Obama vs. Catholicism: divide and conquer tactics worry the faithful

Examiner.com ^ | 8/20/2009 | Paul Nowak

[WildReeling]

A pattern of subversive activity towards the Roman Catholic Church by President Obama’s administration has been noticed by Catholic commentators during the past several months.

On May 17th, President Obama spoke at the commencement ceremony for Notre Dame University, despite protests and condemnation by several U.S. Bishops. The opposition to Obama’s speaking at a Catholic university was due to his promises to remove restrictions on abortion, a practice considered morally wrong by the Roman Catholic Church.

While it may be difficult for non-Catholics to understand the severity of refusing to accept Catholic teachings on abortion and contraception while claiming to be Catholic, it is a matter of obedience to a fundamental teaching on the sanctity of life. One cannot call themselves American and still support the actions of terrorists against America, for that is disobedience to a treasonous degree. Likewise, to support abortion - particularly while serving as a public official – and call oneself Catholic is to put oneself outside the communion (ex communio, the root of the term excommunicate) with other Catholics.

“[Obama] is a man of many talents, one of which is the concerted, nearly effortless goal of attacking the Catholic Church and her teaching,” said Judie Brown, president of American Life League in a recent blog post. “He has not done this by overt comments or threats or acts of intimidation; he has done it and is continuing to do it by shining a spotlight on Catholics who are anything but representative of the fundamental teachings of the Church.”

[Texas Fossil]

I’m not Catholic, but I know about Obozo’s “Liberation Theology”. Saw it up-close and personal in NM back in the early 80’s. Imported direct from Nicaragua.

It is nothing but “Marxism” in a phony religious wrapper.

[livius]

“He has not done this by overt comments or threats or acts of intimidation; he has done it and is continuing to do it by shining a spotlight on Catholics who are anything but representative of the fundamental teachings of the Church.”

It's a clever strategy, but basically it's the same one that has been used by the press for decades. Every time they want a "Catholic" opinion on something, they go and consult someone who simply doesn't accept Church teaching on the topic. This, in turn, gives the perception that nobody accepts the Church's teaching, or that "dissent" is somehow okay.

It's not, but until the bishops take some action on these people - silencing those who are members of religious orders, for example, or expelling them if they persist - Obama and the press are going to get away with it.

[RC2]

You should fear anyone that places themselves as a “Partner with God”. Anti-Christ maybe, but not partner.

[DM1]

I myself am Catholic and let me say here that any Catholic that voted for this bozo is a hypocritical moron which accounts for most of MA and RI

[Prokopton]

Obama doesn't have to do a thing, the Catholic Church is already divided. The “in your face” tactics of those elected officials who claim to be Catholic, but don't believe in Catholic teachings, have not been countered by a clear, united stand by the Church. Weakness empowers enemies and the Catholic Church, especially in the United States, exudes weakness. The Church has apparently not learned, just as the Republican party has not learned, that you grow stronger by building upon principle not by weakening your stance to be more “popular”.

[browardchad]

“I think responses to my administration mirror tensions within the Church as a whole,” he said in a press conference on July 2. “I think that there have been times over the last decade or two where that more holistic tradition feels like it’s gotten buried under the abortion debate. Now, as a non-Catholic, it’s not up to me to try to resolve those tensions... All I can do is to affirm how that other tradition has made me, a non-Catholic, I think reflect on how I can be a better person and has had a powerful influence on my life. And that tells me that it might be a powerful way to move a broader set of values forward in American life generally.”

Obama is not a person who would research, retain or care about "tensions within the Church as a whole."

The more salient question here is, "Who is advising him and/or writing these comments?" It's certainly not Kennedy, Biden or Pelosi. Kmiec?

[Texas Fossil]

I fear (love and respect) God, but fear no human, including Obozo. What is the most that can be done to a human, death. We all eventually will die, unless we are alive when this struggle all ends. And end it will, and the force of darkness will not prevail.

The emotions Obozo instills in me are not fear, but loathing. Past that I shall not say.

He is the enemy of all free men.

[Buckeye McFrog]

he knows that he has a fifth-column of Marxist sympathizers within the Church

[what's up]

Catholics are susceptible to liberation theology.

So are Rick Warren evangelicals.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Catholics are susceptible to liberation theology.

Correction: Some people who claim to be Catholic are susceptible to liberation theology.