Is it the Roman Catholic Church's place to criticize Ruldoplh Giuliani position on abortion?

Question

In light of the fact that the Roman Catholic Church, Los Angeles Archdiocese, just settled its clergy abuse cases for at least $600 million, by far the largest payout in the church's sexual abuse scandal, is it hypocritical for them to denounce Giuliani as a corrupted Catholic politician. Should the church not concentrate on their own shortcomings before commenting on others. Does not the bible say "do not say brother let me get the speck from your eye when a plank comes out of your own. (paraphrased)?" Is there not separation of church and state?

Answer 1

The Church can criticize whomever it likes. You are not required to listen or agree. The Church's opinion of a politician's position does not place any binding obligations on either the politician or on the people who will be able to vote for or against him. There is no church/state issue here. The Church is always concentrating on improvement, including pointing out professed Catholic politicians who go against Catholic theology. Like it or not, Giuliani is Catholic, and people will associate him and his views with the Church. The Church doesn't want the general public or the Catholic congregation to believe that the RCC has no problem with abortion.

Answer 2

I think they can. The Catholic church has many problems with pedophile priests and I have criticized the handling and secrecy of these problems. However, they are too different issues. A church can criticize or support politicians as they see fit. The Catholic church has been very open about their opinion on abortion as have many, many other churches.

Yes you are correct in your paraphrasing of scripture. There is also scripture supporting standing up for your beliefs though too and supporting scripture for advising other believers.

My opinion is not in any way a criticism of your opinion of the Catholic church. I am very angry about their handling of this cover-up of abusive priests too.

Answer 3

Someone can be a misguided Catholic and “pro-choice.”

This is especially harmful when they are people of influence like politicians, who because of their influence may unduly direct others toward "the culture of death" instead of the "consistent ethic of life."

Politically supporting abortion is not a offense for which one can be excommunicated although a change in this rule is being discussed.

The Church law involved is Canon 915: Those who are excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Holy Communion.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' statement "Catholics in Political Life" says:

Therefore, like every Catholic generation before us, we must be guided by the words of St. Paul, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the Body and Blood of the Lord” (1 Cor 11:27).

And continues that it is up to each Bishop in their diocese and on a case by case basis to decide whether or not to deny Holy Communion to Catholic politicians because of their public support of abortion.

Here is the complete document: http://www.usccb.org/bishops/catholicsinpoliticallife.shtml

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

Abortion is in total opposition to Catholic teachings and practices, and no politician has the right to claim that he's a good Catholic, while advocating abortion.

The church has a perfect right to stand for moral beliefs and principles, always and everywhere, especially when it comes to other Catholics.

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

Answer 5

Romans 1:28-32 New King James Version (NKJV) 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[a] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[b] unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Answer 6

Is it the Catholic Church's place to criticize a non-Catholic position that is being held by a Catholic? Yes, it is.

Answer 7

I agree, it's like Clinton committing perjury and going free while others are in jail for lying under oath.

As for Rome, they have been unmasked. One 19th author says We can best appreciate what Rome is by observing what they were in the past.

No Rome has not, nor will never change. The Bible calls people to come out of this false religion professing to occupy the Throne of Peter (sic.).

The Bible says in Revelation 18:2 : "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities."


Enough said? Probably not, but Rome is described in a Bible code at: http://abiblecode.tipod.com

Blessings, Balaam

Answer 8

so your blaiming the acts of some priest on the whole body of the church?

Answer 9

Meg: you are definitey a warrior

Answer 10

it is not really an issue of church and state....the catholic church as doen everything it can to destroy the gospel of Jesus....they need to leave Guiliani alone....the catholic church is guilty of too many murders in the name of God to point the finger...

however, abortion is wrong..so that is a separate issue.