"Kerry raps Pope: Senator fuming over gay marriage order"

[Crowdance]

Kerry sure has guts! I'm not crazy about his hitting on Dean, but I have to admire his courage. I appreciate learning that he doesn't take his marching orders from any but the American people. Publicly taking this stand is a tremendous political (and, possibly, personal) risk for him.

From the Boston Herald:
"Bluntly telling the Vatican to stay out of American politics, U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry yesterday said Pope John Paul II ``crossed the line'' by instructing pols to block legalization of gay marriage.

A fuming Kerry, taking on his own Catholic Church in the midst of a campaign for president, said Rome should have more respect for America's long-held separation of church and state.

``It is important not to have the church instructing politicians. That is an inappropriate crossing of the line in this country,'' Kerry said. ``President Kennedy drew that line very clearly in 1960 and I believe we need to stand up for that line today.''

More: http://www2.bostonherald.com/news/local_regional/kerr08022003.htm

[edward]

1. "Let's put priests raping children behind us," declares Pope.

So we can concentrate on fighting marriage between same sex partners.

[unfrigginreal]

2. A great statement...

I hope it was based on heartfelt feelings and not poll results. He has a tendency for the latter.

[blm]

3. Considering Kerry was the FIRST politician to bring up gay rights

on the national stage, what do YOU think? Have you forgotten that it was John Kerry who pushed to allow gays to serve openly in the military, LONG before there was any trend towards pro-gay legislation? He helped draft the Hate Crimes bill and voted AGAINST DOMA.

[JohnKleeb]

4. good for him

I think Kerry is pretty good when it comes to this. I really didnt know this. Kucinich is another Catholic who disagrees with the Vatican on this.

[Liberator_Rev]

8. God bless John Kerry & Dennis Kucinich, too ,

if they have the courage to tell the Pope to mind his own business, which ISN'T pulling the strings of the representatives elected by and for many Non-Catholics (along with some Catholics).

He MIGHT be on firmer ground if he just addressed Catholic voters, but the trouble is that religious leaders who dare to speak for Christ had better be sure they don't MISREPRESENT Christ, by claiming his authority, for example on the Pro-Life or sexual orientation issues where Jesus didn't say a word, or by emphasizing SOME PET ISSUES, while IGNORING OTHERS that are equally or even more important.

We "Liberals Like Christ" believe that the policies promoted by Liberal Democrats for the past 70 years would persuade Jesus to endorse that party over the Greedy Oligarch's Party in a heart beat !!!!

at http://www.LiberalsLikeChrist.Org .
WE are the Answer to the "Christian Coalition" & "Religious Right" .
YOU are the way to get the word out, because unlike THEM,
WE are the friends of the POOR and the downtrodden,
who can't give US the kind of support the RICH give to THEM

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

5. Good for Kerry!

eom

[newyawker99]

6. Hi Pavlovs DiOgie!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[mlawson]

7. I am very much impressed!

Good for Senator Kerry!!! I HOPE the rest of the Dem hopefuls will now chime in....