THE CARDINAL VS COLBERT

Milwaukee JS on line ^ | 7/26/2012 | A Johnson

[ADSUM]

Comedy smackdown: Cardinal Dolan vs. Stephen Colbert

Two of Catholicism's funniest guys -- New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert -- will spar in a comedy smackdown Sept. 14 at Fordham University.

[ADSUM]

Should be interesting and funny!

[ADSUM]

For your information.

[jobim]

Coarsening of the Catholic culture.

A Bishop need not be a bloodless repository of theology to act his office to the full. No, he can use his wit in many ways, as we see in Chesterton, Fr. Rutler of NYC, and of course Archbishop Sheen. But their primary task was a serious one, and use rhetorical flourishes along the way to that most serious destination.

But an appearance on a comedic stage, sharing equal billing with a comic, makes clear at the outset that the destination in this case is unserious. Is the Cardinal flaunting his ego? Truly unwise. Does he think he can evangelize through burlesque? Ridiculous. Even Theology on Tap, though its setting is a saloon, has as its stated objective a serious discussion of religion. I just don't see the value; I do see the pitfalls.

[ADSUM]

Christ told the Apostles to go out and spread the Word and all Catholics need to bring others to our Faith in Jesus and the Church.

In my opinion, Cardinal Dolan is a holy and humble man serving God with his Irish bubbly personality that inspires and attracts people to the Church.

I think we need more people in the Church that are warm and welcoming to all.

[stocksthatgoup]

If you have ever had the occasion to meet, speak with or hear Dolan, you know he will wipe the floor with Colbert. Bank on it!

[jobim]

Neither of you addressed my point, although you made valid points of your own. No, Catholics need not be dour, and yes, Cardinal Dolan has a wit and lively personality. Agreed on both counts. I was addressing the propriety of a Cardinal appearing on a comedy show as a generic point of discussion.

[ADSUM]

Jesus met with prostitutes (sinners) and many other unacceptable people based on society norms. He had the Last Supper with a man that betrayed Him. Jesus did not turn away from people or situations.

Why is it beneath a servant of God to reach out to people in a comedy show (of course, assuming that it is not the raunchy comedy club scene) and possibly expose them to the Catholic Faith?

Perhaps more Cardinals should be visible to the public so that our Faith is on display to the public.

[jobim]

Do you really not think that there is a difference in PURPOSE among: Jesus meeting with a prostitue, the Last Supper, and a comedy show? Two have the serious purpose of evangelization, and one seeks only laughter. A Cardinal seeking laughter as an end? No problem for you? Otherwise, why would he appear on such a show?

[ADSUM]

Do you really not think that there is a difference in PURPOSE?

No.

Humor is part of our human nature and we benefit from it.

Why shouldn’t Cardinal Dolan be able to reach out with humor to show and share our Faith with others? How do you know the purpose or even whether the Holy Spirit is inspiring Cardinal Dolan to reach out to others in this manner?

[InvisibleChurch]

Having read the article it doesnt look to be an antagonistic based forum. Perhaps Dolan will be funnier than Colbert but I don’t think he’s intending to humiliate anyone.

[jobim]

A priest delivering a Sunday homily will inject humor. I have already covered the value of humor in describing Chesterton’s, Rutler’s, and Sheen’s expert use of humor. But this is humor on the road to evangelization, a serious subject in the end. A comedy stage uses humor on the road to laughter, an unserious subject. It diminishes the role of a Cardinal to take the stage for the PURPOSE of laughter, just as it diminshes the role of president. To me, this is a coarsening of the culture, in the one case our Catholic culture, and in the other, our civic culture.