Annoyed with alienating political comments during homily!!

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I just wanted to know if any of you have had this happen during mass and if so how you dealt with it in any way. Please don’t respond if you just want to trash my political views. My intention is not to flare up some religion vs. political opinion debate, but to see how people feel about priests integrating their* personal *views into their homilies as though they were the"correct" or the “right” way to see it, and how you respond to it, internally or otherwise.

To begin, at our parish we have 3 priests one of which is quite liberal and has in the past gotten reprimanded for his decisions in the church, such as letting a lay woman do the homily and other things as well. That being said the other day during the homily he was talking about how many Jews rejected Christianity because they felt that it went against Jewish law. That the Jews were resistant to change because it went against what was familiar to them. Then he went on to say that this was the very attitude of resisting change and fear that crucified Christ! Then he started up about how many are fighting against health care for all because they are afraid of change. He said other similar things that I don’t remember because I was so irritated at the time. The health care issues is just one example that stood out. It seems as though he expects us to liken the people who crucified Christ to people who do not want universal health care! Because we are some how afraid and resistant to change? That we resist doing the Christian thing because its not what we are used to? I am not even gonna start on how inaccurate his point was but I am a politically conservative and a conservative Catholic and do not appreciate things like this during the homily. It was so insulting. He was so clearly interjecting his personal opinion about a social/political matter, and demonizing contrary opinions. My fiance and I were so taken aback by his words that we have discussed moving to another church because it just felt like we were being alienated or judged as being wrong for our views (which personally I feel are charitable not heartless). I have talked to several of our friends who heard this homily and they shared my feelings, so it’s not just me being overly sensitive. Thanks for your responses in advance!
 
Are you accusing the priest of not respecting the wall of separation between church and state?
 
Kedera,

I am sorry that you were disturbed by the homily.

It seems that this particular priest feels secure in voicing his political views in the pulpit, when what a homily should convey ultimately is Christ’s love for us, and in result, assist in guiding us down our personal paths to salvation. This is my opinion. If the Catechism says something else, I don’t mean to contradict it.

You should speak with the head priest at the parish. If he is that person, then speak with or write a letter to the Bishop of your diocese concerning this speech.

I do want to say that I don’t pass judgment on this priest. It would be helpful to pray for him, as all our priests need our prayers in this year of the priest.
 
He spoke like he was speaking the “truth” about an issue and I do not share his view. From his stand point, he likened my view points or “attitude” with that of those who crucified Christ. It was divisive and insulting. I guess it could be seen as a Church/state issue. I just am not sure how I should react?
 
I don’t get it still. Your upset cuz he thought his view was the truth and he put this truth into the homily? I mean, I guess you could disagree but priests gotta be able to talk about what happens every day and how catholics might best handle it.
 
Sorry Martin, I can’t really explain more. I do disagree with him, and am rightly insulted that he suggests that I am somehow wrong for my feelings. My understanding is that we are to be charitable and just as Christians and from where I sit my view points are just that. He is telling me that I am wrong and he is right, and opinions contrary to his are some how not Christian. The Church doesn’t suggest that we vote one way or the other but that we do so with a well formed and well informed conscience in line with Church teaching.
 
I guess but he’s still the priest. Its his job to teach stuff. Deosn’t mean hes always gonna be right. Prolly means he’s gonna tell people stuff they don’t wanna hear sometimes. Like the people at my church who get upset when the priest talks about condoms. I mean, you got your reasons for your ideas and he’s got his. It’s kinda silly that your mad with him thinking your wrong and he’s mad cuz he thinks your wrong. One of you has gotta be wrong on at least something, and leaving a church over something like this is kinda like being a kid who runs away from home cuz hes mad at his parents.
 
Priests should keep their personal political views to themselves at Mass, and while using their Church titles, such as Father, etc.

He should only be using the Bible and the truths taught by the Magisterium of the Church which is located in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” first printed in March of 2000, or something from the Vatican web site.

If he does it again, ask him to tell you exactly where he got the information from. That’d you’d like to read it. Be careful to insure that he is not misquoting by using partial information from a document.

Tell the Pastor or your Diocese Bishop if he portrays something as Church Doctrine on Faith and Morals when it is not.
 
It seems to me like the priest may have meant that “fear of change” was *one *reason people are opposed to the new law. There may be room for other reasons for oppostion, even in his opinion. You were there, though, not me.

Also, I have personal experience in not doing the Christian thing because I’m not used to it, it is difficult, and doesn’t make sense to me: It is called sin, and it is, in fact, what crucified Jesus.
 
When enduring a bland or bad homily (and music/hymns), I look at the tabernacle or crucifix, send up my sighs to Mary and repeat the prayer Out Lady of Fatima taught the children to be said when offering up personal sufferings, sacrifices, or acts of penance:

Oh my Jesus, I offer this for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
 
Kedera,

I understand your frustration. Too many times some political views and opinions seep into homilies that make me want to cringe. I know my opinions and the homilist’s opinions greatly contradict mine. I used to just walk away mad and not liking him. Now, I go deeper. I try to understand the full Church’s teaching on a matter that crops up in the political realm. I don’t want to hone in on any particular one topic, but if I find the homilist is close to error or just plain politically biased, I talk to him about it! Personally, privately and with charity, I will question him and find out why he has the views he espoused. Maybe there is something I am missing that he can shed some light on, or maybe I will shed a little light in his direction. OR, just maybe, we will agree to disagree.

Homilies should make us think, ponder and act. Even if they are off the wall, they may be doing some good. But dialogue with the homilist is key. He needs to know what people think. If he is a good shepherd of his flock, he will listen and learn. If enough people with opposing viewpoints approach him in charity and truly clamor for clarification, he will have to go deeper. In that depth, the truth will definitely be revealed.
 
Martin_Le_Fay said:
I guess but he’s still the priest. Its his job to teach stuff. Deosn’t mean hes always gonna be right. Prolly means he’s gonna tell people stuff they don’t wanna hear sometimes. Like the people at my church who get upset when the priest talks about condoms. I mean, you got your reasons for your ideas and he’s got his. It’s kinda silly that your mad with him thinking your wrong and he’s mad cuz he thinks your wrong. One of you has gotta be wrong on at least something, and leaving a church over something like this is kinda like being a kid who runs away from home cuz hes mad at his parents.
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They R prolly mad cuz condoms R kinda gainst Church teachin. 😃
 
Right after the deaths of Terri Schiavo and Pope John Paul II, and before the election of Pope Benedict XVI, the priest at my parish said something in a homily which led me to point out after Mass what the Church actually teaches.

The priest started out by commenting on how bad it makes us feel if we run over a squirrel by accident. From there, he made an astonishing leap to the statement that “Terri Schiavo’s situation leaves us in a quandary about what to do in such cases.”

On hearing this, I felt that in good conscience I could not leave the church premises without stating, calmly and quietly but very much in public, what the Catholic Church’s stand actually is.

So as the priest stood shaking hands just outside the church door after Mass, I uttered three simple sentences to him: “The Vatican being pro-life has taken the position of defending Terri Schiavo’s right to life. Pope John Paul II clearly stated that Terri should continue to be provided with nutrition and hydration through a feeding tube. There is no quandary.”

It was all the priest could do to smile and nod nervously while saying shortly, "Yes … yes … yes … " to acknowledge the truth of my … er, the Catholic Church’s … statements.

~~ the phoenix
 
I am 65 years old and have attended churches mostly in the states and UK.I have never heard one comment about a political or secular situation being used in the homily or any other part of the Mass ,or any other Service .Never heard of a priest putting his slant on any elections or opinions supporting this or that or whatever.I have only heard homilies or lessons on the scriptures or advice on how to integrate subjects like sympathy,tolerance,kindness,charity,forgiveness,piety. into our lives the political stuff is left well enough alone as it should be.It is assumed that the congregation are wise enough to use their vote in the way they see most beneficial to the country.After all USA ,UK, Canada are not third world countries ,the literacy rate is such that most people can read and have access to enough media reports to make their own decisions on secular subjects while using the teachings of the Church as their guidelines .
 
Martin_Le_Fay said:
I guess but he’s still the priest. Its his job to teach stuff. Deosn’t mean hes always gonna be right. Prolly means he’s gonna tell people stuff they don’t wanna hear sometimes. Like the people at my church who get upset when the priest talks about condoms. I mean, you got your reasons for your ideas and he’s got his. It’s kinda silly that your mad with him thinking your wrong and he’s mad cuz he thinks your wrong. One of you has gotta be wrong on at least something, and leaving a church over something like this is kinda like being a kid who runs away from home cuz hes mad at his parents.
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Yes Martin, however the Church does not have a teaching about political opinion. Political opinion should be formed by Church teaching. The Church does have something concrete to say about contraception. This is not a “silly” matter, and just because someone is a priest this doesn’t make him always right. Using is opinion in a way that comes across as hard fact is misleading.
 
jamanne said:
.After all USA ,UK, Canada are not third world countries ,the literacy rate is such that most people can read and have access to enough media reports to make their own decisions on secular subjects while using the teachings of the Church as their guidelines .
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Yes jamanne, but unfortunately many may take things at face value, and know little more about Church teaching that what they were told growing up. This is obvious in many conversations I have had with other Catholics. I, myself, am a convert and have had a lot of self-teaching over the last 3 or 4 years, that is why I question so many things.:D. At this particular point our country we are more and more being politically divided and it has cause a lot of tension. To have a priest, at Mass, be openly one sided on a political issue, makes me feel sort of like that tension is starting to invade.
 
seanflynn said:
It seems to me like the priest may have meant that “fear of change” was *one *reason people are opposed to the new law. There may be room for other reasons for oppostion, even in his opinion. You were there, though, not me.

Also, I have personal experience in not doing the Christian thing because I’m not used to it, it is difficult, and doesn’t make sense to me: It is called sin, and it is, in fact, what crucified Jesus.
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Hmm, I get your point, but my political views are not sinful…and I am not afraid of change I’m not up for just anything though…😉
 
**WHAT ABOUT EWTN? **

As far as weekend mass is concerned, I haven’t been disturbed all that much by political comments during homilies. Now and then something has annoyed me, but rarely.
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But what about those of us who watch EWTN and find ourselves alienated by the grossly slanted political views we hear expressed there regularly? Consider Arroyo, for example, who I believe is the news director on EWTN. He always is presenting biased political opinions on his 'Worldover' coverage. I forget the name of the woman who interviews guests almost daily (often repeat programs). She is very strong in expressing her political bias on TV. 

  Both of those and others consistently seem to target the Democrats. I am not a Democrat (I'm a 'staunch' independent, somewhat skeptical of politicians generally), but I would like less bias when I watch EWTN. Just give me the facts and let me make up my own mind.

  I'm actually surprised that EWTN is tax-exempt, as I assume it is. It certainly gives the impression of despising Obama. I may not agree with Obama, but I do my best to respect every president, elected by the people, and the leader of our great republic. I also was pleased, even relieved, that most of America has said goodbye to the days of the KKK and other hate groups and elected a biracial president. May God bless all of our officials in high office, and may they be granted wisdom, integrity, and courage.
 
Roy5 said:
**WHAT ABOUT EWTN? **

As far as weekend mass is concerned, I haven’t been disturbed all that much by political comments during homilies. Now and then something has annoyed me, but rarely.
Code: 
But what about those of us who watch EWTN and find ourselves alienated by the grossly slanted political views we hear expressed there regularly? Consider Arroyo, for example, who I believe is the news director on EWTN. He always is presenting biased political opinions on his 'Worldover' coverage. I forget the name of the woman who interviews guests almost daily (often repeat programs). She is very strong in expressing her political bias on TV. 

  Both of those and others consistently seem to target the Democrats. I am not a Democrat (I'm a 'staunch' independent, somewhat skeptical of politicians generally), but I would like less bias when I watch EWTN. Just give me the facts and let me make up my own mind.

  I'm actually surprised that EWTN is tax-exempt, as I assume it is. It certainly gives the impression of despising Obama. I may not agree with Obama, but I do my best to respect every president, elected by the people, and the leader of our great republic. I also was pleased, even relieved, that most of America has said goodbye to the days of the KKK and other hate groups and elected a biracial president. May God bless all of our officials in high office, and may they be granted wisdom, integrity, and courage.
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For someone who dislikes partisan politicking, you sure seem to enjoy writing it.

What’s wrong with EWTN? Why should Raymond Arroyo or anyone else give a favorable slant towards people who support things the Church opposes, such as abortion? I’ve watched EWTN for years and I can’t say there is a single problem in that respect.

Who cares about just giving us the facts? Objectivity be damned - we need people who will take firm stands on the truth, not tap dance around controversial issues so everyone else doesn’t get offended. I think EWTN has done a marvelous job of supporting Church teaching and as a Catholic, so should you.

As far as Obama is concerned, who cares about “respecting” him? Just because he’s the president doesn’t give him a free pass or a right to our adulation. He’s not a king, you know.
 
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