FOX’S “FAMILY GUY” SLANDERS GAY PRIESTS

Catholic League ^ | 10/21/2008 | staff

[kellynla]

In the October 19 episode of Fox’s “Family Guy,” characters Brian (the family dog) and Stewie (the family child) travel in a time machine to rescue Mort Goldman (a Jewish family-friend) from the Nazi invasion of Poland. After Brian and Stewie disguise Mort as a priest to get him out of the country, a Nazi officer asks Mort, “Are you sure you’re a real priest?” Stewie replies, “Yeah, yeah, I can vouch for him, he’s real. He’s molested me many, many times.”

Catholic League president Bill Donohue responded as follows:

“To its credit, the Fox News Channel has criticized its broadcast sister station, Fox, for what happened on last Sunday’s episode. But the criticism only dealt with the implication that Nazis would have supported the McCain-Palin ticket. However, there is also the matter of slandering all gay priests. While it is true that most of the molesters in the Catholic clergy have been gay, most gay priests are not molesters.

“A disturbing pattern has emerged on ‘Family Guy.’ On at least three occasions, it has mocked the Eucharist, and now it is targeting gay priests. The brains behind these assaults is Seth MacFarlane. He is not only the show’s creator, he is a big Barack Obama supporter. This may explain his animus against McCain-Palin, but it is not clear why an Obama fan would find it necessary to beat up on gay priests. After all, Obama’s running mate, Joe Biden, just yesterday said he is against Proposition 8, the California resolution that would limit marriage to a man and a woman. Thus did he lay down stakes with the radical gay community.

“Whatever the motive, the juvenile scripts that MacFarlane is associated with could benefit from some fresh material. Make that material that doesn’t bash Catholicism, as well.”

[kellynla]

Anti-Catholicism...the last "safe" bigotry.

[kellynla]

ping

[utherdoul]

I remember some of the earlier episodes where they at leasst tried to hit both sides sort of like south park. The recent seasons though ... its so full of venom and partisan trash I just can’t watch it.

[Philly Nomad]

I don’t know, I think the Catholic Hierarchy in their complicity in the sexual abuse of minors is a bit more troublesome than a second rate cartoon making a joke about it. But you may disagree with me.

[MeanWestTexan]

1. In the same episode, the Nazis wore “McCain/Palin” pins.

2. In earlier episodes, protestant Christian ministers were depicted as hayseeds and/or closet homosexuals.

3. In a recent episode, Jesus Christ was depicted as a drop-out hippie working in a record store.

[bigjoesaddle]

In the same episode, the Nazis wore “McCain/Palin” pins

That's the only thing that pissed me off.

[from occupied ga]

Yeah, yeah, I can vouch for him, he’s real. He’s molested me many, many times.”

It isn't slander if it's true.

[Smedley]

I don’t know, I think the Catholic Hierarchy in their complicity in the sexual abuse of minors is a bit more troublesome than a second rate cartoon making a joke about it. But you may disagree with me.

Unfortunately, the Catholic church did bring on a lot of justifiable criticism, and from what I understand, they still are in the practice of shuffling priest around who have a history of sexually abusing the hired help, e.g., cooks, maids etc.

It is ashame that the Catholic upper hierarchy has undone so much good by so many hundreds of millions of good Catholics.

That being said - Family Guy is all all about excessive parody, and anyone watching it for social value should reconsider their viewing habits.

[VU4G10]

The animated sitcom 'Family Guy' is no stranger to controversy, but on Sunday night the show went into uncharted territory as it seemed to weigh in on the presidential race by likening the McCain/Palin ticket to the Nazi party in World War II.

In the episode, two of the characters, Stewie (a talking baby) and Brian (a talking dog) are transported to Poland during the Nazi invasion of World War II. In one scene, the characters beat up and steal the uniforms of two Nazi officers. Stewie looks down at his Nazi uniform and notices a McCain/Palin campaign button attached to its lapel, remarking “Huh, that’s weird."

The McCain campaign did not have an immediate comment. A rep for the show defended the episode, telling Foxnews.com: "From its inception, 'Family Guy' has used provocative concepts and biting satire as the foundation of its humor. The show is an 'equal oportunity offender.'"

The show's creator, Seth MacFarlane, is an ardent supporter of Barack Obama. MacFarlane has given thousands to the Democratic presidential nominee and the Democratic Party, and even spoke at an Obama rally in Ohio earlier this month.

In the past, MacFarlane has gotten into hot water for his skewering of several subjects, including actor and Scientologist Tom Cruise.

Comedian Carol Burnett also unsuccessfully sued the program for its depiction of her cleaning-woman character.

The Fox sitcom was cancelled in 2002 after failing to find an audience, but has improved significantly in the ratings since being brought back to the network in 2005. The show centers on a dysfunctional family living in the fictional town of Quahog, Rhode Island.

[Uversabound]

I was a huge Family Guy fan and saw the episode last night. Stewie was a Nazi and had a McCain Palin pin on him. Family Guy no more. I’m done with them. That is what free speech is all about, my right to not watch.

[kellynla]

“I think the Catholic Hierarchy in their complicity in the sexual abuse of minors?”

Ignorance is bliss...I've covered this issue and proven & documented your premise inaccurate more times than I care to remember.

And this issue is not an either/or situation; it's anti-Catholic bigotry; no matter how “cute” the sources make it.

and I don't know what your religious beliefs are but if you don't think there are sexual predators in your faith and you think your religion is as pure as the driven snow, you're in for a very rude awakening.

[50sDad]

Yah, the headline is poorly constructed. Fox's "Family Guy" may or may not be slandering priests to imply they are all gay, but it impossible for them to slander "gay priests", as that group was accurately portrayed, is Biblicaly reprehensible to God, and should be ashamed.

WARNING:

   Invoking any reasoning that there there is, in fact, a segment of the Catholic clergy that is homosexual, and furthermore, that it is often covered up rather than being exposed and condemned by some of the church hierarchy, and furthermore, that many at least seem more outraged that the point is brought up than they are about the fact it often goes on for years rather than being condemned in a Christ-like fashion is likely to cause the following: Charges of church-bashing, violent arguments, vicious attacks on the messenger, and 1000+ threads that in the end devolve into arguments that are little better than "oh, yeah? So's your old man!" You have been warned. Proceed with caution. Your mileage may vary. Side effects may include outrage, a total loss of the sense of humor, grumbling, bloating, and a need to go have a nice lie down.

[allmendream]

There should be no “gay Priests”.

A Priest should not be having sex with ANYBODY, let alone another man.

If a Priest has sex with a woman he is removed?

But if a Priest has sex with a man he is a “gay Priest”?

What other parts of the Bible are Priests allowed to ignore?

[kellynla]

“from what I understand, they still are in the practice of shuffling priest around who have a history of sexually abusing the hired help, e.g., cooks, maids etc.”

and you “understand” wrong...ya know if you anti-Catholics would just do your homework, you wouldn't look so stupid criticizing the Catholic Church & Catholics on FR with your unsubstantiated “rumors”. Of course, its interesting that none of you geniuses ever reveal what church or synagogue you attend...if you even bother. LOL

[kellynla]

“What other parts of the Bible are Priests allowed to ignore?”

I won’t even dignify such inanity with a response.

[allmendream]

So it is OK to be a homosexual Priest but not a heterosexual Priest?

Why is Mr. Donohue defending homosexuals in the clergy?

[Edizzl79]

WO. A cartoon didnt just make fun of fags! Oh my! What will we do?! I didnt seem to hear anything when they portrayed God in bed with a hooker begging for sex?!

[VidMihi]

Your “WARNING” is sad, but most probably true. Failure to be honest about the existence of a problem and what might be possible solutions, tends to perpetuate the sad situation and contribute to fewer and fewer honest vocations. The next response will be that there are more and more men entering seminaries, especially “late vocations”. This will probably be true as more and more find it difficult to "make it” in the real world, given the present economic situation.. and if women don't excite you, what the heck - just a little half day work on Sundays and great job security.

Such, however is not the priesthood of “Service to the people of God” that attracted young men fifty years ago, nor is it what the Church needs today.

[allmendream]

“Family Guy” exists to be offensive. Being offended in the press just gives them free publicity. It is a vile and vulgar show, and their mission is to offend.

I love and respect the Catholic Church, but their conduct over the pedophilia Priests is deserving of AT LEAST ridicule.

In other words, they have been called worse by better men.

Take your lumps. Make sure it doesn't happen again. Ignore vile shows like “Family Guy” and move on with the important work the Catholic Church does of salvation and charity.

[Philly Nomad]

My Faith is Catholicism, but I refuse to apologize for the scoundrels who protected the evil from justice for forty years.

The Hierarchy did more to fuel anti-catholic bigotry than any cartoon show could do.