Archbishop O’Brien finds lessons learned after 9/11

The Catholic Review ^ | Sept. 7, 2011 | George P. Matysek Jr.

[MDJohnPaul]

Ten years after the attacks, Archbishop O’Brien believes the nation has changed. There’s a greater awareness that evil exists, he said, and there are lessons that have been learned.

“I think the celebration of the anniversary is a good wake-up call that we have to keep our guard up and be strong both at home defenses and collaborating with our allies overseas,” Archbishop O’Brien said.

After the terrorist attacks, the archbishop said, “justice had to be done.” He is surprised, however, that U.S. forces are still present in Afghanistan.

“I hope it doesn’t last much longer,” he said. “I think we accomplished our mission of lowering the effectiveness of terrorists over there. Our challenge is local terrorists, too.”

Civil liberties must be protected, he said, “but (we) still (have to) be sure that we are tracking very closely anyone who is aiding and abetting terrorist cells anywhere.”

The archbishop cautioned that nothing justifies hating another human being. He emphasized that those who have plotted or are plotting terror – what he called “dastardly” – must still be brought to justice.

“That’s not in conflict with forgiveness,” he said.

Archbishop O’Brien called it a “pity” that some Muslims have experienced discrimination in the wake of 9/11. He has worked with people of the Islamic faith, he said, and believes they offer “a lot of lessons to teach us on warmth and hospitality and welcome.” He cautioned against generalizing against any religion, pointing to the horrors of the Second World War.

“My one regret is that a lot of the good Muslim leadership has not spoken out more strongly against the terrorists and would-be terrorists,” he said. “Maybe they have. I have just not heard their voices.”

[livius]

I like O’Brien. He seems not to have drunk the USCCB fruit-flavored koolaid.

[G Larry]

“There’s a greater awareness that evil exists, he said, and there are lessons that have been learned.”

Except of course, by the folks in the White House.

“I think we accomplished our mission of lowering the effectiveness of terrorists over there.”

Except “lowering the effectiveness” was NEVER “the mission”. It was to DESTROY them.

[Cronos]

Good article.

[icwhatudo]

There’s a greater awareness that evil exists, he said, and there are lessons that have been learned.

we have to keep our guard up and be strong both at home defenses and collaborating with our allies overseas,” Archbishop O’Brien said.

After the terrorist attacks, the archbishop said, “justice had to be done.”

(we) still (have to) be sure that we are tracking very closely anyone who is aiding and abetting terrorist cells anywhere.”

those who have plotted or are plotting terror – what he called “dastardly” – must still be brought to justice.

“That’s not in conflict with forgiveness,” he said.

“My one regret is that a lot of the good Muslim leadership has not spoken out more strongly against the terrorists and would-be terrorists,” he said. “Maybe they have. I have just not heard their voices.”

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How sad Baltimore is losing this great man. He has rooted out the "pink palace" seminaries and thru private "retreats" has accepted the "retirement" or reassignment of many liberal dinosaurs in the archdiocese of Baltimore.

My only hope is that the replacement bishop will keep his new guidelines that are set to go into effect in a few years. Basically- be a real Catholic or get the heck out of the priesthood/Catholic school system.