Rick Santorum will attend an Ash Wednesday service today, unlike Newt, so we know Santorum will receive ashes.
But there’s no rule about how long you have to keep the ashes on your forehead, so I don’t know if Santorum will wear ashes to the debate. I hope he does, and I’m guessing he will. That’s what I would do. To me, he’s there not just as a presidential candidate, but as a representative of all Catholics in this country.
Today is Ash Wednesday besides being Republican debate day. I had expected to tune in to the debate and see Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum with ashes on their foreheads. But Newtie has said he won’t get ashes this year.
Given that only one of our presidents so far has been Catholic (and he was assassinated!), I think it’s important that both the Catholics remaining in the race show that they are comfortable in their faith and thus in their own skins. I’m disappointed in Newt for avoiding this outward symbol of his Catholicism during a national debate. It seems cowardly to me.
Embattled Farmers 