In 2008, during the last U.S. presidential campaign, the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation invited then Democratic nominee Barack Obama to attend its annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner (a charity fundraiser) in New York City. Senator Obama accepted the invitation, as did his Republican counterpart, Sen. John McCain. In this, both men were acknowledging and taking part in a long tradition, in which, every four years, the two major-party candidates for president appear at the dinner to lend their support for the fundraiser.
Barack Obama's appearance in 2008, however, was not without controversy, for the same reasons why, in early 2009, 83 bishops opposed Notre Dame's decision to extend an honorary degree to President Obama and allow him to speak at the university's commencement ceremony. (See President Barack Obama at Notre Dame: A Defining Moment for the Catholic Church in America for more on the controversy.) In both 1996 and 2004, the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation had declined to invite the presidential candidates to attend the charity dinner, because of the pro-abortion positions of President Bill Clinton (in 1996) and Democratic nominee Sen. John Kerry (in 2004). Critics argued that the same prudential call should have been made in 2008.
Fast-forward four years, and now-President Obama, having put most of his campaign promises concerning abortion and embryonic stem-cell research into effect, and having come out in support of the redefinition of marriage, has once again been invited to take part in the Al Smith Dinner. The invitation was extended by Timothy Cardinal Dolan, who, as cardinal-archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York, is honorary chairman of the Smith Foundation.
Beyond President Obama's departures from Catholic moral teaching, the Obama administration's contraception mandate threatens the free exercise of religion in the United States—not just for Catholic hospitals and other institutions, but for individual Catholic business owners who accept the Church's teaching regarding artificial birth control. That, in itself, might seem reason to suspend the quadrennial tradition once again.
On the other hand, as Cardinal Dolan has pointed out in defending his decision to invite President Obama, there is a difference between the Al Smith Dinner and, say, the Notre Dame graduation. President Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney will be guests of honor at the dinner on October 18, but their presence (at least in theory) will benefit the charity. At Notre Dame, the only person who stood to benefit from President Obama's speech was President Obama. The guests of honor traditionally do speak at the Al Smith Dinner, but their remarks are humorous, rather than policy-oriented, so there's little danger of President Obama using it as a stage to advance his pro-abortion views.
On the other hand, most outside observers will see little difference between the Al Smith Dinner and the Notre Dame graduation. What they will see is the most pro-abortion president in the history of the United States shaking hands with Cardinal Dolan and posing for pictures with other bishops and priests. And because the President has made his support for abortion, embryonic-stem cell research, and gay "marriage" so central to his presidency and his current campaign, and because he continues to push forward with his attack on religious liberty in the contraception mandate, the faithful who see those pictures can be forgiven for being confused about where Cardinal Dolan and those bishops and priests stand concerning these central moral issues.
What do you think? Should Cardinal Dolan have invited President Obama to the Al Smith Dinner? And now that he has, should he rescind his invitation? Take our poll, then leave your thoughts in the comments!
If Jesus can eat with sinners as he said the sick have need of Him not the well. Mother Teresa (Blessed) was also doing the same thing as she meet with all types and got in trouble with the media several times, but her boss was Jesus so she did as she was asked to do. It also allows for discourse as you nver know when someone may change by the grace of God.
Extending an invitation to do good is fine. I don’t think anyone could possibly think it is an endorsement of his policies. If the President did use the opportunity to promote his positions, he should be admonished for it accordingly. I do believe giving an honorary degree to someone who advocates positions in direct conflict with your teaching would be wrong.
I agree with Joe….and also I trust Cardinal Dolan…..
He certainly is not doing so to put any kind of approval on Abortion….and it is what Jesus would do….but, NOT to give a stamp of approval on sin..impossible.
Cardinal Dolan can surely eat, privately, with President Obama and work to bring him to Christ, but inviting him as President is an honor and would be, to many, an endorsement of the man and his work. We wonder at how the HHS mandate came about? Mixed signals like this go a long way toward making politicians think there is division with the Church about issues like abortion, gay rights and others. After all we are willing to honor a man who champions these things.
I understand that the Catholic Church desires to follow the example of
Jesus Christ. However Jesus Christ did not befriend evil or Satan’s disciples. Obama has no regard for the “rights” of others and has
supported truly evil policies i.e. all forms of abortion, euthanasia, etc.
My concern is that the Catholic Church stand up against evil in the world and not appease the powers of evil through passivity. The Catholic Church has a very poor history in how it turned a blind eye to the evil actions of Hitler and Stalin, pedophilia by the clergy, etc.
For Good to prevail, evil needs to be confronted. The Catholic Church needs to courageously stand for morality and human rights or it may be an accomplice in the growing secular, atheistic movement in the U.S.
Matthew was a first century Galilean (presumably born in Galilee, which was not part of Judea or the Roman Iudaea province) and the son of Alpheus.[5] During the Roman occupation (which began in 63 BC with the conquest of Pompey), Matthew collected taxes from the Hebrew people for Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. His tax office was located in Capernaum. Jews who became rich in such a fashion were despised and considered outcasts. However, as a tax collector he would have been literate in Aramaic and Greek.[2][9][10][11][12]
It was in this setting, near what is today Almagor, that Jesus called Matthew to be one of the Twelve Disciples. After his call, Matthew invited Jesus home for a feast. On seeing this, the Scribes and the Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners. This prompted Jesus to answer, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17)
Liberalism is like a religion. You can not be nice to liberals. They are3 often at a great distance from the truth. For instance, where are Obama’s thousands of shovel ready jobs? When Mr Bush left office, gas was $1.89 a gallon. Are you better off now?
Yes, Jesus ate with sinners – to convert them. Remember that he not only forgives sins, but says: “Go and sin no more” and “Keep my commandments”. Cardinal Dolan will not be offering Confession to Mr. Obama (that sacrament is only valid for Catholics), and it is hardly likely that Mr. Obama will change his ways.
It seems to me that the comparison would not be Jesus eating with the tax collectors and sinners (ordinary folk who repented and became his disciples), but, rather, it would be more like Jesus having dinner with Herod or the Sandhedrin. In other words: having dinner with ranking officials – people in power. Jesus did have dinner with one of the Pharisees (and it didn’t seem to have converted that Pharisee), but not with Herod or the Sanhedrin.
YES, the President of the United States of America should be invited to the Smith FUNDRAISER. The President will surrounded by anti -abortion well wishers. And along with anti-gay marriage well wishers. The Presidents appearance will help raise money. Monies I hope that will help the many Catholic organizations and organizations that will help protect or lobby for the Catholic Church and its teachings. I am anti-Obama. I respect the Office and the presence od the President of the United States. We need more pro-life candidates in CONGRESS.
Yes, Cardinal Dolan was correct in inviting B.O. Joe commented exactly what I wanted to say…. who are we to judge? And if B.O. had teh guts, he would have accepted…. only he didnt becasue he thought that he would be treated the way he and his surrogates treat those who don’t agree with him. Always good to be diplomatid and love those who don’t love you. It is difficult abut God will give us the grace when we ask for it.
Coming just a couple of weeks before the election, the Al Smith Dinner will be a photo op that will cause great scandal. Catholics voted for Obama by a 54% margin in 2008, and Cardinal Dolan is sending the signal that everything is all cozy with Obama and they can vote for him again with his blessing because all is now OK. The months of Fortnight for Freedom are meaningless. I was sick to my stomach when I heard about the invitation, not to mention very angry. How naive to think th e media won’t use this to confuse Catholics by saying the “accommodation” has been accepted. I’m heartbroken.
I feel that Cardinal Dolan’s invitation sends mixed messages to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. I don’t think he should have invited the President because of all his anti-Catholic policies. It makes people think that maybe the Church is turning soft on the issue of abortion,gay marriage, etc. I think he should rescind the invitation.
The day we cannot listen to another with differing views is the day we should put the closed sign up on our mind. That day should never come for anyone.
Regardless of the intentions of the invitation, candidate Obama is the obvious political winner. Great number of Catholics that might have being considering not to vote for Obama again, now have an excellent excuse to vote for him: the unofficial endorsement of Cardinal Dolan,the chairman of the US Bishops.
We better pray for our Country and the High Hierarchy of the Catholic Church in America !
Jesus never ate with sinners; how tired I am of that comparison. He happened to already be at a meal when sinners came upon him. He never dined with the likes of Herod & Co., and that is what Dolan is doing! This is why so many CATHOLICS are fed up with the Church, myself included.
This ‘president’ is on a rampage to have religion stricken from this country. His new world order doesn’t allow for it. He is, and has been, his entire life, FOR abortion and infanticide. Anyone with views such as his are not qualified to be the town dogcatcher, never mind head of a country.
There is nothing Dolan can say that hasn’t already been tried. One of these days we will return to a church headed by real men. That time is not today.
No, I do not feel Bishop Nolan should attend. I personally feel that the Catholic Church has been putting up with abuse and setting low liberal standards since the 50′s and we are now seeing the negative results in the ‘faithful’. We had to overcome the scandals with priests and now we have to put up with liberal, feminist nuns which will further divide the church. All I can hold onto now is Christ’s words ‘and the gates of hell will not prevail against it’ but we are going experience much negativity in the meantime.
I guess you really like romney/ryan’s planned assault on “the least of these”, which looks like most everyone but the wealthiest. For a single issue, you will join yourself to some of the most vile, deceptive persons ever to run for the office of president and vp. For the living children, you just authorized throwing them under the bus-no medicaid, no food assistance. I guess for you guys that ID against God’s will also. As for Dolan, his remark today “that God votes republican” shows how much he doesn’t speak for God and had lost touch with Him. What a foolish, arrogant thing to saw. This guy needs help and if you support something so ridiculous as not breaking bread because you don’t agree shows how offbase your teaching and reasoning is. You embrace the monsters to kill the monsters. That is like telling God, I will work for Satan to do your work. I believe you fool yourself that Jehovah will accept that rationalization. You are working for yourself. God doesn’t need or accept hate or persons who superimpose their beliefs and sell it as the Word and will of God. He is still Omnipotent and able. Instead of you leading these people down the garden path of division disquised as holiness and obedience to the way of God, ask the Lord of All, King of Kings to fix your heart and mind. You need some serious help. You disseminate some seriously ugly stuff. What or who would you come against if there was no abortion laws – people of color or immigration. I’ll keep you and Dolan in my prayers that God will remove the influence of the wicked one from you. In Christ, be at peace.
Obama will use it to show the world that he should get the Catholic vote. Look at the photos. There he is with Cardinal Dolan. Most catholics will view that as an endorsement by the Church of Obama. A big mistake.
Perhaps the Cardinal thought it would be the best most tactful way to be close enough to talk seriously enough about getting BO to understand and swing towards Catholic views. It does not necessarily imply the Cardinal is turning his back on Catholic views and/or ignoring BO’s perspective. That’s what Cardinals are for and he is just doing his job. Perhaps when it gets closer to election if the situation remains the same the Cardinal may respond in other stronger ways. The Cardinal has a big job ahead and I am sure the Holy Family is with him. Peace be with him.
Avvorio has my point of view. I really do not like that the Catholic position has become anti-abortion, anti-gay, etc. Where is the positivie portion of the Catholic faith? We are pro- helping the homeless, We are pro- helping those less fortunate, such as healthcare, we are pro-helping our fellow man. Why hate? As with any flawed human being, we are not Jesus nor is the President of the United States, they do the best they can. Why don’t you look at the positive things he has done and not only the negative?
I trust the judgement of Cardinal Dolan. I believe he IS a Holy man of God who gets his signals from above.
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After all this isn’t a signular invitation to Obama as was Notre Dame.
Nor is it a strictly catholic function.
One caveat….always be wary of letting a “fox in the chicken coop”.
Cardinal Dolan is keeping busy these days; I understand he’s also going to give the closing prayers at the Republican convention. The problem as I see it is not just one dinner; you could make a case for or against that. The problem is the perception that Catholic bishops and cardinals are just another set of politicians, hob-nobbing with their secular peers over expensive meals, behaving more like Renaissance princes than men of God. You had that problem definitely with Cardinal Manning in Los Angeles. Once he got in with the LA establishment and the Hollywood crowd, the Church took second place and the pro-life movement, which he supported in his early tenure, got thrown under the bus. I don’t know if Cardinal Dolan is doing the right thing or not, but he certainly makes me nervous.
Obama should be charitably but firmly warned that his immortal soul could be in danger because of his support for the culture of death; and that no Catholic in good conscience can vote for him.
If you never communicate the truth how can you possible convert anyone? The goal of being Catholic is be in communion with God through the Eucharist and spread the Good News.
Sharing the truth with sinners, in a civil manner, is how we help others to know God, love Him and know His will.
Most everyone hit the nail on the head with their comment that the Cardinal should invite Obama. They say “keep your friends close your
enemies closer.” You have to know what they are up to at all times.
That being said I would not be surprised if Obama did make a political rather than humorous statement…he’s that devious. However, this is probably as close as the Cardinal will every get to having Obama outnumbered in a room and it is a good time for everyone to pray
for Obama’s conversion of soul, mind and heart….not to mention
all those Catholics in name only that represent us in Washington D.C. Amen? Amen!!
This is the right thing to do. Cardinal Dolan attending the Republican National Convention is the wrong thing to do. Cardinal Dolan’s big mistake is not inviting Obama to the gala, it is supporting pervert priests in their attempt to escape culpability. There are some tough decisions that we all face in life and I am going to use my Christian values to give Cardinal Dolan a thumbs up on this one. Barack Obama is a devote Christian and role model for all of America. Obama is not an enemy of the Catholic Church. When it comes to my daughter being raped and forced to carry, the church is absolutely wrong. God does not want the pregnancy – God does not want the sin of rape!! God does not cause the pregnancy – a rapist does. What is worse is to deny abortion to a dying mother when the procedure could keep her here with us and her children. Denying abortion in this circumstance is murder!
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer!
This is first of all a great opportunity for counselling/sharing session.What is required is Cardinal asking the President for a few minutes of his personal time for a private discussion.Just two of them. In a pvt discussion when we call on the help of God ,the Lord Holy Spirit will take complete control of the discussion.The discussion will end up heavenly.It can even end up with tears rolling down on both the sides.The president will even realise that he has to depend on the clergy for many sacraments.The word of God will prevail.The word of God melts/breaks hardened hearts.
Why not invite him to dinner? Did’nt Jesus say love thy enemie?.
and sin is the enemy. Jesus sat down with sinners in the Bible.
It is a very good gesture. What does it prove to just mingle with the
good all the time. It proves that he is not proud and it will make him
humble. It may even make Obama feel guilt and make him think.
It might, in some way, make him realize abortion is wrong.
Cardnal Dolan is a very thoughtful & deliberate man. Very very Holy. In my oppiniun he could very well be the Pope sometime in the future. Raising $$$$$$ in this era of our history is very hard. God will Judge the Pres.
A President affects many aspects of life of most people, Catholics or otherwise. Presidents do not exist without democracy, a blessed system that is not compatible with veto power given to individuals or institutions, the Church included. We should not allow single issues to have veto power over all others. If we only invite dinner guests who agree with us on a moderately large list of issues, we’ll dine alone.
As much as I disagree with most of Obama’s policies,I think it’s a wise decision to include him for this dinner. He needs to hear the other side!
Even here in Canada, catholics watch Cardinal Dolan’s actions very closely. IMO His Eminance “has something up his sleeve” and will come out of this upset VERY well!! Dolan will be a very EXCELLANT pope!!!!!!!!!!!!
I originally thought it was fine, since it was for a good cause…and Obama isn’t that funny. But the good cause can never be a reason to do something IF the thing is wrong. Cardinal Dolan SHOULD look for opportunities to talk with Obama, but they don’t need to be public events. Cardinal Dolan is Shepherd to countless women and men who have been hurt by abortion so those opportunities to talk probably shouldn’t be public events. I trust Cardinal Dolan did what he thought was best.
Cardinal Dolan is full of himself. So am I. Cardinal Dolan is a human being. So am I. Cardinal Dolan is pro-life. So am I. President Obama is pro abortion. Cardinal Dolan made a mistake by inviting the president to the Al Smith dinner. If you find my comments to be confusing, so is the message that a prince of the Catholic Church is sending to us
Jesus was criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners. We will not be only with saints until we get to heaven.
My first thought was that Cardinal Dolan should not have invited Pres O to the dinner. After more thought I felt that the Cardinal would not have acted without prayerful thousght and the guidance from the Holy Spirit. Aren’t we suppose to hate the sin and not the sinner.
I understand the statements made that Jesus would sit and eat with sinners. But Jesus was free to give those sinners a chance to listen and make up their minds if to believe in his teachings or not. He also said on the cross the one hanging on the cross that believed would see him in heaven the other would be cast off.
Obama does not need to be invited to draw in more contributions his invitation and if he attends will only be for his own personal interest to pretend that he cares about what the Catholics believe.
He has already squirmed around lying about issues that the Bishops are needing to take legal action against him and his policies.
An invitation to Obama is another opportunity for him to get more votes; and if and when he gets reelected Obama will have no quams in turning a deaf ear to anyone that doesn’t agree with him.
I am sorry the Cardinal felt he was just being social for a good cause. Obama is all about Obama. It is the wrong thing to do. It gives him more false exposure.
I understand the statements made that Jesus would sit and eat with sinners. But Jesus was free to give those sinners a chance to listen and make up their minds if to believe in his teachings or not. He also said on the cross the one hanging on the cross that believed would see him in heaven the other would be cast off.
Obama does not need to be invited to draw in more contributions his invitation and if he attends will only be for his own personal interest to pretend that he cares about what the Catholics believe.
He has already squirmed around lying about issues that the Bishops are needing to take legal action against him and his policies.
An invitation to Obama is another opportunity for him to get more votes; and if and when he gets reelected Obama will have no quams in turning a deaf ear to anyone that doesn’t agree with him.
I am sorry the Cardinal felt he was just being social for a good cause. Obama is all about Obama. It is the wrong thing to do. It gives him more false exposure.
It is usually best to start, with people who disagree, by being friendly and allowing for open dialogue with them. I’m afraid that if we are so judgmental that we wish to shun a person, then we will never have the opportunity to befriend them &, God-willing, to truly influence them as to our point of view. The Catholic Church (my church) has an unfortunate historical reputation: being thought of as rigid, judgmental, & of “always saying that we are right”, in the minds of many who are not of our ilk, or who are really & truly neutral. Let’s behave as Jesus did: to approach any fellow sinner with love & tenderness, speaking our truth in a spirit of love. Invite Obama. Allow him in, & we could influence the (currently) most powerful person on Earth.
While I agree that Cardinal Dolan should be free to personally meet with, eat with and influence Barak Obama, I am concerned with his justification/rationalization. “The charity will benefit”. So is he condoning other sins if the Church will benefit? What if prostitutes tithed off the top of their earnings? Does that make it ok?
This thing about Dolan telling everybody Jesus ate with sinners should be an insult to the intelligence of anyone with a brain. I’m glad the other Cardinal had the guts and good sense not to invite Clinton to that dinner years back. I heard a priest on Catholic radio say that what Dolan did was a disgrace–inviting this character who undermines everything that is good about America and the church.
Hey Dolan…Did Jesus invite the Devil to dinner after that little 40 day episode in the desert? I don’t trust this Dolan character, eithe,r who supposedly takes a vow of poverty but looks like he’s never passed up a meal in his life.
“President Obama, and republican niminee Mitt Romney, will be quests of honor at the dinner on october 18, but their PRESENCE WILL BENEFIT THE CHARITY” This reason is rather worrying. It seems to imply the catholic stand against abortion, gay marriege etc do not matter, so long as one can contribute generiously to charities. If this is the reason, then
its simple NO. But if its to spread the gospel and draw him to christ, then its ok.
If that’s what it comes down to is money, Mwanyasi, then what’s that say about the Catholic church hierarchy selling itself out like a cheap whore.
Barack Obama is President of the United States and however much that irks the hierarchy, it is an insult to the President and not to Barack Obama to refuse to invite him. I would consider it a good reason to disrespect the hierarchy. I am appalled by the politicization of your faith. It has become diminished as it drifts rightward and away from the most basic social teaching that has guided it over the nearly two-millennia history of the institution. Rerum Novarum? Out the window as workers’ situations are diminished? Gaudium et Spes? Irrelevant to the lives of the richest Americans. Dignitatis Humanae? Bull. You toe the Catholic line whether you’re Catholic or not.
Cannot believe people talk about ‘eating with sinners’ – how quaint! Obama is a good man and that’s what counts in life. Let’s remember all the wars caused by religion and all the religious sinners.
No, Obama is not a good man. Just for starters, this demon stays hellbent on giving a female the total rights to kill an unborn child at any time , even up to actual birth time. It’s on record, it’s total reality, it’s no damn lie so quit trying to cover for him. If you do you, then you’re just as rotten as him.
By the way, is you’re use of Latin supposed to impress all of us because nothing else you say does?
He cannot tame the “wild Obama” from a distance; he has to be brought close & taught, perhaps the Holy Spirit will arrest him as Saul (St. Paul).
We can catch more converts/reverts with honey than vinegar. We are not to alienate sinners unless our moral constitution is too weak to withstand their presence, so I am all for the Cardinal offering an invite to Obama or anyone else who may need to hear the truth one more time <3
This is a very difficult situation for us Catholics. We love, pray and support our Bishops, but sometimes we wonder what they are doing. Jesus ate with sinners, but John the Baptist lost his head when he called Herod out. There is time to be pastoral, but there is a time to be prophetic. Which one is it this time? Is the message being send out a clear one for faithful Catholics. It doesn’t seem to be that way in this instance. Let’s pray for wisdom, clarity and courage for our Bishops.
Jesus eats with sinners…He INVITED Zaccheus to dine with him at the latter’s own house. So what’s the prob with the cardinal’s invite to the pro-abortion president? is he not just being Christ-like?
Barrack Hussein Obama is not a Christian role model for anyone. He claims to be a Christian, yet he rejects, even forbids, the free exercise of religion in my country. No Catholic should be forced to do anything that goes against his/her moral conscience – I must disobey the law of the land in order to remain true to my faith. It is bad enough that my tax dollars pay for a legal procedure which I consider an abomination – abortion on demand – but to be helpless against the law. My heart breaks and my conscience screams “God forbid!” I look to my clergy for spiritual guidance but I feel Cardinal Dolan has asked the devil to say mass.
That’s right…Dolan is dancing with the devil. Look throughout history… Anytime you try to appease any kind of despot or any type of evil it only fuels and empowers these dark forces even more. Dolan’s a joke, but a bad one because he’s putting us all in more danger from this dictator. And, there was talk about Dolan becoming the first American pope.
God forbid!
I believe that it’s necessary and good to invite Obama; it’s the Christian and healthy way to dialogue. My only concern is that the media could misconstrue Cardinal Dolan’s intent. Let us pray that God’s “will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
I agree with Joe. We extend the invitation and let God’s grace transform. This is what evangelism is all about.
A helluva lot of good it did inviting Obama to Notre Dame. Why don’t you all invite a child molester to dinner with your children and let God’s grace work. I’ve never read in the gospels where Jesus taught us to be stupid.
I suppose our dear cardinal has a agenda for discussion with the President, lets wait and see what the basis of the invitation before be jump to conclusions..The big question here should be:
What would Jesus have done,
Our Lord said to give unto Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to give unto God that which belongs onto God. The position of President of the United States is and should be a position which demands respect. To invite the President of this country to speak because of his position as our President even if we disagree with him and his values is good and proper. In this we render to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar.
When we appose the things which directly stand in opposition to our faith and beliefs thus demanding protection of our rights under God and our Constitution we are rendering in faith what we believe belongs to God. In my opinion that is what Jesus taught and what He would say and do. If we oppose what the man stands for then let us voice that opposition where it does the most good, in the ballot box.
Raul Santiago’s comment gets right to the heart of the matter. St. John the Baptist did not hob-nob with Herod … he pointed out the enormity of Herod’s sin without regard to his own life. It would be better for our bishops to allow their heads on a platter (perhaps the ‘platter’ of media criticism at least?) rather than to do anything that gives any appearance of acceptance to any leader’s evil.
Raul Santiago is right on the money. St. John the Baptist called Herod out on his evil ways. He was willing to sacrifice his life rather than simply hob-nob with the rich and powerful.
Would our bishops today be willing to speak out at the risk of their lives, or risk loss of money, or risk public humiliation?
The Church must send out clear and consistent messages that cannot confuse Catholics and the general public, and especially politicians.
It would have been great to see this President snubbed for this dinner (and have the media report on it). It would also be great to see him dis-invited. This President is as anti-life as one can possibly be.
From the perspective of this Illinois voter, there is really very little that can be said positively about this man. He is attempting to take this country in a very radical direction.
Okay, If Dolan does the same type thing the great Blessed Mother Teresa did when the pro-abortion Clintons were in power, and at that event Mother Teresa talked about the evil of abortion and didn’t mince words and made the Clintons squirm and feel very uncomfortable, by all accounts. I bet that episode made several regular folks change their minds to pro-life.
But don’t hold your breath. Mother Teresa seems right now to have more integrity, guts and common sense than Dolan and all the other star-struck Bishops put together who’ll show up and kiss Obama’s ring. I hope I’m wrong on that.
having read the other comments I am convinced the Catholoic Church is going off the rails. the President will not change his mind just because the Cardinal has dinner with him. this invitation will be used to promote his reelection and the bishops deserve all the grief they get as they are seen as endorsing him. the church helped elect him in ’08..did Catholics not listen to what he SAID?? he is doing everything he promised to do and a second term will give him free rein to do much more. I work hard, my pay does not stretch much these days and retirement is just a far-off dream. I left the church once, returned a few years ago but will leave again as I cannot stomach how the church manages to shoot itself in the foot every chance it gets. God help us all.
The absolute truth has been beautifully said by you, Lucille.
Try this, though. Here’s what I do.: I keep reminding myself that Christ in the Trinity is our Catholic and universal Church of truth, no matter what kind of imposters or just seriously faulty human beings walk around in the fancy robes and costumes.
How would it play if a Cardinal met with someone like Adoph Hitler? Not an endorsement…
Hitler, et al, killed millions and abortion has taken how many lives? People see how we act not what we say. Big mistake to invite this president.
Joe (1), Vicky (13), Avvorio (17), Marie (20), Glaucio Soares (31), Catherine (40)…DITTO!
Let’s give our Christian brethren (Catholic & nons) more credit for making their own minds about how to vote. How insulting to think, that we might be crouching in an indecisive corner awaiting a noble Cardinal to rescue us with his mighty endorsement! Ha!
Patrick Shay (58)…very well said!!!
And Salvy…your choice of language (47, 56) is only hurting your argument, just as your inappropriate analogy and confrontational tone. As adults, we should speak with clarity and respect despite the topic. As Catholics, we should speak with clarity and respect about our faith and representatives. Please keep in mind, that non-Catholics can access these comments, as well. Let’s show that, while we may disagree on a few issues here and there, we can voice our opinions in civil, rational and respectful ways. I believe that Richert posed this question to us for discussion; although intellectual debates can be enlightening and stimulating…brash argumentative comments can, be detrimental. Food for thought…
“He that complies against his will,
Is of his own opinion still;
Which he may adhere to, yet disown,
For reasons to himself best known.”
—Samuel Butler
Here’s my little caveat: Catholic means “universal”…despite our difference in faith and because of it!!