04/22/2004: "Kerry vs. John Paul II"

I think I've posted a number of entries over the weeks since John Kerry locked up the Democratic Party nomination that he's been continually getting in hot water with Catholic around the country for two things:

-Taking communion at another Christian church
-His very strong support for abortion

Well, there has also been a ground swelling of grumbling against the passiveness of the Bishops, particularly of the US for not being strong enough in their disciplining of Catholics who are publicly speaking contrarily to the teachings of the Church while also promoting themselves as Catholics.

That criticism has grown to a point that some are questioning whether this undermines John Paul II's pontificate. He, they say, has promoted a spirit of tolerance that has grown to a level that other Bishops don't feel comfortable leading because it might be viewed as intolerant.

I'm not so sure I'd be willing to go that far, but I do agree that there is a point where what is claimed to be charity actually becomes a dis-service to those that the Bishops are trying to serve.

What do you all think? Have we gone too far? Not far enough? When does tolerance cease to be charitable?