More Catholic Extremism

It seems that the clergy and hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church are getting increasingly loony. First, there are bishops basically endorsing John McCain from the pulpit - something the IRS truly needs to investigate and perhaps consider revoking some dioceses' tax exempt status - and now there are priest in effect trying to semi-excommunicate Catholics who voted for Barack Obama. Would that such a view become official Church policy: 54% of Catholics voted for Obama. Hence, the expulsion of 54% of the USA laity would not only cripple the Church but also clearly reveal just how out of the mainstream Catholicism is becoming under the Nazi Pope, Benedict XVI. One has to wonder when Benedict XVI will start advocating to bring back the practice of the auto da fe. Here are some highlights from the Greenville News about one priest's actions:

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The priest at St. Mary's Catholic Church in downtown Greenville has told parishioners that those who voted for Barack Obama placed themselves under divine judgment because of his stance on abortion and shouldn't receive Holy Communion until they've done penance.

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At issue for the church locally and nationwide are exit polls showing 54 percent of self-described Catholics voted for Obama, as well as a growing rift in the lifestyle and voting patterns between practicing and non-practicing Catholics. In a letter posted on St. Mary's Web site, Newman wrote that "voting for a pro-abortion politician when a plausible pro-life alternative exists constitutes material cooperation with intrinsic evil."

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Catholics who did so should be reconciled to God through penance before receiving communion, "lest they eat and drink their own condemnation," Newman wrote, echoing a I Corinthians admonition for anyone who partakes "without recognizing the body of the Lord."

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Asked if he would actively deny the sacraments to Obama voters, Newman said he won't because the church teaches that no one is denied communion unless it would cause "grave scandal," such as in the case of a notorious public sinner. However, he said he'll continue to teach the necessity of being in "full, visible communion" with the church before receiving the sacraments.

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Funny, using Newman's standard, it would seem that the bishops and cardinals who covered up the sexual abuse of children might need to be told they are not fit to receive communion. I keep telling the Lutherans I know that they should start actively recruiting intelligent, rational Catholics who increasingly have no home in today's Catholic Church.