Word: sacraments
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...Unfit for the Sacrament? As a devout roman catholic, I am deeply troubled by the declaration of some American Catholic bishops that pro-life politicians who vote against church teachings on abortion should be denied Communion [June 21]. The conservative political undercurrent is painfully obvious. Taking Communion is a highly personal and profound experience. To politicize it for any reason is shameful. George Nessman Walnut Creek...
...that didn't seem like such a big deal then, it does now. A handful of other church leaders have since echoed Archbishop Raymond Burke's declaration that Catholic politicians who vote against church teachings are unfit for the sacrament that more than any other symbolizes a Catholic's ongoing connection to the faith. At least one of those leaders--Colorado Springs, Colo., Bishop Michael Sheridan--has even suggested that unrepentant Catholics who so much as vote for a pro-choice politician should stay away from the Communion rail. Kerry meanwhile insists that he will continue to practice both...
...learned tolerance by now and ceased engaging in petty political machinations. Has the church come to terms with the numerous allegations of sexual abuse of young boys by priests? Is it possible that all priests who are giving or taking Communion are without sin? I think not. Withholding a sacrament from a Catholic because that person's political beliefs are deemed not worthy is totally against the teachings of Christ. ANNE-MARIE MASSE Pierrefonds...
...slow samba can seduce two strangers into moving to each other's emotional time, and 2046 sways to Perfidia and Quiz?s, Quiz?s, Quiz?s. Cigarettes: everyone puffs away pensively; the fumes wrap the characters in a retro-chic warmth as they dedicate themselves to that mesmeric movie rite, the sacrament of smoking. The kiss: 2046 has one of the great ones, between Chow and Su. He stands her against a wall and presses mouth to mouth. He moves back, and we see Su's lipstick violently smeared. A tear courses down her right cheek, then another down her left...
...theologians say, Kerry's conduct is principally a matter between the candidate and his own Archbishop. Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley has given him Communion in the past; the Senator took the sacrament at O'Malley's installation last July. More recently, however, O'Malley has said that Catholic politicians who do not vote in line with church teachings "shouldn't dare come to Communion." But between the gay-marriage debate in Massachusetts and his efforts to repair the damage from the sexual-abuse scandal that began in his archdiocese, O'Malley already has a plateful of controversy. Kerry...