I can't recall this nuncio's name, but he's a papal bigshot who was conveniently about when Arafat evidently got cold feet over martyring himslef.
Posted on 05/06/2002 12:57:29 PM PDT by Starmaker
Author James Martin said in his study: "The Last Acceptable Prejudice? Anti-Catholicism in the United States" (03/25/00), "The leaders of Bob Jones University, where Gov. George W. Bush appeared during his presidential campaign, call Pope John Paul II the "Anti-Christ," and the Catholic Church "satanic" and the "Mother of Harlots." Martin states as well: "It is, of course, impossible to summarize 400 years of history in a few paragraphs. But even a brief overview serves to expose the thread of anti-Catholic bias that runs through American history and to explain why the eminent historian Arthur Schlesinger Sr. called anti-Catholicism "the deepest-held bias in the history of the American people."
To comprehend the root of American anti-Catholicism, one needs to study the Reformation, where ideas about Rome and the papacy traversed to the New World with the earliest settlers. These settlers were, of course, predominantly Protestant. 200 years ago, the Irish swarmed into New York City. They were entering a city in which an American flag once raised in Manhattan had the U.S. colors on one side, and "No popery" on the other. The anti-Catholicism of the early decades of the 19th century was very much rooted in Protestant fears that immigration would turn this into a Catholic country dictated to by the pope in Rome.
It was not until the mid 20th century -- urged on by the reforms of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) and the example of John F. Kennedy´s presidency -- did Catholics prove themselves and explain themselves as Americans to the bulk of Protestant America.
Religion is the most complex historical mystery of our lives, and as children, we are hard-coded to subscribe to the belief system and the values provided by our parents. I am an Irish Catholic American, going through the typical childhood passages of Baptism (don´t remember much about that one), Confirmation, First Communion, and then later lots and lots of Confession. I am happily married, having jumped through the hoops of the required Engaged Encounter three years ago, and married in a Catholic Church. I love and honor my wife, I have a deep and abiding respect for the sacrifices and the values my parents instilled in me, and am assuredly blessed by the good Lord to have twin babies on the way, due in November.
I provide this background to tell you who I am, and to describe to you my preparedness for the inevitable outcome of simmering hostility toward my faith. It is in progress now with the priest scandal, with the worst assuredly yet to come. The preparedness isn´t a "quickening," it´s not outrage at a work of "art" paid for with my tax dollars depicting the Virgin Mary covered in excrement, and it´s not even maniacally hateful films like "End of Days," "Dogma" or "Stigmata." I have come to expect this sort of depiction. No, this information is included to inform those who seek to destroy what I hold dear, that I have become more resolute, faithful, and humbled by the message of charity, sacrifice, and forgiveness provided in my faith. I have no choice but to vigilantly protect and defend a belief system that has literally saved my life.
I was taught that the Saints preserved us, and that there were and are Guardian Angels, like the Angel Gabriel in Luke 2:10-11 who announced to frightened shepherds that a savior had been born: But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord."
But now I am afraid. I am afraid of the cowardice and failure of the Roman Catholic Church to live up to the standards they preach to us on Sundays. Our faith is being ripped to shreds. It seems that new and more ugly revelations on priestly acts of homosexuality towards little boys, acts of pedophile abuse towards little girls, the movement of criminal priests from parish to parish further exposing new victims to these heinous acts, continue daily, with no end in sight. It is horrible, and I just as much as anyone, want these abusive, trust breaking criminals removed and punished at once. I can only pray that Rome will do the right and honorable thing, but am not holding my breath.
But, with all of the gloom, I believe that the faith will survive, and we will be stronger for it. What the priesthood, and the flock need now more than ever, is a return to a more devout life. We are sinners, but we have been given a gift — the gift of redemption for our sins — and eternal life. This is not to be taken lightly, but many, like myself, do. Now we find that our leaders do as well. There are eternal truths, as much as multiculturalists attempt to deny it. There are consequences for our actions, controlled by a power greater than us. And regardless of the context, equal and opposite reactions to our thoughts and actions not in concert with G-d´s guidance, always seem to operate consistently, providing us with hard lessons, as well as wisdom from experience. This is the hopeful side of my message.
The real world situation is far different. In an article in The New York Times Magazine (9/26/99), Andrew Sullivan recounted how, in the 1980's, the "mainly gay" activist group Act Up desecrated Communion hosts at a Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral. "Some of the most anti-Catholic bigots in America are gay," Mr. Sullivan opined. What is the church to do about homosexuality? By definition, the Bible considers it an abomination. But is it really any surprise that the clergy has been affected, at least to some extent, by the same disease that is infecting the rest of the culture?
As well, there is a movement among those who detest Catholics, the Church, the symbolism, the rituals that have been such an important part of our lives, in an intense and concerted effort to deal a crushing, demoralizing blow to us. The enthusiasm they have to slice open wounds and smell blood is palpable.
I recently read an article that concluded with: "Catholicism is a false religion, and Islam promotes violence and hate." I do not know nor care who the writer is. The point is, he made a statement, one which he is entirely free to make, that not only personally condemned my belief system, but implied that Catholicism is somehow associated with the hatred of radical Islam. What took me so aback is that the writer made a statement that I myself have not been programmed to, and am incapable of, making about any religion (with the exception of Islamic Wahhabism).
We will recover. What I love about being Catholic is the ritual, the passion in Christ, the demands that we will never be humanly capable of meeting, confessing my sins honestly, expecting more from myself, being able to confide in one of the most understanding people I have ever known, my Aunt Peggy, a former Dominican Nun (it's popular to make fun of Nuns if you haven't noticed). Christmas, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, taking Communion and drinking wine symbolic of the blood of Christ at Midnite Mass. There is something about being Catholic that I refuse to let anyone drop their load on.
Years ago I would listen to my Dad talk about my Grandfather, a wonderful old boy who has long since passed on, born and raised in Armagh in Northern Ireland, talk about Reverend Ian Paisley. Few in human history have ever possessed the volcanic level of hatred Paisley has toward Irish Catholics. Interestingly enough, Paisley received an honorary degree from Bob Jones University of South Carolina in 1966 and is a regular preacher there. Yet, I avoided these conversations for the most part, partly because I´d rather play sports and reach my own conclusions about religion. But to listen to the divisiveness of their stories was eye opening nonetheless.
So fellow Catholics, the assaults, many justified, many unjustified, some invented by opportunists and their parasitic lawyers, have commenced, once again. The church has only itself to blame. But don´t take the easy way out, not in this time of both national, and religious peril. Build an inner strength and an honest foundation in your life. Be true to higher expectations, even when those around you have failed to deliver.
Defending our belief system will not be easy. You may lose a couple friends over this. You may have the finger pointed at you, persecuted for your honesty. Keep up the good fight, and have faith. Be an eternal optimist. And let not your heart be troubled, I have no animosity toward any Christian denomination, neither in the past, presently, or in the future. Though I cannot expect this equal treatment and respect from those who wish to see the Catholic Church perish in the ashes of it´s own human foibles, I will pray that our enemies can accommodate their roiling anger, with equal amounts of understanding and compassion.
To comment on this article or express your opinion directly to the author, you are invited to e-mail Patrick at gohabsgo@cox.net .
I can't recall this nuncio's name, but he's a papal bigshot who was conveniently about when Arafat evidently got cold feet over martyring himslef.
Uh oh.
I thought y'all believed in the Real Presence, or something like that...
I have a Baptist Yankee (New England defintion of Yankee is a Protestant of English decent- not just a Northner) coworker. And we always insult each other's religion. He talks about the "reformation" and the various abuses of the Church and I say how protestants believe whatever the new "preacher" tells them- and how they dance with snkes and speak in tounges. We both use gross exxagerations of the other's faith- knowing it is joke and we have fun with it. We both recognize who the real enemy is and it ain't each other.
[in a Chico Marx Italian accent] "'Ey! You right!"
We're supposed to, yes. And the sinfulness of birth control, and the impossibility of divorce, etc. etc. American Catholics are poorly informed about their own faith, sad to say.
I wouldn't characterize it necessarily as a myth, but I cringe when I hear that term nonetheless. It smacks of defeatism and wussitude if you ask me. Can anyone picture the Roman martyrs looking up at the pagan crowd and yelling "Anti-Catholic!" and the pagans thinking "Oh you mean us? Gosh, we didn't mean it!"
You and your Baptist friend seem to have a pretty healthy attitude about it. I think we do best if we parry and defend like brave souls
Catholics believe in the Real Presence. Cafeteria catholics believe in “something like that.” Sometimes. ;-)...Communion and drinking wine symbolic of the blood of Christ at Midnite Mass.I thought y'all believed in the Real Presence, or something like that...
patent +AMDG
Quite Frankly- as a Catholic myself- I find charges of "anti Catholicism" among Protestant Americans to be a myth.Is this freepermail a myth?
Save to say I don’t agree. It is not a myth, it is real. That the greater problem may be the liberal elite, that is a reasonable conclusion. That anti-Catholic Protestants are not a problem would seem to be false to me. Most Protestants get along fine with Catholics. Some refuse.
patent +AMDG
I've always revered those Catholic aspects of the Faith.
But I need to ask of this Human, and hence sinner, Pope....
And AGAIN!
It would seem time for this Pope to finally take a stand. Which I fear, unfortunately, will be more like that of his current and continuing enablement of pedophilia within the clergy, apparently born of the same moral compass which gave direction to papal tolerance of naziism throughout World War II.
Is that clear enough?
Does the Pope embrace and endorse islamist terrorNo, he has repeatedly condemned it, as he has all violence.
as his nuncio, pictured in post #2 above, evidently does?How is his nuncio endorsing terrorism, by shaking hands with Arafat? Who hasn’t shaken hands with Arafat?
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, center, with the Imam of the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem Mohammed Hussein, left, the head judge for the Islamic courts in the Palestinian territories Sheik Tayseer Al-Tammimi, second left, Dr Theodosios Hanna, of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, right, at Arafat's compound in Ramallah, on the West Bank, on Saturday, May 4, 2002. Hanna brought Arafat the holy light, which was lit in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher today. (AP Photo/HO/Hussein Hussein, Palestinian Authority)
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, center, with Sheik Tayseer Al-Tammimi, the head judge for the Islamic courts in the Palestinian territories, left, and Dr Theodosios Hanna, of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, right, at Arafat's compound in Ramallah, on the West Bank, on Saturday, May 4, 2002. Hanna brought Arafat the holy light, which was lit in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher today. (AP Photo/HO/Hussein Hussein, Palestinian Authority)
Bodyguards for Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat lead Riah Abu Al Assel, center, the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem and the Middle East, to a meeting with Arafat at his compound in Ramallah in the West Bank, Thursday, May 2, 2002. Arafat met with a number of religous leaders in the afternoon after he was released from 34 days of confinement in an office at the compound. (AP Photo/Greg Baker)
In the last couple weeks Arafat has had similar “hand shake” photos with leaders of every major religious group over there, numerous countries (France, Germany, Britain, the U.S., Romania, etc.). Are all of these people endorsing terror? Have you directed your outrage against them as you have the Catholics? Or are we the only target of your scorn?
It would seem time for this Pope to finally take a stand. Which I fear, unfortunately, will be more like that of his current and continuing enablement of pedophilia within the clergy, apparently born of the same moral compass which gave direction to papal tolerance of naziism throughout World War II.Whatever. The Pope has not micromanaged 4000 dioceses and 1 billion Catholics, so you say he enables pedophilia? Blame Cardinal Law for his own actions, the Pope didn’t do them.
As to papal tolerance of nazism, you are dead wrong. The record is clear that the Church opposed the Nazis, many priests were imprisoned, tortured and killed, and the Church saved more Jews than any other organization.
Is that clear enough?
patent +AMDG
It seemed more like a victory celebration to me. As do the activities in these other disgusting images.
Actually, I have great reverence for Catholic theology and mysticism. Though I will certainly admit to frustration and anxiety over what I believe is perhaps "the" war for western civilization, which also admittedly drives a certain impertinence in trying to solicit a response when I'm actually doing more crowing, for which I probably should apologize. Though I yet don't feel taken down a peg by wondering what that papal representative would feel in common with the likes of Arafat, when I somehow cannot even imagine a similar embrace of Catholicism and Christianity's own lineage to the Jews.
I admire your spunk, though am yet wary of moral relativism. And, yes, particularly in battling its recognition within myself.
Thank you for a vigorous response as similarly insistent.
I am too. Much of Christianity is infected, and I pray that we can purge it soon. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and He will provide the truth, which does not include moral relativism. We just have to have hope in Him, not this world.
patent
Thank you again for your challenge. Everything Good.
Patrick's loyalty is touching. His catechesis, unfortunately, is miserable. :-(
Are there whackos out there in Protestant America who wouldn't hire a Catholic or break bread with one? Sure- maybe a few here and there but they are few and far between. What you call "anti Catholicism" is merely strongly held protestant faith (flawed and false and often based on lies to be sure) but a faith nevertheless. What you want is for Protestants to all be unitarians and shut up about what they believe.
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