A Spork in the Drawer

Wall Of Separation

EJ Dionne illustrates why religion and politics don't mix:

Word spread like wildfire in Catholic circles: Douglas Kmiec, a staunch Republican, firm foe of abortion and veteran of the Reagan Justice Department, had been denied Communion.

His sin? Kmiec, a Catholic who can cite papal pronouncements with the facility of a theological scholar, shocked old friends and adversaries alike earlier this year by endorsing Barack Obama for president. For at least one priest, Kmiec's support for a pro-choice politician made him a willing participant in a grave moral evil.

[...]

The Kmiec incident poses the question in an extreme form: He is not a public official but a voter expressing a preference. Moreover, Kmiec -- a law professor at Pepperdine University and once dean of Catholic University's law school -- is a long-standing critic of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision.

In 1960 John F. Kennedy put to rest the idea that a Roman Catholic president would take his orders from the Vatican. But if this sort of nonsense starts to spread American Catholics are going to have to choose to defy the Church or leave public service.

It's that simple and, for some, that difficult.

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Revenge Of The Nuns

Remember those nuns who were prohibited from voting in Indiana on Tuesday? Well, their Sisters in Missouri are fighting back:

Nun of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary comments on Voter ID disenfranchisement

WHO: Missourians for Fair Elections

WHAT: Press Conference on the impact of legislation to
require government-issued photo ID to vote

WHEN: 1:00 PM, Thursday, May 8, 2008

WHERE: League of Women Voters, 8706 Manchester, Jefferson City, MO 63144

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – On Thursday, May 8, three Missouri voters who
lack government-issued photo IDs as well as Secretary of State Robin
Carnahan and community leaders will discuss the potential impacts of
legislation currently being pushed through the Missouri General
Assembly. The proposed legislation would make Missouri one of the
toughest states in the country for eligible citizens who want to vote
by requiring voters to present a government-issued photo ID at the
polls. If passed, these changes could be in place by the November
general election and could put the voting rights at risk for up to
240,000 registered Missouri voters.

"This may sound like a good idea at first," stated Sister Sandy
Schwartz of the Franciscan Sisters of Mary regarding voter ID
requirements, "but once you stop to think about who would really be
affected, this is going to keep a lot of our loved ones from being
able to vote." Yesterday in Indiana twelve nuns in their 80s and 90s
were turned away from the polls because they lacked the needed IDs to
vote. Sister Schwartz and others are concerned about the difficulties
the policy change would create for elderly Missouri nuns, as well as
other senior citizens, the poor, and minorities.

Sing it, Sisters!

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God Works In Mysterious Ways

Called home:

A Roman Catholic priest who floated off under hundreds of helium party balloons was missing today off the southern coast of Brazil.

Rescuers in helicopters and small fishing boats were searching off the coast of Santa Catarina state, where pieces of balloons were found.

Rev. Adelir Antonio de Carli lifted off from the port city of Paranagua on Sunday afternoon, wearing a helmet, thermal suit and a parachute.

[...]

"He knew what he was doing and was fully prepared for any kind of mishap."

Video of Rev. de Carli's ascent to Heaven at link.

[Via PZ.]

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