Does Michael Sean Winters hate Patrick Kennedy? I’m serious.
If a friend of mine were running straight towards calamity I’d be inclined to yell out. Heck, even if an enemy of mine were dashing towards a ruinous end I’d be inclined to at least clear my throat or suggest they take a gander around.
No matter what, I certainly wouldn’t give press interviews about people’s right to run in any direction they choose.
But is liberal Catholic writer Michael Sean Winters’ hatred of all things Patrick Kennedy so raging and intense that he’s defending Congressman Patrick Kennedy’s right to run straight into danger?
That’s the big question that comes to my mind when reading Winters’ comments condemning Bishop Tobin’s private request of Kennedy not to receive Communion because of his public stance against life in the womb.
CBS reports:
Michael Sean Winters author of “Left At the Altar: How Democrats Lost The Catholics And How Catholics Can Save The Democrats” condemns Tobin’s punitive actions.
“It’s really bad theology,” said Winters. “You’re turning the altar rail into a battle field, a political battlefield no less, and it does a disservice to the Eucharist.”
Firstly, it is Kennedy who is making this a political battlefield. Bishop Tobin acted confidentially in a kind and loving way with Kennedy way back in 2007.
Kennedy, on the other hand, seems to believe that he can score some political points by casting himself as some kind of modern day Gallileo battling the Church but intent on only proving that he himself is the center of the universe.
Bishop Tobin’s actions are clearly meant as a way to ensure that other Catholics are not misguided into thinking that Kennedy’s behavior is condoned by the Church but also as a wake up call to a man who is putting his very soul in danger. I don’t suspect that Winters’ believes that reception of the Eucharist should have no requirements whatsoever so the only question that remains is whether Michael Sean Winters cares so little for the soul of Patrick Kennedy that he would condemn the bishop’s attempt to save him?
If one believes that supporting abortion is a sin, then one would also likely believe that supporting abortion (as Kennedy does) would put one’s soul in danger. While Winters clealy believes that Bishop Tobin’s reaction was harsh, does Winters believe that Bishop Tobin’s silence would be less so?
November 23, 2009 at 6:19 am
"it is Kennedy who is making this a political battlefield." Absoulutely correct. However to claim that it is Tobin is part of the smoke & mirrors they are using to divert the attention from the real issues.
November 23, 2009 at 9:34 am
America's legacy on the world last century, is nuclear weapons, a polarized world, a leftest South Africa, a rize in promiscuity, and its result_ HIV/AIDS, and abortion.
The Bishops need to speak out, so that your legacy changes, and so our governments change with it!
November 23, 2009 at 12:53 pm
"Political battlefield?" Does Mr. Winters suggest that the Church is siding with the Republicans when She defends the right of the unborn to live? It sounds the rationalization and party line that pro-abortion supporters use whenever the Church enforces discipline.
"Bad theology?" Mr. Winters is now a theologian and a critic thereof? And what is his good theology – one that teaches that even those who violate the commands of God by depriving others of their right to life?
November 23, 2009 at 4:24 pm
…casting himself as some kind of modern day Gallileo battling the Church but intent on only proving that he himself is the center of the universe.
Brilliant…what a great way to describe political narcissism. Hmmm…political narcissism…rather a redundant expression, no?
God bless Bishop Tobin for his refusal to back down! He is showing far greater charity towards the soul of Kennedy than his so-called friends and defenders…
November 23, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Why do so many people want to stand before their judge in a state of mortal sin? I'm sad to admit that I do my fair share of sinning, but I won't receive communion without going to confession first.
November 23, 2009 at 8:19 pm
This is in reality a case of the state trying to interfere with the internal affairs of the Church.
Kennedy is trying to use his position in politics and his high media profile to make the Church change from Her long standing position. He cannot do so and resorts to the use logical fallacies to prop up his untenable position.
His very method of debate (fallacies) invalidates his arguments and he simply wastes everybody's time trying to divert from the real issue which is that he is dead, and must repent to live.
Kennedy wants it both ways, which is entirely impossible. But that won;t stop him from trying to change the unchangeable: Truth.
November 24, 2009 at 2:58 am
It's not "theology", it's pastoral. Winters sounds dumb when he uses that word so out of place.
November 24, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Galileo was a man of vision and integrity who refused to sacrifice his principles on the altar of political convenience. kennedy known nothing of vision or integrity. However within his family he has learned first hand all about the sacrifice of personal moral principle in the name of politicial convenience. With such as his heritage one is not surprised that such is his practice. The Bishop is to be applauded for acting to discipline kennedy. He should not again be admitted to communion unless and until he is again in compliance with the faith that he claims.