Posted on 05/17/2009 12:03:41 PM PDT by SkyPilot
At the rate things are going, Pope Benedict XVI may find his next trip to the U.S. dogged by airplanes overhead trailing banners with images of aborted fetuses. O.K., that's a bit of hyperbole. But while several prominent conservative Catholics in this country are apoplectic over the University of Notre Dame's invitation of the pro-choice Barack Obama to give the school's commencement address on May 17, the Vatican has stayed completely silent on the matter.
The two very different reactions to the question of whether a Catholic institution should honor anyone who disagrees with the Church's teaching on abortion are just the latest examples of the strikingly divergent responses American Catholic leaders and the Vatican have had to the Obama Administration.
Three-quarters of Catholics either approve of or offer no opinion on Notre Dame's decision to invite Obama, and the same percentage of U.S. bishops have opted to stay out of the fight.
(Excerpt) Read more at time.com ...
I just saw the TV clips. It was disgusting.
Just outta curiosity, you wanna explain to all us non-papists out here in flyover country just why it is that Rome is so loathe to excommunicate these baby-murdering summabeeyotches?
I really don't know. Money? Are they afraid they will alienate liberal Catholic contributors?
Maybe, but I am not so sure. I am thinking it is more ideological and many Catholic leaders are just.....liberal.
In all honesty, for a religion which claims to worship at the altar of a doctrine of works, I can't think of a single, substantive concrete act which Ratzinger has taken to prevent the ongoing descent of the Roman church into nihilism & extinction.
I don't wish to engage in Catholic bashing. But, the Vatican is not beyond criticism. I applauded the Pope for his mild rebuke of Pelosi, but that is all it was. A mild rebuke.
If the church really took a stand against these politicians who claim to be Catholic, they could.
You have to agree that going through any underling, no matter how well you think of that person, water downs the public message.
Nothing could be more powerful than the Pope making a statement. He sure did with regard to his chastising Israel and urging Israel to give up land for peace this week during his trip there.
Again (I think this is the 3rd time I have said this), I think it is great this bishop issued a statement 9 days or so ago about Obama's upcoming visit to Notre Dame. I didn't know about it, but I am glad he did.
But, the headline on Drudge is still correct. Obama spoke today. If the Vatican issues a response, I will be happy to post the link. Or, you may as well.
Thanks.
If the Pope will not do it loud and clear, then no wonder no regular pol steps up and takes on Hussein and his MSM.
I would say we are pretty much doomed.
As far as I can tell, the Vatican has not released ANY press statements today and they typically don't on a Sunday unless it is a Papal greeting or a reaction to a major world news event. Also, keep in mind that there is a six hour time difference.
Why would a Christian organization support folks who do not accept Christ?
Pope Benedict is only one person, and he can’t speak to every single evil in the world as they come up - that’s why he has good people which HE PICKED, like Archbishop Burke.
Great post. This is the most active the Church has been about abortion since it went legal. The uproar about ND would never have happened in the 70s-90’s. But look at how many folks here are buying the spin, like it is the worst it has ever been. The left has to be scared silly that the Church might start doing a fraction of what it should have been doing all along when it comes to baby butchery.
70+ bishops spoke out, to the point that some Orthodox on FR are calling it the new American heresy for pete’s sake!!
Freegards
When the Vatican issues a statement, it is done on the Pope’s behalf. This is no different than when any other world leader’s spokesmen issue a statement.
Archbishop Burke made the Holy See’s feelings on this matter crystal clear when he issued his statement last week. In the absence of a revised statement there is no reason to believe that the Holy See’s opinion has changed.
In today’s world, many operate under the false assumption that all political statements are based on “nuances” and are likely to change based on polling data or circumstances — this is seldom, if ever, the case with the Church. It is not uncommon for the Church to wait centuries before issuing new statements on major events (such as the Great Schism, the Reformation or Galileo), it is quite likely that they will have private communication with “Father” Jenkins and others before anything else is said publicly.
Yep, that is about the craziest thing I've ever heard.
“When the Vatican issues a statement, it is done on the Pope’s behalf.”
Exactly!
There are horrible things going on, probably millions of times a day - human rights abuses in Red China, Africa, et al. The Pope can’t speak to each and every one, which is why “the Vatican,” like Archbishop Burke speak for him.
I’ve noted that so many times when a liberal organization, like Times, write an article to divide conservatives, too many conservatives fall for it every time.
- When a military campaign is going badly, or in need of leadership, the General or Combatant Commander would call a press conference or speak directly. Moreover, if things are going badly enough, there will be calls for the General to step down, or be replaced (i.e. fired). People also want to know who is in charge. Great leaders make this known through direct means.
- When a company goes south, or is confronted by a major public issue, it is the CEO everyone (including the investors) want to hear from. They are ultimately figure also held accountable.
Now, let's leave even that aside. What everyone here is throwing up in the Vatican's defense is a statement made 9 days or so ago by a person who is not only obscure by world opinion standards - he is completely unknown.
This fact cannot be argued. It is indisputable.
However, I would even welcome a Vatican denunciation of Obama, his "honorary" degree award, and a rebuke of his duplicitous and dishonest statements on abortion at this point.
If the Vatican issues such a statement tomorrow, I would be heartened by it.
People can throw out all the rhetoric about the inner workings of the church all they want. Everyone knows that if the Pope wanted to capture international headlines, he knows how to do it.
The Pope had no problem this week expressing his will on Israel. But, I don't see direct political confrontation on his part in other areas, to wit - directly taking on politicians who claim to be Catholic. Further, as the direct leader of Catholicism, he alone should be leading the fight against Obama on the abortion issue.
He isn't. He had the perfect opportunity. He could have humiliated Obama by yanking the invite. If Notre Dame had attempted to exhibit its "independence", he could have cut it off from all ties to the Catholic church, to include all priests, professors, and administration.
We can agree to disagree. That's OK with me. You may see great leadership on the part of this Pope and Vatican. I do not.
Take care.
Because God's covenant with Israel still stands - and God will bless those who bless Israel, and curse those who curse her.
You can’t possibly know what’s in my heart, considering that on this subject, it remains a mystery to even me..
If they issue one tomorrow, please post it.
Thanks.
You don't have a clue what you are talking about, Archbishop Burke is very well known.
He isn't. He had the perfect opportunity. He could have humiliated Obama by yanking the invite. If Notre Dame had attempted to exhibit its "independence", he could have cut it off from all ties to the Catholic church, to include all priests, professors, and administration.
The Pope COULD NOT uninvite Zero, Notre Dame is privately owned. As far as other actions, they would likely need to come AFTER Zero was actually honored. Additionally, this communications with Jenkins will likely be private at first.
As for your implication that the Pope somehow be "removed", you are entirely ignorant of the way the Church operates.
So.. you reckon Jesus lied?
"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also." ( John 14:6-7)
I don't.
humblegunner: So.. you reckon Jesus lied? "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also." ( John 14:6-7) I don't.
Christ message of salvation is not, and was not a "lie." He is the only means by which souls can be saved. Oprah and her new age disciples go on TV and tell everyone there are many paths to God. If course that is a lie.
Have you not heard of why Christians should support Israel?
Why Evangelical Christians Support Israel
God's covenant with the Jews has never been revoked.
God does not make promises and forget them later.
Would you think any less behavior from God Himself?
"For all the earth is mine: and you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation" (Exodus 19:5-6).
"The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all people; but because the Lord loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your ancestors." (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).
Christ is the Messiah. That is true. But Christians are called by God (the real one) to love and support Israel, because Christ loves Israel and her people.
In terms of world press and public? Compared to the Pope?
You have got to be joking.
The Pope COULD NOT uninvite Zero, Notre Dame is privately owned.
Ah yes, "above his pay grade?" This is precisely what I was saying to you. I am tired of this "out of my hands" approach by the church. Notre Dame is private - it is also a Catholic University. You mean to tell me the Pope has no sway of it? Come on. Be real. Even if Notre Dame refused, the Pope could have slammed them but good.
He didn't.
As far as other actions, they would likely need to come AFTER Zero was actually honored.
Then let's see it today.
Additionally, this communications with Jenkins will likely be private at first.
Gee, that does a lot of good. Now we are right back to square one. "Private" statements don't cut it. The battle here is in the public arena. Why let the university receive its chastisement in private, when they publicly invited Obama, publicly gave him a forum to spew his lies and rhetoric on abortion, publicly gave him an honorary degree, and publicly ignored and rejected the words of this bishop you all keep mentioning here as the end all and be on this issue?
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