From the Orlando Sentinel:
Upset by an honorary degree being bestowed upon President Barack Obama by the University of Notre Dame, Bishop Thomas Wenski presided over a "Mass of Reparation" Sunday to draw attention to the Catholic Church's opposition to abortion.
....
Wenski, the bishop of the Orlando Diocese, said Notre Dame's embrace of Obama undercuts the efforts of the bishops. Giving Obama an honorary degree from a Catholic university symbolizes support of his policies that run counter to the Church's teachings, Wenski said Sunday before the Mass.
"That's what it implies," he said. "He's [Obama] one of the most radical pro-abortion presidents we've ever had."
From the Washington Post:
There is a vocal and influential constituency of American Catholics who disapprove of the University of Notre Dame's decision to invite President Obama to speak at the Catholic university and receive an honorary degree in mid-May. But almost twice as many Catholics approve of the invite -- not a total shock since the majority of American Catholic voters cast ballots for the president.
(My emphasis)
When are they having a mass of reparation for making birth control a sin? Now that would mean something to me!
ReplyDeleteSusan, exactly. Dumb ewe that I was back in the day, I suffered through a period of anguish before I decided that I had to use another form of birth control than the Vatican roulette method. I can't believe that I was stupid enough to take the rules so seriously, but I was.
ReplyDeleteAnd what about the pope's present ban against married couples using condoms when one partner is HIV positive? How long will he dither as people sicken and die? How about reparation for that wrong-headed idea on what constitutes "a culture of life".
Well I'm glad Notre Dame is not backing down and uninviting President Obama.
ReplyDeleteThis always resorting to the most extreme language really bugs me though. Besides leaving zero room for dialogue (probably not possible with these folks anyway), this "most extreme, most nasty, most radical, most evil" (you get the drift) language reminds me about what I was taught about cursing: If you curse all the time, what words will be available to you you when you really do need to curse? If labeling everyone with whom we disagree is The Worst Evah!! What words will you have when somebody really bad comes along?
Hilary, I'd be quite disappointed if Notre Dame backed down. Imagine disinviting or withdrawing the promise of an honorary degreee to a sitting president!
ReplyDeleteI noted the extreme name-calling. Folks tend to resort to that sort of thing when their case is weak.
What can I say... You already know how I feel Mimi.
ReplyDeleteMany of us who are Catholic are greatly saddened by the loud and odious outcry of our brothers and sisters.
Fran, I know. I think of you every time I write something like this. You're in the "twice as many Catholics approve of the invite" camp. It's heartening that a good many Catholics think for themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe anti-invitation crowd is being supported by EWTN. This network should be paying taxes to the max. I have heard more lies from that network than from any other group.
ReplyDeleteAh, EWTN. Yes they should pay.
ReplyDeleteDuring my tenure as Rector of St. Stephen's Parish, Coconut Grove, Miami, Fr. Tom Wenski was one of the most prophetic and compassionate RC priests in his archdiocese. At that time he represented the Archbishop on ecumenical boards. We sat on the Homeless Assistance Advisory Board together. He was the voice of the disposessed Haitian refugees He attended ecumenical protest liturgies at St. Stephen's on at least two occasions.
ReplyDeleteTHEN he was appointed Bishop. It is a sad transformation not an unknown experience for some TEC bishops, too...
...just helping to show that the old saying, "power corrupts" is not a load of crap.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's quite sad, Fr. Bob, and Bp. Wenski is not the first, and he won't be the last, religious leader that we'll see transformed in this unfortunate manner.
draw attention to the Catholic Church's opposition to abortion
ReplyDeleteGood googly moogly, I'm sure that Hunter-Gatherers from the last untouched tribes know about THAT!
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Dumb ewe that I was back in the day
Cher Mimi, The Who wrote a song for ya ("Won't Get Fooled Again!")