Free Republic

As part of a survey to understand why they have stopped attending Mass, a few hundred Catholics in the Trenton Diocese were asked what issues they would raise with Bishop David O’Connell if they could speak to him for five minutes. O’Connell would have gotten an earful. Their reasons ranged from the personal ("the pastor who crowned himself king and looks down on all") to the political ("eliminate the extreme conservative haranguing") to the doctrinal ("don’t spend so much time on issues like homosexuality and birth control"). -snip- Respondents also said they were troubled by the church’s views of gays,...

Bishop Smith blasts hypocrisy of ‘pro-choice’ Catholic politicians3/31/2004 • By Mary StadnykSee also in The Monitor: Coming to Mass, procession was ‘more important’ to students RED BANK – In a homily expressing strong emotions and using deliberate words, Bishop John M. Smith drew several thunderous rounds of applause as he spoke straight from the heart about “what is going on in our society today” with regard to respect life issues across the board. At the annual diocesan Respect Life Mass in St. James Church March 27, Bishop Smith expressed annoyance and even anger at the response of public officials who...