against it" Mt: 16, 15-19. There has never been a perfect life lived by anyone including priests. Don't confuse pedaphile priests infiltrating the priesthood as a "priest" issue. There are many good priest who live awesome holy lives of service. Thanks be to God! Also, yes the bible does talk about confession. Jesus himself establishes it. Just keep reading the above passage. Father Newman was right. It IS HIS JOB to be concerned to care for the souls of the flock. Each day more children are aborted than people lost on 9-11. It needs to stop. Thanks Father Newman for teaching the truth and expecting a higher standard from us Catholics. Jesus said the road to heaven is narrow. By reading all the comments, one can see who is open to listen to the truth and who does not. Nothing new.

Response to Tom (#462): From the Catholic Church's Code of Canon Law (English translation copyright 1983 The Canon Law Society Trust):

Can. 1398 A person who actually procures an abortion incurs a latae sententiae excommunication.

Can. 1329...§2 In the case of a latae sententiae penalty attached to an offence, accomplices, even though not mentioned in the law or precept, incur the same penalty if, without their assistance, the crime would not have been committed, and if the penalty is of such a nature as to be able to affect them; otherwise, they can be punished with ferendae sententiae penalties.

FYI Barack Obama is NOT pro-abortion. He is pro-choice. There is a HUGE difference! And who is this guy to judge someone else? Isn't that kind of the point of being christian, to not judge others? If I went to this guy's church, I would stop going because of this. He wants to call Obama radical but look at what he is doing! That's logical...

Has anyone read the priest's original words? It seems that the AP article has misrepresented him. Can the website publish them?
Mother Teresa of Calcutta said: "A nation that kills its own children has no hope." What hope do we have? Yes, pro-life citizens should be working more to help pregnant women: they have been, through the Gabriel Project and countless other grassroots efforts to support pregnant women and mothers of infants, but they should do more. From exit interviews from abortion clinics, guess how many women say they would have kept the baby if they had had support? 90%. This shows that for the 3,000 babies aborted each day in our country, 2,700 of those mothers wish that they could have helped their child see the light of day. Imagine their sorrow. Either they had no support, or they were pressured to end the life of their child, or the so-called father of the child was absent: Stand up and be a man! And Senator Obama voted four times in the Illinois senate for legislation that would allow abortionists to kill a living child, not only in the womb, but even after the baby was alive outside the womb. Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi both opposed such legislation. Please pray for our president-elect, that he learn to protect women AND the helpless child in their womb.
Regarding the death penalty: yes, it may be evil or unjust, and it has certainly been misapplied, but it does not compare to the ending of the life of an innocent lamb that has not seen the light of day.
Regarding war and pre-emptive strikes: war is hell, no question: over one million civilians have died in Iraq and Afganistan in the past 7 years. But over seven million innocent children have died in the womb in that same span of time. War is evil, but abortion seems worse. There must be a better way: thousands of couples are waiting to adopt.
Please pray for my conversion and the conversion of our country, as I will for you.

Abortion does procur excommunication automatically but it does not have to be indefinetly.The sin of abortion can be forgiven. Many women with broken hearts, who grieve for what they have done, can go to confession and yes, have their sins absolved. Again this comes from Jesus's own mouth in Mt 16. The person must desire forgiveness and it must be heartfelt. The person must feel the resolve to never commit the same mistake. The person is asked to do some form of penance such as certain prayers. These poor women DO have recourse if it is genuine and heartfelt. Otherwise, if it is not heartfelt.....no absolvement.

Victoria,

You wrote: "FYI Barack Obama is NOT pro-abortion. He is pro-choice. There is a HUGE difference!"

The difference is not as big as the capital letters might indicate. I will admit that Obama is not actively pro-abortion; he would not force an abortion upon a woman. He is, however, passively pro-abortion; he will allow this practice to continue unchecked.

A question: when someone professes to be "pro-choice", would they allow the theft of their goods or the murder of their loved ones on the grounds that the thief or the murderer was exercising their "choice"? How deep IS their commitment to "choice"?

Regards,
Tom from Greenville, SC

I know one of the guys who makes the holy hosts and he voted for Obama.
Would it still be okay to receive it?

Im so glad that God is the only one who can judge the heart of all humans.

Churches should be taxed just like the rest of us.
Also because they have a strong voice in USA and money backing them up.

I am a Catholic and I dont agree with some of the things that certain priests have done it sickens me.But on the other hand I have to agree with the Reverend. When a child is concieived it is alive the first thing that is heard is a heartbeat it may not have a face, hands, feet. But it is alive. And when a person get an abortion it is murder. I think that people who get abortions should face the same as a person who has committed a murder outside the womb. And for those of you to say that a woman grieves when she gets an abortion is ignorant. If you dont want a child dont have relations and if you do use the methods that are given to you. I have 4 beautiful children and I love them. The new President given to us is clearly explained in Revelations read your bible

I myself am a catholic in Scotland, most of the people like me find some aspects of the church archaic, this would be one of them. To people in europe a lot of you seem to have pretty mental attitudes towards this matter. How on earth is Abortion considered more of an issue than the death penalty? I wouldn't personally sanction my partner having an abortion if I got her pregnant, however, I do not feel I have the right to tell a rape victim to have a child (which will have genetic connections to a rapist).

I believe in an individuals right to choose. A blob of potential, isn't to me, and individual yet. This is an issue for everyones individual morality, not something we can dictate.

My mother always told me the truth is like a double edge sword,we can accept it or deny it or debate it but the truth will as penetrate our hearts and it shall always be with us.No the CATHOLIC church is not just about abortion ,but it is for us to know GOD,serve GOD and be happy with him in heaven.How can we truly know HIM and following HIM when we knowingly destroy HIS children by a vote?It's our responsibility to defend the children who cannot speak yet or never will.It is a scientific fact that when 12 chromosomes of woman and the 12 chromosomes of a man come together he or she becomes life ,it's called "conception"you can call it what you want a blob,but the truth doesn't change.How can we make a rape victim become a victim again for her and her child .Also the death penalty is wrong ,but did not that person at least have a right to make their own moral choice and had a chance to come out of the womb.Our founding fathers founded this country on LIFE,liberty and the pursuit of happiness .You take away life the rest is meaningless. This is not just a moral it's a human rights Issue.And everybody has a right to life.But our "this man" that was voted in did indeed vote against three times against the born alive act when a child comes out screaming and crying and put into a bag to die.And wants to pass a law to CHANGE the conscience ethic laws for doctors to force more abortions ,not to mention the freedom of choice act. As a CATHOLIC are these the fundamental truths of the church?As CATHOLIC should we receive the Eucharist knowing such things in are conscience and heart?

GODBLESS