Kerry addresses faith, values, but rejects bishops on life issues

Published: 2004-10-25

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (CNS) -- In the most pointedly religious speech of his presidential campaign, Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts said Oct. 24 that his lifelong Catholic faith gives him "values to live by and apply to the decisions I make." But the talk at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale also contained a message for Catholic bishops who, Kerry said, "have suggested that as a public official I must cast votes or take public positions -- on issues like a woman's right to choose and stem-cell research -- that carry out the tenets of the Catholic Church." The Democratic candidate said, "I love my church; I respect the bishops; but I respectfully disagree." He added, "My task, as I see it, is not to write every doctrine into law. That is not possible or right in a pluralistic society." A New York Times story on the speech reported that the crowd in Fort Lauderdale shouted "No!" when Kerry spoke about "the tenets of the Catholic Church" and gave him a standing ovation when he said he disagreed. In the 2,090-word speech, Kerry mentioned the word "Catholic" only twice, but spoke about God 10 times, "faith" or "faithful" 13 times and "values" eight times.

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