foodconsumer.org: Kennedy Denied Communion

Kennedy Denied Communion
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admin on 11/22/2009 18:04:00
 
By Rachel Stockton
Just as his uncle’s Catholic faith made headlines fifty years ago, Patrick
Kennedy’s Catholicism and its influence on his politics is currently making
news; albeit for vastly different reasons.
JFK’s dedication to his faith (he was the first Roman Catholic president) made
some uneasy; there were those who feared an unhealthy alliance between Kennedy
and the Pope would ensue if he was elected.   Patrick Kennedy’s apparent lack
thereof, at least when it comes to abortion, is causing tension and has
catapulted him into the headlines.
In a phone interview Saturday, Kennedy told reporters that Roman Catholic bishop
Tom Tobin has refused to allow to him to receive communion.   He also said that
Bishop Tobin has instructed other priests in the state to refuse Kennedy the
sacrament.  A spokesperson for Tobin, however, claims that he issued no such
mandate to other priests in the diocese.
The Catholic Church has unequivocally held on to its opposition on abortion;
while many Catholics now practice birth control, abortion is viewed as murder,
and an attempt to circumvent the will of God.
Holy Communion in the Catholic Church is one of the holy sacraments. Practicing
Roman Catholics believe in extreme unction; in other words, that the wine and
unleavened bread are transformed into the actual body and blood of Christ - a
belief that in itself, is somewhat controversial.