Cardinal Dolan has my prayers but I think this is a huuuuge mistake.
You can read his whole explanation here but here’s a nugget:
Some have told me the invitation is a scandal. That charge weighs on me, as it would on any person of faith, but especially a pastor, who longs to give good example, never bad. So, I apologize if I have given such scandal. I suppose it’s a case of prudential judgment: would I give more scandal by inviting the two candidates, or by not inviting them?
No matter what you might think of this particular decision, might I ask your prayers for me and my brother bishops and priests who are faced with making these decisions, so that we will be wise and faithful shepherds as God calls us to be?
In the end, I’m encouraged by the example of Jesus, who was blistered by his critics for dining with those some considered sinners; and by the recognition that, if I only sat down with people who agreed with me, and I with them, or with those who were saints, I’d be taking all my meals alone.
This event will be used by the Obama campaign to further its chances at re-election.
I’ll probably write more about this later and Pat probably will as well but I just wanted to get this up for your perusal.
August 15, 2012 at 3:51 am
Cut the guy some slack. One issue that I have with those of us in the Church is that we are too quick to pass judgement and criticize those in leadership roles within the Church. I see it in my own diocese, the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Fl. I may not agree with everything (or anything) my bishop says, but he deserves my respect. It's not easy being a priest or a bishop, let alone the archbishop of New York AND the president of the USCCB. Cardubak Dolan is a wonderful, holy man of God and he needs our prayers, as you say. But he also needs our support, as do all priests and bishops, particularly ones who are doing their best to uphold the official doctrine of our Church, like Cdl. Dolan is trying to do.
Pray for him. Support him. And refrain from criticizing him when he doesn't do exactly what you would like him to do.
August 15, 2012 at 3:52 am
oops. Where did I get "cardubak" from. I meant to say Cardinal.
August 15, 2012 at 4:49 am
Tim Burke said…
"Cut the guy some slack. One issue that I have with those of us in the Church is that we are too quick to pass judgement and criticize those in leadership roles within the Church."
PUH-LEEEZE!…he runs out of town on the eve of New York's passing of 'gay marriage' without uttering a whimper; he sits on his Chair at a blatently 'homosexual Mass', stroking his chin and nodding in agreement and admiration at the scandal going on in front of his eyes (this is on video!); he invites the most pro-abort, anti-Church, marxist president in history to a seat of honor,a nd the podium, at a Catholic dinner (Notre Dame and Fr. Jenkins have NOTHING on him)! You don't think the photos from this travesty are gonna be all over Obama's media sites the next morning as a Doug-Kimec-redux?…only this time with tons more gravitas???
Yes, I do and will certainly pray for him, and for all bishops, but the sheep who have been led astray for 50 years, and are still dealing with scandal-mongering shepherds are mad as hell, and it is a righteous anger. Read Matt 24:48-51 and tell me this doesn't apply.
Michael Voris's latest video, "Obama and Peasant Catholics" hits it out of the park! There is an accountability for these men, and I'm sick and tired of seeing the Bride of Christ bloodied, muddied, and sullied by those charged with protecting and cherishing Her.
August 15, 2012 at 5:18 am
What Susan said. Ditto.
August 15, 2012 at 5:18 am
While I understand what Cardinal Dolan is saying, I do question what kind of "permission" this is going to give those Catholics who are basically confused by church teaching. If we have bishops who are saying that this government is taking away our religious freedom yet we give these people places of honor at our gatherings, how can this not be looked upon as being anything but hypocritical? One of the arguments that I constantly hear when it comes to the hierarchy of the church is that they say one thing but do another. In this instance I could not agree more. By inviting Obama to this dinner, I feel like they are giving mixed messages to the people. He does not support what Obama is doing to our religious freedom but we will give him a microphone to campaign from. How does that make any sense?
I know that the position as bishop is hard and I am sure you have to walk a fine line while doing it. I pray for our church leaders every day and ask God and the Blessed Mother to help them make the right decisions when it comes to the church and the people they are guiding to heaven. Keep praying because they could use all the help that they can get.
August 15, 2012 at 10:40 am
If he wants to convert Obama, he can do it in many other ways that are less open for manipulation. See how the Pope avoided having a photo op with Pelosi. He should have taken his cue there.
It is true that others are sinners too. But Obama is persecuting the Church by shutting down all her agencies or forcing her to betray the Lord. There is a difference between Judas and Ananias.
August 15, 2012 at 11:25 am
"for dining with those some considered sinners". Correction – repented former sinners. Have I missed something? What has changed? I don't trust Dolan AT ALL. Again and again he has NOT done the right thing as some other posters have stated. Even now he knows what impact this is having on people all across the nation but he continues with it. Terrible.
August 15, 2012 at 12:22 pm
When I read comments like Tim's up top, I remember St. Catherine Of Siena and her letters to the pope, urging him back to Rome. Sometimes our shepherds need the faithful to remind them of the main goal. They are human, as we are, and can be blinded or led astray by the flatterers who surround them.
August 15, 2012 at 2:24 pm
The Al Smith dinner was always intended to be break from partisanship and an attempt at civil discourse and good humor. I don't think Obama manages gracious very well, but I won't begrudge him another chance. The Cardinal has been strong in court and in his speeches. I'm inclined to let this go. Everyone needs to set aside the politics now and then. If it hurts the cause in any important way I don't see it. To me I see the dinner as an occasion for practicing spiritual mercy. The relentless overbearing interfering obsession with politics on the left is not something the good cardinal or I want to imitate.
August 15, 2012 at 2:33 pm
"break from partisanship and an attempt at civil discourse and good humor."
ahhhh, yes….I remember now, Jesus putting aside 'partisanship' to sup with Herod on prime rib, and sharing a few yucks over a good bottle of Dom. In fact, didn't Christ's herald himself take part in one of Herod's banquets?…I believe he was the guest of honor at the one where Salome did the oustanding liturgical dance…in fact, aren't we celebrating that very feast day in two weeks?…or something like that.
August 15, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Even Herod had civil discussions with John the Baptist. Think on how much worse his judgement might be because he was handed such a direct chance at repentance.
This is another chance for Obama personally to be schooled in grace, if he rejects it then so much the worse for him. I received graces as a sinner well before I recognized them and repented properly. Perhaps Obama will as well.
As for the Cardinal he is the high profile public face of Catholicism in New York, a very heavy responsibility. I trust his motives, even if I see the point that Obama is clearly opposed to religious freedom in general and Catholicism in particular. It serves little purpose in being petty, like Obama was with the Romney supporter in Iowa the other day.
August 15, 2012 at 3:10 pm
I'm sure everything will turn out just fine. No more babies will be killed, and Holy Mother Church will now flourish from sea to shining sea. We can all go back to sleep now, and let the smart people do what they're gonna do anyway.
August 15, 2012 at 3:14 pm
"Even Herod had civil discussions with John the Baptist."
Well, yes. But then Herod chopped his head off.
August 15, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Dave,
Do you understand the difference between Herod and Levi; Nero and Casius (later Longinus); Pharaoh and Mary Magdalene?
What will it take for some people to recognize an enemy as an enemy? This obeisance to a false sense of tolerance and 'niceness' is truly maddening…it's like a mass diabolic disorientation of a spiritual death-wish for the Church.
I have no problem with the good Cardinal schooling Obama privately, not feting him publicly in a seat of honor at a Catholic dinner…and make no mistake, Obama knows what the Church teaches; he has willfully, boldly, and arrogantly rejected it. Plus he's doubled down on the discrimination against and persecution of It. Have you read this latest in the continuing nightmare?…
http://moonbattery.com/?p=15651
WAKE UP! We are in the battle of the ages, and you want to sit down and make-nice with the beasts, rather than speak the Truth boldly; in season and out of season.
Pray for the salvation of Obama's soul, but he knows the Truth and has chosen, compos mentis, through his free will, to utterly reject it. Not judging his soul…judging his actions; and if we can't fight against a clear and present, obvious and manifest agent of evil among us, rather than embracing and chortling with him, then nothing but despair, dependency, and corruption will survive in this country.
This is serious. We are in uniquely sinister times world-wide, and we will be called to account for which position we chose to assume on the field of battle.
August 15, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Our bishops keep on thinking they can lie down with pigs and not get up dirty. You cannot make common cause with your enemy, hoping to persuade him on a few issues.
August 15, 2012 at 4:33 pm
Yes this serious, it's spiritual war no doubt. Is there scandal from being pleasant to Obama? Clearly y'all are scandalized, fair enough. I'm scandalized by how easily a sitting Cardinal is trashed by the faithful. How we fight this war is as important as who we oppose. Christian weapons are humility, patience and especially charity. The Cardinal seems to have a grip on these weapons. Does it look like the high profile battle we expect/hope for? No, but as for the Cardinal I'll give him the benefit of the doubt because of his office. Unless the evidence is very strong he's abandoned his post/duty I'll back him. I don't think the evidence is that strong and I'm going to be cautious about critiquing any Cardinal in public without much more than this.
August 15, 2012 at 4:44 pm
It goes further. They accepted $25 THOUSAND dollars from a pro-abortion group for a table as well. Oh, yeah, it is for 'the poor'. But if you are killed before you are born, I guess that will eliminate many of 'the poor'.
Sick.
http://prolifecorner.com/al-smith-dinner-willing-to-accept-pro-abortion-group/
August 15, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Who was that pope who made the emperor wear sackcloth and ashes to show repentance?
Obama must repent first and show the fruits of repentance by nullifying the HHS mandate to rape our consciences and shut our apostolates.
After repentance, then yuck it up.
Cardinal needs clear ideas, solid faith, a pastoral sense and guts. I am disappointed.
August 15, 2012 at 8:10 pm
"………………??!!!"
There's another "photo-op" for the Preezy of the United Steezy. Freely, freely, provided by a Prince of the Church, no less. It's not like the Cardinal was compelled to, like our military is.
Recall the trip to South Korea Obama made a few years back? Obama qipped to the troops, "You guys make a pretty good photo-op."
Huh… huh, huh, huh.
August 15, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Dave said: "I'm scandalized by how easily a sitting Cardinal is trashed by the faithful…Unless the evidence is very strong he's abandoned his post/duty I'll back him. I don't think the evidence is that strong and I'm going to be cautious about critiquing any Cardinal in public without much more than this."
Uh, have ya read my first post?…"he runs out of town on the eve of New York's passing of 'gay marriage' without uttering a whimper; he sits on his Chair at a blatantly 'homosexual Mass', stroking his chin and nodding in agreement and admiration at the scandal going on in front of his eyes (this is on video!); he invites the most pro-abort, anti-Church, marxist president in history to a seat of honor, and the podium, at a Catholic dinner (Notre Dame and Fr. Jenkins have NOTHING on him)! You don't think the photos from this travesty are gonna be all over Obama's media sites the next morning as a Doug-Kimec-redux?…only this time with tons more gravitas???"
I had great hope for the Cardinal when he was first named, but this has become a pattern of weak, effete behavior. Yes he has a lawsuit in the works; and when John Roberts once again sells out his Faith and His God, what's left?…sue for peace with the devil? I 'loved' C. Dolan's quote a couple of weeks ago when detailing the options left to us…he actually said, "A third option, I suppose, is to capitulate and accept the strangling mandate…I don’t want to go there. We just finished a Fortnight for Freedom, and the saints we honored – Saint Thomas More, Saint John Fisher, Saint John the Baptist, Saints Peter and Paul – would not want us to go there, either."
"I DON'T WANT TO GO THERE"???? "The saints…would not want us to go there either."??? Holy smokes! How about, "we CANNOT, we WILL NOT, we WILL DIE before, we go there!"? Now THAT would be a Cardinal worth his red hat!…especially one who followed it up by keeping every Catholic organization under his jurisdiction open saying, "Mr. Obama, you will have to come in, beat us, drag us out, and throw us into jails across this country before we will bend to this evil law, and betray the legacy of the Saints and Christ Himself!..WE WILL NOT SUBMIT!"…and then for the Bishop/Cardinal to be the first to (peacefully) be beaten and dragged out. Now THAT would be a prelate I would follow through the fires of hell for Christ!…and THAT, no less, is to what they're called.
I don't enjoy criticizing a Cardinal, and quite frankly too bad you're scandalized by it. Bad behavior and selling out of the flock needs to be called out. Weakland should have been called out; Bernardin should have been called out; Mahoney was only called out by the great Mother Angelica, who had more testicular fortitude than the lot of the USCCB put together. Is Dolan as bad as these?…I honestly don't know, but his track record so far is looking pretty bleak. Oh, for the moral leave to clone Bishops Morlino, Bruskewitz, Card. Burke and their like, too few though they be.
Christ died a bloody, torturous death for His Church, that satan might have no part or entry into Her. Sure doesn't sound like what's going on in the bowels of NY these days.
St. Athanasius, pray for us.