On 14 June 2004 DE FIDE filed its first Libellus Litis (Bill of Complaint) in the Ecclesiastical Court of the Archdiocese of Boston. The Criminal Complaint alleges that United States Senator JOHN F. KERRY, as a baptized Catholic, has committed a court-martial offense under Canon Law by professing the Right-to-Murder heresy, commonly known as the "Right to Choose" doctrine.
Bravo! kerry, being an ardent supporter of abortion, ought not to win as president of the US. this lawsuit ought to do some damage in kerry's campaign but since i see no way the ecclesiasical court could "sentence" the defendant if he's found guilty in a manner similar to the courts of the state, the suit would, at most, be only instructive as to how erroneous his beliefs and "pro-choice" advocacy are.
on a larger perspective, this case is very relevant for filipinos since US policy affect us just as any other american, though not always in a manner completely visible to us. who knows how many millions more unborn human beings will die because of his policy?
however, i do consider that a backlash is possible in taking this approach. the US media, often controlled by leftist elements, could spin this off as "persecution" againts the "benevolent" kerry. so instead of instructing american catholics to vote against him, the suit could be used by the secular media to portray him as a martyr.
anyway, i'm surprised to discover that heresy is referred to as "Haeresis Criminatio."
so i guess it is possible to sue erring catholic politicians in an ecclesiastical court. i wonder if such a time would happen in the philippines.
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