Deacon hailed for pulpit blast at Higgins

[Leeta]

If the pastor and the Bishop still hadn’t met with the politician in private to let him know that the politician is placing his own soul in great danger and to explain the sheer monstrousness of terminal ‘research’ ( a term coined by Dr. Rascher of Dachau who did this kind of research on prisoners who were going to be killed anyway, as he said in a letter to Reichsminister Himmler) on innocent babies, then they shouldn’t be surprized if God moves others to do what they refused to do.

The blood of innocent Abel is crying to heaven for justice! Are they going to forbid others from speaking for these little ones?

The priest said that Rep. Higgins had been serving their district so well??? Voting to fund with taxes the merciless killing of hundreds of thousands of abandoned, abused and neglected children in gruesome experiments is serving the district well???

Now that is true charity in action, isn’t it?

Kudos for the brave Deacon!!! St. Paul whose feast is today, said to preach the word in season and out of season.

 

[OriginalJS]

I may be chastised for this, but it is considered bad form for a speaker to single out a member of the audience for one-on-one criticism. Doing so has several bad effects: It makes many listeners uncomfortable; it will prompt many to sympathize with the person criticized; and it causes the speaker to seem vindictive. A large number present will be thinking,“I hope nothing like that ever happens to me.”

The Deacon may feel happy that he ran Higgins out, but how long will it be until he gets a chance to speak to him again? How soon will Higgins come back?

 

[dshelcus]

The correction of a Christian who is publicly sinning is not judgment. Jesus and the Apostles were very bold and rebuked and condemned evil. They openly rebuked people in the church for doing or cooperating with evil, in order to strengthen the church. From the United States Bishops document, Living The Gospel of Life

“But for citizens and elected officials alike, the basic principle is simple: We must begin with a commitment never to intentionally kill, or collude in the killing, of any innocent human life, no matter how broken, unformed, disabled or desperate that life may seem.”

If the congressman does not believe that teachings of the Catholic Church, then he should have the fortitude to admit this and join a denomination that better suits his beliefs.

 

[dessert]

Yeah or will he come back with a gun or something then we have a postal situatiion. it is good to stand up for the faith but i think more in a private manner. I was in a situation one sat. when the lady ahead of me in confession got really mad at father about what they were talking in the box and I could hear them all the way out side of it and she got mad and said as she was coming out very loudly good bye like forever and it was bad because I was next Oh well fahter handled it very well and I had been rehersing mine so had it all memorized It went ok . I am not making this up as i have thought of changing churches but I am truly stuck in my situation. dessert

 

[irenaeus1]

The Rev. Art Smith, pastor of the South Buffalo church, said he felt “horrible” about the Higgins family’s departure on “Respect Life Sunday” and offered an apology from the pulpit after the congressman had left.

If the politician advocates legislation supporting embryonic stem cell research, then he had already departed from “Respect Life Sunday”.

 

[irenaeus1]

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo later issued a statement also criticizing Deacon Tom McDonnell’s action.

Now if only Bishop Edward U. Kmiec would issue a statement criticizing the actions of Rep. Brian Higgins.

 

[irenaeus1]

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo later issued a statement also criticizing Deacon Tom McDonnell’s action.

Isn’t that like Jesus criticizing John the Baptist for calling the Pharisees a brood of vipers?

 

[decn2b]

THe reason why a deacon or priest cannot call someone out by name is for the simple reason that they HAVE NO IDEA for sure if the person has not changed their heart and repented of their sin. Slim as the chance may be…there is still a possibility that the politician could have gone to confession and repented of his stance on abortion immediately prior to MASS. somthing of which a deacon would never ever know. Which again is why people cannot be singled out from the pulpit.

 

[irenaeus1]

THe reason why a deacon or priest cannot call someone out by name is for the simple reason that they HAVE NO IDEA for sure if the person has not changed their heart and repented of their sin. Slim as the chance may be…there is still a possibility that the politician could have gone to confession and repented of his stance on abortion immediately prior to MASS. somthing of which a deacon would never ever know. Which again is why people cannot be singled out from the pulpit.

If Higgins did indeed repent immediately prior to Mass, then he did not need to walk out of Mass. Being called to the carpet for a past vote advocating legislation opposed to Catholic teaching regarding the sanctity of life (on Respect Life Sunday, no less) should have been accepted in humility, especially from one who supposedly had just repented.

 

[Dee_Dee_King]

it’s really the bishop’s place to publically admonish the sinner. but, when the bishop and priests are silent, what do you do?

you have to draw the line somewhere. this is a serious sin dealing with the sanctity of life. it’s about time someone called a politician on it in church.

 

[fix]

“It seems as if we want to be rewarded, not just with our own salvation, but most especially with other people’s damnation—just like the workers hired in the first hour” - Joseph Ratzinger

Please give us the full context with a link. You want to imply that is his thought on the situation?

Cardinal Ratzinger, in his memorandum entitled “Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion – General Principles,” said without ambiguity:
“The minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it”[5] when warning and counsel given to the manifest sinner “have not had their effect.”

catholic.org/featured/headline.php?ID=1123

I assume you maintain the Pope thinks such conduct is uncharitable?

 

[Dandelion_Wine]

It looks like what happened here was an example of abusing the teaching office of ordained ministry.

The same message could have been stated without screeching at one member of the congregation.

But, there is a huge difference between exposing our private or public sins and correcting a manifest, grave and public sin.

As for Jesus and the Pharisees I would imagine everyone knew exactly who He meant. Does not explicitly using a surname make a difference? The result is the same.

I think when I first read this my concern was whether he called Higgins out by name during the sinner. I’m sorry, but I disagree w/ those of you who think that is ok. It was tactless and abuse of his preaching office. One can get the message across without naming names. Some homilies you hear are about bad behavior - but I’ve NEVER heard a priest/deacon point out anyone in the congregation by name who practised that behavior. That’s just plain wrong.

 

[fix]

I think when I first read this my concern was whether he called Higgins out by name during the sinner. I’m sorry, but I disagree w/ those of you who think that is ok. It was tactless and abuse of his preaching office. One can get the message across without naming names. Some homilies you hear are about bad behavior - but I’ve NEVER heard a priest/deacon point out anyone in the congregation by name who practised that behavior. That’s just plain wrong.

I have not read a report that relates exactly what was said in context. I have said I agree in general that as a prudential matter I would not think mentioning specific folks in a homily is a good thing to do. What I am appalled at is the notion so many are excerised over that mentioning much more than the 100% NARAL rating of the politician or his presenting himself at communion while publicly rejecting Church teaching and leading a very bad example.

Point: more outrage over the homily than the public support for destruction of innocent life. I cannot imagine a more confused culture.

 

[buffalo]

If the pastor and the Bishop still hadn’t met with the politician in private to let him know that the politician is placing his own soul in great danger and to explain the sheer monstrousness of terminal ‘research’ ( a term coined by Dr. Rascher of Dachau who did this kind of research on prisoners who were going to be killed anyway, as he said in a letter to Reichsminister Himmler) on innocent babies, then they shouldn’t be surprized if God moves others to do what they refused to do.

The blood of innocent Abel is crying to heaven for justice! Are they going to forbid others from speaking for these little ones?

The priest said that Rep. Higgins had been serving their district so well??? Voting to fund with taxes the merciless killing of hundreds of thousands of abandoned, abused and neglected children in gruesome experiments is serving the district well???

Now that is true charity in action, isn’t it?

Kudos for the brave Deacon!!! St. Paul whose feast is today, said to preach the word in season and out of season.

Yes, he is promoting waterfront development and secured money from the power authority. That trumps his pro-death votes.

 

[buffalo]

How about this from B16?

** “A man of conscience, is one who never acquires tolerance, well- being, success, public standing, and approval on the part of prevailing opinion, at the expense of truth.”** Pope Benedict XVI

 

[decn2b]

If Higgins did indeed repent immediately prior to Mass, then he did not need to walk out of Mass. Being called to the carpet for a past vote advocating legislation opposed to Catholic teaching regarding the sanctity of life (on Respect Life Sunday, no less) should have been accepted in humility, especially from one who supposedly had just repented.

Like I said the deacon made the comment BEFORE the man walked out of Mass. I am an ardent opponent of abortion but only chirst has the authority to publicly chastise someone at Mass. Public pennance is no longer practiced by the church. The deacon should have avoided picking out ONE person by name. His abortion stance is a sin. But What about other sins being publicly called to the carpet. What about the person who committed other sins.

 

[buffalo]

Like I said the deacon made the comment BEFORE the man walked out of Mass. I am an ardent opponent of abortion but only chirst has the authority to publicly chastise someone at Mass. Public pennance is no longer practiced by the church. The deacon should have avoided picking out ONE person by name. His abortion stance is a sin. But What about other sins being publicly called to the carpet. What about the person who committed other sins.

Here is what the church teaches.

A public obstinate manifest sinner must publicly renounce his position and then confess.

A private person must renounce himself in the confessional.

 

[hoosiertoo]

Like I said the deacon made the comment BEFORE the man walked out of Mass. I am an ardent opponent of abortion but only chirst has the authority to publicly chastise someone at Mass. Public pennance is no longer practiced by the church. The deacon should have avoided picking out ONE person by name. His abortion stance is a sin. But What about other sins being publicly called to the carpet. What about the person who committed other sins.

I don’t believe the good deacon was pointing out the honorable Mr. Higgins’ sin. I also don’t believe that public penance was called for; there was certainly no public repentance. No, I believe the deacon rightly called attention to the very public nature of Mr. Higgin’s voting record.

I believe the point was made most effectively and shouldn’t have been lost on the congregation. Such is way of all good homilies.

I’m less than enthusiastic about the pastor’s and bishop’s response. As to Mr. Higgins’ hurt feelings, I can spare but too syllables. Charity demands they should be “too bad.”

 

[hoosiertoo]

(More from Amy Welborn: Update: Commentor Kevin says he was present, and offers an account below.

My mother attended the mass on Sat, not Sunday, where Deacon McDonnell gave the same homily. What has not been mentioned is that (1) a good number of people clapped after the remarks were made and (2) Fr Smith, the pastor, stated that he supported the Deacon on this issue and also urged for Catholics to “be aware of a candidates record on certain issues before you vote for them.” Unless my 79 year old mother is not telling the truth, this is what was said. On Sunday, the Deacon gave the same homily as he did the night before. He said on RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY…that elected officials should be made aware of our (Catholic)convictions concerning Pro-Life issues. Higgins is no longer a member of this parish…but he is a member of another Catholic church close by. To me, it appeared that the Deacon realized Higgins was in Mass while he was giving the homily. He stated that the Church has an open door policy and he would assume “our guess (do you mean “guest?”) Congressman has one as well.” It was then he suggested that we, Catholics and members of Higgins’ district, ask him to more closely vote in favor of his (Higgins) Catholic up bringing. Higgins and family then stood up and walked out.

From the comments:

Every time I’m tempted to become Catholic, some ***** bishop acts like a liberal Episcopalian. How do those of you who are faithful Catholics deal with your frustration on this issue? Do I want to be in a situation where I’m explaining to my kids why I’m right and the bishop is wrong? Not so much.

It’s kinda like secular politics: most politicians (particularly presidents) try to be friends to everybody once they hit the national level, once they are out of whatever primaries, instead of being concerned for their base. I wish the bishops would show more concern for the majority of catholic church-goers, the faithful who believe Catholic doctrine, than for those on the margins of the faith for whom Mass and faith is a marginal thing.

(excised, but an expression of frustration)

Posted by: *Irenaeus of Lyons *

This from a non-Catholic for whom the bishop’s reaction is scandalous.

 

[Dee_Dee_King]

It was then he suggested that we, Catholics and members of Higgins’ district, ask him to more closely vote in favor of his (Higgins) Catholic up bringing. Higgins and family then stood up and walked out.

that jerk higgins is trying to use this occasion to earn favor by showing how he’s being unjustly persecuted and singled out by the church. that wasn’t even close to a public admonishment. the fact higgins reacted that way only proves his guilt.

the insane liberals will try to say that the church is mixing religion and politics and use this kind of stuff to persecute the church.

if being a catholic doesn’t challenge us to act any certain way, catholicism becomes completely useless. we have to take a stand for the sake of the sinner and to confirm people in thier faith in matters as primary and grave such as these.