Kerry speech calls for faith to 'bind us all,' not divide Americans

Published: 2004-07-30

BOSTON (CNS) -- In his July 29 nomination acceptance speech, Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said religion shouldn't be used as a divisive wedge among Americans. "I don't want to claim that God is on our side," said Kerry in his 45-minute speech at the end of the Democratic National Convention. "As Abraham Lincoln told us, I want to pray humbly that we are on God's side." Kerry, a Catholic, has been criticized both for not being more public in discussing the role of religious faith in his life and for taking some political positions that contradict church teachings on life issues including abortion and embryonic stem-cell research. "I don't wear my religion on my sleeve, but faith has given me values and hope to live by, from Vietnam to this day, from Sunday to Sunday," Kerry said.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .