KERRY TELLS VATICAN TO BUTT OUT

March 29, 2004 -- WASHINGTON - John Kerry says he's not worried over rumbling in the Catholic Church that his political positions are out of step with its teachings.

Despite positions on abortion and fetus-protection laws that oppose the church's, Kerry insists his faith will not be a campaign issue.

"I don't tell church officials what to do and church officials shouldn't tell American politicians what to do in the context of our public life," Kerry tells Time magazine.

"As John Kennedy said very clearly, I will be a president who happens to be a Catholic, not a Catholic president."

Meanwhile, Kerry came under fire from President Bush for using a Bible verse to criticize leaders. Kerry did not mention Bush by name when he asked, "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?" A Bush spokesman called that "a sad exploitation of scripture for a political attack."

Vincent Morris

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