Comments for Newt Gingrich, Redemption, and the Presidency at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 52 out of 20 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:41:51 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-10257 Prior to his conversiion to Catholicism, Gingrich was divorced twice. Since the Roman Catholic Church forbids divorce, remarriage after a divorce and no sacraments if a divorced Catholic remarries...then how is it that Gingrich is a member in good standing with this church? Why did the church permit his marriage to Callista (his third and latest wife)? I really would like a thorough explanation of how this apparent exception to the church's normal prohibitions was permitted. - BILL Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:59:47 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9614 Mr. Walsh: Obviously, I was misinformed. Thanks for the correction. -ABM - Brad Minerl Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:54:10 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9613 PS - Brad,according to Newt's daughter, her Mother (wife #1) is still alive. Checkmate! - Brendan Walsh Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:42:46 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9612 Interesting how my church has made annulment so convenient (especially for the rich and powerful [Gingrich, Joe Kennedy, etc]. Anything to protect the doctrine on divorce, eh? Compared to the bishops Newt's a regular Diogenes - Brendan Walsh Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:21:08 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9595 Ms. Lane: Newt's first wife died (marriage vows terminate at death); his second marriage (to Marianne) was officially annulled by the Catholic Church. Many Catholics have mixed feelings with regard to annulment, but it is an established part of Catholic canon law. -ABM - Brad Miner Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:45:33 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9582 I have unsuccesfully tried to find out, how it was possible for Gingrich to be 'received' into the Catholic faith after having been married, presumably in the Christian faith, and divorced twice. When I (raised Lutheran) tried to convert to Catholisism 5 years ago, I was told in writing by the Bishop of my Diocese in Berlin, Germany, that, because of my divorce from my Catholic husband (we were married in a Lutheran Church by both a Catholic and a Lutheran priest in Germany), I could not convert. Could somebody please clarify? Thank you. - bettina bering lane Fri, 20 Jan 2012 07:41:24 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9581 I have no problem with newt being forgiven. But can someone tell me hostile man could get his two prior marriages annulled in order to become catholic? This seems awfully unbelievable that he could pull that off considering his infidelity. My parents have been down the annulment road..my mom is a lifelong catholic who still does not receive communion because her new husband is working on annulling his marriage...I want to know newt's secret. - Christina Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:50:41 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9580 Newt is the worst example of a Catholic - what a sham! It's unbelievable he could get 2 annulments! I know many Catholics who have been unsuccessful in getting 1! Makes me sick to think the Church is so influenced by power and how much $ it can get. Thank goodness my faith is based on pure Catholic teachings that have been passed down through generations and modeled to me by the priests, nuns and devout Catholics I have been blessed to know! - Sue Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:21:50 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9579 I's a cradle Catholic who works hard at devoutly practicing my faith in word and deed as modeled by the nuns, priests and devout Catholics I have been blessed to know throughout my life. I have known many decent Catholics who have tried to get through the annulment process for 1 marriage and many have been unsuccessful. To find out that this thrice-married man was granted 2 annulments makes a mockery of the Church authorities who granted them. Thank goodness my faith is based on scriptural teachings that have been passed down throughout the ages and not affected by the inept if not immoral actions of some of the human church leaders like the ones who have guided Newt is becoming a "catholic" - what a JOKE! - Sue Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:17:06 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9554 Would someone please explain to me why Catholics should vote for Newt Gingrich who introduced legislation in 1997 (H.R. 41) which would have expanded the use of the death penalty to consensual crimes. Newt has stated that he admires the justice system of Singapore where they routinely execute their citizens for consensual crimes and torture their citizens for minor crimes. How many of my fellow Catholics now support the death penalty, even in non-murder cases? I am awaiting your reply... - Kevin Hunt Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:16:10 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9274 Many thanks, Brad. So Newt and Callista received annullments for their previous marriages? (In Newt's case, did he receive annullments for both of them?) If so, then he really wasn't married those other times. So what's the problem? (I remain skeptical about such annullments! But, from a Catholic point of view, technically, doesn't this remove the problem about his past?) - Drifter Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:25:07 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9263 By their works you shall know them. Ron Paul 2012 - zerohedge.com Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:52:06 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9235 Please separate your judgements about Newt's political past with judgments about the salvation of his soul. Your just the type of pencil-pushing Catechism-quoting Catholic who would confuse the two. Do learn a lesson from European politics (or maybe just critical thinking?) and vote or not vote for Newt based on an objective evaluation of his own voting record and what he promises to do in the future, not the quality of his "Catholic-ness". We can't accuse a man of using his conversion to climb up the political ladder, it's simply not fair. If he wants to run for Presidential office, he can make that free choice. I will vote or not vote for him based on a critical evaluation of the values, voting record and ambitions he takes on. Lastly, while "conservative" Catholics seem to be trying to monopolize the United States government and trying to turn it into a "Catholic" nation, the Catholic Church, per se, doesn't take political stances and every Catholic has the right and privelege to apply the Catholic church's social teaching to their own voting choices as they best see fit. We don't all "have" to vote Republican or Democrat. I'll simply support the best candidate. - Michael Sat, 17 Dec 2011 19:17:11 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9229 Consider the facts: Lyndon Johnson's anti-poverty program dramatically decreased the number of people living in poverty. The Reagan/Gingrich approach has dramatically increased the number of people living in poverty. Trickle-down economics has been a colossal failure. Gingrich has nothing but contempt for the poor. - Larry Gates Sat, 17 Dec 2011 08:35:18 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9221 I may need to read Gingrich's "Window of Opportunity" to understand how Francis Beckwith became an economic conservative and an unbridled defender of free markets. Wasn't it deregulated free markets in the financial industry that caused so much pain in the real world? Wall Street was saved by a huge dose of socialism when the free markets didn't work as planned. I understand that people should work for their money and that "handouts" can have a detrimental effect, but what if there are no jobs in the country, as is the situation now? The Republicans are so uncaring of the poor, and their policies have a terrible effect on the poor i.e. slashing programs designed to help the poor. I don't understand how any caring Catholic could be a Republican. St. Francis is one of my personal heroes, and he dedicated his life to helping the poor. I don't think St. Francis would have been a Republican. - David Gonzales Sat, 17 Dec 2011 05:05:33 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9172 ...now that I'm back from Mass. In point of stark facts, St. Peter lied in denying Christ and St. Paul was a murderer. Yet these two men are the principle and crucial archetypes of the church. President Carter taught Sunday Bible Studies and professed his faith, but as President, and abysmal failure on both domestic and international arenas. I voted for him in 1976 and in 1980, had enough of his leadership and voted for a "B" movie actor on his second marriage. That "B" movie actor in concert with his Holiness Pope John Paull II and Lady Thatcher brought the Cold War to an end. I find it also a bit amusing that Presidents during their campaign, write a book; Newt has written many books on history. Is all of his copious writing a pretext for seeking the Presdency? I don't know. What I do know is that the man understands this country in the context of a superior knowledg of the past. I watched the debate a few nights ago. A couple of punches landed on Newt but to no effect. But he landed two "mandatory 8's" on Romney and the pundits across the board agree Newt walked away the winner. I'm under no illusion here, Newt is a politician. The question here posited by the author is whether Newt has matured sufficiently to embrace the leadership of a humble servant. While I have my questions as well, one thing I don't question, Newt will be much better than that egomaniacal narcissist we got in there now. - Frank Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:11:17 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9171 @Drifter: A divorced Catholic MAY receive Communion — as long as he or she is in a state of grace (that is, without any unconfessed mortal sins). And, although the Church does not accept divorce, it does allow annulments, of which Mr. Gingrich and the third Mrs. Gingrich have availed themselves. (To say annulment is a controversial matter in the Church is an understatement.) Divorced Catholics who don't receive annulments of previous marriages cannot remarry in the Church and receive automatic excommunication if they marry elsewhere. (If the first spouse has died, the divorced Catholic is no longer divorced but widowed and, therefore, free to remarry.) - Brad Miner Sun, 11 Dec 2011 17:42:37 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9170 What does the church do with Newt's divorces? Is he allowed to take Holy Communion? Does the fact that his divorces took place before his conversion make any difference? My understanding is that divorced Catholics are not allowed to received the Sacrament. It is strange to think of someone who has been admitted to the church who could not receive the Sacrament. (I'm not a Catholic, so I'm not sure how such things are handled. Could someone enlighten me?) - Drifter Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:37:29 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9166 So that there is no ambiguity, I will heartily vote for Newt in the primary and if nominated, I'll donate and work in his campaign. Given the author's values, I'm wondering if he would have knocked Saul of Tarsus off his horse or stayed with Peter after he had denied you three times? Abraham Lincoln is considered our greatest President but Honest Abe led a rather randy life as a young lawyer and politician in Illinois. And while many sing Lincoln's praises, there are still many in the South who still and will always hate him. Leadership is not easy and I know from experience. How I "led" as a very new and very green young military officer and how I exercised leadership of command 20 years later was very different. From the author's tint and tone of his writing, I wonder if he ever had to exercise the tough and demanding task of leading people and making decisions that affected he lives of the very people he might have led. Newt has both a command and sense of history and it's application to our present situation. i'll have more to say, but now, it's time to get to Mass. - Frank Sun, 11 Dec 2011 04:01:12 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/newt-gingrich-redemption-and-the-presidency.html#comment-9159 I remember when a young Congressman Gingrich challenged the status-quo complacency of Republicans led by Minority Leader Bob Michel. I remember when the squish Republicans of that day sneered at Rep. Gingrich, calling him a bomb-thrower, reckless, and other such names. They pooh-poohed his goal of raising House Republicans to majority party status. Yet Newton Gingrich succeeded. Today, any politician who shows any ambition toward cutting back the State dramatically enough to save America from a rendezvous with the economic and social abyss will not be treated kindly by the Establishment Media and others comfortable with the status quo. Again Gingrich is being labeled a bomb-thrower and reckless. - Micha Elyi Sat, 10 Dec 2011 09:32:40 +0100