Archdiocese of New Orleans

[HouWarrior]

Tower, this is a very good point and something most folks in the secular world and probably most of our bishops just don't get.

The late Cardinal Bernadin of Chicago, for example, spoke of the seamless garment of life. It meant being against abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia and tending to the physical and spiritual needs of all of God's people. Depending on the specific issue, the Cardinal's positions were either wildly conservative or crazy liberal.

We had a friend in Libertyville who once asked my Democratic-focused wife, "how can you be a Catholic and a Democrat?" To which my wife sternly responded, "how can you be a Catholic and a Republican?"

Most of us who are followers of Jesus tend to formulate our politics, at least in part, through the teachings of Scripture. We don't always succeed in getting to where we're prompted by the teachings of Jesus and our church, but dare I say, we try. Last Sunday's Gospel was quite clear in this matter. Jesus told us, "Love One Another!"

Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, as my kingdom is not of this world.

The founding fathers threw off the yoke of a state (king) sponsored and paid for religion (Church of England) in favor of a separation of Church and state. The idea was good.

In matters of state, governance and the laws of man we focus on civilized man's relationship with other men involving solely this mortal coil. Because the paths of the millions vary so much, modern civil governance functions best with a free information flow, and a well-informed citizenry driving to compromise and consensus. Imperfect as the public governmental product resulting, at least we then know it is the product of all of us, including many with whom we may not agree. It works until it doesn't and then it will change. I am quite comfortable that democratic governance will never reflect my personal belief, nor should it as good governance involves compromise to the views of both majority and minority, which our republic is well structured to accommodate and protect.

On the other hand, my faith and relation with God is purely personal. I bear an anachronistic view that no man may tell another what he is to believe in matters of faith. Please don't ever let my religious beliefs (or what I post here) influence yours. I am the loner who loves a quiet seat alone in the church loft. I have no problem with my personal beliefs viz politics. My relationship with God is highly personal, faith driven and uncompromising. In politics its interpersonal, ie my relationship and interaction with other men, so by definition its imperfect, accepting of compromise for the good of all. I strive to keep them totally separated.

Church state separation is equally important to the success of religion. Religions throughout history are diminished and get off their original exquisite central spiritual message by involvement in man's affairs. Early Christians struggled on Jewish law adherence including as to circumcision, as their new religion would be outed in the secular public baths. The New Testament is silent on gays...gotta rely on the Torah..Deuteronomy(sp?)...while there meander through the other dietary and health laws now considered arcane. The Koran starts out good then watch the struggles after Md. becomes the earthly leader of Mecca and must impose laws on men. Religion meets its lofty higher than man goals by staying in its lane, and above the earthly fray of politics.

BTW sorry for the tone here. It should be more muted and gentlemanly, I know.

[rocket surgeon]

Thanks for either refusing to answer the question or being unable to answer the question (or, more likely, both).

I'm gonna go with thousands of little boys raped by priests, with the Catholic Church covering it up for decades, being the most nefarious thing perpetrated by them in my lifetime until proven otherwise.

Thankfully, talented, hard-working journalists uncovered the scandal.

  yes there happen to be a few good hard working, honest journalists, what happened?? michael rose committed a flagrant act of journalism.  i wish we had more like him.  unfortunately, those who preach for DEI only mean their kind of DEI

     yes, we all know about the the tragic and evil things perpetrated by the catholic church.  no need to dance on that pile of excrement for your enjoyment. i sure hope your high priests have not...oh yeah, you don't believe in anything

note, these are sick people obviously, but remember...why do they rob the "banks"?  because that's where the "money" is

 

[Uncle Rico]

  yes there happen to be a few good hard working, honest journalists, what happened?? michael rose committed a flagrant act of journalism.  i wish we had more like him.  unfortunately, those who preach for DEI only mean their kind of DEI

     yes, we all know about the the tragic and evil things perpetrated by the catholic church.  no need to dance on that pile of excrement for your enjoyment. i sure hope your high priests have not...oh yeah, you don't believe in anything

note, these are sick people obviously, but remember...why do they rob the "banks"?  because that's where the "money" is

Good effing god

9 out of 10

[Hards Alumni]

Good effing god

9 out of 10

[The Sultan]

  yes there happen to be a few good hard working, honest journalists, what happened?? michael rose committed a flagrant act of journalism.  i wish we had more like him.  unfortunately, those who preach for DEI only mean their kind of DEI

     yes, we all know about the the tragic and evil things perpetrated by the catholic church.  no need to dance on that pile of excrement for your enjoyment. i sure hope your high priests have not...oh yeah, you don't believe in anything

note, these are sick people obviously, but remember...why do they rob the "banks"?  because that's where the "money" is

Must be easy to live a life where you can just blame "the liberals" for everything and not have to engage in any intelligent discourse or self reflection.

[rocket surgeon]

Good effing god

9 out of 10

what??  musta been something I said?

I thought 9 out of 10 is good, no?  sup leeeko ?

[MU82]

  oh yeah, you don't believe in anything

I believe in lots of things:

Be kind to others. Comfort those less fortunate. Welcome strangers. Treat others as you'd like to be treated. Demand that people in power earn our respect, and respect and support those who do earn it. Listen to your parents. Be true to your spouse or significant other. Admit mistakes and show contrition. And many more things that I believe in because they are the right thing to do, not because a religion mandates it or a more pleasant afterlife supposedly depends on it.

You might try some of that, too. Or you can look down on others just because they don't believe what you do. It's your choice.

note, these are sick people obviously, but remember...why do they rob the "banks"?  because that's where the "money" is

This is nonsensical gibberish even for you.

[rocket surgeon]

I believe in lots of things:

Be kind to others. Comfort those less fortunate. Welcome strangers. Treat others as you'd like to be treated. Demand that people in power earn our respect, and respect and support those who do earn it. Listen to your parents. Be true to your spouse or significant other. Admit mistakes and show contrition. And many more things that I believe in because they are the right thing to do, not because a religion mandates it or a more pleasant afterlife supposedly depends on it.

You might try some of that, too. Or you can look down on others just because they don't believe what you do. It's your choice.

This is nonsensical gibberish even for you.

ho boy...if this in't a pot-kettle statement of the century

gibberish?  I like to think of it as thought provoking-maybe someday I'll explain it to those of you from Rio linda, but has something to do with pedophiles and sex offenders and why they choose the jobs they do...it's for the children dumb...

[Hards Alumni]

ho boy...if this in't a pot-kettle statement of the century

gibberish?  I like to think of it as thought provoking-maybe someday I'll explain it to those of you from Rio linda, but has something to do with pedophiles and sex offenders and why they choose the jobs they do...it's for the children dumb...

Your children must be proud. 

[TSmith34, Inc.]

gibberish?  I like to think of it as thought provoking

This is classic

[jesmu84]

Are there drag shows in the Catholic churches these days?

[MU82]

ho boy...if this in't a pot-kettle statement of the century

gibberish?  I like to think of it as thought provoking-maybe someday I'll explain it to those of you from Rio linda, but has something to do with pedophiles and sex offenders and why they choose the jobs they do...it's for the children dumb...

wut?

[Pakuni]

Are there drag shows in the Catholic churches these days?

Have you seen some of those vestments?
Fabulous!

[BrewCity83]

This was a really good, thoughtful thread.  Until last night, when it got all SCOOPed up.

[dgies9156]

This was a really good, thoughtful thread.  Until last night, when it got all SCOOPed up.

Brother Brew:

There's always going to someone whose bitterness, anger or bad attitude is going to drag things down. You accept it and graciousness (as well as the words of Jesus) suggests you just simply ignore it.

I understand the anger of many over the pedophilia scandal and subsequent cover-up. Most of us do! But there's a lot of priests, nuns and lay Catholics who set an example of God's love every day. They probably hurt more than anyone over this, as this erodes the beauty of their vocation. Yet we soldier.

I hope those who have intense anger at our church find the peace of God's love in whatever Christian tradition they choose!

[tower912]

43 years ago today, Pope Joh Paul II was shot.   He forgave his shooter, who was later pardoned, deported, and converted to Catholicism.

[dgies9156]

43 years ago today, Pope Joh Paul II was shot.   He forgave his shooter, who was later pardoned, deported, and converted to Catholicism.

I was not a particularly huge fan of Pope John Paul II, but this example of compassion and forgiveness is exactly what our faith calls us to do.

[Pakuni]

I can't recall ever learning this in my 15 years of Catholic education.

A Catholic priest in England was reported by his parishioners after he allegedly told them Jesus died with an erection. The Times of London reports that the diocese of Hexham & Newcastle investigated the complaint against Father Thomas McHale—an American assigned to Our Blessed Lady Immaculate in Blackhill for a decade—and it was "upheld." While McHale was reprimanded, he has not lost his position as a result of the Good Friday sermon that some of his flock deemed vulgar.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/parishioners-report-father-thomas-mchale-for-saying-jesus-died-with-erection?ref=home?ref=home

[tower912]

Priapism = angel lust

[MU82]

I can't recall ever learning this in my 15 years of Catholic education.

A Catholic priest in England was reported by his parishioners after he allegedly told them Jesus died with an erection. The Times of London reports that the diocese of Hexham & Newcastle investigated the complaint against Father Thomas McHale—an American assigned to Our Blessed Lady Immaculate in Blackhill for a decade—and it was "upheld." While McHale was reprimanded, he has not lost his position as a result of the Good Friday sermon that some of his flock deemed vulgar.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/parishioners-report-father-thomas-mchale-for-saying-jesus-died-with-erection?ref=home?ref=home

Is that a rosary in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?