Richard Cohen on Giuliani and JFK

Deal Hudson

Richard Cohen is columnist in the Washington Post for whom I have great respect.  A liberal, Cohen can break the mold of his ideology in surprising and illuminating ways.

On the subject of Giuliani's Catholicism, however, he doesn't get it.

He compares Giuliani's recent comments on his faith and "conscience" as an echo of JFK's famous speech to the Houston ministers on the eve of the 1960 election. 

Cohen comes to the conclusion that Giuliani's appeal to conscience means he will "use his noodle" when it comes to running the government. 

Like JFK, Cohen argues, Giuliani shows no disrespect for the Church but demonstrates his Kennedyesque willingness to be a secular president.

Richard Cohen needs a history lesson on what has transpired on the Church since 1960, namely, Vatican II and its aftermath of dissent.

In short, Giuliani's embrace of "conscience" goes far beyond what JFK tried to explain to the Houston ministers. 

JFK was saying the Vatican would not give him orders as president of the United States.

Giuliani is saying the Church does not give him orders as, well, Rudy Giuliani.

Big difference!

This is why the secular left can't understand what animates Catholics who want to protect the Church from the influence of "Catholic" politicians.