The Newt Evangelization: Gingrich to become Catholic

Deacon's Bench ^ | March 3, 2009 | Deacon Greg Kandra

[NYer]

Buried deep inside this long and wonkish profile of Newt Gingrich in Sunday's New York Times, was this little nugget that, I suspect, went largely unnoticed:

At a moment when the role of religious fundamentalism in the party is a central question for reformers, Gingrich, rather than making any kind of case for a new enlightenment, has in fact gone to great lengths to placate Christian conservatives. The family-values crowd has never completely embraced Newt, probably because he has been married three times, most recently to a former Hill staff member, Callista Bisek. In 2006, though, Gingrich wrote a book called “Rediscovering God in America” — part of a new canon of work he has done reaffirming the role of religion in public life. The following year, he went on radio with the evangelical minister James Dobson to apologize for having been unfaithful to his second wife. (A Baptist since graduate school, Gingrich said he will soon convert to Catholicism, his wife’s faith.)

PHOTO: by Nigel Parry for the New York Times.

[NYer]

Let’s pray for a sincere conversion for Newt Gingrich. It is none of our business how the Church handles his personal matters.

[mancini]

I think the man is brilliant. I would love it if he had such clarity on personal issues that he has on political issues. Everyone is a work in progress, I guess. I know I am!

[ml/nj]

I suppose.

But more than anything, it seems to me that the man never had a real beliefs; and I thought he did. Sad.

ML/NJ

[americanophile]

Deinde, ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.

[ex-snook]

Become a Catholic! That should finish his chances to be the GOP candidate - never happened.

[anniegetyourgun]

Newt - John 3:3

[Global2010]

Hey looky here.

See your heart is in the right place having the Govt/Obama Conversion Prayer thread. : )

[Mrs. Don-o]

Prayers up. New Catholics need all the prayers they can get. (Us old ones, too.) Welcome to the Ark -— ‘cause it’s already raining.

[Global2010]

I know we all can think of a Preist we admire/respect who would be a great Adult Catechism teacher for Newt. : )

[AnAmericanMother]

LOL! Let’s go for broke and sign up Fr. Z!!!! (I think BXVI is too busy . . . )

[GonzoII]

"It is none of our business how the Church handles his personal matters."

I'm assuming the Church will set things strait. But being a public figure the Church will probably have to make some kind of public statement that things have been properly settled regarding his former marriage/marriages.

Praise the Lord!

[Mr. Lucky]

But how would he get around that little inconvenience of marriage being a Sacrament?

[Andyman]

I pray that it is a true conversion, not just to placate his wife. My wife stuck by me for 19 years before I converted. Never pushed, never nagged, nothing overt. I’m so glad I did it because it was my choice, my decision, and came from a real conversion of the heart and mind.

[Scythian]

I heard the Pope is going to give him all of Scotland if he converts?

[Professor_Leonide]

I agree with you completely.

[MrLee]

A lot of pieces everywhere starting to fall into place.

[Jacquerie]

But more than anything, it seems to me that the man never had a real beliefs

?? He authored the Contract With America. He led the revolution against 40 years of rat control in the House of Representatives. Real beliefs.

[vladimir998]

He may have never had a sacramental marriage.

[ml/nj]

He authored the Contract With America.

And then he sold out. Did you fall asleep?

ML/NJ