Is Obama trying to divide the Catholic Church?

[golfisfun]

I agree in principle, but allow me to play devil’s advocate. Is it possible that the Church believes if it brings down the hammer on Pelosi, Biden, Kennedy, etc., such action will turn Washington into a place where “Catholics need not apply”?

i.e., would doing so validate the time-worn American prejudice, “Look - all Catholic politicians must be tools of the Pope, or be excommunicated!”

The dilemma therefore being:

Do we publicly excommunicate these politicians as a warning/moment of teaching to cafeteria Catholics who will only be hardened in their stance by the perceived “injustice”,

or

Do we continue to proclaim the Truth, and leave the politicians be in order to preserve what potential we have to influence policy with authentic Catholic politicians, who may not be as powerful as Pelosi, et al., but would certainly suffer collateral damage from the resurrection of the old prejudices if a purge took place?

. . . .

In a calculating sense, considering the declining percentage of Catholics in many developed countries, I would say the latter is superior from the big perspective of keeping or gaining members who are/will become Catholic voters (and of course, far more importantly Catholic people). I just happened to read an article today in the New Scientist that began its last paragraph saying, “But if Henrich is right, churches that liberalise their behavioural codes may be sabotaging themselves by reducing their followers’ commitment. This may explain why strict evangelical Christian churches are expanding in the US at the expense of mainstream denominations…”

 

[catching]

No, But the people himself is responsible for the divide and after do this they blame others for this.

 

[brigid12]

I agree in principle, but allow me to play devil’s advocate. Is it possible that the Church believes if it brings down the hammer on Pelosi, Biden, Kennedy, etc., such action will turn Washington into a place where “Catholics need not apply”?

i.e., would doing so validate the time-worn American prejudice, “Look - all Catholic politicians must be tools of the Pope, or be excommunicated!”

The dilemma therefore being:

Do we publicly excommunicate these politicians as a warning/moment of teaching to cafeteria Catholics who will only be hardened in their stance by the perceived “injustice”,

or

Do we continue to proclaim the Truth, and leave the politicians be in order to preserve what potential we have to influence policy with authentic Catholic politicians, who may not be as powerful as Pelosi, et al., but would certainly suffer collateral damage from the resurrection of the old prejudices if a purge took place?

I don’t pretend to have the answer, but I think it’s not as simple as we think.

What the bishops need to decide is whether the group that is in there right now is imperiling enough souls that it’s worth cashing in the ability of future generations of Catholic politicians to influence policy and legislation.

Interesting. I certainly can see this arguement as a possibility (remembering JFKs political ascendancy). I certainly don’t envy the American Bishops.

I’ve had a feeling (and only that) that Obama has something up his sleeve. For example, he is obviously a very bright man and certainly knows about “divide and conquer”. The Catholic Church is one of the main organized “problems” he has in getting his political visions in place, so it would make sense for him to take time out of his busy schedule to attend a very prominent Catholic university, at their invitation, and to make sure that he will have a much larger political following (whether for re-election or for coming political issues). Have any (or many of you) read Father Elijah by O’Brien? I wonder if it may have more to it than we realize.

 

[Oceanon]

I don’t think Obama needs much help. Are we not already divided?

Well said!

 

[Beau_Ouiville]

Are commentators so self-involved that they see a divide and blame it on their favorite target of criticism? The president is doing nothing sinister to Catholics or Catholicism based on religion.

 

[recondelta]

Are commentators so self-involved that they see a divide and blame it on their favorite target of criticism? The president is doing nothing sinister to Catholics or Catholicism based on religion.

Very well stated.

Actually, Mr. Weigel’s comments are an insult to Catholics everywhere. We have a long and proud history of disagreeing - intensely - with one another, and we manage to do it on our own, thank you very much. In any event, Mr. Weigel no doubt feels better after once again having vented his feelings about Father Hesburg and Cardinal Bernardin.

As for the Land O’ Lakes meeting, it was nothing more than the beginning of an effort to
establish that the term “Catholic University” is not an oxymoron. Notre Dame - and a few
others - have managed to do this, to the everlasting unhappiness of those who consider
Roman Catholicism to be a one horse town.

One final note: The document “Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion - General
Principles” is the subject of much discussion. It is worth googling that entire phrase
and reading the document several times - I took my copy from the Priests for Life site.
I think you will find that both sides in the debate over who should or should not receive
the Eucharist conveniently quote - and omit - portions of this statement to support their own points of view.

 

[Worthy5]

I read this article by George Wiegel article.nationalreview.com/?q=YzNhZDI1MDAyMjcwNTFhMDM3NDZkOGQ5ZWZhOGUzNWI=

He has a theory that Obama is trying to set Catholics against each other. What do you think?

For those of you who do not have any background about Father Hesburgh and the Land O’ Lakes statement this article gives an overview.

catholichistory.net/Events/LandOLakesStatement.htm

This was an attempt to divorce Notre Dame from the Vatican and the Bishops.

I think there is a point there. I did not watch the speech just a brief clip but why did he have to even mention the issue in the address-there was no need for it. He could have just talk about his personal career and education and given the graduates some encouraging words.

 

[JohnT58]

Once in a monastery two monks walked about doing their morning duties. As they passed a small bowl, filled with rain, they saw a scorpion was drowning in the water. One monk reached in to save the creature. As soon as his fingers touched the panicking Scorpion, it stung him and the monk dropped the Scorpion back into the water. The monk sighed, and reached back in. This time he got his grip a little firmer, but still dropped the Scorpion when he was stung. He kept reaching in, as his friend looked on in confusion. After dozens of attempts, the other monk spoke up saying “Brother, why do you keep trying to save that scorpion? It stings you every time you come near it” the monk paused before reaching in again. As another sting bit into his hand, he smiled “Because it is his nature to sting, and my nature to save. Don’t forget brother,** soon either I’ll stop feeling the pain of the sting and he will be saved, or he will stop being afraid and be saved**.’ Compassion cannot be stopped so easily.’