Montana Diocese Blasted for Double Standard

Catholics slam Helena's Msgr. Kevin O'Neill for presence at pro-abortion, pro-LGBT politician's speech

HELENA, Mont. (ChurchMilitant.com) - The diocese of Helena, Montana is being slammed by faithful Catholics for what they see as hypocrisy.

On Tuesday, Msgr. Kevin O'Neill, administrator for the diocese, issued a public letter apologizing for the "pain" caused by four priests who attended a July 5 rally for Matt Rosendale, a pro-life Catholic running against pro-abortion Democrat Jon Tester for a seat in the U.S. Senate. President Trump appeared at the rally in support of Rosendale.

"Let me clearly state that I sincerely regret any and all confusion or hurt this incident has caused," O'Neill stated.

"I am troubled that they were assigned such a prominent place in the arena particularly since they were dressed in clerical attire," he continued. "My disappointment is underscored by their attire being associated with that of an official presence of the Diocese or as if they were acting as its official representatives, which they were not."

The priests — Fathers Kevin Christofferson and Christopher Lebsock from the Helena diocese, and Fathers Ryan Erlenbush and Garrett Nelson from the Great Falls-Billings diocese — were invited to sit in the front row at the rally by a Catholic organizer. False reports by the Washington Post and other media outlets claimed the priests clapped at allegedly racist, sexist remarks made by Trump, but video footage contradicts the reports, revealing they only clapped after the president made clear he'd crack down on the MS-13 gang, known for raping and torturing its victims.

IOW, they are ashamed that Matt Rosendale is actually a practicing Catholic. Unlike the Pope.

2 posted on 07/16/2018 6:15:13 AM PDT by Vigilanteman (ObaMao: Fake America, Fake Messiah, Fake Black man. How many fakes can you fit into one Zer0?)

I imagine that its been almost 3/4 of a century since anyone has seen any moral leadership from the Catholic hierarchy. Seems like Catholic bigwigs like schmoozing with the Kennedys and Cuomos and homos, and spit on their rank and file.

3 posted on 07/16/2018 7:28:48 AM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie (MAGA in the mornin', MAGA in the evenin', MAGA at suppertime . . .)

JP2 was the notable exception.

4 posted on 07/16/2018 7:29:59 AM PDT by Vigilanteman (ObaMao: Fake America, Fake Messiah, Fake Black man. How many fakes can you fit into one Zer0?)

It is going to be up to the rank and file Catholics to try and get the Catholic Church back on track. But, it will be a long endeavor because the 'deep state' in the Church is well entrenched.

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