If He Does Convert...
Let's hope he isn't another "Phony Tony" Blair
Interesting little article from The Catholic News Agency. Here's the meat and potatoes of it; (Emphasis mine)English paper announces President Bush may be considering Catholicism
Vatican City, Jun 13, 2008 / 05:50 pm (CNA).- Today as President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI met at the Vatican, the English newspaper, The Telegraph reported that Bush may be considering converting to Catholicism at the end of his presidential term. The Telegraph indicated that various Italian newspapers have been commenting on the news, especially Il Foglio.
A friend of President Bush, Fr. George William Rutler, who converted to Catholicism in 1979, stated that Bush respects how Catholicism was founded by Christ who appointed Peter as the first Pope. "I think what fascinates him about Catholicism is its historical plausibility," said the priest. "He does appreciate the systematic theology of the church, its intellectual cogency and stability." Fr. Rutler also mentioned that the president "is not unaware of how evangelicalism -- by comparison with Catholicism -- may seem more limited both theologically and historically."
According to the Washington Post, President Bush currently belongs to a Methodist church in Texas and attends an Episcopal church in Washington, D.C.
However, in recent years, the head of state has developed a strong relationship with the Pope and has made known his deep respect for Catholicism. The Telegraph noted that prior to his presidency, Bush's political advisor invited Catholic intellectuals to Texas to explain the teachings of the Church to the president. Bush has also appointed Catholic judges to the Supreme Court, has selected Catholic speech-writers and consultants, and has read the Pope’s theological books.
In April, prior to the Pope’s visit to the U.S., the Washington Post quoted William McGurn, one of Bush’s former writers who stated, "I used to say that there are more Catholics on President Bush's speechwriting team than on any Notre Dame starting lineup in the past half-century."
The Post’s story detailed the likelihood of Bush's possible conversion to Catholicism by quoting those close to the head of state. Rick Santorum, former U.S. senator, labeled Bush as a Catholic president. “I don't think there's any question about it. He's certainly much more Catholic than Kennedy."
While President John F. Kennedy struggled to balance his Catholic upbringing and politics, many of Bush’s positions on ethical matters such as gay marriage, abortion, and stem cell research are in line with the Church.
Yet, Bush has received criticism from Catholics who point out that his invasion of Iraq is strictly against the teachings of the Vatican. However, the Post mentions that prior to the war, the president met with Catholics to discuss just-war theory. “White House adviser Leonard Leo, who heads Catholic outreach for the Republican National Committee, says that Bush ‘has engaged in dialogue with Catholics and shared perspectives with Catholics in a way I think is fairly unique in American politics.’” I would like to point out that the quote from the article- "Yet, Bush has received criticism from Catholics who point out that his invasion of Iraq is strictly against the teachings of the Vatican." - is factually incorrect. There is no, and has never been a so-called "Vatican teaching" against the war in Iraq.
The current and previous pope may have had reservations and personally been against the war, but like I said, there is no definitive, binding-upon-pain-of-sin teaching against such.
If there were, than the hundreds of thousands of American, British, Australian, Canadian, Italian, Dutch, etc, Catholics who are members of those nations Armed Forces, as well as hundreds of Catholic Chaplains, would be in a state of mortal sin and de facto excommunicated for "going against Church Teaching".
Let's hope he isn't another "Phony Tony" Blair
Interesting little article from The Catholic News Agency. Here's the meat and potatoes of it; (Emphasis mine)
Vatican City, Jun 13, 2008 / 05:50 pm (CNA).- Today as President Bush and Pope Benedict XVI met at the Vatican, the English newspaper, The Telegraph reported that Bush may be considering converting to Catholicism at the end of his presidential term. The Telegraph indicated that various Italian newspapers have been commenting on the news, especially Il Foglio.
A friend of President Bush, Fr. George William Rutler, who converted to Catholicism in 1979, stated that Bush respects how Catholicism was founded by Christ who appointed Peter as the first Pope. "I think what fascinates him about Catholicism is its historical plausibility," said the priest. "He does appreciate the systematic theology of the church, its intellectual cogency and stability." Fr. Rutler also mentioned that the president "is not unaware of how evangelicalism -- by comparison with Catholicism -- may seem more limited both theologically and historically."
According to the Washington Post, President Bush currently belongs to a Methodist church in Texas and attends an Episcopal church in Washington, D.C.
However, in recent years, the head of state has developed a strong relationship with the Pope and has made known his deep respect for Catholicism. The Telegraph noted that prior to his presidency, Bush's political advisor invited Catholic intellectuals to Texas to explain the teachings of the Church to the president. Bush has also appointed Catholic judges to the Supreme Court, has selected Catholic speech-writers and consultants, and has read the Pope’s theological books.
In April, prior to the Pope’s visit to the U.S., the Washington Post quoted William McGurn, one of Bush’s former writers who stated, "I used to say that there are more Catholics on President Bush's speechwriting team than on any Notre Dame starting lineup in the past half-century."
The Post’s story detailed the likelihood of Bush's possible conversion to Catholicism by quoting those close to the head of state. Rick Santorum, former U.S. senator, labeled Bush as a Catholic president. “I don't think there's any question about it. He's certainly much more Catholic than Kennedy."
While President John F. Kennedy struggled to balance his Catholic upbringing and politics, many of Bush’s positions on ethical matters such as gay marriage, abortion, and stem cell research are in line with the Church.
Yet, Bush has received criticism from Catholics who point out that his invasion of Iraq is strictly against the teachings of the Vatican. However, the Post mentions that prior to the war, the president met with Catholics to discuss just-war theory. “White House adviser Leonard Leo, who heads Catholic outreach for the Republican National Committee, says that Bush ‘has engaged in dialogue with Catholics and shared perspectives with Catholics in a way I think is fairly unique in American politics.’”
The current and previous pope may have had reservations and personally been against the war, but like I said, there is no definitive, binding-upon-pain-of-sin teaching against such.
If there were, than the hundreds of thousands of American, British, Australian, Canadian, Italian, Dutch, etc, Catholics who are members of those nations Armed Forces, as well as hundreds of Catholic Chaplains, would be in a state of mortal sin and de facto excommunicated for "going against Church Teaching".
10 Comments:
Right-on, Cavey, especially as to the last.
The "just war" concept is hard for Bush and Catholic haters to grasp. Fine, now we've learned that Saddam wasn't as imminent a threat as we were all led - by his own braggadoccio as well as faulty Western intelligence - to believe. The lefties can piss and moan about intelligence failures all they want. All I know is a) there were an awful lot of genocidally induced deaths under Saddam, and his sons were poised to best him, and b) when my husband went to Kuwait to help the Army stand up several airfield and structural fire departments a few years back, he sat next to a Kuwaiti woman with a cute baby (he's a baby magnet) and they chatted for a great deal of the flight. She asked him about his purpose in visiting her country, if he was in the military, etc. When he said he was a retired Marine, her eyes grew huge and filled with tears, and she thanked him. When Kuwait was invaded, she was a student. Her home was overtaken by Iraqi soldiers. She, her mom, and her sister were repeatedly raped for days. Her savior was a 20 year old Marine who found her in a closet and, instead of raping her as she expected, he freed her, covered her with a blanket, and carried her to a medic.
So if we've prevented a repeat of that kind of evil and horror by removing the head of state responsible, I'd say it fits the "just war" category. Bush's decision making was flawed, but the goal was and is noble...and hopefully not unattainable.
If he becomes a Catholic, that'd be lovely, although if true, I think it would've been far more courageous and powerful if he'd done so before leaving office
While I would be happy to welcome the President to the Catholic Church, I don't believe that he's seriously planning to convert.
I'll believe it when I believe it. -Yogi Berra
The limp-wristed sissy Liberals whine about EVERYTHING. They are nothing but perpetually ticked off about EVERYTHING ~ it doesn't matter if it's war or the neighbor's dog pooing on their perfect lawns. I've come to see that Liberals are just plain UNHAPPY about EVERYTHING and so I no longer bat an eye as they carry on about the Iraq War. (Read the book "World War IV"... I'm not sure how totally accurate it is because one can never know without doing tons of independent research but STILL, it's an eye opener! All Liberals should be required to read it instead of just reading Micheal Moore!!)
If he does convert it would have to be due to God's grace first and foremost, 2nd, I think to his brother, Jeb and Jeb's wife. I know Jeb's wife did have a prayer group going on.
During Katrina I believe, Jeb was televised discussing the devestation and ended with, "We need to take out our rosaries and pray." I about fell off my chair! As for consulting also with the Pope, most, if not all American leaders met with the Pope of their days. Mainly I believe because He held so much influence in the world and making themselves look good.
I sincerely hope Bush does convert, for his own soul. And hopefully his daughters (when and if they realize homosexuality is evil), Amongst other things.
What an awful site.. narrow minded name calling, self righteousness, hatred, and of course as is common for 'Catholic' sites, no love of jesus, and no imitation of Him, and no scripture...lots of idol and Mary worship though. Perhaps someone ought to read the scripture.
narrow minded name calling, self righteousness, hatred, blah, blah, blah, wah, wah, wah...
Interesting. You accuse me of such, but in your very post, you display all the nasty attributes that youi level at me.
You're just another phony, self-worshipping, heretical prottie who is under this sad misconception that I'm suppose to care what you think.
You even fail to capitalize "Jesus" when you type out His name... and I'm suppose to take you seriously? I think not.
Anyhow, I hope you got it all off your chest, because this is your last posting here ---- ever.
I read this article the other day and I am glad that you caught the line about how they said "...his invasion of Iraq is strictly against the teachings of the Vatican."
I too thought about how there is no such teaching, but you made a good point about the Catholic chaplains that are allowed to go there.
Oh yeah, as for the libs, why is it HIS invasion? Didn't they all vote for it before they voted against it before they voted for it again??? And why was there never any of this crying about all of Bill Clinton's 44 invasions if they are so upset over anything Bush did?
Oremus for his conversion
Pater Noster...
Ave Maria...
Gloria Patri...
I read it here first. That W might consider being a Catholic. But, why wait? Maybe next Easter after RCIA.
Okay RCIA might take a little time. But if Tony Blair can convert why NOT W?
He does already have a Catholic in his corner, Jeb.
Also, my dh was just so proud that Jeb was a Knight of Columbus.
(BTW, my dmother who is a fierce liberal thinks Jeb's only converted because he wanted the Hispanic vote! Ha ha, I think converting to Catholocism would have HURT his chances with the Evangelicals and Religious Right.)
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