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[0:00] ..." The United States has a long tradition that separating church and state that doesn't mean that there are conflicts from time to time both in past history and to date. Into the front pages as Rhode Island congressman Patrick Kennedy a member of perhaps the most influential Catholic family in this country. It goes at odds -- of his bishop to bishop of Rhode Island and the issue is whether Kennedy has full access to the sacraments including taking holy communion because of his views. On abortion. Joining us this morning from Harvard Divinity School doctor Francis. Sierens this is really nothing new and in fact Kennedys at the first politician who has then spank publicly by his bishop is."...
[1:31] ..." a repeat. Closed society. Could have been maintained instantly. That is his bishop is saying that even under the societies or holistic the -- In public warming in the -- the position. India the cities'"...
[2:15] ..." as their representatives. Pluralistic society. One. Representatives. Take the position of the Catholic church on this particular issue and I think that. We had this seems to be some division among bishops that are allowing. League places Dublin this -- I am personally opposed to abortion but I represent many constituents who and that she in my view point. Sounded very insisting that the bishops seems to be upset. That Kennedy made the bishop's -- to him that was private public. What would think that as the bishop for you know interest in making a public -- he would've wanted himself. To the public so that's why this case. Is"...
[3:23] ..." our servicemen. In women there is for example a chaplain in the United States senate and the United States house who begin every formal session. With a prayer our documents are signed into law as being in the Euro are -- and of the independence of the United States. What's the big deal at this point doctor appearances."...
[4:14] ..." universities. By the federal government which may be at odds -- the Catholic Church. On things like abortion and stem cell research but they have common ground and some other things and so. Federal tax dollars"...
[6:37] ..." Professor of Roman Catholic theological studies at the Harvard Divinity School. Doctor Francis clearances doctrine to thanks so much for your time."...
[0:00]" The United States has a long tradition that separating church and state that doesn't mean that there are conflicts from time to time both in past history and to date. Into the front pages as Rhode Island congressman Patrick Kennedy a member of perhaps the most influential Catholic family in this country. It goes at odds -- of his bishop to bishop of Rhode Island and the issue is whether Kennedy has full access to the sacraments including taking holy communion because of his views. On abortion. Joining us this morning from Harvard Divinity School doctor Francis. Sierens this is really nothing new and in fact Kennedys at the first politician who has then spank publicly by his bishop is."
[0:42]" No I mean -- have that the most famous case story W of Cuomo when he was the governor of New York State and he. He noted hopefully statement sent to Sen has positioned that was over again cardinal O'Connor at -- time."
[0:58]" President -- Kennedy and John F. Kennedy and included when he ran. That he was not that Catholic president he was a president who happened to be. Catholic why the is is this issue still -- part of a parcel. Of what is a strained relationship between some bishops and some political figures."
[1:19]" I don't know whether the resistance DeVito. Hardening positions and is. You know -- it is distinctions do you mean normally be seen what someone believes personally. And what one as a repeat. Closed society. Could have been maintained instantly. That is his bishop is saying that even under the societies or holistic the -- In public warming in the -- the position. India the cities' abortion what about our control of the -- And remarried so there whole range except -- issues. That wouldn't normally -- and missile business they choose between rooms private. Old personal beliefs. And what one as a representative. Of a society in which many people limits air and that believes I think it's disturbing. Aspect of this defeat in the case. Is that the bishops as saying even as their representatives. Pluralistic society. One. Representatives. Take the position of the Catholic church on this particular issue and I think that. We had this seems to be some division among bishops that are allowing. League places Dublin this -- I am personally opposed to abortion but I represent many constituents who and that she in my view point. Sounded very insisting that the bishops seems to be upset. That Kennedy made the bishop's -- to him that was private public. What would think that as the bishop for you know interest in making a public -- he would've wanted himself. To the public so that's why this case. Is closing I think consider a terrorist."
[3:04]" However the the intersection of church and state is a line that has been crossed many times just a couple of examples we have in the US military. Chaplin's members of of all the major faiths including by the way Muslim chaplains. Who paid for in US taxpayer dollars for their service ministering to the needs of our servicemen. In women there is for example a chaplain in the United States senate and the United States house who begin every formal session. With a prayer our documents are signed into law as being in the Euro are -- and of the independence of the United States. What's the big deal at this point doctor appearances."
[3:42]" Well I think it's a different situation -- have a chaplain at chaplains. Are representing. As diverse constituency in the military Soviet Muslim -- if you wish -- have Catholic India Protestant. Service prices it says. That the military and providing. The the services for them it is that in -- sense saying everyone has to be Jewish everyone has to be Protestants who visits Somali in the pluralism. That exists with in the society."
[4:11]" About -- grants for example made to. Catholic universities. By the federal government which may be at odds -- the Catholic Church. On things like abortion and stem cell research but they have common ground and some other things and so. Federal tax dollars are spent on those Catholic universities."
[4:31]" Well I think universities such a complex institution that -- it's hot it's -- is in that it is universities that a church."
[4:39]" Well let me ask about that we -- to try to try to see here is if there isn't perhaps some hypocrisy on both sides the city of Milwaukee. Received school vouchers and experimental and much talked about. Program. To try to take the burden off some failing inner city schools there. And so people were given vouchers to send their children to parochial schools."
[5:05]" Yet but yeah I mean look me in the focuses Sicilian educational. Function. And so. I don't I would equate doing that that he was supporting. A particular of the institution."
[5:19]" So I guess the bottom line here is a doctor for errands and is this sort of most things it'll always be -- worry is that likely to be some sort of a rapprochement between church and state."
[5:32]" No I think is -- is always an intersection between religion which is important allies of people. And and state and government the written he can't think of church and state resources to institutions but citizens. Our religious and therefore they are both involved in churches able state so I think it's impossible to prove we alliance. And that's why I think -- will always be probably stands as a legitimate. Influence and to what extent is -- illegitimate influence I think. -- always be debate upon that and look at presidential inaugural addresses fake Lincoln but in the vote protests. Very much is always an appeal to religious. Elements -- is aggressively this civil war. Is that legitimate -- as many would say it's legitimate this might object I don't think what is evident -- fine. Agreement on that you could say if you maintain that the state has to be truly secular. In Italy and in allowing. That allowing people to express their roots Shia city in any function at all."
[6:37]" Professor of Roman Catholic theological studies at the Harvard Divinity School. Doctor Francis clearances doctrine to thanks so much for your time."
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