Well, this is interesting. Fr. James Arsenault is pastor of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Richmond. This is the home parish of Hillary’s new pro-abortion vice-presidential nominee, Tim Kaine. Fr. Arsenault just gave an interview to NPR in which he lauded Mr. Kaine as a Catholic parishioner and not once mentioned the fact that he is pro-abortion. The title of the piece is: “Tim Kaine’s Pastor Describes The Veep Pick’s Life As A Devout Catholic.”
Highlights from the interview include the following:
JIM ARSENAULT: I think Tim would be a nice – just almost too honest for politics because he’s so straightforward and has this twinkle in his eye. Maybe that’s his Irish wit. And he really extends a hand to help people and is very compassionate, approachable, available and friendly…
MCEVERS: I wonder, as you think about him as part of the congregation, what are some of the issues you think are most important to him as a politician?
ARSENAULT: I think equal pay for equal work for women. I think some of the social justice issues. I think he’d be concerned about that all lives matter, regardless of color of one’s skin. And he is a bridge-builder among races and communities and regardless of zip codes, where people are from or what education they have. He really helps build community.
MCEVERS: He’s also been pretty vocal about his opposition to the death penalty on moral and religious grounds. Yet as governor of Virginia, he oversaw several deaths by capital punishment. How do you feel like he reconciles those two things?
ARSENAULT: Well, I know that he’s definitely against capital punishment and works to help defend those who are on death row. The church has a teaching with regard to we’re pro-life, and we believe in that seamless garment of life. We respect sometimes lawmakers make difficult decisions.
Truly astonishing! Is Fr. Arsenault completely unaware that thirty year parishoner Tim Kaine supports the continued legalization of abortion from conception to birth? But it’s ok! Tim has a “twinkle in his eye” and supports equal pay. How reassuring.
In addition, the parish Facebook account of St. Elizabeth’s is downright giddy over Kaine’s selection as pro-abortion Hillary’s VP:
As is the parish’s Twitter feed:
But then again it turns out that St. Elizabeth’s “Roman Catholic” Parish was in the bag for Hillary and pushing for her to select Kaine even before the news broke!
I think we should very politely and respectfully let Tim Kaine’s Pastor and Bishop know what the Church thinks about supporting a pro-abortion Vice Presidential nominee. What do you say?
Contact his pastor here:
http://www.stelizcc.org/
Twitter: @StElizabethccVA
Tim Kaine’s bishop is Bishop Francis Xavier DiLorenzo:
http://www.richmonddiocese.
Twitter: @RichmondDiocese
Alana Forsyth
Hah! The diocese’s site is down.
Jerimie Mueller
From the website, the pictures of the church leaves one with the impression that this a very nice Methodist church.
FWK
Q: Is Fr. Arsenault completely unaware that thirty year parishoner Tim Kaine supports the continued legalization of abortion from conception to birth?
A: Yes, but, we respect sometimes lawmakers make difficult decisions.
FR. JIM MAY
IT IS NOT A DIFFICULT DECISION. IF YOU ARE A CATHOLIC IN GOOD STANDING YOU KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG.
HIS SUPPORTING ABORTION SAYS IT ALL. THERE IS A LOT HE CAN DO TO CHANGE A SINFUL LAW.
Robert Okraszewski
Whoever wrote this article and interviewed the pastor Fr. James Arsenault didn’t do a very good job of checking their sources,
The web site for the parish that the article refers to lists someone else as pastor.
“We have 2 priests in residence responsible for our parish, Fr. Dan Brady (Pastor) and Fr. Jim Arsenault (Parochial Vicar).”
I find it less than professional as a journalist to fail at knowing who is who from the outset.
If you want to prove a point you best begin with the right facts first.
Catholics 4 Trump
St. Elizabeth’s own website lists Fr. Arsenault as Pastor.
http://www.stelizcc.org/pastoral-staff/
Terry Lynn Kennedy
I have seen the interview with Mr. Kaine. He said he is against abortion, but will up hold the law as stated by the US judicial system. This is no different than the late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. What exactly do you think he can do ? The law is in place. He has no power to change it now or even when he becomes VP. You know this and it is of my opinion you are bating the American public. Shame on you.
Catholics 4 Trump
Kennedy never supported abortion. T. president appoints justices who can change the law. Kaine has no desire to try and his running mate has sworn to promote abortion rights ad infinitum.
Lolly
Of course he has power to influence the law regarding abortion! He can choose Supreme Court judges who will review the evidence presented about abortion that reflects how much more we know now than we did in January 1973! We know when the heartbeat is evident, we know the movements a baby inside the womb makes. He can help prevent late-term abortions. The President makes a BIG difference.
FR. JIM MAY
HITLER MADE A LAW AGAINST THE JEWS AND CATHOLICS IN GENERAL. THERE IS A LOT THAT A PERSON IN OFFICE CAN DO TO CHANGE LAWS THAT DISRESPECT HUMAN LIFE.
Joe Heimbold
Unfortunately my browser is not compatible with St. Elizabeth’s comments section so snail mail will sent to the pastor and his bishop tomorrow asking why a pro abortionist in the parish is doing nothing about stopping the 20,000 abortions a week in the US. Tim Kaine has the vantage point to speak out against these atrocities where we don’t! Quo Vadis Senator?
Terry Lynn Kennedy
JFK supported the law. Did you not see his historical speech concerning his religion and upholding the government imposed laws? You are not adequately representing history. It does no good to reply when all you are doing is distorting the truth….
Catholics 4 Trump
Kennedy was wrong in his speech as it was the equivalent of saying his Faith had zero bearing on his political life. If there are immoral laws he should fight to get them changed. JFK never had to face the question of abortion because it was not forced on all 50 states as a “right” until 1973. Edward Kennedy was pro-life initially until he eventually sold out as his constituency moved left.
Judy
I thought the Pope came out in 2008 saying a Catholic in good conscience could not vote for anyone who supports abortion. That would include democrats who approve of their platform which endorses abortion & tax dollars to go to planned parenthood.
Terry Lynn Kennedy
My point is, that every person holding a government position is required by law to follow and uphold the law. Regardless if it abortion, gay rights, etc….It does NOT make said person less of a Catholic to do so. You would never have a person of any religious belief in office, of any level of government, if it were not for separation of church and state. Let’s stay focused and stop trying to year down a good person doing good works.
Catholics 4 Trump
Kaine is not just saying to obey the law. He is saying the current abortion law is a good thing and we should protect it!
Edward B. Connolly
But, of course, black slavery was legal in Virginia until about 150 years ago. Would a Catholic legislator have been acting correctly if he said that he was personally opposed to the enslavement of blacks, but felt no obligation to oppose the law? Does election to public office relieve a person of all responsibility to oppose laws thst are manifestly immoral? Are not elected officials supposed to be agents of change when change is called for, even if the change is unpopular?
Mrs. Darillyn Patterson, O.P.
I hope people will join me in praying for Mr. Kaine’s conversion, especially if he and Clinton win the election. Then we would need to pray for the conversion of BOTH of them. May they see the light!