Senator Tim Kaine: Father, bless me blah blah blah, I can't be expected to remember the right form of words, can I? I'm a busy man.
Bishop Knestout of Richmond, VA (for it is he): Of course not, your importantship. Still, it's good to see you, and I am honoured to receive your confession in person, especially as I know you are incapable of sin.
When the Confession doesn't have any really meaty bits.
Tim: Yes, I wouldn't have come to Confession unless I knew that someone of the rank of bishop would be available.
Knestout: Now, how can I help you?
Tim: Well it's hard for me to think of any really interesting sins. I did make a rude noise during the State of the Union address. Also, I knocked over an old blind lady who was blocking my way this morning, but that's perfectly normal, isn't it?
Knestout: Totally normal, your wonderfulness.
Tim: Oh, and I chewed gum and spat it out during Mass.
Knestout: You're not being totally honest here, are you?
Tim: True. That was 3 years ago, and I confess it every time. I've not actually been to Mass recently.
Knestout: It seems to me that you're a typical modern Catholic. Keen on same-sex marriage and abortion, I see. Nothing else?
Tim Kaine with an unidentified friend.
Tim: Um, well suppose, hypothetically, that I voted against the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, admitting that I saw no problem at all with the idea that children should be tortured, dismembered, and ripped screaming from the womb, with their corpses thrown into a bin marked "biological waste"?
Knestout: Well, technically, you'd be excommunicated and I should announce it publicly. Meanwhile, you would need to do a penance which involved wearing a sign saying "I'M A SCUMBAG" round your neck for the rest of your life. Still...
Tim: Still?
Knestout: Look, I won't mention it, if you don't. I absolve you from your sins blah blah blah (now you've got me doing it!)
Tim: Thanks, padre. EXIT.
Not all governments are created equal, but when I hear governments say "protection", a shiver runs through my spine.
ReplyDeleteIf that confessor was Padre Pio he wouldn't be yawning he'd be screaming.
ReplyDeleteHis vote didn't qualify for excommunication in that one case. It is sinful, but not equivalent in the law yo procuring an abortion. As a result, excommunication does not apply here.
ReplyDelete