After the reset button fiasco a few weeks ago, you would think that the protocol folks at Foggy Bottom would be a little more attentive to detail. You would be wrong.
This is absolutely priceless.
[CNA] During her recent visit to Mexico, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made an unexpected stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and left a bouquet of white flowers “on behalf of the American people,” after asking who painted the famous image.
The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was miraculously imprinted by Mary on the tilma, or cloak, of St. Juan Diego in 1531. The image has numerous unexplainable phenomena, such as the appearance on Mary’s eyes of those present in the room when the tilma was opened and the image’s lack of decay.
Mrs. Clinton was received on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. by the rector of the Basilica, Msgr. Diego Monroy.
Msgr. Monroy took Mrs. Clinton to the famous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which had been previously lowered from its usual altar for the occasion.
After observing it for a while, Mrs. Clinton asked “who painted it?” to which Msgr. Monroy responded “God!”
Clinton then told Msgr. Monroy that she had previously visited the old Basilica in 1979, when the new one was still under construction.
After placing a bouquet of white flowers by the image, Mrs. Clinton went to the quemador –the open air area at the Basilica where the faithful light candles- and lit a green candle.
Leaving the basilica half an hour later, Mrs. Clinton told some of the Mexicans gathered outside to greet her, “you have a marvelous virgin!”
This evening Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to receive the highest award given by Planned Parenthood Federation of America — the Margaret Sanger Award, named for the organization’s founder, a noted eugenicist. The award will be presented at a gala event in Houston, Texas.
This is the Secretary of State we are talking about. Wars have been started over less. As Catholics we can laugh off such and ill informed remark, other peoples are not so understanding.
March 28, 2009 at 9:05 pm
It could’ve been worse.
She could’ve asked “Who is this, again?”
Or, in light of the award she is about to receive- “She’s a *what*?”
March 28, 2009 at 9:59 pm
WHY do they lower it for her? it seems to me us regular faithful jerks deserve that…not queen of bloody baby murder herself.
even the good priests are falling all over themselves to impress her. makes no sense.
March 29, 2009 at 3:36 am
The priest is respecting the office of US Secretary of State and not the person. But, you’re right. He could have stayed respectful without lowering the icon and that would have been more appropriate.
March 29, 2009 at 4:01 am
Non-Catholics can’t be faulted for not knowing the specific history of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This was a massive failure on the part of her STAFF who should have given her at least a rudimentary briefing paper to read that covered the main point of the place she was visiting.
Somebody should have told Ms. Clinton that she, too, has that marvelous Virgin, as do all other Christians.
March 29, 2009 at 4:52 am
Cathy
It is her responsibility to know what she is walking into when she is representing the US as the Sec of State. Need I say “grave responsibility” to understand and respect cultures, etc.? Our Lady of Guadelupe is a HUGE deal, especially in Mexico and among our Hispanic population in the US.
All I can say on this one is “nice going, Hil.”
Notice how she gets a free pass on this one by the MSM? If this had been Sarah Palin, you know Tina Fey would be all over this one….
Poor Katie Couric is missing out on yet another interview with a dumb broad…
March 29, 2009 at 5:31 am
“Notice how she gets a free pass on this one by the MSM? If this had been Sarah Palin, you know Tina Fey would be all over this one….”
Well, probably not. The MSM and Tina Fey might recognize the painting but would have no idea its significance. Heck, just last week I had to explain to some high school kids at our parish who Our Lady of Guadalupe was. They came back from a Latin American mission trip and were selling rosaries and jewelry with the icon emblazoned everywhere.
Joe K
March 29, 2009 at 8:40 pm
One day she visits the patron of the unborn and the next day she receives the Margaret Sanger award. Our Lady of Guadalupe please pray for Hillary Clinton.
March 29, 2009 at 10:47 pm
What I find even dumber is that she visited the Basilica before as First Lady. So somehow she managed then and now never to have heard the story behind the image and that the State Department didn’t even brief her to keep her from making a gaffe.
March 30, 2009 at 12:26 am
I cant say I am too surprised by Mrs Clinton. She and her husband were never accused of being knowledgeable of Catholic traditions.
March 30, 2009 at 3:00 am
I can understand the US MSM giving her a pass. But ALL of the world media, all over Mexico, except for CNA? There are a few reasons to suspect this is not a true story.
March 30, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Awesome.
I really want to write “FAIL” over that picture.
March 30, 2009 at 8:56 pm
A couple things passed through my head when I read this
1) As already noted, what would happen if Sarah Palin said this..already taken… dang!
2) She is a Methodist (allegedly), and, as a Protestant (which I was one once) has no context for the image. But perhaps the same person who gave her the wrong button for the Russians is preping her for this visit. EPIC FAIL.
3) How someone can be so close to this sacred image and not be affected. If I ever got that close (and I never will, as I’m just an average Schmo), I would be on my knees, with tears streaming from my face to be so honored.
Darkness really DOES make you blind.
April 2, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Her staff? Her staff is dumber than she is. Considering how hard Hillary Clinton courted the Hispanic vote before 2008, one might think Our Lady Of Perpetual Stupidity could have done her homework. And yes, I too would be on my hands and knees if so honored. Christianity is clearly not Hillary’s forte. However – Eugenics is. That and secular progressive education: http://theseedsof9-11.com