Callista Gingrich set to be named ambassador to the Vatican

[johnnyc176]

Back to Callista, I am just stating that I am certain that there are many with better qualifications. A person that has been a stellar example of someone beyond reproach. Those are the individuals that should be on the top of the list of consideration.

Yeah what was Jesus thinking in making Peter the first Pope.

 

[Inisfallen]

I have always thought that ambassadorships were plums given to people who are in great favor with the president.

Yep. This is it. Nail on the head, etc. Ambassadorships, especially ambassador posts to nations that are not, in the geopolitical scheme of things, all that important, are often, even usually, given as rewards to people in favor with the current administration. Often they’re large donors to the party, or to the president’s campaign coffers.

And the ambassador will usually have a staff of professional State Department people, lifers, to do all the heavy lifting.

So I can’t get all worked up about Callista Gingrich’s appointment, one way or the other. It really isn’t all that important.

 

[ProVobis]

I have always thought that ambassadorships were plums given to people who are in great favor with the president. If one looks back, there have been many ambassadors who were hardly impressive. Whether we like it or not, the president has the authority to do this. And as for transgressions, the church has recognized Newt’s and Callista’s marriage. Who are we to withhold forgiveness if Mother Church has done so. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Don’t we have different standards for politicians (and possibly their spouses) as far as judgement goes?

 

[Inisfallen]

Don’t we have different standards for politicians (and possibly their spouses) as far as judgement goes?

Sometimes. But in this case, I just don’t care all that much. I’m sure that Ms. Gingrich will do a fine job, and in any case, I don’t think it’s really a very difficult job.

If the Vatican has a problem with Ms. Gingrich, they can say so. Otherwise, this is a tempest in a teapot.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

Sometimes. But in this case, I just don’t care all that much. I’m sure that Ms. Gingrich will do a fine job, and in any case, I don’t think it’s really a very difficult job.

If the Vatican has a problem with Ms. Gingrich, they can say so. Otherwise, this is a tempest in a teapot.

And so far there’s no indication anyone in the Vatican has such a problem.

Also, Leo2014, in response to this: :

Try not to get caught up with if I accept adultery or not? The point that I am trying to convey is that there are consequences to our actions and yes, some of them you will find not easily forgiven. Sadly, most of us want to feel that when we say; sorry, suddenly all will be forgiven and everything will return to normal. But you know that is not always true.

I’d certainly be more understanding of this argument, and also the general “public scandal” argument against Gingrich being ambassador, and if the scandal had just broken last year, or even 5 years ago, or if they had just regularized their marriage recently.

But Callista has been legally married to Newt since the year 2000, almost two decades. As he converted to the Catholic Church in 2009 and that requires convalidation of the marriage, they have been a valid, sacramental marriage for 8 years – longer than the length of many first marriages between cradle Catholics.

I just don’t think it’s fair to hold the sins people committed over their heads nearly two decades after they happened, even if they are public figures. That’s a far cry from saying that “suddenly all will be forgiven”.

And while you keep stating as fact that there are sins you and I find unforgiveable – however, this is true for humans like us. It is NOT true for God.

 

[mary_bobo]

Don’t we have different standards for politicians (and possibly their spouses) as far as judgement goes?

I refer to my previous statement. We may not approve of someone’s behavior, but it is not for us to judge whether or not they should be forgiven.

 

[Leo2014]

But Callista has been legally married to Newt since the year 2000, almost two decades. As he converted to the Catholic Church in 2009 and that requires convalidation of the marriage, they have been a valid, sacramental marriage for 8 years – longer than the length of many first marriages between cradle Catholics.

I just don’t think it’s fair to hold the sins people committed over their heads nearly two decades after they happened, even if they are public figures. That’s a far cry from saying that “suddenly all will be forgiven”.

I understand your point of view. The Apostle Paul was going around killing Jews when the Lord stop him in his tracks and started him on the path of righteousness. I am aware people can turn around their lives.

I am just looking at the sociology; first, we all judge! This forum is a good example were you easily find evidence where one’s political persuasion receives leniency. Look at how much animosity is given towards those with a liberal opinion. Whenever I point out a wrong doing or injustice imposed by those with a conservative mantra, at best response I receive is…well everyone is doing it. Hence, we all sin.

Secondly, we easily want to eradicate sin, this can lead to us justifying our actions. No, I don’t want anyone walking around with a scarlet letter on their chest. But those in public life are so quick to be cavalier about their transgressions. But, I worry more about the ones that try to convey an image of righteousness.

It is a reflection of our culture.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

I understand your point of view. The Apostle Paul was going around killing Jews when the Lord stop him in his tracks and started him on the path of righteousness. I am aware people can turn around their lives.

I am just looking at the sociology; first, we all judge! This forum is a good example were you easily find evidence where one’s political persuasion receives leniency. Look at how much animosity is given towards those with a liberal opinion. Whenever I point out a wrong doing or injustice imposed by those with a conservative mantra, at best response I receive is…well everyone is doing it. Hence, we all sin.

Double standards go both ways, though. There are probably more conservatives than liberals on CAF, but I’ve also seen a whole lot of Trump bashers focusing on his crass statements about women, completely ignore the transgressions of Hillary Clinton’s husband, or at least claim they happened so long ago they don’t matter anymore.

Secondly, we easily want to eradicate sin, this can lead to us justifying our actions. No, I don’t want anyone walking around with a scarlet letter on their chest. But those in public life are so quick to be cavalier about their transgressions. But, I worry more about the ones that try to convey an image of righteousness.

It is a reflection of our culture.

Again, I don’t totally disagree with you. I just think in this particular case, the sin happened so long ago that it is NOT a horrendous scandal for her to be ambassador to the Vatican.

 

[ProVobis]

I refer to my previous statement. We may not approve of someone’s behavior, but it is not for us to judge whether or not they should be forgiven.

What if Obama had named her to the position? Would you have not judged then?

 

[ToeInTheWater]

What if Obama had named her to the position? Would you have not judged then?

Personally, it would have made no difference to me. Not everyone who follows politics does so with extreme partisan bias to everything.