Comments for America's First Catholic President at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 10 out of 10 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Sun, 26 May 2013 01:52:17 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/americas-first-catholic-president.html#comment-5073 Two thoughts. JFK, while an ersatz Catholic, did not govern in a way inimical to Catholic teaching or to today's conservative principles. Second. Anti-Catholicism today is less overt but more insidious than in 1960. The late Bob Casey, popular governor of Pennsylvania, was a rock-ribbed Democrat and staunchly pro-life -- the kind of politician who matched up well with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He was denied a place at the podium of the Democratic National Convention in 1992 because he opposed abortion. Question. Would an authentic Catholic (as measured by the Catechism) be nominated as the candidate of either major party today? - Bill Beckman Sun, 24 Oct 2010 08:21:42 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/americas-first-catholic-president.html#comment-5062 I'll never forget that 1960 election, the only election in which my parents voted for different presidential candidates. Mom and Dad were both Catholics of Irish heritage, and both long-time conservative Republicans. Mom voted for Nixon and Dad voted for Kennedy. Dad's vote was based on one thing, and one thing only: Kennedy was a Catholic, or at least claimed to be. And it was a vote he always regretted. In truth it was no different than the anti-Catholic votes of many Protestants, no different than the overwhelming black vote for Obama. - Deacon Dana Wed, 20 Oct 2010 18:35:04 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/americas-first-catholic-president.html#comment-5060 An observant Catholic cannot be elected President and, more to the point, an observant Catholic would almost surely not seek the Presidency. - Mack Hall Wed, 20 Oct 2010 17:03:21 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/americas-first-catholic-president.html#comment-5058 I would hope that the author will consult my books on JFK and Bishop Sheen. There is no whiff of hagiography in either study. - Thomas C. Reeves Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:31:35 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/americas-first-catholic-president.html#comment-5057 One of the Early Warning Signs of the Obama candidacy was that every one of his Catholic advisory committee was a dissenting Catholic. Debby, I have thought the same thing many times: What chance will a black candidate have after the Obama presidency? None, from either party, I'm afraid. (I had forgotten, but I, too, had voted for Alan Keyes.) This is just one more of the tragedies of this administration. - Louise Wed, 20 Oct 2010 10:17:31 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/americas-first-catholic-president.html#comment-5056 As Louise has suggested in her statement that "it is possible for a CERTAIN KIND of Catholic to become president," looking at the immoral and unChristian positions which are taken by most of those elected, Republican and Democrat, including Catholic candidates, and they are positions which appear to be requisite to be elected in many parts of the country, I would suggest, contra Mr. Marlin's conclusion that the door for a Catholic who is truly faithful to the Church's teaching is quite firmly shut, although it may not be padlocked. Mr. Marlin tacitly suggests as much with his parenthetical remark "(Who wants the kind of 'Catholic' that John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, or Joe Biden represent?)." Pax et bonum, Keith Töpfer - Martial Artist Wed, 20 Oct 2010 08:23:12 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/americas-first-catholic-president.html#comment-5055 Ooops! I was 27. Adding in the head gets harder as you get old. Subtracting is even worse. Forget multiplying and dividing altogether. - Louise Wed, 20 Oct 2010 07:28:47 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/americas-first-catholic-president.html#comment-5054 Being a convert from right wing protestant fundamentalism born in 1960 and only being 3 when JFK was assassinated (but clearly remembering the whole drama that took place around me), all my "JFK" opinion was planted, watered and harvested on the other side of TCT's fence. Now almost 30 years old in the Catholic Faith, my world view (and very air that i breathe)is not merely "scented" with Holy Mother Church's incense (rarely experienced, i do lament)as seems to be represented in the "how nice we had a catholic president" sentiment. SHAME ON JFK and his lack of faith while USING FAITH FOR PERSONAL GAIN. SHAME ON ALL WHO STILL HOLD HIM UP AS SOME KIND OF MODEL. He was no Roman Catholic. America had a Catholic-in-name-only president in JFK. Maybe that's why we've never had another one. Wasn't his political career birthed during the Pre-Vat 2 era which so many people today tout as the time when there were "real" Catholics within the Church? Who educated him? What nuns? What priests? Who helped him distort his conscience? Who didn't go and boldly proclaim the one Truth to his face and have a show-down at the start? With his watered down religion, why would anyone FEAR ALLEGIANCE TO ROME? Truly, who would want a Kerry or Pelosi or Biden? The same kind of lame, blind, lost catholics who practice birth control, don't believe in the Real Presence, who'd rather sacrifice to see a celebrity or even Dr. James Dobson than the Holy Father, (I meet these people every time a Pope comes to America), on and on. The last paragraph was pathetic considering it was posted here......let's see how many will argue the same about Obama and his "blackness." I voted for a black man years ago, Alan Keys. He is someone EVERYONE of Faith could have been proud to call "my President of my country." After the current holder of the title's performance, I highly doubt that there will be another Black American president any time soon, and that is a shame......for that matter, when will America have a Real President again? A Leader who has substance? with Virtue, Faith, Character that is not changeable or self-serving? I wish the valuable space here was dedicated to Dr. Mildred Jefferson's life and legacy rather than simply providing a side-bar link. HER LIFE WAS WORTH THE 5000 WORDS AND SO MUCH MORE. - debby Wed, 20 Oct 2010 07:03:07 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/americas-first-catholic-president.html#comment-5053 Louise, you are correct in all your observations - and then some. Kennedy was Catholic in name only. He is certainly not a role model for any Catholic. And you are correct, he and his family were "coached" by the likes of the Berrigans (I really hate to call them priests) in liberal Catholicism. - Liz Wed, 20 Oct 2010 06:57:15 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2010/americas-first-catholic-president.html#comment-5052 In 1960, I was 37 years old and a dyed-in-the-wool Protestant. (Things change.) It was said at the time that Mayor Daley called Kennedy late on election day and asked, "How many votes do you need.?" True? Who knows. The Chicago vote above lends credence, though, doesn't it "it became possible in America for a Catholic to become president". I think it more correct to say that it is possible for a CERTAIN KIND of Catholic to become president. The jury is still out on whether a faithful Catholic could be elected. And, BTW, shame on those Catholics who voted for a man who would deny the Faith as he did. He opened the floodgates to dissent and left us where we are today. Let's face it. He opened the floodgates to all that 1968 and beyond ushered in in the Church. We are still paying the price. - Louise Wed, 20 Oct 2010 06:40:03 +0100