My Aisling

When your opponent is destroying himself, get out of his way

The Vatican represents about 16% of the world's population. Leaving behind an era of making rules and letting its members do whatever they please, the Church mentioned some time ago a desire to end granting communion to politicians that take public stands against the positions of the Church. It was stated with no uncertainty recently concerning the Church's position against abortion.

Specifically, a "top Vatican cardinal said Friday that priests must deny communion to Roman Catholic politicians who support abortion rights, but he stopped short of saying whether it was right for John Kerry to receive communion." Interesting reporting. Representing over one billion people, does the Church have to mention Kerry by name? How absurd.

But the point is made. It is now time to live the religion of which politicians claim to be a part. This is not a matter of our base sinful nature. I think it was Kerry, actually, that quoted James 2:14 - "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" (Kerry used a version other than the NIV, where "deeds" is replaced with "works.") It is now time, according to the Vatican, to match faith with deeds and works.

So what does Kerry do? The ink is barely dry on the Vatican pronouncement and he proudly and quite publicly reaffirms the centrality of abortion rights to his campaign.

"More than 30 years after Roe vs. Wade became the law of the land, it has never been more at risk than it is today," Kerry said. "We are going to have a change in leadership in this country to protect the right of choice."

I thought Kerry was running against W. Now he is picking a fight with the Vatican. This guy is truly, deeply, through-and-through a toon.