What happened to those homilies about the prodigal son and rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar’s? Parishioners were surprised with this Sunday’s homily by Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky comparing President Barack Obama’s health care policies to policies of Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin.
During the Sunday homily at St. Mary’s Cathedral Jenky noted that previous governments that “tried to force Christians to huddle and hide only within the confines of their churches . . . Hitler and Stalin, at their better moments, would just barely tolerate some churches remaining open, but would not tolerate any competition with the state in education, social services and health care . . . In clear violation of our First Amendment rights, Barack Obama – with his radical, pro-abortion and extreme secularist agenda – now seems intent on following a similar path.”
Some have objected that the church should lose its tax exempt status over such advocacy. However, this is less political as hysterical. Churches are allowed to sermonize on public issues and condemn what they view as attacks on their faith.
What is more interesting is the response by Diocese Chancellor Patricia Gibson who insisted that Jenky had merely “offered historical context and comparisons as a means to prevent a repetition of historical attacks upon the Catholic Church and other religions.” A “repetition of historical attacks upon the Catholic Church”? That sounds like reaffirming this bizarre analogy. Gibson assured people, however, that “[w]e have currently not reached the same level of persecution. But Bishop Jenky would say that history teaches us to be cautious. … (He) is concerned that our government is truly treading on one of our most dear freedoms, which is religious freedom.” Well Jenky sure found his audience.
I would venture to suggest that there is a little distance between a squabble over health care and genocidal authoritarian regimes. But that is just me.
Source: Chicagoist
Just looked at the initials by his name, and he is a member of the Holy Cross order. Don’t know if they take vows of poverty.
Elaine & SwM,
Regardless, I am sure Jesus would be proud of him. Y’think?
OS, He probably did not have to take a vow of poverty. Priests that are members of orders like Franciscans do but not usually those who work for the diocese.
Otteray,
I don’t think Catholic priests are required to take a vow of poverty. Some may. I believe nuns must take a vow of poverty though.
“I would venture to suggest that there is a little distance between a squabble over health care and genocidal authoritarian regimes. But that is just me.”
Ah yes, the olde “where is this headed” meme.
It is interesting to me when religious and military empire ideology blend into a uniform camouflage.
Especially in the strange bedfellow type uniform of “health care is our number one enemy.”
Go figure.
seamus,
Salted or unsalted? Personally I think they need a dash, but a man of the Monsignor’s stature should probably stick to low-sodium children.
I thought they were supposed to take an oath of poverty. The Bishop does not look poverty striken to me. He never missed a meal in his life. In fact, he looks like he gets double helpings at every meal and snacks in between.
I am sure he relates well to the laity who do well to have one meal a day–about like the Mittster relates to the working poor who he says he does not care about.
Well, what else could you expect from Most Reverend Comic Book man?
http://images.mylot.com/userImages/images/postphotos/2005049.gif
Hi Bob,
Just saw your message on the other string. Please take note of the new posting name.
Not just the church, those who have forgotten the past don;t have a clue as to why they are wrong (as post and this link)http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/john-raese-nazi_n_1440135.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec3_lnk3%26pLid%3D153915
I’m agnostic. And I don’t even know which posting name to use.
Wow, look at Mon Senior Jabba. Looks like they’re not just raping kids any more, now they’re eating them too. Gluttony is clearly not a sin any more.
SwM,
I used to watch Madmen but lost interest for some reason. I also highly recommend Game of Thrones. Gene recommended it to me so I spent last weekend catching up on season one and then moved on to season 2 which is currently running. (There’s a lot of soft porn but it works well in the presentation so isn’t at all gratuitous.)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/war-on-planned-parenthood-ohio-wisconsin_n_1441148.html The GOP War on Women is gaining ground on women in the midwest although the Peoria bishop can’t gain any ground in Illinois as the democrats are in control there.
it is time to revoke the Catholic Church’s tax exempt status. I am damned tired of having to pay more property taxes to pay for services they get for free off of MY money. I am also damned tired of having the GOP get tax credit for charitable contributions for their political party.
Gene H and Blouise, Madmen is my favorite show that is currently on TV. My son was just telling me how good “Game of Thrones” is. He sat next to one of the “Madmen” stars on the subway in Brooklyn last week.
Malisha,
Mine was a rhetorical question. Was that was the point of your response to me?
“If the Obama administration was already on bad terms with abortion opponents, it’s not going to improve relations by hiring Planned Parenthood’s former spokesman for a job at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Tait Sye, Planned Parenthood’s former media director, has joined HHS as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs, HHS made public Friday. He’ll have the public health portfolio — an area where you can be pretty sure abortion and contraception issues will come up.
Sye, who led the family planning organization’s press shop for four and a half years, left the organization last week to move to HHS. He will have responsibility for communications involving the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As Planned Parenthood’s spokesman, Sye was involved in the organization’s defense of HHS’s rule requiring that contraception be covered by most employers’ insurance policies.
Sye’s appointment was greeted with outrage by anti-abortion groups that have lobbied aggressively to cut off federal dollars to his former employer.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0412/75400.html#ixzz1scMvgJRR
Blouise,
If you say so.
I mean I’ve seriously avoided the program. I loathe advertising so why would I want to watch a show about it?
Elaine M — comparisons of people you support are not necessary. Child Sexual Abuse is the ultimate expression of patriarchal power. I heard a judge once say to two lawyers (neither of whom would confirm it officially for fear of this particular judge’s wrath):
I f*ck you, you f*ck me, whoever f*cks last wins. That’s life.