But Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) told HuffPost on Thursday that he is “informed reliably” by GOP colleagues that Ryan wanted the chaplain gone because he was mad about a prayer that Conroy gave during last fall’s debate on the GOP’s tax bill. In his Nov. 6 prayer, Conroy urged Congress not to create “winners and losers” under the Republican tax measure, which, as has been reported, greatly benefits wealthy people over time. Ryan read that prayer as a “tilt to the Democrats” because it implied criticisms of the tax cuts being more beneficial to the rich,Connolly said Republican lawmakers told him. “They cite that as evidence as that being more political than he’s comfortable with,” Connolly said. The speaker’s office denied that Conroy was forced out over a specific prayer, but would not clarify if the chaplain’s prayers during the tax debate were related to his termination. The office also would not give HuffPost a reason for Conroy’s termination. House Dems tried to put together a bi-partisan committee to find out why this preist was fired but Republicans voted that down. Curious how Catholic Republicans feels about this
As a Catholic and a Republican, I don't care. Don't see why a chaplain is needed in the first place. Those members who feel the need for religious support can consult their own. I don't OBJECT to the House having one, if membership agrees they want such, but if so then it is subject to House rules, and if the Speaker can fire the chaplain, then so be it. Frankly I'm surprised some member hasn't sued in court to remove any religion from the government chamber (or maybe I'm just not aware of it).
Paul Ryan, possibly the worst Speaker ever, gave a ridiculous reason for forcing out Conroy - he says Conroy couldn't keep up with the needs of snowflake Republicans on the hill, which is patently ridiculous. Nope, I think a more logical reason is some of the Republican snowflakes wanted someone of the more "fundamentalist" persuasion to minister to their needs. Jesuits may be many things but they aren't baby sitters.......... Ryan's given reason is likely a major league lie, which is just another reason he is possibly the worst Speaker in history.
Unhappy? Nah just amazed at the pettiness of the Republican party. He was fired for having the temerity to say that the GOP tax cuts weren't "fair" to folks who weren't rich. That's not allowed
I'm sure this kind of episodes will become more frequent as the Republican Party becomes more radicalized. Because the extremist Republican ideology and Christian beliefs are just not compatible. I do, however, blame in part this to the fact that Christians have taken too long to react to the radicalization of the Right. Even after the Pope publicly excommunicated Trump before the elections.
Psssst.....the Pope can't excommunicate anyone who isn't Catholic in the first place. Before you spout off about ideology and theology, you might want to learn the definitions of the words you use.
Of course he can ! According to Catholic Canon Law, that is. The Pope can excommunicate anybody who has been baptized. However, it is true that that would only be relevant to a Catholic. Which I'm not. But it doesn't matter because my point is that it's part of the separation between Christianity and the GOP. See my "sig" (NB*) below... If I ever give as fact something I have not researched and verified to a reasonable extent, you will know it, not because you "think" you spotted a mistake in a "definition", but because I will say I haven't. Bottom line: it's easy to debate with me. You can be reasonably confident that the facts I give are facts. So all you need to do is dispute my opinions about those facts. My opinions can be wrong, and often are... but if you think that they are, you'll need to show how.
The fact that you claim the pope actually excommunicated Donald Trump tells me all I need to know about what you purport to be FACT.
Here is the FACT This is where it all begins. But there are other instances. https://www.americamagazine.org/con...-pope-francis-responds-questions-donald-trump This, in Catholic Canon Law, is referred to as Public Excommunication (ferendæ sententiæ). The Pope only has to say that somebody is not a Catholic, and they are excommunicated. This applies specifically to non-Catholics, BTW. Because the Catholic Church considers them "rebel children of the Church" BTW, if you happen to be a Catholic, you should know that according to the Constitution "Apostolicæ Sedis", Catholics are mandated to shun Trump. If they don't, they themselves would be committing an "Act of Heresy." One caveat, there is a provision in Apostolicæ Sedis that exempts Catholics who don't shun Trump from Heresy.. If they don't know about this requirement, they have not incurred in sin. However, now you know. So as of this very moment, you may be committing heresy if you fail in your Church duties. I have all the references somewhere, If you're interested I can find them for you. Did you think I was joking when I said that I always research the validity of my arguments?
**** Fairness and aid to the poor are a part of Catholic doctrine, not just Pope Francis. While the church has often strayed from this, it does go back to Francis of Assisi, the inspiration for the current Pope, that the Right hates as a communist.
You may consider it a valid argument, I don't...and I doubt anyone else with any sense does either. Just because someone publicly opines that they believe any of the Pope's comments re: Trump constitute excommunication doesn't mean they are correct. If we go by your argument, anyone that Pope even acknowledges is not a member of the Catholic faith is considered "excommunicated"......which makes the term excommunication essentially meaningless. Which it is not. But nice try attempting to make it sound like some big deal that the Pope disagrees with Trump on some issues. For what it is worth, he disagrees with the Democrats on abortion and homosexuality. Guess they're all "excommunicated" too. Good thing most of us have moved on from the time when canon law reflected and was interpreted recognizing the fact that at the time the Catholic church and the Pope were political entities very involved in the governance of many countries. I'll keep an eye out for anyone gathering firewood around a pole in my front yard, though...thanks for the heads up!
It doesn't matter what you or I consider it. It's dogma. Dogma has nothing to do with opinions or arguments. It's just... dogma. Oh... of course not! Only Catholics are required to believe that. Because Catholic dogma believe the Pope is infallible in matters related to the Church. And if he publicly declares that somebody is not a Christian, the fact that he says it makes it so. No no no. You are not paying attention. Even if you are not a Catholic, if you were baptized, Canon Law still consider you a "Child of The Church" You would be a "rebel child", but that is not grounds either for excommunication or for declaring you a heretic, or anything of the sort. In no part of the Canon, nor the dogma, nor has any Pope ever declared by any means that homosexuals or people who undergo abortion are not Christians. Never.... Not even John Paul II, who was the most anti-gay of all the Popes. But he didn't even believe that homosexuality was a sin. Just that it was "wrong" Canon Law has nothing to do with governing any countries. It only has to do with governing the Church. If you are a Catholic, and you are trying to convince yourself of something, just be aware that I am an atheist. And therefore, don't care. You are only fooling yourself. My only interest is to show you that I never just "spout off" about anything, as you accused me of doing. I do my research If you wish to verify anything I have said, here is a link to the Catholic Encyclopedia. Specifically to the article that deals with Excommunication. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05678a.htm
Well, well, well - it seems the good Father Pat Conroy is back after Ryan reverses the action to get rid of the Jesuit priest. I wonder what the reaction of the evangelical Christians in the House will be? It is more than likely they'll see a conspiracy, aided & abetted by Paul Ryan - a Catholic. Just another arrow in the quiver of why Paul Ryan is one of the worst Speakers in history........
Seems to me to be quite the opposite. Creating winners and losers is exactly what the income tax and entitlement programs are designed to do. Fire him for helping the GOP instead.
Ryan hates Catholics, as they do the work of God, where helping the poor is involved. Same with Mormons. the only reliable stinkin' rotten hypocrites, are the evangelicals. They need a prosperity gospel charlatan, to preach the real Ryan religion. Which he FAKE denied. Ayn Rand is his God, and the right wing.
An introspective person reaches crossroads in their life and this is one of the important ones. I was a Conservative Republican for many years (40). As Conservatives became radicalized I realized their politics were incompatible with my Christian beliefs. I could either base my religious foundation on the teaching of Jesus or that of the Conservatives. I believe in salvation, I chose Christ.
If Catholics believe/support/follow this pope's opinion that Hell does not exist, Catholics are no longer Christians and should stop claiming to be so. Christian means "follower of Christ", and since Jesus himself referred to Hell in his teachings as a real place of perpetual torment, anyone who denies Hell's existence is therefore denying Jesus's infallibility and divinity. Pope John Paul II did an amazing job of restoring the church's relevance and importance in the modern world. This pope is doing an amazing job of destroying the church's relevance and importance in the modern world. Since I was never Catholic, I'm tempted to wish for this pope to have a long and healthy life so that he eviscerates the church completely. I know several decent, conservative Catholics, however, so I can't wish for it completely.
