Where church and politics intersect

Tim RUTTEN’S column on Catholic doctrine (“Put Faux Uproar Into Context,” May 22) is Exhibit One of fools rushing in where angels fear to tread.

The credo we confirm in our Mass states emphatically, “I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church,” and the Mass itself consecrates the Eucharist received in Holy Communion to be the same Jesus present now as was present at the Last Supper -- body, blood, soul and divinity under the appearances of bread and wine.

Any politician who goes against the core doctrinal beliefs of Catholicism -- who actually celebrates and adopts the intrinsically evil sins of abortion and homosexuality as “virtues,” in direct contravention of the Catholic catechism -- cannot and must not have priests, bishops or cardinals as enablers to manifest sacrilege.

Stanislaus Pulle

Santa Barbara

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Tim RUTTEN forgets, in his column making light of Vatican and certain U.S. bishop criticism of congressmen who accept the Eucharist while supporting outrages such as partial birth abortion, that a Catholic must live his faith. This isn’t politics; this is the fundamental tenet of the religion, and his apology for senators such as John Kerry who spit in the face of their faith was weak at best.

Paul Knopick

Laguna Hills

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Bravo to Tim Rutten for brilliantly exposing the “faux controversy” over whether Roman Catholic officeholders who favor abortion should be denied Communion. The mainstream press was blindsided by the GOP-conservative Catholic cabal. Rutten has struck an all-important blow for religious and political enlightenment, and for good journalism.

Art Wild

Long Beach