The Newt Evangelization: Gingrich to become Catholic

Deacon's Bench ^ | March 3, 2009 | Deacon Greg Kandra

[NYer]

Buried deep inside this long and wonkish profile of Newt Gingrich in Sunday's New York Times, was this little nugget that, I suspect, went largely unnoticed:

At a moment when the role of religious fundamentalism in the party is a central question for reformers, Gingrich, rather than making any kind of case for a new enlightenment, has in fact gone to great lengths to placate Christian conservatives. The family-values crowd has never completely embraced Newt, probably because he has been married three times, most recently to a former Hill staff member, Callista Bisek. In 2006, though, Gingrich wrote a book called “Rediscovering God in America” — part of a new canon of work he has done reaffirming the role of religion in public life. The following year, he went on radio with the evangelical minister James Dobson to apologize for having been unfaithful to his second wife. (A Baptist since graduate school, Gingrich said he will soon convert to Catholicism, his wife’s faith.)

PHOTO: by Nigel Parry for the New York Times.

[narses]

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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment

Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

[ml/nj]

I always thought he caved because he was having an affair.

At least you recognize that he did (cave, that is).

ML/NJ

[jwparkerjr]

Excellent points. I hadn't looked at it that way, but you're right about him compared with Rush. What is there about Republicans that they can't fight for things they consider important? I remember all the trash that was being talked by the Dems in the period following the revolution. The Republican approach was to just ignore it all, with the statement that “the truth will out.”

Gosh, when you stop and actually spend some time thinking about how the GOP went astray after being given nearly full control you start to realize just how many things where they've missed the train.

[bmwcyle]

ping

[MEGoody]

but it’s undeniable that two generations of no-fault divorce have radically changed many Protestants’ understanding of marriage from the lifelong commitment that the Church teaches.

I absolutely agree. What I find sad is that the Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a lifelong commitment, but then grants a 'waiver' of that for reasons other than adultery or abuse.

[bboop]

Truly, it is already raining. Hop on board.

[Philo-Junius]

“What I find sad is that the Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a lifelong commitment, but then grants a ‘waiver’ of that for reasons other than adultery or abuse.”

It doesn’t. It declares that the commitment never happened if wasn’t given freely and fully, based on the Church’s understanding of those terms.

Adultery and abuse are indicators that the commitment might not have been made, but by themselves are not grounds for annulment at all.

[TradicalRC]

One can only hope and pray.

[TradicalRC]

And then he sold out. Did you fall asleep?

I agree with you. Perhaps he holds some conservative beliefs, he did great with the Contract with America (although timing was probably good) and then the government shut down. I was cheering Newt during the staredown between him and Clinton. Newt blinked first. Just when he needed to be strong. It's an old story, some people are better at running For office than they are at holding office.

[TradicalRC]

The contract was great, where was the follow through? I had someone on FR who posted all the ‘successes’ of the CWA and according to their post, the president actually achieved the ability to line item veto. When I asked if THAT was true, I received no reply.

[TradicalRC]

When Christians of all stripesshow the same disdain for divorce that Christ and Paul did, then we’ll have true children of God. How about converting and NOT marrying again so as to avoid the judgement of adultery?

[TradicalRC]

I guess this means he will never be POTUS.

There are a host of reasons why he'll never be POTUS; his Catholicism is not one of them.

[annalex]

I suggest not “marrying again” in my 40. My point is to explain what is and what is not sacramental marriage generally.

[TradicalRC]

Gosh, when you stop and actually spend some time thinking about how the GOP went astray after being given nearly full control you start to realize just how many things where they've missed the train.

No Kidding! When asked after a couple of years where all the rollbacks were, dutiful republicans were told that it took 40 years to get into this mess, it's going to take some time to get out. Within a decade government grew more than ever, Republicans were the biggest spenders, and the Contract was long forgotten. Bush I gave us Clinton and Bush II gave us Obama.

[Philo-Junius]

I think anyone who studied Newt always knew he was lukewarm on most religious questions.

Hopefully, he’s now serious—for his sake, not ours.

[MEGoody]

It doesn’t. It declares that the commitment never happened if wasn’t given freely and fully, based on the Church’s understanding of those terms.

I'm curious as to what evidence one must present in order to obtain an annulment. How does one prove they (or their spouse) were never really committed to begin with unless there are clear behaviors such as adultery or abuse?

[eastsider]

Welcome home, Newt. Time to fire up the fatted calf!

[NCLaw441]

You posted: I’m curious as to what evidence one must present in order to obtain an annulment. How does one prove they (or their spouse) were never really committed to begin with unless there are clear behaviors such as adultery or abuse?
***

That, my friend, is a question for the Kennedys to answer. They have much experience and should have an easy answer to impart.

[Philo-Junius]

All sorts of things are evidence: routine contraception, prenuptial contracts explicitly contemplating divorce under various circumstances, testimony of others as to the state of mind of the couple at the time of the wedding, evidence of duress, such as parental or family pressure, etc.

It really goes on a case-by-case basis, but it’s not just a criticism of Protestant marriage: the divorce culture has infected the Church as well, and many Catholic marriages are upon examination shown to be defective as well.

[Jacquerie]

Hey Toots,

You cannot refute my point, “He authored the Contract With America. He led the revolution against 40 years of rat control in the House of Representatives. He did so with real beliefs.