Cardinal Dolan Congratulates President Obama On Re-Election

[Geist]

Firm but gracious; I give this letter .

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

You are totally wrong. The Democrats see people as stupid cattle that are takers and want no responsibility for there lives. Republicans want to make sure everyone has equal oppertunity for all and take responsibility for themselves. People choose Barackaclaus.

Okay, we’ve heard numerous times about democrats, yet when one brings thoughts to Republicans doing something to offset it, it’s back to those bad bad democrats?

So Republicans need not change one bit, and we’ll see history repeat itself.

 

[Prodigal_Son1]

Church teaching is pretty one sided on the issue of abortion. IF you are a Catholic you have no choice in the matter. If you are going to vote then the person MUST go through the filter of church teachings first before considered. If the first element of the filter says “Abortion is not allowed” and the person considered fails then you can not go further in considering that individual. Church teaching first all other things last.

What are proportionate reasons? If there are none, then why was that language used?

These are genuine questions and not trying to diminish intrinsic evils, but understand why such language was used if there are no proportionate reasons.

It seems the Church holds back, and doesn’t speak clearly so that all will understand completely. Why? Yea, I know, a lot of people will say, ‘I got it.’ But, what about those that didn’t? It’s their fault, they didn’t understand? The Church is obligated to speak clearly so that ALL will understand.

 

[livnlern]

What are proportionate reasons? If there are none, then why was that language used?

These are genuine questions and not trying to diminish intrinsic evils, but understand why such language was used if there are no proportionate reasons.

It seems the Church holds back, and doesn’t speak clearly so that all will understand completely. Why? Yea, I know, a lot of people will say, ‘I got it.’ But, what about those that didn’t? It’s their fault, they didn’t understand? The Church is obligated to speak clearly so that ALL will understand.

There’s culpability on both sides. The Church should have spoken out forcefully during the 2008 election, when Obama’s abortion voting record was already well known.
And the common people haven’t really changed that much since (what I feel was) the wake up call of 9/11.

 

[livnlern]

Lose a battle. Win a war.

Pick ourselves up, I urge. People in the trenches–smile as if we have won. And united behind our Bishops, we, too, will overcome. All together now – push!

Blessings,
granny

The human person is worthy of profound respect from the moment of conception.

In the end, I have to agree with you, Granny. We have to keep going, pray a lot and find ways to make things better. After all, we know who will win the game don’t we?

 

[MidnightSun12]

In the end, I have to agree with you, Granny. We have to keep going, pray a lot and find ways to make things better. After all, we know who will win the game don’t we?

I absolutely agree with this.

While I did sign the petition to dis-invite Obama from the dinner, and I stand by my belief that it was a mistake to allow photos of this event to be released to the public, that is now in the past. Now is the time to pray for and support our bishops and cardinals in their efforts to promote the True Catholic faith with even more resolve! At the end of the day, they have been given authority by God to lead the Church and while we are absolutely free (and sometimes even obliged) to make known to them our concerns on certain issues, the question as to whether they get our undivided obedience and support when it comes to shepherding their flock towards heaven is non-existent.

 

[Faithdancer]

Lose a battle. Win a war.

Pick ourselves up, I urge. People in the trenches–smile as if we have won. And united behind our Bishops, we, too, will overcome. All together now – push!

Blessings,
granny

The human person is worthy of profound respect from the moment of conception.

Right on granny- you go girl!

 

[Faithdancer]

I did vote for a solid pro life candidate.

So did I, and his name is Virgil Goode.

 

[shopkeeper]

I think people are confusing charity with a form of flattery.

Inviting Obama to the Al Smith dinner was a mistake; what kind of message does this send to Catholic business owners who have to choose between their livelihood and adhering to their faith? … Charity would be to disinvite Obama to the Al Smith dinner, to make him realize the gravity of burden his administration is placing on Catholics all across the country…

This extends to not offering Obama congratulations on his re-election. I would not congratulate Obama, I don’t think it is charitable to do so, it is more flattery than charity.

The Church’s enemies in this country aren’t playing nice anymore, in the past they were all bark and no bite, now they are no bark and all bite. I think it is about time all Catholics realize this, especially the Bishops so that they can lead the way in providing clear leadership.

Thank you for a very well thought out posting! You are so right! I agree with all of it except your negatives concerning Cardinal Dolan. I will come to his defense. I did trim your posting above to include the particulars with which I believe, I hope, you are wrong.

It’s not flattery at all that Cardinal Dolan is engaging in, as best as I can see. It’s about trying to keep the dialogue open with an amazingly recalcitrant President; it’s a way of loving our enemy, truly. Blessed John Paul II was at pains to keep the dialogue open with communists. Like JPII, I believe Card. Dolan is doing that. However, Blessed JPII spoke in no uncertain terms as well against communists. And stay tuned, as that will be the next Cardinal Dolan we’ll see. I believe he will ratchet up his rhetoric against the President, in particular, but at the moment is trying to do the best he can in very difficult circumstances.

Call it the approach of Vatican diplomacy, the “optics” of which I fully understand don’t look good in public, appear to violate charity, which would call for fraternal correction. However, the last thing you want to do is alienate the President, to do anything that endangers resolving the HHS mandate problems now that the election is over and he has more “flexibility” to act. I doubt the President will back down, however, but that’s what Cardinal Dolan appears to be hoping for, and it is reasonable to try what he appears to be hoping. This Cardinal would not flatter; it’s about trying to open dialogue.

In the end, we have two great reasons for hope: 1) keep in mind that the Bishops have already indicated that the Church will not comply with the HHS mandate. President Obama is on clear notice regarding this. 2) The Supreme Court will most likely strike down the HHS mandate at unconstitutional. George Weigel on The World Over told Raymond Arroyo it could well be a 9-0 decision even, striking down the HHS mandate, according to some trustworthy court observers. So we have great hope.

Nonetheless, you’re absolutely right. There are plenty of business owners, and all taxpayers who will be contributing toward abortions and contraceptives, in our insurance premiums before this grave matter of conscience is addressed by the Supreme Court. And the USCCB is not giving Catholic business owners or any of us any direction I can find.

We’re truly out in the bitter cold of a dire conscience problem. It’s a terrible lack of leadership on behalf of the USCCB to not address this grave matter. God could well be allowing this evil to wake up many a slumbering American bishop who fail to engage a political party unabashedly promoting intrinsic evils. Perhaps this wake-up call will lead to stronger episcopal leadership, which could well lead to a new springtime of evangelization we direly need in this country. Let us pray for all of our bishops!

I’m done. By the way, are you aware of “A Brief Catechism for Catholic Voters,” complete with the nihil obstat and imprimatur: ewtn.com/vote/brief_catechism.htm? These brief 14 questions would do wonders inserted into the USCCB’s “Forming Consciences” document! That would, indeed, be a gesture of authentic episcopal leadership! God bless.