Political Quotes

“I need to start my remarks with an acknowledgment of the extraordinary leadership that the gentleman from New Jersey has provided long in the House as a defender of religious freedom, and the topic before us with this resolution is one that I know is very dear to his heart, and so I am grateful for his leadership on this topic. Madam Speaker, this resolution is simple and self-explanatory. Any truly free society must, by definition, accord its citizens freedom to seek a relationship with God according to the dictates of their conscience and choose spiritual leaders whom the worshipers believe are best suited to guide in establishing that relationship. Recently, the People's Republic of China violated the religious freedom of its Roman Catholic citizens by imposing Beijing's choices for bishops rather than allowing the Vatican to make these appointments. This resolution condemns that action and calls upon the Chinese government to refrain from any further unauthorized ordinations. There are few actions, Madam Speaker, more central to religious practice than choosing the spiritual leaders of a congregation. Each Sunday, Catholics throughout the world celebrate Mass and communally recite the Apostles' Creed, which includes a statement of belief in the holy Catholic church. As an intimate part of that belief, Catholics acknowledge the supreme leadership of the Pope of Rome in all spiritual matters and as the chief administrator of the church.…”