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

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I think those who criticize the bishop ought to remove themselves from the emotional situation and consider how other prominent public organizations treat high profile employees that make statements that undermine the mission of the organization.

What if the head of Human Resources for United Airlines spoke at an HR professionals conference and made a statement to the effect that “We are trying to get back to having HOT stewardesses…” Ya’ think United’s CEO might have to swat him a bit? 😉

If I as a civil engineering consultant gave a talk in which I stated that the current wetland protection regulations are stupid and that I can help my clients get around them, I’d likely be fired even though we don’t DO wetland permitting work, there are subconsultants for that.

Similarly, a guy whose entire celebrity is due to the fact that he coaches a CATHOLIC university team is a plain fool for trying to use his position as a coach at that catholic institution as a pulpit for undermining catholic values.

The coach is simply in the wrong. It’s no different than the other two scenarios except that some have been conditioned to accept a double standard in which the Church must silently accept whatever outrageous behavior comes her way.
 
As one from St. Louis I fully support the Archbishop. The articles in the St. Louis Post Dispatch appear to demonstrate a general misunderstanding of Catholicism. That is a shame; however, understandable as they are not trained in the faith.

It is worse that Mr Majerus was trained; yet, misunderstands the faith. For him we all need to pray that God will grant him the grace to see his error.

What is truly painful to me is that it appears St. Louis University will not support the Archibishop. It shows that St. Louis University has losts it’s way and lives in the world and not of it. How does the Jesuit order not see how far it has fallen? I fear that they will create the same split we see occuring in the Anglican order. How many souls are they misguiding everyday? How much confusion are they creating in the world? I am sure they do many good things; however, much of their teachings appear to be very divisive.

It is a sad day that St. Louis University believes basketball more important than supporting Christ and his mission!
 
Roger_Wissinger said:
Below is what what said on another web-site. :eek: 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.
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Oh really? This coming from someone that lives in Florida. As one of the members of the Archdiocese of St. Louis I stand up and applaud the Archbishop for speaking out about the truths of the Catholic Church.

I find it funny that when there are rules placed in front of someone that they have such a difficult time abiding by and following those rules. And if someone breaks those rules they have an even tougher time when someone takes them to task and holds them accountable for that. It is not groundbreaking news that the Catholic Chuch is against abortion and embryonic stem cell research. So why is it that when the Archbishop comes out to defend the Church and what She has taught all these years everyone has a fit? The Church is the bride of Christ. Priests are in persona Christie, in the person of Christ. They represent Christ to us. They are enspoused to the Church. Would you not defend your spouse if someone was attacking them.

Archbishop Burke is a light in this world surrounded in darkness. He is consistent and he is faithful to the Church. As a Catholic I am inspired to be a part of a diocese that has him as the leader. I will now and continue to stand up for the Archbishop and the Church. To think that some “basketball coach” and his opinion is more important than Jesus Christ…wow, that is just sad.

I will continue to follow Christ, others may follow the rest of the world. I’ll take my chances of being wrong when I die, would you?
 
It really bothers me how Bishop Burke is being portrayed for his public disaproval of Rick Majerus’ words at a pro-choice rally. Majerus, a Catholic and the head coach for Saint Louis University, spoke on his pro-choice views. Bishop Burke verbally gave a rebulte. Many in the media, like Stephen A. Smith of ESPN and Dan Sileo of Foxsports, gave their disproval of the vicar’s actions. They have even suggested that the bishop is trying to “change Majerus’ opinion.” They have asked why the university didn’t ask Majerus of his abortion views while interviewing him. This is totally asinine. The issue isn’t Majerus’ opinion on abortion. The issue is his public actions and how they coorelate to the views of his employer, SLU. The man is being payed well to coach basketball. He needs to understand that no matter what he is doing, he is representing the university on and off court. He shouldn’t accept his paycheck if he can’t respect that. What’s really sad is that if he had gone to a KKK rally, no one would argue with Bishop Burke’s appropriate disproval. No one would portray him as a tyrant or accuse him of trying to “change Majerus’ mind.” It is sad that people are disrespecting the vicar’s authority and duty because they are sympathetic to the pro-choice cause.
 
Oh wow, I didn’t see that this topic was already circulating until after I put up the new thread…RIGHT ON!!!
 
fix said:
May I translate this? The Bishop speaks the Truth and the dissenters cry. The dissenters are welcome back all the time.

You mean he stands with Christ.
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No…you can’t ‘translate’ this.

I meant exactly what I said. I spoke nothing of truth, lies, or anything else.

This particular archbishop has zero skill in dealing with these matters.

He knows as well as you and I do that he has no canonical authority over Saint Louis University…and less control over their athletic department.

So he makes a sweeping statement that makes people in forums like this one stand up and cheer as though he has made even one iota of progress in changing a heart or a mind on the issue of abortion.

Do you think the way this has been handled will change how coach majerus approaches the issue? doubtful.

Does it serve to make the archbishop look like a radio shock jock with a crozier? Absolutely.
 
frommi said:
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.
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Majerus is no different than the other adults around the country who act like spoiled children (look at some posts on CA even!!) who whine about the Church telling them the rules they are supposed to live by.

They honestly are just children who haven’t grown up. They don’t like mom and dad’s rules, and they cry about it. It is pathetic, and they need to grow up and act like adults, for once.
 
He_Man said:
Majerus is no different than the other adults around the country who act like spoiled children (look at some posts on CA even!!) who whine about the Church telling them the rules they are supposed to live by.

They honestly are just children who haven’t grown up. They don’t like mom and dad’s rules, and they cry about it. It is pathetic, and they need to grow up and act like adults, for once.
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I didn’t see anything implying the man was ‘whining’. He answered a question. He didn’t say “the Catholic church won’t let me get an abortion but I’m pro-choice”.

There is no whining…just an answer.
 
In fairness, the whining has come more from those who complained about the Bishop. I actually haven’t heard Majerus’s opinion on the Bishop, only his stance on abortion and stem cell research.
 
frommi said:
No…you can’t ‘translate’ this.

I meant exactly what I said. I spoke nothing of truth, lies, or anything else.

This particular archbishop has zero skill in dealing with these matters.

He knows as well as you and I do that he has no canonical authority over Saint Louis University…and less control over their athletic department.

So he makes a sweeping statement that makes people in forums like this one stand up and cheer as though he has made even one iota of progress in changing a heart or a mind on the issue of abortion.

Do you think the way this has been handled will change how coach majerus approaches the issue? doubtful.

Does it serve to make the archbishop look like a radio shock jock with a crozier? Absolutely.
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frommi,

in my view, the archbishop did the right thing in speaking up because the coach’s comments might mislead catholics into thinking that they can support abortion rights and still be okay with the church.

in fact, the church teaches that abortion is intrinsically evil, and so one cannot be both pro-choice and a catholic in good standing. it’s not a matter of two “opinions” both of which are morally equivalent.

now, what part of this have i gotten wrong?
 
frommi said:
No…you can’t ‘translate’ this.

I meant exactly what I said. I spoke nothing of truth, lies, or anything else.

This particular archbishop has zero skill in dealing with these matters.

He knows as well as you and I do that he has no canonical authority over Saint Louis University…and less control over their athletic department.

So he makes a sweeping statement that makes people in forums like this one stand up and cheer as though he has made even one iota of progress in changing a heart or a mind on the issue of abortion.

Do you think the way this has been handled will change how coach majerus approaches the issue? doubtful.

Does it serve to make the archbishop look like a radio shock jock with a crozier? Absolutely.
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Whether or not Archbishop Burke has a say over the university (which he does unless the university wants to renounce its Catholic status), he does have a say over the Catholics in his diocese, including Majerus, and he has a right and duty to speak out and censure Majerus AS A CATHOLIC in his diocese.

For your consideration:
canonlaw.info/2008/01/does-coach-majerus-really-think-he-can.html
 
Arnobius said:
Whether or not Archbishop Burke has a say over the university (which he does unless the university wants to renounce its Catholic status), he does have a say over the Catholics in his diocese, including Majerus, and he has a right and duty to speak out and censure Majerus AS A CATHOLIC in his diocese.

For your consideration:
canonlaw.info/2008/01/does-coach-majerus-really-think-he-can.html
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If we want to quibble…the man lives in a hotel during the season then goes back ‘home’. Canonically he’s not even a member of the archdiocese in question.

And I’m not even debating whether or not correction is warranted.

I’m simply pointing out that the archbishop could excommunicate, reprimand, etc without first going to a news station in Washington DC to fan the flames unnecessairly.

He’s turning into some sort of modern day pharisee with these actions.

If his interpretations of canon law are so solid, he probably would’ve been elected by his brother bishops to lead that committee nationally…instead of getting defeated by an auxiliary bishop.
 
frommi said:
If we want to quibble…the man lives in a hotel during the season then goes back ‘home’. Canonically he’s not even a member of the archdiocese in question.

And I’m not even debating whether or not correction is warranted.

I’m simply pointing out that the archbishop could excommunicate, reprimand, etc without first going to a news station in Washington DC to fan the flames unnecessairly.

He’s turning into some sort of modern day pharisee with these actions.
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The coach spoke publicly, so the response is public. Nothing wrong there. The Archbishop has a responsibility to guide the faithful. In this situation, it was necessary to make it clear that it is not allowable for a Catholic to be pro-abortion.

Honestly, the Archbishop’s critics seem much more pharisee-like to me. “How dare he stand up for the Church’s teaching!!”
If his interpretations of canon law are so solid, he probably would’ve been elected by his brother bishops to lead that committee nationally…instead of getting defeated by an auxiliary bishop.
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That simply does not logically follow. First, there are a number of other factors effecting such an election. Second, it assumes that all of the other bishops were correct in their choice without even examining it. The bishops are not infallible, you know.
 
frommi said:
If we want to quibble…the man lives in a hotel during the season then goes back ‘home’. Canonically he’s not even a member of the archdiocese in question.

And I’m not even debating whether or not correction is warranted.

I’m simply pointing out that the archbishop could excommunicate, reprimand, etc without first going to a news station in Washington DC to fan the flames unnecessairly.

He’s turning into some sort of modern day pharisee with these actions.

If his interpretations of canon law are so solid, he probably would’ve been elected by his brother bishops to lead that committee nationally…instead of getting defeated by an auxiliary bishop.
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Try reading Canon Law. The bishop does indeed have the right to make a public statement as a warning:

Can. 1319 §1. Insofar as a person can impose precepts in the external forum in virtue of the power of governance, the person can also threaten determinate penalties by precept, except perpetual expiatory penalties.

§2. A penal precept is not to be issued unless the matter has been considered thoroughly and those things established in cann. ⇒ 1317 and ⇒ 1318 about particular laws have been observed.

Can. 1369 A person who in a public show or speech, in published writing, or in other uses of the instruments of social communication utters blasphemy, gravely injures good morals, expresses insults, or excites hatred or contempt against religion or the Church is to be punished with a just penalty.

If the Bishop has considered these things, he is within the full rights to act, your ad hominem against him notwithstanding.

Arguing that his living in a hotel room so he does not have to be subject to the actions of Archbishop Burke is rather a Pharisaical interpretation to say the least

He is issuing a public statement because this is a situation of public scandal
 
frommi said:
No…you can’t ‘translate’ this.

I meant exactly what I said. I spoke nothing of truth, lies, or anything else.

This particular archbishop has zero skill in dealing with these matters.

He knows as well as you and I do that he has no canonical authority over Saint Louis University…and less control over their athletic department.

.
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So I assume you believe it was wrong for the Bishops to speak out against the Iraq war? They know full well they have no cannonical authority over the Federal Govt and Bush is not even a Catholic. How dare they shoot off their motuhs about this!
 
as a slu alum, this is a sad chapter. for some time now i have watched of slu’s progression from a catholic university to a secular university. it is becoming a liberal school masquerading as a catholic one. the administration seems obsessed with its rankings with the us news and world report and making the final four but don’t seem to care at all about maintaining its catholic identity and mission. it was noticeably absent from the recent newman society’s list of quality catholic universities.

this situation will not be pretty. like it or not, the head basketball coach is the most publiclly recognized figure at slu. neither majerus nor archbishop burke will buge on this issue. given the public scandal majerus has caused, burke must reply.

where is the father biondi and the university? they have no courage to stand up for truth and defend catholic doctrine that they claim to be teaching.

i would say there is a good chance that majerus may be disciplined in some way. perhaps withheld communion or excummunicated. (of course, i am no expert in cannon law) in which case slu is looking at the embarrising possibility of having an excommunicated basketball coach as the face of the university.

bottom line, this will not turn out well for slu or majerus. it will be yet another example of slu’s lack of any credibility as a catholic university.
 
God bless Archbishop Burke! If only more bishops were like him, unafraid to speak the truth to a world that needs to hear it.
 
As one from St. Louis let me clarify a few points that I believe are leading to confusion.

First the Archibishop does not have control over St. Louis University. Jesuits priest are now less than 3% of the faculty and Catholic students are less than 50%. The reason the Catholic student population is as high as it is is because St. Louis is a very Catholic city. It is not because St. Louis University is a Catholic University as it is not. St. Louis University is run by a lay board from many different religious denominations. I doubt that Father Biondi, that is in charge of the school, will side with the Archibishop as the lay board will not side with the Archbishop. I am hopeful that Father Biondi will follow the teachings of Christ and challenge the lay board and Mr. Majerus.

Note Archbishop Justin Rigali had similar issues with St. Louis University when he was the Archbishop of St. Louis a few years ago. So is it really Archibishop Burke’s issues or is it St. Louis University not following the teachings of Christ.

Note the school now gets federal fundings and has basically renounced it Catholic heritage. It is Catholic in name only. The University professor’s, which as stated are only 3% Jesuit, are daily attacking the Archbishop very similarly to what the professors did to Pope Benedict in Italy.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch is daily attacking the Archibishop not only in the editorial page but also in the sport section. As most papers, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is only concerned with the right of free speech and not with ones enternal soul.

Mr. Majerus has created a very big stir in the community by publicly attacking his faith and the Archbishop. To paraphrase his interview in the St. Louis Post Dispatch he stated that his Jesuit teaching at Marquette taught him to think for himself and the Archbishop’s comments will not change his opinion. Note that he does not understand that it is not the Archibishop’s opinion. It is the Catholic Faith’s teachings given to us by Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Archbishop Burke spoke openly about the teaching of the Faith and how Mr. Majerus actions are Scandlous. The St. Louis media, even in a very Catholic city, is openly against Catholicism. It is not just against Archbishop Burke. It has repeatdely attacked the teachings of the Church.

For those outside of St. Louis make no mistake Mr. Majerus created scandal and now the St. Louis Media is unmercilessly attacking our faith. This is not about Archibishop Burke making any comments that were rude or inaccruate. This is about a high profile Jesuit taught coach not understanding the faith and being used by the media to attack our faith.

As stated many times the last allowed prejudice in the United State is against Catholicism. Even in a Catholic dominate city our faith is being attacked. We need to be ever vigilante in supporting our faith and the leaders of our Church. Remember in the last hours of Christ’s life the apostles fell asleep; while Judas and evil worked on tirelessly. Souls are at stake. Support the Archibishop and the Faith!
 
PerryJ said:
As one from St. Louis let me clarify a few points that I believe are leading to confusion.

First the Archibishop does not have control over St. Louis University. Jesuits priest are now less than 3% of the faculty and Catholic students are less than 50%. The reason the Catholic student population is as high as it is is because St. Louis is a very Catholic city. It is not because St. Louis University is a Catholic University as it is not. St. Louis University is run by a lay board from many different religious denominations. I doubt that Father Biondi, that is in charge of the school, will side with the Archibishop as the lay board will not side with the Archbishop. I am hopeful that Father Biondi will follow the teachings of Christ and challenge the lay board and Mr. Majerus.

Note Archbishop Justin Rigali had similar issues with St. Louis University when he was the Archbishop of St. Louis a few years ago. So is it really Archibishop Burke’s issues or is it St. Louis University not following the teachings of Christ.

Note the school now gets federal fundings and has basically renounced it Catholic heritage. It is Catholic in name only. The University professor’s, which as stated are only 3% Jesuit, are daily attacking the Archbishop very similarly to what the professors did to Pope Benedict in Italy.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch is daily attacking the Archibishop not only in the editorial page but also in the sport section. As most papers, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is only concerned with the right of free speech and not with ones enternal soul.

Mr. Majerus has created a very big stir in the community by publicly attacking his faith and the Archbishop. To paraphrase his interview in the St. Louis Post Dispatch he stated that his Jesuit teaching at Marquette taught him to think for himself and the Archbishop’s comments will not change his opinion. Note that he does not understand that it is not the Archibishop’s opinion. It is the Catholic Faith’s teachings given to us by Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Archbishop Burke spoke openly about the teaching of the Faith and how Mr. Majerus actions are Scandlous. The St. Louis media, even in a very Catholic city, is openly against Catholicism. It is not just against Archbishop Burke. It has repeatdely attacked the teachings of the Church.

For those outside of St. Louis make no mistake Mr. Majerus created scandal and now the St. Louis Media is unmercilessly attacking our faith. This is not about Archibishop Burke making any comments that were rude or inaccruate. This is about a high profile Jesuit taught coach not understanding the faith and being used by the media to attack our faith.

As stated many times the last allowed prejudice in the United State is against Catholicism. Even in a Catholic dominate city our faith is being attacked. We need to be ever vigilante in supporting our faith and the leaders of our Church. Remember in the last hours of Christ’s life the apostles fell asleep; while Judas and evil worked on tirelessly. Souls are at stake. Support the Archibishop and the Faith!
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This is one of the BEST posts I have read in my short time here at the Forums. Thank you for your wisdom and insight! 👍
 
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