Letter: Kerry should be denied sacrament

Tuesday, July 6, 2004 | 8:54 a.m.

As usual, letter-writer James J. Poupard and I disagree. Since I believe that both sides of the story should be told, I offer this letter in direct rebuttal.

Mr. Poupard would have us believe that President Bush is responsible for trying to force Catholics to vote for him. Nothing is further from the truth.

Catholic bishops who have denied or will deny John Kerry the Holy Communion sacrament of the church have done so because he is not upholding the precepts of the church. Abortion is against church doctrine, and when John Kerry condones abortion, then the bishops, who are certainly more knowledgeable of church doctrine than Kerry, should rightfully deny him that sacrament. Furthermore, Kerry's conscience should prevent him from wanting to take Holy communion until his beliefs and actions come back into alignment with church dogma. President Bush is not responsible for that.

Mr. Poupard also condemns President Bush for aligning himself with the National Rifle Association, to which I also belong. I suggest that Mr. Poupard read the Second Amendment, which states that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

GLEN GILLETTE