Assemblyman Joe Lentol's yeah for gay marriage gets him a nay from church

[_Abyssinia]

A Brooklyn Catholic school rejected a local assemblyman’s donation - saying they couldn’t take the cash because he voted to legalize gay marriage.

Officials at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Williamsburg sent back a $50 gift from Assemblyman Joe Lentol (D-Brooklyn) - following Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio’s edict to refuse any honors from pols who backed same-sex marriage.

DiMarzio also told pastors and principals not to invite any state lawmakers to speak - whether or not they voted for the bill - because the diocese objects to the bill’s dead-of-night approval.

Read more: nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/07/08/2011-07-08_pols_gay_nups_yea_gets_him_a_nay_from_church.html#ixzz1Rd7A68SW

 

[JimG]

The parish did the right thing in rejecting the donation from an assemblyman who rejects Catholic values. I hope that this becomes a consistent practice among all parishes.

 

[Rence]

I totally agree that this was the best thing for the pastor to do and I doubt this will be the last donation returned. But I wonder if the gift would have been returned if it was for $50,000 instead of $50.

 

[Miriam1947]

I totally agree that this was the best thing for the pastor to do and I doubt this will be the last donation returned. But I wonder if the gift would have been returned if it was for $50,000 instead of $50.

You know, that wasn’t a very nice remark. It doesn’t matter how much money is involved.

Remember after 9/11 when Rudy Guiliani turned down $10 million from a sheik because of the remarks he made about we being responsible for the terrorist act?

 

[MtnDwellar]

I think it is uncharitable not to accept the charity. We should not judge. The man is a sinner. His gift may have been part of his penance.

 

[Prague]

Cheap penance!

 

[jwinch2]

His gift may have been part of his penance.

Interesting idea. I personally had not considered that. However, it remains that the schools and parishes would have little choice but to follow the direction of the Bishop. If the donation was part of a penance, perhaps the legislator in question should speak to the Bishop.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

Accepting the donation would have allowed the Assemblyman to say “I’m a good Catholic. I even donate money to Catholic schools. I just disagree with the Church on XYZ.” Rejecting this donation sends a strong message that some things are just not acceptible for someone to do and then go about their life as if they were a good old Joe Catholic.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

His gift may have been part of his penance.

I sure hope not, if you mean a penance given in confession. Simony, anyone?

Anyway, has the Assemblyman publically renounced his vote? This was a public sin, so I would presume it would require him to publically recant his former position if he had a change of heart.

 

[Lancer]

I think it is uncharitable not to accept the charity. ** We should not judge**. The man is a sinner. His gift may have been part of his penance.

So true…about judging…but we need to be careful to not get the “cart in front of the horse”…so to speak.

Psalm 51English Standard Version (ESV)

16 For** you will not delight in sacrifice**, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The** sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;**
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

So…$50 or $50 million…means nothing. First and foremost you must recognize and accept that you have sinned…you call sin…sin…and you accuse yourself before God of that sin…and then you repent…then you seek forgiveness by asking for it…then…you accept/do penance…restitution.

Most politicians and us too (esp. me) who are filled with pride and lack humility…balk…then bristle…then go of in a huff.

I pray that the Congressman…is a better man than me…and listens to his Bishop’s exhortation…admonishment.

Pax Christi

 

[Aelred_Minor]

I pray that the Congressman…

Just a minor little terminology quibble, here in the Empire State the legislative branch of government consists of a Senate and an Assembly, which together are often called the “State Legislature” though apparently there is no actual official term describing both together. Joe Lenol is a member of the Assembly, and so is called an Assemblyman (not Congressman).

 

[The_Old_Medic]

Now if they would only do the right thing, and excommunicate every Catholic that voted for that bill.

 

[Urbano_Macchi]

Anyway, has the Assemblyman publically renounced his vote? This was a public sin, so I would presume it would require him to publically recant his former position if he had a change of heart.

Bingo. Excommunication would send the better message, but this is a start.