Posted on 12/28/2010 10:32:21 AM PST by marshmallow
The Arizona Republic published a profile of Bishop Thomas Olmstead of Phoenix, offering some perspective on the quiet prelate who has captured nationwide attention by announcing that a hospital in Phoenix can no longer be considered Catholic.
While not actually hostile, the newspaper profile betrays some an inability to understand the perspective of a Catholic leader, commenting that the public statements and writings of Bishop Olmsted “often are strictly religious in nature and densely packed with references to Scripture, papal writings and other church documents.” In other words, he speaks primarily about religious topics, speaks from a Catholic perspective, and grounds his statements in the teachings of the Church. Is that—or should it be—surprising?
The Republic also seems surprised by the bishop’s choice of topics for his public statements:
He takes on issues of the day infrequently and has not written extensively on immigration, the economy or war. When he does take on current events, the position is almost inevitably conservative, restating the church position on marriage, homosexuality and ordination of women.
But marriage and homosexuality are surely “issues of the day” for all Americans, and the ordination of women is certainly an issue among Catholics. On the other issues mentioned in the newspaper profile—immigration, the economy, and war—there is no single, defined, orthodox Catholic stand. By steering clear of public statements on those topics, Bishop Olmstead avoids involvement in partisan politics.
The Republic recognizes the bishop’s dedication and sincerity, but questions his compassion—particularly regarding the critical case in which an abortion was deemed necessary to save a woman’s life. There is another perspective, however. Bishop Olmstead was the only major public figure who showed compassion for the doomed unborn child.
Bishop Thomas J. Olmstead Defined By Dedication
These are the kind of people who are amazed that the Pope is Catholic, or that a Rabbi holds services on Saturday instead of Sunday. It really makes you wonder what passes for intelligence now.
Some people are so clueless I wonder how they dress themselves in the morning!!
Sad thing is they could probably tell you all about Hugh Heffner’s engagement or some crap like that.
Hugh Heffnern is engaged? Really? How did I miss that?
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