The one thing Kathleen Kennedy Townsend wants to do is get politics out of church.
That’s why her first public visit to the university since her unsuccessful 2002 bid for state governorship was devoted to her new book, which delves into what she sees as the failing role organized faith plays in public political life.
Townsend, the two-term democratic lieutenant governor and eldest daughter of Robert Kennedy, virtually disappeared from the political limelight in 2002, when a federal grand jury investigation absolved her of using a federal grant to pay a university employee for campaign work.Yesterday afternoon, however, Townsend spoke before a crowd of students and professors with nothing but humor and passion.
“The image I had in my mind was totally shattered and different from the image I had when she ran for office,” said John Coggin, a public policy graduate student in attendance. “It’s just another example of the media unjustly imprisoning somebody.”
Donning a fuchsia suit, a big smile and the Kennedy charm, Townsend explained her love for her Roman Catholic faith, while disagreeing with what she considers the outdated ban on contraception and abortion. Those were some of the points, in addition to questioning the role religion plays in politics, she highlights in her book, Failing America’s Faithful: How Today’s Churches Are Mixing God with Politics and Losing Their Way.
Published early this month, her book is a call to arms of-sorts against a belief that churches in America – Catholic and Protestant – do too much talking and too little work toward the greater good.
What she discussed yesterday coincided with an ongoing debate over the death penalty in Maryland. She said that faith is being used to divide the people, a strong statement that has caused the Catholic Church to denounce her.
“I’m a devout Catholic,” Townsend said. “I was very disappointed about how the church has failed to connect faith and the common good.”
Townsend lamented the privatization of the Christian religion that has led to a disregard for public service.
“I grew up in a family in which faith broadened love to others,” Townsend said. “I feel that the loudest voices today condemn [and] are hateful.”
Her book and her discussion yesterday covered more than politics and religion, however. Townsend grew passionate talking about the role of women, a group she feels has been neglected by her Catholic religion, in the Church.
“I think the problem with the Catholic Church is that they are afraid of women,” Townsend said. “Because of that, they focus attention on contraception and abortion. It takes a leap of imagination to figure out how women can fit into their world. I come from a church that taught women were misbegotten males.”
Townsend said she hopes her critiques will spread her staunch message that “faith is divisive and not inclusive.” Yet she called on more people to get involved and help those in need in the community, sans traditional religious constraints.
“Right now, one of my greatest joys is that one person told me that they had rejoined the Church after listening to me,” Townsend said. “That is what I want: people to come back to the Catholic Church.”
Contact reporter Kristi Tousagnant at newsdbk@gmail.com
