Saturday, May 31, 2008
Catholic League Pissed Off at Obama & Priest
The Swamp reports the Catholic League released a statement scolding Barack Obama for his unsavory ties to divisive religious "leaders."
Catholic League president Bill Donohue criticized Obama's relationship with Pfleger, whom he compared to controversial former Obama pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.Swamp republished the original statement:
"Senator Obama says he wants to bring people together," Donohue said in a press release. "Then why does he choose as his clerical friends people like Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Father Pfleger? They are two peas in a pod, both equally divisive, separated only by the color of their skin."
Indeed, the sheer hypocrisy of Barky's raison d’être for running for president is quite, uhm, oh yes, audacious."Most commentators are already focusing on the inappropriateness of the race-baiting comments by Father Pfleger. More serious is the venue in which he delivered his diatribe and his long-standing ties to Sen. Obama. "
Father Pfleger's tirade would be inexcusable anywhere, but it is even more offensive when it happens in a church. It does not matter that it was not his own, nor does it matter that it happened in a church that has a record of allowing demagogues to exploit it. When churches become forums for political rallies, both religion and the
First Amendment are corrupted."Obama and Pfleger are no strangers. Indeed, when Obama was in the state senate in Illinois, he conveniently arranged for Father Pfleger's St. Sabina's Church to receive state monies for its social programs. Of course, the guardians of church and state separation said nothing then and they are saying nothing now. That's because they're all in the tank for Obama. Just as important, why is it that of all the wonderful Catholic priests in the Chicago Archdiocese, Obama long ago chose Pfleger to hang with? Truth be known, Pfleger has a very troubling history: he has welcomed the anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan to preach in his church; he has hired prostitutes to worship there; he has been arrested for defacing billboards; and he once urged the crowd at an anti-gun rally to hunt down a gun store owner 'like a rat' and 'snuff' him.
"Senator Obama says he wants to bring people together. Then why does he choose as his clerical friends people like Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Father Pfleger? They are two peas in a pod, both equally divisive, separated only by the color of their skin."
Seriously, I see that you are Southern Baptist so let me catch you up to speed on Roman Catholics (which I happen to be).
NO ONE, except for the far, far right takes the Catholic League seriously. Donohue is shrill who has never met a media opportunity that he doesn't like. He's very close with the Bush administration and is NOT representative of most Catholics.
If you are "progressive", and want to use a Catholic source on this use anyone but the Catholic League.
My parish has worked with local reps (from both parties) on various projects, so calling your local Senator for help procuring a grant is not uncommon.
I didn't like what Father Pleger said either, however- I know who is credible and who is not. The Catholic League is an anti-semitic, hateful group and most definitely do not speak for many devout Roman Catholics like myself.
Pax Christi
: 2:08 PM And say what you will about Pfleger, but I must object to the twisted representation of his activities in Chicago. The billboards he's defaced are selling liquor and cigarettes to the community he serves. He is attacking them because they promote addiction. His social programs are aimed at promoting the health and social well-being of his impoverished, drug-riddled, single-parent dominated, unhealthy, educationally deficient community. Pfleger, like you, is diametrically opposed to the death penalty. Pfleger, like you, is a fervent believer in social justice. Pfleger, like you, believes that there is a double-standard at work in the criminal justice system when it comes to whites and minorities. Pfleger, like you, believes that social justice and outreach to those most in need of help go much farther than punitive, prison-oriented programs aimed at locking people up and throwing away the key.
I continue to be baffled by your constant ridicule of and opposition to Obama. He's clearly the nominee, yet you continue to attack and revile him. I don't understand what your point is supposed to be.
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