Comments on: Robert Bork: From Atheism to Christian Faith

By: Robert campbell

Robert campbell — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 22:55:43 +0000

I thought that sacrament of “penance” was completed prior to receiving communion? At least that is what my children and grandchildren did?
Sequencing then is: baptism, penance, communion, confirmation, marriage, then “extreme-unction”.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:24:53 +0000

I agree. Either the priest who administered these sacraments was in error or the author screwed up. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is not needed for intititation nor necessary since Baptism cleans all sins from the soul. Clarification is needed!

By: George Duncan

George Duncan — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:23:43 +0000

Wonderful, poignant and utterly true column about Mr. Bork. Touching and very moving. Linked to it on my website endtimestavern. Hope many people read it.
Best regards

George Duncan

By: lisag

lisag — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:35:35 +0000

Your idea that Jesus went after Bork to save him is interesting, because Jesus also tried to save all of the women who willingly aborted their children. They did not listen to Him in their distress of circumstances. Jesus works through hearts and not government regulations. Bork’s heart was softened over the years no doubt from his wife’s prayers as well as his intellectual study of faith. Faithfulness to Jesus principles is grown by practice and prayers not by government intervention and enforcement.

By: Jay

Jay — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 01:15:45 +0000

What if Bork had been a SCJ up to now? Obama would be stacking the court even more.

By: Seth Murray

Seth Murray — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 00:03:15 +0000

Happy to know of Bork’s conversion. There were some comments on baptism and confession.

In most cases there is no point in going to confession if one is about to be (or just was) baptized. Confession is normative for those who were already baptized. In some cases, when the state or validity of a prior baptism is unknown, a “conditional” baptism is administered… just in case. In these cases, one might also have confession.

By: Ted Villalon

Ted Villalon — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:25:47 +0000

May God bless Robert Bork’s family as He welcomes Robert home.

Writing, such as this interesting vignette, is one of the reasons I am a First Things subscriber since Issue no. 1. Keep up the good work.

By: John Raley

John Raley — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:41:22 +0000

Although not a catholic I applaud that judge Bork found Christ (or perhaps Christ found him) and was rec’d into the church. I would love to know his story about his conversion from death to life. I think it also a plus for the church when men and women of intellect (Please…I am not discounting anyone not so blessed with great thoughts and intellect >>>Myself would be a good example!) such as Bork, CS Lewis, Colsen
Chesterson and many many others. Christ is the light and it is wonderful when people can see it.

By: David Nickol

David Nickol — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:35:33 +0000

I am confused. If by “confession” is meant the Sacrament of Reconciliation, then baptism is a precondition for that sacrament and all others. An unbaptized person cannot receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A newly baptized person has no need for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, although as I understand it, one does not have to “need” to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation to benefit from it. On the other hand, one who confessed at every available opportunity (say, several times a week) would no doubt be discouraged from doing so.

I can see going to confession the same day one is baptized and received into the Church as not unreasonable in terms of practice of the ritual—kind of a trial run for when the person actually makes his first “real” confession.

By: Austin Ruse

Austin Ruse — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:15:23 +0000

It was before baptism, as it was with me when I converted. If that’s not a part of it then we can rest assured that even Opus Dei gets things wrong from time to time!