Liberal Catholic Maverick Priest finds HOLE

In today's edition of the NY DAILY NEWS, their liberal syndicated columnist, Fr. Andrew M. Greeley of Chicago, cites the Vatican in support of the Democrats' presidential candidate, John Kerry.

Senator Kerry claims to privately oppose abortion, but would do nothing to roll back the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized it. RC bishops have censured this wavering political opportunist for his spiritual cowardice and treason.

To which Greeley opined: "....Therefore, bishops are cast in the role of those who would take away the rights of women by the evercise of political clout. This is not a good position to be in when you affirm, as they do, the need to 'persuade' and to 'dialogue.' But how do those who disagree with The Church dialogue with leaders who believe they are absolutely right and that others are absolutely wrong? I can think of only one way that bishops might earn a hearing for their teaching. While insisting on their convictions, they should refrain from questioning the integrity and good faith of those who disagree..."

Therefore, according to Fr. Greeley who espouses Episcopal collegiality, our stand-up bishops are exercising personal partisan politics instead of their Episcopal responsibility by taking away a woman's "RIGHT" to abortion. He also writes that bishops should "EARN" a hearing for "THEIR" teachings and "THEIR" convictions -- and refrain from questioning the integrity and good faith of those who disagree." This from a "catholic" priest. As though the Magesterium of The Church is on a personal tangent like he is... What a jerk.

Fr. Greeley stresses a loop-hole and writes that Catholics are not obliged to vote on one issue, no matter how important the issue might be. They may vote for Kerry "for other reasons" as long as they are not supporting him merely for his pro-abortion stance.

"A Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in evil, and so unworthy to present himself for Holy Communion, if he were to deliberately vote for a candidate precisely because of the candidate's permissive stand on abortion and/or euthanasia. When a Catholic does not share a candidate's stand in favor of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation, which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons." -- (Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith)

Technically, the guy's right. There, you have it. It's NOT a sin. So go ahead... rationalize and give the abortionists your "indirect material cooperation" since this is a teaching of "traditional Catholic moral theology" according to this secular modernist, Fr. Greeley. However, what does your informed conscience guide you to do? And WWJD?

Fr. Greeley, Roman deacons like you should be invited to another special B-B-Q. And you would be my guest of honor on this Feast of St. Lawrence. The spit is ready... Roasted Irish Bacon, anyone?