Is it morally permissible to kick a cat named Hans Kung?
23 comments
Despite all the talk about the pontiff’s “hard-line” reputation, I can only think of one CDF investigation that led to an excommunication during the whole 26 years of the last pontificate: that of Tissa Balasuriya, who (God bless him) withdrew his erroneous statements, confessed the faith of the Church, and was restored.
A person who was reluctant to affirm that the cat was truly feline, and convinced that no infallible moral guidance could possibly be forthcoming on this dilemma, would probably conclude that it would be better not to kick, but it’s hard to be sure.
Oh, you wanted an answer. Well, it depends on what you meant.
(1) Kick a literal cat? Only in self-defense.
(2) Kick the catty fellow named– what was that name? I forget.
The real question is, is it morally permissible to NAME a cat “Hans Kung”?
Fr. Kung said Mass at our Newman Center back in… ’83? ’84? He is still a priest in good standing (just not a Catholic theologian!).
I think “good standing” in this case means neither defrocked nor formally excommunicated. This, of course, is more than ample evidence that neither then-Cardinal Ratzinger nor Pope John Paul II were strict disciplinarians.
As to the initial question, “Is it morally permissible to kick a cat named Hans Kung?”:
If it isn’t morally permissible to burn Hans Kung at the stake (and it isn’t), it isn’t permissible to harm a cat named after him in any way, shape, or form. Besides, hasn’t the cat already suffered enough by being named “Hans Kung”?
Why would you merely want to kick it? Why not something more vigorous, say, drop-kicking it from a bridge onto a fast-moving freeway? Alternately, why not simply shoot it with a gun? Along those lines, I heard a very amusing and shocking story about Kung the other day. He was at Notre Dame in Indiana in the 80s when the crowd of leftists there asked him about his views on the American bishops pastoral letter on nuclear war. Kung stunned the audience by saying he was all in favour of amassing weapons. “For you see, I’m Swiss. Why do you think we’ve never been attacked, especially in the last war? Because we are armed to the teeth! Every man does time in the military, and every house has guns. Attack us, and you will die!” I really wish I had been there to see the thousands of jaws smashing on the floor!
Now that would depend upon the size and disposition of the cat.
Liberal cats usually are safe bets: small, declawed, de-fanged, cringe when humans get close, fussy eaters, scowlers, and neutered. Generally lazy and pampered, they enjoy being kicked as it breaks the monotony of lying on their cushions.
Conservative cats are friendly, tend to like archbishops wandering around in their territories, will eat anything, and have an amazing loyalty to humans. They also tend to be larger, good mousers, and beg to be let outside.
Either way, though, avoid cats that weigh more than a beagle.
A same cardinal that says that the Pope’s about to lift the ban on divorce has also stated that he will soon change the term “dogma” to “catma” to give it a kinder, gentler feeling.
Where’s your umlaut, Herr Prof. Dr.?
Actually, this has been a pretty lame thread. What’s funny about naming a cat “Hans Kung”? Is there some pun here I’m missing?
Actually Kung is a good Catholic name – see http://www.cardinalkungfoundation.org/
Hans, on the other hand, is named Küng – a whole different kettle of fish.
JS has it right.
Despite all the talk about the pontiff’s “hard-line” reputation, I can only think of one CDF investigation that led to an excommunication during the whole 26 years of the last pontificate: that of Tissa Balasuriya, who (God bless him) withdrew his erroneous statements, confessed the faith of the Church, and was restored.
so what you’re saying is… ok to kick the cat, only ok to excommunicate in rare circumstances?
A person who was reluctant to affirm that the cat was truly feline, and convinced that no infallible moral guidance could possibly be forthcoming on this dilemma, would probably conclude that it would be better not to kick, but it’s hard to be sure.
Oh, you wanted an answer. Well, it depends on what you meant.
(1) Kick a literal cat? Only in self-defense.
(2) Kick the catty fellow named– what was that name? I forget.
AND…
(3) Kicking a cat in defense of the revealed doctrine of the Holy Mother Church – that’s not just permitted, it’s an obligation!
The real question is, is it morally permissible to NAME a cat “Hans Kung”?
Fr. Kung said Mass at our Newman Center back in… ’83? ’84? He is still a priest in good standing (just not a Catholic theologian!).
Hmmm… should we agree on a definition of “good standing”
I think “good standing” in this case means neither defrocked nor formally excommunicated. This, of course, is more than ample evidence that neither then-Cardinal Ratzinger nor Pope John Paul II were strict disciplinarians.
As to the initial question, “Is it morally permissible to kick a cat named Hans Kung?”:
If it isn’t morally permissible to burn Hans Kung at the stake (and it isn’t), it isn’t permissible to harm a cat named after him in any way, shape, or form. Besides, hasn’t the cat already suffered enough by being named “Hans Kung”?
Why would you merely want to kick it? Why not something more vigorous, say, drop-kicking it from a bridge onto a fast-moving freeway? Alternately, why not simply shoot it with a gun? Along those lines, I heard a very amusing and shocking story about Kung the other day. He was at Notre Dame in Indiana in the 80s when the crowd of leftists there asked him about his views on the American bishops pastoral letter on nuclear war. Kung stunned the audience by saying he was all in favour of amassing weapons. “For you see, I’m Swiss. Why do you think we’ve never been attacked, especially in the last war? Because we are armed to the teeth! Every man does time in the military, and every house has guns. Attack us, and you will die!” I really wish I had been there to see the thousands of jaws smashing on the floor!
Adam – that is a great story! Thanks for sharing.
No but you can excatmunicate him.
Before we start assulting cats, please remember that our new Pope is reported to love them; so much so that he could be said to be “Cat-holic”.
I would say the act is similar to beating a dead horse. It might be permitted, but it’s too easy to be much fun.
Now that would depend upon the size and disposition of the cat.
Liberal cats usually are safe bets: small, declawed, de-fanged, cringe when humans get close, fussy eaters, scowlers, and neutered. Generally lazy and pampered, they enjoy being kicked as it breaks the monotony of lying on their cushions.
Conservative cats are friendly, tend to like archbishops wandering around in their territories, will eat anything, and have an amazing loyalty to humans. They also tend to be larger, good mousers, and beg to be let outside.
Either way, though, avoid cats that weigh more than a beagle.
How could he be a cat person? Everybody knows how hung up he is on dogma.
A same cardinal that says that the Pope’s about to lift the ban on divorce has also stated that he will soon change the term “dogma” to “catma” to give it a kinder, gentler feeling.
The poor cat ! Having that name alone would bad enough, without being kicked…
Not only is it morally permissible; I believe it’s a moral obligation!
The poor cat should be re-baptized with a decent Christian name, like Felix or Catecomb.
I don’t find this thread amusing at all.
Where’s your umlaut, Herr Prof. Dr.?
Actually, this has been a pretty lame thread. What’s funny about naming a cat “Hans Kung”? Is there some pun here I’m missing?
äppärently nö öne knöws the umläut täg…
Actually Kung is a good Catholic name – see http://www.cardinalkungfoundation.org/
Hans, on the other hand, is named Küng – a whole different kettle of fish.
JS has it right.