Cardinal's anti-gay comment sparks protest

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 5/22/03 | CARLOS CAMPOS

[NYFriend]

I can call myself and elephant.

The real irony is that catholic means universal, and there are several catholic churches. What can I say?

An interesting aside is that my father and his family were Byzantine Catholics. The priests can marry, they follow the Orthodox calendar, and there are some other differences, such as leavened bread soaked in wine for communion. (There are very many visual differences in the churches, and there are no instruments played during worship.) Anyway, the catch is, the Byzantine's recognize the Pope as the earthly head of the Church, and they are in communion with the Church of Rome. In fact, if a Byzantine Catholic wished to transfer to a Roman Catholic Church (or vice versa), they do not need to go through the usual steps of joining. Instead, the applicable Bishops just need to agree to the transfer.

[independentmind]

You and I noticed the same comment. How completely idiotic.

[montag813]

"In many parts of the world, the family is under siege," Arinze said...."It is opposed by an anti-life mentality as is seen in contraception, abortion, infanticide and euthanasia. It is scorned and banalized by pornography, desecrated by fornication and adultery, mocked by homosexuality, sabotaged by irregular unions and cut in two by divorce."

Amen. Concisely and accurately put. Would make a great Pope, although a bit old at 70.

[montag813]

Theresa Sanders, a professor of theology at the university, protested by leaving the stage where Arinze was speaking.

Why not just open a Department of Athiesm for Ms. Sanders? I think we can safely stop calling Georgetown a "Jesuit" school. It is no more religious-based than any other school.

[eastsider]

There are several commencement addresses posted on the Georgetown site, but not the Cardinal's. I have contacted the Office of Public Affairs by phone asking for an on-line transcript of the Cardinal's remarks. The contact information for the Public Affairs Office is as follows:

Office of Public Affairs
206 Healy Hall
37th & O Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20057

Phone: (202) 687-8496
Fax: (202) 687-0785
EM: gucomm@georgetown.edu.

[RansomOttawa]

"In many parts of the world, the family is under siege," Arinze said. . . . "[It is] mocked by homosexuality. . . ."

So why are these people so upset? That happens to be literally true.

[SoothingDave]

In fact, if a Byzantine Catholic wished to transfer to a Roman Catholic Church (or vice versa), they do not need to go through the usual steps of joining. Instead, the applicable Bishops just need to agree to the transfer.

Any Catholic can satisfy his Mass obligation by attending a service in any of the rites. But technically speaking, a transfer from one rite to another requires the Pope's approval.

SD

[eastsider]

Georgetown is sending me a copy of the Cardinal's commencement speech by mail, and I will post it in its entirety as soon as I receive it.

[Adder]

I am thinking that a Cardinal going to a Catholic university isn't exactly a guest. So a few protested? Their position is absurd and unworthy of anyone called "professor":"it was divisive[add lisp]"Really? Maybe it was challenging. Maybe it was the fact that at a Catholic university, a Cardinal of the Church spoke of Catholic doctrine. That just HAD to be upsetting.

While I have some sympathy for the brainwashed students who were "upset" it is on the low side.

If your beliefs can't stand challenge then maybe they aren't very well founded to begin with. That seems to be the problem here. Anyone who disagrees with the acceptance of 'mos is divisive, insensitive and can be accused of making "hurtful" remarks. But only because thats what "they" say. Notice no reason can be given as why it is that way. Its simply a kneejerk reaction to any perceived criticism.

[luvtheconstitution]

What he said was correct in view of Judeo-Christian beliefs. That some found it so offensive is really frightening.

[eastsider]

The text of Cardinal Arinze's commencement address can be found here.