Chicago Catholics to Protest "Blasphemous" Cartoon -- September 25

The Illinois Leader ^ | September 20, 2002 | The Leader - Chicago Bureau

[Preston Noell]

Please join this protest in Chicago on Wednesday, September 25th, 11:30 to l:00 pm.

Chicago Catholics Protest "Blasphemous" Cartoon

Friday, September 20, 2002

By The Leader-Chicago Bureau - Chicago Reader's cartoonist Garret Gaston focus of protest

During lunch hour on September 25, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) will publicly protest a recent cartoon published in The Chicago Reader. Catholics and other faiths plan to demonstrate across the street from the paper's downtown Chicago office at shortly before noon on Wednesday to voice their outrage with Garret Gaston's cartoon, "Papal Makeover," a piece the TFP calls "blasphemous."

link to cartoon: http://www.illinoisleader.com/content/img/f2062/Papal.jpg

On June 21st, The Chicago Reader, a 130,000-reader weekend newspaper, published a cartoon with the Pope dispensing "red hot birth control pills," saying, "we were just kidding about Original Sin" and suggesting immoral actions in the confessional, proposing a "new recipe for communion" using chocolate chips, among other images offensive to Catholics.

Each Thursday, The Chicago Reader is distributed freely at 1200 locations to upper middle class, single, college-attending professionals, 59% male and 41% female. Garret Gaston's cartoons are syndicated in less than ten papers nationally, including a news source in San Diego.

Before mobilizing a network of over 200,000 activists nationwide, American TFP President Raymond Drake sent a protest letter, asking The Chicago Reader for an unqualified apology and a written commitment that it will never again publish such blasphemies.

"This blatant, filthy mockery of the Papacy and the Church is a grave insult to God and to all Catholics" wrote Mr. Drake in a letter to the editor published by The Reader. "Facing these blasphemies we have no other option than to stand up and defend the honor of God and our Catholic Faith."

Gaston is known and has won awards for his "alternative" style in cartooning. And in a letter to the editor in reply to a reader condemning the cartoon, Gaston wrote, "I was actually calling through my comic strip for its readers to consider that the church has as little business promoting sexual behaviors as it does condemning them," and that if the reader "feels that as a Catholic [he] is being unfairly persecuted by a licentious cartoonist, I suggest he try being sexually persecuted by a powerful religion that professes to be the mouthpiece of God."

The Reader has not apologized or responded to the TFP's demands.

C. Preston Noell, head of the TFP's Chicago Bureau asks, "If this cartoon does not awaken our holy outrage, can we still consider ourselves Catholic?"

Noell is heading up the protest in Chicago. "We have been successful in the past in effecting the media," Noell said. "TFP is sending out 500,000 anti-blasphemy cards that will be returned to the Chicago Reader and we are planning next week's rally to held in front of The Chicago Reader's offices at Illinois & State Streets in downtown Chicago."

If the rally does not effect change in policy, other tactics may be used to influence the publication, Noell said.

"We may begin pressure on the paper's major advertisers," Noell said. "Perrier Water, Loyola University and United Parcel are all major advertisers in The Chicago Reader. We have asked for an apology and a promise to not print another cartoon of blasphemous nature. We will push until we protect our doctrine from these attacks."

Noell encouraged anyone to attend the rally and everyone to check the TFP's website to email the Chicago Reader a protest letter directly by visiting their website at http://www.tfp.org or by calling the TFP's Chicago area office at 847.692.2585.

"We hope that another 'Catholic backlash' will occur as it did in Disney's movie Dogma that bombed a year or so ago. We know that if there's enough outrage, we will turn this around."

[wallcrawlr]

No its not.

[concerned about politics]

It would be nice to see some support from our fellow Christians, when it comes to this blasphemy.

That's a hard thing to do if you're referring to the overall cartoon. Many other Christian organizations speak out against homosexuality, and always have. The Catholic Church has their own gay outreach program!
What can other Christians do? The Catholics welcome that which could destroy them. What would other churches do to help this?
We can't defend them or agree with their rules on this issue.
This is where the Catholic church is on it's own. They got themselves in that homosexual pediphile scandle, and still reach out to get more homosexuals into their church.
They have to work it out themselves. There's nothing we can do to help. I'm sorry.

[wallcrawlr]

Making fun of a religious group's teachings with humor may make that group mad, but claiming blasphemy is a bit of a stretch.

You may want to consider the possibility that people who are immature in their faith would make comments like yours.

[MinuteGal]

In one sense, you're right. Not worth the effort. However, in my opinion, it's always wise to view the techniques of the left.

Leni

[concerned about politics]

WE AS A CONGREGATION DO NOT SUPPORT HOMOSEXUALS.

Now wait a minute. I keep reading that. You do have a gay outreach program. A rainbow triangle with a dove? How can you not support one of your own outreach programs?

[Romulus]

If the cartoonist is amused by the thought of the Church hoist with her own petard, it's not because he hates hypocrisy, but because he hates the Church.

Of those who stopped by Golgotha to mock, how many did so out of concern for God's honor, and not to justify their own?

Though it's well that in mocking the Mystical Body, the cartoonist mocks the absurdity of a buff crucified Body, it bears remembering that in scripture the demons' christology is perfectly orthodox -- they know just Christ is, and before almost anyone else. Even Satan confesses Christ.

[Askel5]

the cartoonist mocks the absurdity of a buff crucified Body,

With a womanly, curvy, trannnnsssexual one.

[CaptBlack]

I have seen worse on South Park

Me too.
On my first day at my old job 4 years ago, my lead ushered me in his office for something really "funny." He sat me down in front of a bunch of people huddled around his laptop.
He closed the door and began a video clip of a cartoon (I didn't know what South Park was then). Next followed the most insanely blasphemous "comedy" I've ever witnessed. The 'toon depicted Jesus cussing, using the "F" word, God's name in vain, and physically assaulting Santa.

What blew me away was how funny everyone thought it was. I'm not the best Christian by any means, but that put the fear in me. I can't BELIEVE this stuff gets on the air without a protest.

[George W. Bush]

You'll have to admit, a homosexual pedophile supporting congragation isn't pretty. If it were happening in our church, I'd be long gone!

Well, yes. But that's the heart of their problem. They think deep down, way past the ecumenical dialogue, that the church of Rome is the only possible Christian church and that it controls their eternal salvation, that it is their eternal salvation. I honestly don't think the average RC can conceive of anything else in other than a purely intellectual sense.

The even bigger problem is that the hierarchy knows that they believe that the Roman church is their salvation because, of course, the hierarchy taught them this. And the hierarchy wants to soft-pedal the boy-sex aspect of Catholicism, no matter what anyone says. Unless it's a U.S. court of law. So the rank and file is actually quite powerless. Even more so in liberal dioceses. They can hold opinions but can do nothing except withhold donations, quit volunteering, etc. And in some ways, that would be a shame too because Catholic charities do some good work.

The concept of Christian liberty just doesn't mean the same thing to adherents of Rome. It can't.

[George W. Bush]

I support no Catholic (or any other) organization that supports homosexuality, abortion, euthanasia, or anything else that is contrary to the faith - those that do are not real Catholics, they are wolves in sheep's clothing.

This language bears a striking resemblance to that in a pastoral letter issued to his diocese by Archbishop Curtiss. He concluded that it is anti-Christian to vote for Democrats. Pretty courageous, given the subject matter. I have a certain admiration for a few of these orthodox Roman bishops that goes beyond basic doctrinal differences between us. But I think these kind of Roman bishops are outnumbered. And headquarters isn't doing much to help them.

[Havoc]

I wish that they wouldn't use the word "blasphemous" to describe what is better described as "bigoted.

Blasphemous don't apply as there is no accusation against God. Ya'll need to learn what the terms actually mean. Further more, I've seen more bigoted remarks on the walls of men's rooms. There is nothing bigoted there unless you can show us the guy has an uninformed and directed hatred - the which is not displayed here. The only thing displayed is a rather sick, albeit somewhat factually based, sense of humor. In short, grow up. Bad taste don't make him a blasphemer anymore than pretense makes a Catholic christian.

[RobbyS]

Face it Havoc: you can't see the bigotry because you share it.

[concerned about politics]

You know, those letters are so hypocritical. When the boys were rapped by priests, there was little outrage.No letters of outrage to the press, no protests, nor action. Just silence from the church.
I think writing to this paper is making a fool out of yourself. You're using the Lord as your shield from your own embarassment from the scandle.
Unless people wake up to the reality of what has happened in the Catholic church, this stuff will never go away. Catholics will always be the butt of ridicule. Protest the molestations first, and the nation may take you seriously. Otherwise, late night comedians will use this cartoon and your reaction to it as fodder for even more Catholic jokes. It's ripe for the picking.
Go ahead. Show "outrage" over a cartoon and hide the homosexual molestation issue in the closet. See how seriously anyone will take you. I feel there won't be much sympathy for your cause.

[Coleus]

thank you for your concern but one does not have to do with the other.

And, yes, many of the lay people were outraged and voiced their opinions. You are confusing the lay people and the Bishops and Priests. We are 2 different entities, I have no control over what they do and have not hidden any priest. I don't have the financial means nor a large house to do so. Thanks for your concern.

Before we take care of the priests we have to take care of these Protestant Ministers, no?

"CHURCH EVANGELIZERS PREYED ON LOW-INCOME KIDS.

Men from a rural Baptist church known for its aggressive evangelizing of children are suspected of molesting as many as 22 boys & girls. The associate pastor, volunteer bus driver & a third church member are believed to have fondled some & raped others, ranging in age from 3 to 10, on church buses & property. Charges involving 10 victims were brought against Associate Pastor Timothy Lee Leonard, 32, of North Sharon Baptist Church near Grass Lake, & volunteer Sunday school bus driver, church deacon Mark Foeller. Three other church members are being investigated. The suspects went to low-income housing projects or trailer parks in 4 counties, telling parents they would "take the children to church & teach them about God", according to Det. Robert Fitzpatrick, Jackson Co. Men would walk up to children in their yards, coaxing them with treats to come to weekend services or summer Bible school. Leonard was relieved of church duties involving children in August, after police started investigating him when a doctor reported suspected abuse in a child with a sexual disease. He also worked as instructor & gym teacher in the North Sharon Christian School, enrolling about 65 students. "
We have to keep our kids _safe_ from Baptist pedophiles!
Buzz Kelly

* BRONSON MINISTER ARRAIGNED.

First Congregational Church minister David Covert Moore was charged with 5 counts of criminal sexual conduct of 4 children under the age of 15. In July he checked himself into Pine Rest Christian Counseling Services in Grand Rapids. Source: Jackson Citizen Patriot 8/29/92.
* AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN RAIDED. Deputies raided the home of Veterans Administration chaplain Rev. Donald G. Phillips, of Butler County, seizing 500 video tapes, movie equipment and restraints following a tip that he produced pornographic movies with young girls. The Baptist minister recently received the highest recognition awarded a VA chaplain, "the Award for Excellence in Chaplain Service". Source:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2/19/92.

* BAPTIST VOLUNTEER CONVICTED.

Granite State Baptist Church volunteer David Kirsch, 39, of Salem, was convicted of sexually assaulting 6 young girls through the church from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s.
Source: USA Today 9/25/92.

* MINISTER & GIRLFRIEND INDICTED.

Trenton pastor Franklin Tucker, 37, Final Call Ministry, was indicted for molesting his girlfriend's daughters, 9 & 15. His girlfriend was indicted for forcing her daughters to recant the allegations to police. The abuse came to light when the 9-year-old told a school official, who contacted police. Source: Trenton Times 9/15/92.

* CIVIL SUIT: 11-YEAR-OLD MOLESTED.

A family in Dare County, North Carouna is suing Methodist minister Carl M. Eller for abusing their daughter, 11, as well as the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, a bishop and a reverend for knowing of his history of sexual misconduct but doing nothing about it. The family says she was molested when her father, a carpenter, was installing cabinets in the parsonage. Eller pleaded no contest to a charge of criminal assault on a female. However, the family said that in 1987 Eller had molested or made lewd comments to 4 women at his church, and forcibly kissed and touched 2 girls age 13. Three women had lodged formal complaints with the church, but the only action was to transfer him from Aurora to Hamlet. Source: News & Observer 1/15/92.

* BAPTIST PASTOR RESIGNS AMID SCANDAL.

Asheville Baptist pastor Michael R. Stewart, 34, of Oakley, resigned following his arrest in a prostitution sting. Stewart's name was among 400 on a full-page ad that month promoting family & traditional biblical values. Source:
Citizen-Times 6/30/92.

* CHURCH SUED FOR NEGLIGENCE.

One of several girls who said Alva minister Rev. Robert Bruce Brigden molested her is suing the First Presbyterian Church for failing to check his background before hiring him. Allegations of sexual crimes were made at his former position in Kansas. Charges allege that he molested Alva church girls, ages 4 to 14. The church posted his bond. Source: _Tulsa Tribune

* PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER GETS 40 YEARS.

Rev. Robert Bruce Brigden was sentenced to 40 years in prison for molesting young girls in his congregation, convicted on 8 counts of lewd molestation & 1 count of rape by instrumentation involving a girl, 7. Bridgen, 57, was accused of molesting 11 girls, aged 4 to 14, during the 4 years he was at the Alva church. His congregation put the church up as bond, insisting he was innocent. He was placed in protected custody. Brigden blamed his arrest on a girl, 4, whose parents were the first to take the children's allegations seriously. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," Brigden wrote his wife about the 4-year-old, whom he described as "4 going on 400 years old", saying she invited him to spend the night in her bed, & was mad that he declined. Source: Tulsa Tribune 8/92, Tulsa World 9/3/92, _Daily Oklahoman_ 6/14/92.

* CHURCH VOLUNTEER CHARGED WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY.

Church volunteer Seven Jon Long, 41, was arrested for sodomy and taking pornographic pictures of young girls under 12 from Assembly of God Church in Rogue River, where he was a youth volunteer. He told detectives his pictures were art. Source: Daily Courier, Grants Pass, 4/17/92.

* CONVICTED PASTOR "RIGHT WITH LORD".

Rev. Virgil Carpenter, 48, pastor of Bible Missionary Church in Ontario, was convicted of sodomy & sexual abuse of a girl, 9, over a 1-1/2 year period. A jury convicted Carpenter of 2 felony counts of sodomy & 4 felony counts of sexual abuse. He faces 5 additional felony charges in 2 upcoming trials. "I'm really not worried," he told supporters who had gathered in the courtroom before the verdict. "I'm right with the Lord." Source: Corvallis Gazette-Times 10/11/92.

Why weren't these stories given national press coverage? Why is there a coverup of Christian pedophile ministers' crimes against America's children???
Buzz Kelly

Wow, are they bad or what?