Deacon Keith Fournier Disassociates With Traditional Catholic Reflections Over Call for Bush Impeachment

From CatholicWay.org:

Deacon Fournier Does Not Support Call for Impeachment

February 1, 2006
From: Deacon Keith Fournier
For Distribution

Attached is my public statement concerning my decision to disassociate from Traditional Catholic Reflections and Reports (http://www.tcrnews2.com) over its decision to call for the impeachment of the President and certain members of his cabinet today.

I wish Stephen Hand only the Lords' best as he seeks to follow his personal conscience. I strongly disagree with his position. Too often, such disagreements between Christians are treated with hostility. That is not how we have approached this. We are joined as faithful Catholic Christians. We simply disagree - strongly - over this important issue.

A notation regarding my decision is posted on the Traditional Catholic Reports and Reflections Site. In addition, all of my writings will soon be removed from the Site.

The text of my letter to Stephen is attached as a Word Document and posted below this note. Some of you have lists and access to constituencies who either read me or would be interested in this announcement. Please feel free to pass this letter on to your various constituencies and friends. Again, this parting is amicable but significant.

I want people to know that I do not support this call for impeachment and I have concerns regarding some within the coalition that has undertaken it. This is expressed further in my letter.

I will continue my writing on Catholic Way, Catholic Online and any other sites, periodicals or journals who express an interest in my writing.

I simply will not stand with this call for impeachment and I had to act.

Deacon Keith A. Fournier
http://www.catholicway.org

__________________________________________

Feb. 1, 2006:

AN OPEN LETTER FOR PUBLIC DISSEMINATION
Stephen Hand, Editor
Traditional Catholic Reflections and Reports

Dear Stephen

I write this letter with deep disappointment in my heart.

Over the last two years, one of my great joys has been my association with Traditional Catholic Reflections and Reports. After years of not being able to find a comfortable internet home - for many and diverse reasons - I felt that I finally found a place where I could be totally Catholic, embracing all spheres of my life, while fully expressing the unity of life that is the Catholic Christian faith through my writing.

As you know, I am a Magisterium following, faithful Roman Catholic Christian with a deep hunger for the coming full communion of the Church, East and West. I welcome legitimate diversity within the embrace of theological orthodoxy. I am committed to the full teaching of the Catholic Church, including all of her Social teaching. Though I have often not agreed with every writer on TCR, I always knew that I stood on Catholic ground, within a vibrant example of a legitimate diversity that still reflects complete fidelity to the teaching office of the Church.

I have rejected the limiting political labels of “liberal” or “conservative” or “neo-conservative” and have written extensively on that subject. I am pro-life, pro-marriage and family, pro-freedom (rightly understand within its constitutive connection to truth), pro-poor and pro-peace. I have consistently opposed the current incursion into Iraq as not justified, in any way, under the Church’s clear enunciation of the principles of a “just war.” I have even joined with diverse groups in that opposition through my writings.

Sadly, this recent decision of Traditional Catholic Reflections and Reports, without having any discussion with its regular contributors, to endorse the impeachment of the President and his cabinet, has caused me great distress. As of last week, I was still listed as a contributing editor of TCR on the masthead. A decision to disband the group of contributing editors, for various reasons, was made only last weekend. Thus, I understand that you had no strict obligation to consult with me or any other party who formerly held that position. However, in the public eye I am still associated with TCR’s editorial opinions and decisions.

My public and long standing association with TCR certainly attaches my name to this action. I cannot allow that to happen. I fully and completely disassociate myself from any effort to “impeach” the President or his cabinet. Now, that TCR has decided to formally endorse such an overt political position, I have no choice but to disassociate myself from TCR.

I opposed the decision to enter Iraq. I still oppose the policy. However, I also oppose this call to impeachment. I further express my deep opposition to some other positions espoused by some of the individuals and groups associated with this effort. I have decided that this overt action taken by TCR - of endorsing this impeachment effort - leaves me no other choice than to disassociate myself.

Sincerely,

Deacon Keith A. Fournier

THIS LETTER MAY BE DISTRIBUTED

(emphasis added)

My Comments:
Interesting. But I'm not sure Deacon Fournier made it clear enough in those last 2 paragraphs that he wishes to "disassociate" himself from TCR. I sense some ambivalence there.