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Posted on 12/23/2011 10:27:32 AM PST by Steelfish
Newt Gingrich: What Kind of Catholic Is He? Melinda Henneberger
December 23
The Newt Gingrich who talks about finding ways around the U.S. Supreme Court ban on school prayer and says public schools should be required to “teach the Creator” is not immediately recognizable to those who knew the former House speaker when he was not much of a church-goer. These days, Gingrich is running an overtly faith-based presidential campaign with echoes of televangelist Pat Robertson’s run in 1988.
But on a quieter tour of Catholic America that began more than a year ago, the GOP candidate has been sounding religious themes for some time. Since 2010, Gingrich and his third wife, Callista, have been showing their documentary film about Pope John Paul II, “Nine Days that Changed the World,” in Catholic churches and schools across the country.
And as an announcement for a September screening at Trinity Heights in Sioux City, Iowa, made clear, politics, faith and commerce come together in these outings: “Newt and Callista will be available after the film for DVD signing and a signing of the book, ‘Rediscovering God in America.’ ”
Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has praised the influence of his wife, Callista Gingrich, and the choir she performs with when discussing his conversion to Catholicism.
Gingrich’s critics look askance at this busy intersection of personal and public, new faith and old, tribal politics, Roman practice and American commerce. They question the timing and sincerity of the former speaker’s conversion to Catholicism two years ago, especially in light of the Gingrich’s unspoken but unmistakable “I’m one of you” message in the venues where he shows his film to fellow Catholics, who are a key swing voting bloc.
That’s perhaps especially the case because the candidate, who was born a Lutheran and previously a....
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I believe that’s part of it. Part hate, part ignorance.
It is indeed comforting to know that our Godless friends in the media want to help us turn away from Newt because we need to be protected from his religious beliefs?
It doesn’t occur to these morons that for those who care about Newt’s religion this is old news and for those who don’t care about his religion this is NO NEWS!
Being a cradle Catholic myself I don’t think the judgement is your’s or the Washington’s compost to make....I like Newt better than some of the others and IMHO he’s a better Catholic than Nancy Pelosi is!
I’ve never got how anyone could be Baptist in the first place and preach against the church that Christ started?
“... he’s a better Catholic than Nancy Pelosi is”
Amen, Chris. He is also a better Catholic than any of the Kennedy clan.
What you say is true.
And anyway, I heartily welcome Protestants. Sinners and all. In many there’s a wealth of spirituality, Bible scholarship, activism and - don’t laugh - good singing... especially from the south.
It’s not up to me, but wherever possible, I’m ecumenical. Especially when it comes to the major issue of abortion.
That said, I’d vote for Sarah Palin in a heartbeat regardless of her affiliation.
Gingrich was born at the Harrisburg Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on June 17, 1943, as Newton Leroy McPherson. His mother, Kathleen “Kit” (née Daugherty; 1925–2003), and father, Newton Searles McPherson, married in September 1942, when she was 16 and McPherson was 19.
Appears his mother was possibly Irish Catholic - so he is returning to his roots.
His bio father was likely Scottish Presbyterian but did not raise him.
http://www.houseofnames.com/mcpherson-coat-of-arms
Maybe his adopted father (Gingrich) was the Lutheran???
Newt’s conversion is between himself and God.
Probably an act of pure grace. As one who swum the Tiber to Rome a number of years ago, I can only say "Come on in, the water's fine!"
A true believer in the Truth will eventually find it.
Well said.
Can’t beat that for a riposte. Come home one and all to the “One True, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church” Nicene Creed.
A regular Baptist could...But a born-again Baptist couldn't...
“A regular Baptist could...But a born-again Baptist couldn’t...”
Perfect response. A born-again person of any denomination wouldn’t turn Catholic. You can’t get “un-saved” once born again, and turning to a religion of idolatry and salvation by works wouldn’t be possible if truly born again.
I feel that Newt lives his life determined exclusively by what’s expedient to him at any point in time. It’s scary both when related to religion and politics. It’s hard to respect or trust someone who has no deep convictions.
Yes. I regret basing that accusation on a false story. Nonetheless, the fact that Newt is an arrogant loose cannon is well established.
Merry Christmas my friend.
“Newtie is a ‘born again’ novus ordo, phony Catholic. New members like these continue to dilute the congregations as they are truly agnostics and believe in nothing.”
As a cradle Catholic, I find your comment sad & pathetic. What an unwelcoming attitude toward converts. And, since I was born in 1977, I’m a “novus ordo” Catholic so I guess in your eyes I’m not legit??
Some converts to the Church are more devout & pious than us cradles. And they’ve done a better job at evangelizing. Are you questioning the authenticity of people like Steven Ray & Dr Scott Hahn??
Really, I wish you’d retract your comment. What an unfortunate thing to say.
Who cares? At least he’s not a Muslim.
Finding religion has nothing to do with becoming a Christian. A Christian is a person who through the Grace of God acknowledges that they are a lost sinner in need of a Savior, and that Savior is Jesus Christ. By believing that Jesus is the only Son of God, that he was crucified and on the third day was resurrected, and in repentance ask Jesus to forgive you and reside in your heart you will be saved.
A true born again Christian will still stumble and fall many times but according to I John 1-9 “ If we confess our sins , he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Jesus gave his life for us as a free gift.
Ephesians 2 8-9 For grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Membership in any particular church is not what save you, it is your faith and trust in Jesus.
His grandmother was Lutheran...
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