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Bishop Martino Against Pro-Abortion Politicians

Bishop Martino Against Pro-Abortion Politicians - Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 5:35PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Thursday, Feb 19, 2009 @ 05:35pm EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- The Diocese of Scranton Bishop, Joseph Martino, is taking aim at politicians who are pro-choice. He's asking groups coordinating Scranton's Saint Patrick's Day events to not honor elected officials on the pro-choice platform. He also doesn't want them at religious services for the holiday.

"I think he pushes a little too far, and I don't agree with him," said Jay Carroll of Wilkes-Barre, a Catholic.

Martino doesn't want what he calls "pro-abortion" elected officials honored in the parade. If they go to a Saint Patrick's Day mass, the Bishop is denying them Holy Communion. He's even considering closing St. Peter's Cathedral and any other Catholic church in the Diocese that might honor these people, to avoid what he considers a scandal.

"As far as the communion thing, everybody has their right to their own opinion, but i just don't agree with that part of what he's saying," said Carroll.

But this isn't the first time the Bishop has taken this stance. Martino denied communion to vice-president Joe Biden when he was campaigning in the area. Some people understand the move.

"I'm sure that's what he taught, and that's what he wants to teach," said Tom Lavan of Wilkes-Barre Township. "I'm not saying he's wrong, that's his belief."

Some fear the decision is turning people away from Catholicism.

"Church are already having attendance problems anyway," said Britney Brewster, Dallas. "So, if you limit more, less are going to come anyway."

"I think it's detrimental to the Catholic faith, really," added Lavan.

Some where - where will the Bishop draw the line?

"I mean, if I vote for somebody that's pro-choice, that shouldn't matter, right," asked Carroll.

Others say, either you're a Catholic or you're not.

"Whatever the Bishop says, I agree and I think others Catholic should, too," said Theresa Drozdowski. "I'm on the same road and the same path as the Bishop."

But it's a path that's causing ongoing debate.

 


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