But Which Pope John XXIII?

You would have thought that after the Meet the Press fiasco, he would have learned. But, OH NO! Once again, Sen. Joe Biden has stuck his foot in his mouth. This time it was in an interview for Deleware Online, Biden balances his faith with social responsibility.

1st of all he claims to be a good Catholic: "It's very difficult. I was raised as a Catholic, I'm a practicing Catholic, and I'm totally at home with the Catholicism that I was raised in and this whole culture of social responsibility, reaction to abuse of power, the whole notion that there is collective civic responsibility. It's the Catholic consciousness that I'm totally comfortable with." Then he shows that he clearly refuses to acknowledge what the Church really teaches, despite the statements by Cardinal Rigali, Bishop Lori, et al that proved his previous claims (as well as Pelosi's) were wrong, Wrong, WRONG!

He then says this about abortion: "I know that, my church has wrestled with this for 2,000 years." Wait, it gets worse.

He goes on to justify that claim by saying: "We've always believed from the outset that abortion is wrong. But throughout the years, debated the degree to which it is wrong. There are always cases where it is never a first choice. It is always viewed as a dire decision. But throughout the church's history, we've argued between whether or not it is wrong in every circumstance and the degree of wrong. Catholics have this notion, it's almost a gradation." DIDN'T HE LEARN ANYTHING???? Apparently not. The various statements made it clear that the Church taught abortion was wrong in EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE. No degree, no gradation. & wait til you hear his theological justification for the above claim.

"We have mortal sins, venial sins, well, up until Pius IX, there were times when we said, 'Look, there are circumstances in which it's wrong but it is not damnation. Along came Pius IX in the 1860s and declared in fine doctrine, this was the first time that it occurred that it was absolute human life and being at the moment of conception." Talk about splitting hairs to justify murder. He is either being intentionally ignorant. Or he is showing how dumb he thinks the average Catholic is that they will buy what he says over the clear statements of the various Bishops.

He goes on to use the above faulty theology to justify his support of abortion on demand. & even worse, to suggest that euthenasia may be OK in some circumstances. He brings up the old cannard about "I'm personally opposed but..." to justify his stand. That claim has also been clearly discredited by the magisterium. He also uses that line to justify his support for artificial contraception. You can read the rest yourself at the above link, if you can stomach it.

He goes on to use plenty of sophistry to justify why he opposes partial-birth abortion but supports everything else. His biggest bald-faced lie in the interview is his claim: "I take my religion very seriously." Apparently NOT. Because if he did he would be strongly & actively pro-life rather that having sold his soul to gain the whole world.

His finally line is another jewel. He states: "To sum it up, as a Catholic, I'm a John XXIII guy, I'm not a Pope John Paul guy." Besides the fact that he again shows his ignorance. Blessed Pope John XXIII was as strongly pro-life as Pope John Paul I or II was.

Biden might want to read this from Pope John XXIII's encyclical Mater et Magister: "Human life is sacred—all men must recognize that fact. From its very inception it reveals the creating hand of God. Those who violate His laws not only offend the divine majesty and degrade themselves and humanity, they also sap the vitality of the political community of which they are members." Does what Biden said sound like he really is a John XXIII guy? Not this John XXIII.

But, there was another John XXIII (Baldassarre Cossa) (L). Between 1410 to 1415 he set himself up as an Antipope. He was considered so bad that no other Pope took the name John until Blessed John XXIII in 1958. While some of the charges may be trumped up, he did end up with a bad rep as a result. He was eventually deposed at the Council of Constance. Ironically, he helped to call that very council that settled the Western Schism & resulted in his being declared an antipope.

The biggest reason I suspect that this is the John XXIII that Biden was refering to is what Antipope John XXIII's coat of arms (L) looks like. Notice the leg/foot on the top half of the shield? Given how many times Biden has now stuck his foot in his mouth, he might want to consider adopting a similar coat of arms. Meanwhile, he might want to get a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church & study it. Or at least take a class in Catholocism 101 from Fr. John Trigilio. & quickly, before he leave's his Bishop no option but to say: "Thou Shalt Not Receive the Eucharist!!!!" I suspect however, that that wouldn't stop him. He would use some form of sophistry to justify his disobedience. & he would find a few dissident priests (& poncho ladies playing at priestess) who would still let him receive it.

Anyhow, I suspect that Biden's Bishop W. Francis Malooly, Diocese of Wilmington, will soon have to say something. Hopefully before the election. At the least, I hope he will call Biden in to talk to him. As an aside, Bishop Malooly has reissued The Litany of St. Thomas More, Martyr and Patron Saint of Statesmen, Politicians and Lawyers & is requiring it to be prayed at the end of every Sunday Mass this coming weekend (25-26 October 2008). Something tells me that Biden won't be going to Mass in Delaware this weekend.

H/T: American Papist