Posted on 01/30/2007 4:06:12 PM PST by Huber
No matter where in the Body of Christ you happen to find yourself, every now and then your church's leadership will go Episcopalian on you:
Terry McAuliffe, unapologetic defender of partial birth abortion, is about to be honored for his selfless devotion to and efforts on behalf of the Catholic Faith by being admitted to the Knights of Malta.
Once again, those laboring in the trenches to uphold the Gospel are about to take a shiv between the shoulderblades. Once again, the unfaithful get front row seats while the laborers in the vineyard are told to shut up. This is of a piece with the detonation over the Buffalo Deacon’s homily (poor, poor "Brian," whose remarkably base political whoredom is noted here) and the Archbishop of Washington’s studied refusal to directly address life issues with any Catholics in public life. Yes, the Church’s leaders preach one thing while coddling the opponents within her ranks.
Imagine a French Director’s Cut of The Prodigal Son, where the younger son returns home to schtup hookers in Dad’s bed, kill all of elder brother’s livestock and announce that he’s building a shrine to Ba’al in the family room. All the while Dad shakes his head sadly and counsels that "the only response is a good example." That’s pretty well where we are.
And you know what? I’m not sure how much I care anymore. Sure, at one level I am outraged. But on another level, I’m thinking "What else is new?" I started lowering my standards concerning morally coherent Catholic leadership in 2002, and I haven’t stopped since. And, you know what? I’m happy to report that they come closer to meeting my expectations every year. Bishop-proofed faith--the key to peace of mind.
Catholic ping
That's disappointing. I wonder what Terry MacAuliff has done that's useful at all ... donated a bunch of money? Or is just being a public figure enough?
I wonder what our local Knights of Malta think of this.
I hope they return their medals saying they do not wish to belong to any association that would have Terry McAwful as a member.
Once again, those laboring in the trenches to uphold the Gospel are about to take a shiv between the shoulderblades
********************
Prayers for our beloved Pope Benedict, that he may address this and other issues of great concern to we Catholics here in America.
The source of this news appears to be Mr. Mac's interview on the Hugh Hewitt show:
HH: Yeah, but you do cite your Catholic faith.
TM: I say that I’m a Catholic, sure. Irish Catholic.
HH: You know, it says here on Page…
TM: Which I am.
HH: Page 165, “It might not quit with the lessons of my Catholic faith, but I don’t mind admitting that I couldn’t have been happier when the news broke on July 30th, 1999, that Linda Tripp had been indicted by a Maryland grand jury.” So you know it’s wrong to glory in the sufferings of others, because of your Catholic faith, your Catholic teachings.
TM: Yeah, but I say I have faults, like many people have faults. I wish I could follow 100% the teachings of the Catholic Church, but believe it or not, much to your chagrin, I am not Jesus Christ.
HH: No, but I mean, the whole abortion controversy, that’s just…you compartmentalize that and put that aside?
TM: I can, as can many Catholics.
HH: But I know many Catholics do, but do you think it’s right…Do you go to Mass and all that stuff, Terry?
TM: I go…yeah, I do.
HH: You do?
TM: In fact, I’m up to be on the Knights of Malta right now. They’ve just asked me to join the Knights of Malta.
HH: Oh, we’d better put out a word.
TM: Are you one of those?
HH: I’ve got friends in the Knights of Malta, yeah. You might not come back from your first trip to Rome.
TM: You need to go into the Knights of Malta.
HH: Huh?
TM: And as you know, the Holy Father himself, John Paul II, blessed my wife’s engagement ring when I wound up being at a private Mass for us in his private chapel.
HH: Nice picture. I know. Did he know about your supporting late term abortions?
TM: Sure, he knew he was.
HH: Is that teaching optional, Terry McAuliffe?
TM: Is what teaching optional?
HH: The Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life?
TM: Hey, listen, I have my views on my religious beliefs, Hugh, you’ve got yours.
HH: But I’m asking, do you think it’s…
TM: And you know, if you want to do a show on religious teaching, that’s fine. I’m talking about my book.
HH: Well, it’s in the book all the time.
TM: I make my statements, you write your book.
HH: No, but it’s in the book all the time about how Catholic you are.
TM: It’s not how Catholic I am. I’m an Irish Catholic kid from Syracuse. It’s probably mentioned five times, Hugh, so please don’t incorrectly characterize my book to your listeners.
HH: Well, it’s in here a lot…
TM: If you want to talk about the book, talk about the facts as they exist. I know you’re a right wing whacko, but don’t make things up.
HH: All right, let’s got to Page 113. Oh, I just quoted to you the page that that was on.
TM: That’s one page. That’s through the whole book? You just said it’s through the whole book, you don’t even remember what you just said. What did you? Go have a martini at lunch or something?
You can contact the Knigts of Malta online at
http://www.smom.org/contact.php
I did and I pray that all faithful, Catholic or Protestant who oppose the crime of abortion add their message.
thanks for the link, I sent an email too. What a disgrace.
The site notes that its admissions procedure require recommendation of two Knights. Any info on who they might be ?
The Knights is no more than a Nominal Catholic Hall of Celebrities.
But why isn't the Church itself excommunicating those who take public positions diametrically opposed to its teaching? Or at least some form of public rebuke to said nominal Catholics ?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.