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Preacher Urges Obama Supporters into Confession
1-Dec-2008
Written by: Jessica McCumber
He apparently was not thrilled with Obama’s pro-choice stance on abortion.
Rev. Joseph Illo, pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, has urged his parishioners to hit the confessional if they voted for Barack Obama, reports Modbee.com.
His warning came via a letter dated Nov. 21 concerning the president-elect’s pro-choice stance concerning abortion.
"If you are one of the 54 percent of Catholics who voted for a pro-abortion candidate, you were clear on his position and you knew the gravity of the question, I urge you to go to confession before receiving communion. Don't risk losing your state of grace by receiving sacrilegiously."
Reportedly, Illo’s letter was sent to over 15,000 members of St, Joseph’s parish, and was also delivered by him in a homily.
Catholics who don’t feel the need to confess shouldn’t necessarily feel guilty though.
Rev. Stephen Blaire, bishop of the Stockton Diocese, is on their side, saying Catholics shouldn’t start running for the confessional unnecessarily.
Confession would be necessary, said Blaire, "only if someone voted for a pro-abortion or pro-choice candidate -- if that's the reason you voted for them."
"Our position on pro-life is very important, but there are other issues," continued Blaire.
He also said, "No one candidate reflects everything that we stand for. I'm sure that most Catholics who voted were voting on economic issues."
He also assured Catholics, "There were probably many priests, and I suspect many bishops, who voted for Obama."
A thought: With both the religious and political arenas being so complicated, maybe there is a reason that there is a separation between them?
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