Pax Christi under fire?
October 8, 2009
Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo of Richmond, VA recently denied a newly-organized chapter of Pax Christi’s request to meet on church property–even though DiLorenzo’s predecessor, Walter Sullivan, a past bishop-president of the organization, was to be the speaker.
The rationale was that Pax Christi was not a diocesan organization.
In light of the diocese’s decision, the group met at Virginia Wesleyan College, a local Methodist school.
What are our readers thoughts on Pax Christi and its work? And what are we to make of the bishop’s decision?
H-T to David Gibson
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The bishop’s decision is B.S. From that, you can probably guess what I think of Pax Christi.
Pax Christi is a mixed bag. Our local Pax Christi invited one of the recently “ordained” women priests to speak. Seemed like a little mission creep to me.
I’m willing to give him some time to apologize for an extremely stupid act.
Agree with MZ looking at its website it has expanded its focus from being merely a peace organization to being part of the Democratic Party at prayer (Just as Amnesty International has expanded its mission to promote the wider availability of abortion). For example a statement on the nomination of Sotomayor and that those who oppose it are “racist and want to protect white privlege”. There are statements on Health Care and immigration, which I have not even read> What do these have to do with promoting world peace? I guess that its easier to oppose imperialistic war efforts when they are being proposed by the Republicans rather than the Democrats.
I’m not sure what I had to do with the bishop’s decision.
B.S. ;)
Agree with MZ looking at its website it has expanded its focus from being merely a peace organization to being part of the Democratic Party at prayer (Just as Amnesty International has expanded its mission to promote the wider availability of abortion). For example a statement on the nomination of Sotomayor and that those who oppose it are “racist and want to protect white privlege”. There are statements on Health Care and immigration, which I have not even read> What do these have to do with promoting world peace?
Health care and immigration are intimately related to peace. Sorry if that conflicts with a tendency you seem to have to put each individual issue in a little box, but many of us Catholics look for connections. It’s part of the attempt to understand.
But truly, the better question what Pax Christi’s stand on these issues has to do with the Democratic party. Your claim is absurd.
I think the more important question is a review of what other organizations HAVE been allowed to meet on parish property in the Diocese of Richmond.
And, let me make what I think is the generous assumption that the bishop has rigidly and consistently applied this policy.
Is it really appropriate for a bishop to have to give the thumbs up/down on every potential speaker before a parish or parish organization can invite them to speak?
Shouldn’t the parish community have some right of discernment on this? Is the Catholic faith really served because a parish cannot have an ecumencial Thanksgiving service that include the minister from the neighboring United Church of Christ (pro-gay marriage). The parish school children cannot hear about “drop and roll” and other fire safety practices from the Fire Chief (pro-choice). Or a panel discussion on immigration reform that includes a speaker from the ACLU?
Michael:
There are lots of issues that government use as an excuse for war.
However, I have to admit that I have never of one being started over a country’s healthcare system. For example, I’ve never heard anyone say “let’s bomb Cuba because their excellent state run health care system is causing all those boat people to come to the U.S.” or “lets go to war against Mexico because its Universal Health Care System is causing all of those people to cross the border illegally.”
Government go to war because it benefits the State and increases the power of the State and those who run it. All else is just fluff.
As to what Pax Christi’s stand on these issues has to do with the Democratic Party – how do they differ. From looking at their website Pax Christi appears to be no more than a Catholic ACORN.
If Pax Christi is a peace organization then work for peace first, i.e. get us out of Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, South Korea, etc. and keep us out of Iran, Sudan, etc.. But when your guys are in charge its hard to be critical of their war mongering. Pay a little bit of lip service to “ending wars and military interventions” but focus on other issues that have no direct relationship to those military actions.
Pax Christi does suffer from unacceptable mission creep, although who knows if these particular Pax Christi people are part of the women’s ordination crowd. It’s a shame because they would otherwise provide an extemely valuable witness.
Yet still, how that justify a bishop so micromanaging every Catholic facility to the degree the bishop of Richmond wishes to?
Certain factions of the american episcopacy are developing some nasty pathologies.