[utahagen]

I believe Catholic Charities is the beneficiary of the Alfred E. Smith Annual Dinner. I believe also — don't “know” this, but am pretty sure — that Alfred E. Smith IV is a practicing Catholic. The dinner was started decades ago with good intentions and I don't think there is any chicanery involved with running it. However, after Roe v. Wade, politics became a much more complicated matter for the Catholic Church. If whatever organization that keeps Alfred E. Smith's memory alive wants to keep the dinner going, they should tweak it in time for 2017 so that politicians aren't showcased. Yes, I know that Alfred E. Smith was the first Catholic to run for President, and inviting area politicians wouldn't necessarily be a problem. However, the time has long past to have them sitting with the Cardinal on the dais. Have some poly sci professor speak or something like that. In any case, enough of giving cover to pro-abortion, as well as pro-gay marriage, politicians.

As for Cardinal Dolan, we should pray for him. I believe he had no idea what he was up against when he came to New York. The hostility to traditional values here is...well, very real. His strategy from the outset has been to engage with the culture, which he has done. How he feels that has worked out, there is no way of knowing. He faces no only a culture at odds with real Catholicism, but a Pope who is either nutty or...well, let's just say Pope Francis is nutty because the alternatives are too depressing to contemplate. So, spare a prayer for Cardinal Dolan. His is a gig I wouldn't wish on anyone.

[RitaOK]

Thank you for your insightful reply. I appreciate what you had to say very much. I agree with you from stem to stern.

Be relieved to know, speaking for myself, that I found Dolan to be a very sympathetic figure last night, and admittedly easier to pray for. It’s been tough, I confess.

I would not want the NYC gig, either.

I remain a little stunned at the lack of grounding and courage he brought to NYC, on these social issues.

Going back to what I said, Catholics don’t so much reject Dolan’s outreach to the LG community, but to do so publicly under the name of Saint Patrick, in a parade, while in the total absence of an equally public admonishment against the practicing lifestyle of these militants remains a scandal for me.

Not a peep.

As you know, in the 1962 Missal, “admonishment” is one of the cardinal virtues for even being Catholic, if I am not mistaken.

Thanks for your reply. I will remember your counsel— to pray for this lame shepherd, as am I among the lame as well.