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April 07, 2004,
8:42 a.m.
Holy, Holy Fisking
John Kerry’s errant preaching.
On Tuesday, New York Times reporter Katherine Q. Seelye reported that Senator John Kerry "became combative when told that some conservatives were criticizing him for being a Roman Catholic who supported policies, like abortion rights and same-sex unions, that are at odds with Catholic teaching."
After demanding, "Name them. Are they the same legislators who vote for the death penalty, which is in contravention of Catholic teaching?" Senator Kerry made the following statement:
"I'm not a church spokesman. I'm a legislator running for president. My oath is to uphold the Constitution of the United States in my public life. My oath privately between me and God was defined in the Catholic church by Pius XXIII and Pope Paul VI in the Vatican II, which allows for freedom of conscience for Catholics with respect to these choices, and that is exactly where I am. And it is separate. Our constitution separates church and state, and they should be reminded of that."
This would seem to demand a little fisking.
"I'm not a church spokesman."
Senator Kerry, don't worry. Odds are there's no one lined up to give their confession to you. But you are a self-identified Catholic and, therefore, you open yourself up to an examination of your own adherence to the faith and how you put your religious faith into action as a legislator. As conservatives who aren't shy about their religion know, this scrutiny comes with the territory. And, shucks, you just called some "legislators" on the carpet about their support of the death penalty. Sauce for the goose and all that . . .
"I'm a legislator running for president."
Yes, we know that, but, in pursuit of the presidency, you have gone into a pulpit and made an appeal for support and bashed your opponent using Scripture. You, therefore, interjected religion into this argument, into this campaign. You're not trying to have it both ways-again — are you?
"My oath is to uphold the Constitution of the United States, in my public life."
We all know where we're going here . . . " wall of separation" between Church and State...Supreme Court...law of the land...JFK, Houston, 1960. Too bad it's all a cop-out. Where in the Constitution does it say that public servants' actions and decisions cannot be informed by their religious faith? Another thing, when you were "fighting" Ronald Reagan's "illegal war" in Central America, did you ever chide Tip O'Neill for talking about the role that some Maryknoll Sisters had in shaping his views on the conflict? Did you ever meet with any clergy (Does the term "National Council of Churches" ring a bell?) on the issue? Did you ever cite them as an authority or an influence when you voted or talked about your stance on the issue?
"My oath privately between me and God was defined in the Catholic Church . . ."
Senator Kerry, I'm no expert, but I think that any "oath" between you and God was contained in the public vows you took upon your Confirmation. I know it was a long time ago, but you might want to revisit them and ponder them.
"...by Pius XXIII and Pope Paul VI in the [sic] Vatican II, which allows for freedom of conscience for Catholics with respect to these choices."
First off, who is Pius XXIII? Second, this "freedom of conscience" in Vatican II, John, where the heck did you find that? And this alleged "freedom of conscience," it can be exercised in regards to what choices? Also, the way you shaped this thought, it seems as though you think that Vatican II was a single volume, which laid out all the new rules and regulations for the new, hip, swingin', free thinkin' Catholicism of the 1960s and can be found on a library shelf, right next to the ancient, dog-eared, smelling of incense copy of Vatican I.
"And that is exactly where I am."
Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Kerry has now acknowledged he has no clue as to where he is. Please pardon his previous blundering, therefore. Senator, please continue.
"Our constitution separates church and state, and they should be reminded of that."
Oh, dear, this old chestnut. Senator, have you ever read about the history of the Bill of Rights? May I recommend Michael Novak's On Two Wings for your summertime reading? And, who is "they"? And if you say, Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson, I'll scream. Now, this finger-wagging lecture might — might — hold more water, Senator Kerry, if you had demanded the Reverend Jesse Jackson and the Reverend Al Sharpton withdraw from the 1988 and 2004 presidential campaigns respectively. After all, by your apparent thinking, the Constitution would be gravely threatened by a clergyman in the White House. Funny thing, though, Senator: The Constitution expressly forbids any religious test for public office which would seem to mean that nobody is required to check his or her faith at the door of the Senate cloakroom or, if ambition runs toward it, the Oval Office. Just thought you should be reminded of that.
— Scott Belliveau is the director of communications for the VMI Foundation and an adjunct instructor in political science at the Virginia Military Institute.
