And why exactly do we need a report on this?
May 2, 2008
The whole “Anti-Catholicism” title just puts me in “war” mode and alienates me from the world… I like the approach of the Apologists of the Patristic era like Justin Martyr when he tried to convince the Roman Emperor that “more than all other men are we your helpers and allies in promoting peace.”
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Arguing by analogy, I assume you think we don’t need the ADL’s Report on Anti-Semitism, either.
Are anti-semitism and anti-Catholicism really “analogous”?
It seems if were truly living out our vocation to holiness, if we were being martyrs — witnesses– to Christ, then we should expect anti-Catholicism, and, with the saints, rejoice at the opportunity to share in the cross of redemption.
Being that Catholicism is the last acceptable prejudice in America (by last acceptable, I simply mean that the majority of people speaking against the prejudices is the people that are being ostracized), it is not surprising that they were able to find enough examples of anti Catholic behaviors in America. Let us not forget that during the time that a great many Catholics immigrated to the United States they were denied: jobs under the argument that Catholics would take all the jobs from Protestants (sound familiar), health and life insurance, and Catholics were held at many other disadvantages leading to the forming of the Knights of Columbus. Maybe we should not be called to arms by this, and I know you are not calling for that Katerina, but we should mobilize within our comminutes and support each other out of charity, not show prejudice to others, and pray for those that persecute us.
I love what the Catholic League is doing. They are true Soldiers of Christ. (Am a card carrying member). They defend Catholicism and all we hold dear with lucidity, integrity, and pugnacity. The MSM is a fetid cesspool. If you choose to sit back and be a meek lamb in the face of the media’s attacks on Holy Mother Church , fine, maybe the League isn’t your cup of tea. But just let us do our work. Find a better bone to pick.
BlazeAMDG – The last acceptable prejudice only if you don’t count prejudice against rural folks, hillbillies, “white trash,” etc. And of course prejudice against blacks is still quite acceptable to many people, as is discrimination against women, immigrants, the elderly…
In other words “last acceptable prejudice” in reference to Catholics is bogus, and the repetition of that phrase by Catholics today is embarrassing.
JB,
I recall MacIntyre saying something similar a few years back.
JB – I agree, except I would say that we will be persecuted even if we are not the best witnesses, because we still preach holiness although the Church is obviously sinful.
The last acceptable prejudice is a label that gets attached to lots of different groups: Mormons, Southerns, poor whites, etc. It’s kind of like being the 5th Beatle. Frankly, I’m not interested in having Catholics become just one more grievance group. The Church has enough problems as it is.
I think there is the reality of persevering anti-Catholicism. I don’t think the CL has a very good track record at identifying authentic anti-Catholicism rather than just cultural or political acts they and secular conservatives object to.
South Park’s parody of Bill Donahue was most apropos. And can’t the man use his Ph. D for better purposes? His appearances on TV are oftentimes embarassing.
I love what the Catholic League is doing. They are true Soldiers of Christ.
I guess we can throw around the title “soldier of Christ” just about anywhere these days. Just imagine how the walls of our faith would be breached if it were not for the sensationalism and reductionism of the Catholic League! How much more respect the Church has gained by the Catholic League’s work! How many converts! Everyone sees the love and hope of Christ in the Catholic League’s televion appearances and publications.
When I see Bill Donahue on TV I catch myself weeping over how utterly Christlike he is.
The Catholic League spends more defending evanglicals and Republicans than Catholics. http://vox-nova.com/2008/02/29/bill-donohue-is-back-so-lets-recap/
Michael,
I similarly have to restock the Kleenex boxes. That little lamb.
The Catholic Church is a big tent, no? Bill Donahue has his rightful place and is fulfilling his true calling within the bosom of the Church. I love Bill Donahue. Hey, Policraticus, the Felician nuns that taught me used the term “soldier of Christ” liberally, why can’t I? Who are the elite that deserve that title in your world?
Our culture and the MSM is debased. If Bill Donohue wasn’t out there fighting, no one would be, least of all our milquetoast bishops. Cut the man some Christian slack! I love it that he is out there making a big stink over “Piss Christ” and other travesties.
Katherine,
I don’t think the CL has a very good track record at identifying authentic anti-Catholicism rather than just cultural or political acts they and secular conservatives object to.
This is exactly what I’m referring to. Is it really “authentic” anti-Catholicism? I don’t think so.
It’s pure “in the trenches” Catholicism, that’s what it is. It’s lived passionately. I have a feeling you are all jealous of Bill and his zeal.
I have a feeling you are all jealous of Bill and his zeal.
Hehehe
Catholicism and an authentic Christian life is one of “high adventure”. Bill Donahue lives it daily. Go, Bill!
I suppose his temper tantrums–including challenges on live television to fist fights–are like our savior’s actions in the temple.
It’s too bad those without “eyes of faith” can only see a crazy old man in need of a few anger management classes.
I think there is a need for groups like the Catholic League, but I agree that Bill Donahue is often over-the-top in his advocacy.
That having been said, he is from a different generation, one where Catholics really were treated like second-class citizens. I wonder if they same folks who think we ought to cut Rev. Wright a little slack are willing to call for the same charitable consideration of Donahue’s shortcomings.
It’s pure “in the trenches” Catholicism, that’s what it is. It’s lived passionately. I have a feeling you are all jealous of Bill and his zeal.
Hah! “In the trenches.” He’s no Oscar Romero.
I wonder if they same folks who think we ought to cut Rev. Wright a little slack are willing to call for the same charitable consideration of Donahue’s shortcomings.
We should “cut Wright some slack” because he’s right. That’s the difference.
It would seem Vox Nova is less about it’s “Our Purpose” statement and more about a ministry of criticism. This is too bad as people like Policratus have much more to offer than criticising fellow Catholics — a quick perusal of EvangelicalCatholicism blogspot confirms this.
The Catholic League is a replacement for real Catholic witness and public martyrdom. It turns public faith into an issue of pride, relying on law and PR rather than the Gospel’s evidential quality. Anyone who thinks the Catholic League serves any good has never thought deeply about the mysteries of the Catholic faith, replacing the Lord Jesus with anti-defamation constructs.
“Anyone who thinks the Catholic League serves any good has never thought deeply about the mysteries of the Catholic faith, replacing the Lord Jesus with anti-defamation constructs.”
That’s a pretty sweeping assertion.
MI-
What books of Oscar Romero would you recommend?
“We should ‘cut Wright some slack’ because he’s right.”
He’s right about the U.S. government creating AIDS as a genocidal weapon against blacks? Right about blacks being inherently bad at logic and analytical thinking?
The Violence of Love which is, I think, available as pdf online.
Voice of the Voiceless: The Four Pastoral Letters and Other Statements
I also have one called The Church is All of You but I think it’s a lot like The Violence of Love. I picked up “Romero: a Life” recently, but have not read it yet. I think his diaries might be in print as well.
Maybe I’ll write a book called Bill Donahue and Oscar Romero: Soldiers of Christ, Parallel Witness.
MI-
Thanks. I keep hearing wonderful things about Romero, and I am really interested in reading some of his works.
Have you seen the film, Romero? It’s good.
Careful though, getting into Romero and the story of that period of El Salvador’s history (as well as its context of Latin American-U.S. relations) is fertile ground for conversion. If you take that story seriously, and take Romero’s witness seriously, you will not emerge unchanged. I speak from experience.
MI-
I believe that conversion is an ongoing process that never really ends. I pray that I am always open to that process.
feddie, I have the same view of conversion, absolutely.
I’m sure the Catholic Church is prominently featured as ‘perp’ in other ‘Anti-’ reports. What exactly is ‘anti-Catholicism’ today though ? I mean, when gay advocacy groups aren’t fans of the Catholic Church, it’s for a real reason, after all, the Church campaigns against gay marriage and gay adoption. Of course, there still are the ‘Chick’ types, and the usual ‘Whore of Babylon’ talk. Where Catholics might run into actual trouble today, it’d more likely be based on real Catholic positions rather than smears and ‘black legends’.
Why worry about religious or secular anti-catholicism when we have brain-washed, liberal Catholics? Our church libbers have done far more violence to the Mystical Body of Christ than any rabid Pentacostalist or Civil Liberties Union nutsoid .
“Why worry about religious or secular anti-catholicism when we have brain-washed, liberal Catholics? Our church libbers have done far more violence to the Mystical Body of Christ than any rabid Pentacostalist or Civil Liberties Union nutsoid .”
Dearest William,
Liberal Catholics have done far more violence than you may imagine. They have brain-washed even the best of the Church’s sons.
The theology of the “Mystical Body of Christ” was the development of the liberal Catholics of the 1920′s, against the conservatives and the theology of the Church as a perfect ,ordered society. It was quite a controversial teaching until the liberals won the day in 1943 by winning the pope over to their cause.
And Dearest Katherine, you know very well who I mean by liberal Catholics. Richard McBrien, et al., had nothing whatever to do with the intramural skirmishes of the 1920′s. And any cause worthy enough for Eugenio Pacelli is certainly good enough for the likes of this son the Church! Pax!
Katherine – William M seems to orient himself with the help of the secular “culture war” mentality. He is, sadly, so far from the Catholic mind.
I sometimes disagree with Donahue but I am glad things like this are put out. After going trrough a election last year where the State Democrat party ran something a sophisitcated camapign again Bobby JIndal in the Portestant parts of the state I see the need for this
Mike’s IS the Catholic mind.
Sorry if I’m outta place, a dummy like me crackin’ on ya all the time, I aint tryin to be rude, but I think it’s good for you.
And I dare you to question my dedication to the Church
“Katherine – William M seems to orient himself with the help of the secular “culture war” mentality. He is, sadly, so far from the Catholic mind.”
That’s too bad. As for myself, I’m a conscientious objector in the culture wars.
…a conscientious objector in the culture wars.
I like that.