Crossing Lines?

The headline stood out on Yahoo! News from AP:

RI bishop asked Kennedy in 2007 to avoid Communion

My first reaction was a memory of a signicant event nearly 50 years ago. In a gutsy move, (as NPR summarized it):

On Sept. 12, 1960, presidential candidate John F. Kennedy gave a major speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, a group of Protestant ministers, on the issue of his religion. At the time, many Protestants questioned whether Kennedy's Roman Catholic faith would allow him to make important national decisions as president independent of the church. Kennedy addressed those concerns before a skeptical audience of Protestant clergy.

Here are a few snips:

I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute, where no Catholic prelate would tell the president (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote; where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference; and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the president who might appoint him or the people who might elect him....

Whatever issue may come before me as president — on birth control, divorce, censorship, gambling or any other subject — I will make my decision in accordance with these views, in accordance with what my conscience tells me to be the national interest, and without regard to outside religious pressures or dictates. And no power or threat of punishment could cause me to decide otherwise.

These words are even more important today as JFK's nephew, Patrick Kennedy was/is pressured by the bishop of the state he represents in Congress. Bishop Tobin was reacting to Kennedy's challenging the position of some on the Catholic hierarchy who were calling for the defeat of the health reform bill. He shot back publicly and admitted that even before this he had suggested that Kennedy not receive communion.

It is, I think, a sad commentary on the changes since 1960. It may be a sign of deepening divide over religious issues. As someone I read pointed out, they are not making these dictates against communion for legislators who support the death penalty or enhance the wealth of the richest- both issues in which the bishops have taken significant stands.

I hope Rep. Kennedy maintains the high road and stands his ground. His conscience is what has guided him. My he remain true to it.