Fr.John Dear

[dsul]

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Fr. John Dear, S.J. has been invited to speak later this year by my parish’s peace and justice committee. The only things I’ve heard about Fr. Dear are his anti-war efforts and his vegetarianism. I haven’t heard anything about his stance on abortion. Should I look forward to his arrival? (I previously posted a different thread, but it disappeared … possibly because of political overtones.)

 

[Dale_M]

Fr. Dear is a supporter of the Seamless Garment approach to pro-life issues and so is opposed to abortion. In his own words:

I mistrust one’s “pro life” stance if he calls for one hundred years of war upon Iraq, or the use of nuclear weapons on Iran, or the maintenance of the U.S. imperial military force. If you care for the unborn, you will work for the abolition of war and nuclear weapons. You’ll work for the creation of equality among women and men. You’ll work for the elimination of poverty and despair – all of them causes of abortion. A “pro-lifer” will work for the institutionalization of nonviolence across the board.

Likewise, I mistrust those who claim to be against war but support executions and abortions.

ncrcafe.org/node/1996

 

[Mattapoisett64]

Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Fr. John Dear, S.J. has been invited to speak later this year by my parish’s peace and justice committee. The only things I’ve heard about Fr. Dear are his anti-war efforts and his vegetarianism. I haven’t heard anything about his stance on abortion. Should I look forward to his arrival? (I previously posted a different thread, but it disappeared … possibly because of political overtones.)

Strangely, at least one apologist here at Catholic Answers feels that Fr. Dear’s ***clothing ***is enough to question his orthodoxy. In a July 28th response, a CAF apologist had this to say about Fr. Dear:

“Fr. John Dear is a Jesuit priest. You probably have more information on him than I, having read an autobiography; but a quick glance at his web site – which displays prominent photos of him in jeans, a casual short-sleeved shirt, and no clerical collar – sends up a red flag as to his orthodoxy.”

The “offending photo” was of Fr. Dear standing in the middle of a dusty field. From what I’ve read of Fr. Dear I was very impressed. I wish I could hear him speak. I was frankly amazed and shocked that a CAF apologist would use this kind of innuendo to impeach Fr. Dear’s “orthodoxy.” Apparently wearing a clerical collar is more important than a “consistent ethic of life.” I wonder if his real “offense” is that he has a column in National Catholic Reporter.