Archbishop Rips Rick Majerus for Support of Abortion Rights, Stem Cell Research

[frommi]

The reality is that Ray Burke has never met a microphone he didn’t like. Are the statements troublesome? Sure. Could he have possibly gone to the school first to see it addressed before shooting his mouth off to a tv station hundreds of miles away from where it happened? Definitely.

 

[bjmiller100753]

What if it was a janitor or school cook making an announcement in day to day life? Would Burke care? Otherwise he is picking and choosing his denouncements for media time.

Yes, of course Burke would care. However, a janitor or school cook would not get any media attention for making such an announcement.

The University maintains he was doing this on his own time and not attaching any part of the school to himself.

Again, let’s not be purposely naive here. Rick Majerus is a public figure whether he likes it or not. He is attached to the University whether he likes it or not. Go back and look at the stories and find one that omits the description, Rick Majerus, Head Basketball Coach at the University of St. Louis.

 

[fix]

The reality is that Ray Burke has never met a microphone he didn’t like. Are the statements troublesome? Sure. Could he have possibly gone to the school first to see it addressed before shooting his mouth off to a tv station hundreds of miles away from where it happened? Definitely.

The coach says things publicly that contradict the faith. He works for a “Catholic” school. The local bishop comments on the scandouls remarks. You make the bishop the problem?

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

Yes, of course Burke would care. However, a janitor or school cook would not get any media attention for making such an announcement.

Again, let’s not be purposely naive here. Rick Majerus is a public figure whether he likes it or not. He is attached to the University whether he likes it or not. Go back and look at the stories and find one that omits the description, Rick Majerus, Head Basketball Coach at the University of St. Louis.

And then why does Burke not play equal? Or is it just for the media time? If Coach Majerus says this versus the janitor of the basketball arena? Both souls have equal standing, yet why the bias towards the bigger-named figure? Is there some personal pride and vanity involved on the Archbishop’s part?

 

[bjmiller100753]

And then why does Burke not play equal? Or is it just for the media time? If Coach Majerus says this versus the janitor of the basketball arena? Both souls have equal standing, yet why the bias towards the bigger-named figure? Is there some personal pride and vanity involved on the Archbishop’s part?

Now you are not being naive, just deliberately obtuse. If the janitor of the basketball arena said this, it would not be carried by the media to the public and so would not require a public response. Majerus’s statements were carried by the media to the public and so required a public response.

You clearly have a personal issue with Archbishop Burke that is clouding your judgement and preventing you from looking at this issue objectively. It can plainly be seen in all your posts you do not like Archbishop Burke or anything about him and that you will villify him no matter what he does; even if what he does is exactly what he should do in his role as Archbishop of St. Louis.

 

[zagjames]

And then why does Burke not play equal? Or is it just for the media time? If Coach Majerus says this versus the janitor of the basketball arena? Both souls have equal standing, yet why the bias towards the bigger-named figure? Is there some personal pride and vanity involved on the Archbishop’s part?

A janitor making the same comment would not cause region-wide, nation-wide or even worldwide scandal. Such scandal as is caused by Majerus’s statement is something that needs addressing. Scandel such as this can lead others into sin, cause division amoung the Christian faithful and be a problem for all involved.
Its about public scandal, sure the Bishop cares about every soul that he shepards, but since Majerus made a public statement that was scandalous. So inorder to correct the error made in public the Bishop had to take a public stand. And it is fully within his rights to demand the College make some change, whether it requires Majerus to make some statement about all of it, fire him, or whatever. Its within his perogative as a Bishop.

This is why Bishops need more power on Catholic Colleges in their dioceses.

 

[Steeltemplar]

Reading the comments on there, I am really struck by how hateful these people are. Critics of Christianity claim that we are so judgmental, etc…Not only is that a lie, but the opposite is the case. Those who forsake the faith show quite frequently just how hateful and aggressive they can be.

And hypocrisy? How about the hypocrisy of people screaming about free speech for this coach and then turning around to say that they want the Archbishop to shut up? That is hypocrisy in the fullest sense.

It is interesting, really. If you read the comments, a trend emerges. The posts supporting the Archbishop tend to be well-written and reasonable. Meanwhile, the posts attacking him are often nothing but baseless slanders and rantings.

I pray that Archbishop Burke continues as he has and that more like him are on the way.

11 Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: 12 Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.

I think that the Archbishop’s reward shall be great.

 

[Steeltemplar]

I sent a message just now to the Archbishop giving him support in his efforts to defend life. I do not know if he will ever receive it, but I want to be sure that he finds voices of appreciation for his work when so much hatred is arrayed against him.

 

[ethant]

sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/01/22/archbishop-rips-rick-majerus-for-support-of-abortion-rights-ste/

Archbishop Burke is correct. As an archbishop he is obligated to make such a move in order to prevent/stop public scandal. Public scandal in the Church is when something is said or done that could cause others to sin. Some people, Catholic or not, will see Majerus make a public statement like this and possibly think that since he represents a Catholic institution that Catholics can be pro-abortion or pro-embryonic stem-cell research or some other teaching contrary to the Catholic Church. By Majerus accepting a job at a Catholic institution, he accepted boundaries.

Has anyone seen the ESPN college basketball home page tonight? It’s on this topic and it’s shocking in my opinion. I just sent them an email. After what their anchorwoman said just a day or so ago and then this… It’s as if they’re looking for a fight with Catholics.

 

[thomasf]

This whole situation just makes me very sad.

 

[frommi]

The coach says things publicly that contradict the faith. He works for a “Catholic” school. The local bishop comments on the scandouls remarks. You make the bishop the problem?

You’re talking about a bishop with a pattern of shooting his mouth off at inopportune times in ways that do not bring anyone back to the flock.

All he does is throw red meat to the ‘base’ when he does stuff like this.

 

[bjmiller100753]

You’re talking about a bishop with a pattern of shooting his mouth off at inopportune times in ways that do not bring anyone back to the flock.

All he does is throw red meat to the ‘base’ when he does stuff like this.

You make some pretty incendiary remarks here. You make a sweeping generalization about the bishop’s communication pattern (without offering any examples) and a derogatory comment about a lot of other Catholics. Quite frankly, if the bishop’s “pattern” happens in similar circumstances then I would say he is saying the right thing, each time, every time. I made an observation about another poster that holds for you as well.

*“You clearly have a personal issue with Archbishop Burke that is clouding your judgement and preventing you from looking at this issue objectively. It can plainly be seen in all your posts you do not like Archbishop Burke or anything about him and that you will villify him no matter what he does; even if what he does is exactly what he should do in his role as Archbishop of St. Louis.”
*

 

[ethant]

You’re talking about a bishop with a pattern of shooting his mouth off at inopportune times in ways that do not bring anyone back to the flock.

All he does is throw red meat to the ‘base’ when he does stuff like this.

What’s up with the disrespectful tone towards the Archbishop? That’s not cool.

How do you think the Archbishop should have handled this? Rick Majerus is a big boy, in fact he’s a celebrity who’s Catholic. He knows what he’s saying and how it sits with the Church. I believe the Archbishop is more concerned with the scandal here. Majerus’ feelings are probably not too high on the priority list. I support Archbishop Burke 100%.

 

[Roger_Wissinger]

Below is what what said on another web-site. I can’t believe what’s going on in this country. Everyday, it’s something new on bashing Christians. I’m getting sick of it.

Plain and simple The Vatican needs to remove the Archbishop from St. Louis. He has been, and continues to be a detriment and embarassment to the City of St. Louis and metro area, Catholics, and Christians in general. I continue to be a non-practicing Christian due to the hierarchy allowed to preside over this community. In fact, I am seriously considering converting to Judaism. I see a more cohesive and family oriented faith and far more acceptance of the human spirit.

 

[bjmiller100753]

Below is what what said on another web-site.

Plain and simple The Vatican needs to remove the Archbishop from St. Louis. He has been, and continues to be a detriment and embarassment to the City of St. Louis and metro area, Catholics, and Christians in general. I continue to be a non-practicing Christian due to the hierarchy allowed to preside over this community. In fact, I am seriously considering converting to Judaism. I see a more cohesive and family oriented faith and far more acceptance of the human spirit.

So the quote of a single, unknown individual substantiates all the derogatory comments being made in this thread. Wow. If I knew a single opinion carried that much weight, I would have contacted President Bush a long time ago about some issues I have!

 

[fix]

You’re talking about a bishop with a pattern of shooting his mouth off at inopportune times in ways that do not bring anyone back to the flock.

May I translate this? The Bishop speaks the Truth and the dissenters cry. The dissenters are welcome back all the time.

All he does is throw red meat to the ‘base’ when he does stuff like this.

You mean he stands with Christ.

 

[estesbob]

1.) Why am I not surprised its a Jesuit university.
2.) don’t you know that our rights to free speech is if it agrees to other people opinions
3.) I love this Bishop. he gives me such hope.

Here is the espn link.
sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3210049

The university should’ve known they’re asking trouble when they hired him. As a Catholic University perhaps they should be a little more careful in vetting their employees, especially ones who are going to be in the public limelight.

 

[estesbob]

The archbishop is free to say what he wants…but the university is free to employ Coach Majerus as well.

Unless of course we want to force coaches to seek a 'mandatum"

I don’t think they need a mandatum . I do think it is very counterproductive to have a high profile public figure who works for a Catholic University contradicting Catholic teaching.

 

[estesbob]

You’re talking about a bishop with a pattern of shooting his mouth off at inopportune times in ways that do not bring anyone back to the flock.

All he does is throw red meat to the ‘base’ when he does stuff like this.

How sad. Affirming Catholic teaching is now considered shooting off the mouth.

 

[estesbob]

It’s ironic how much the discussion in this thread parallels the discussions in abortion threads. Those who criticize the Bishop use the same argumentsthey used to to justify supporting pro-abortion candidates. There are many who would criticize the Catholic Church regardless of what they do.