|
Catholics
protesting Catholics
M.C.Abbott
August 8, 2006
I received the
following (edited) e-mail from pro-life and Catholic activist Paula
Emmerth:
"I don't know if you remember me, but I spoke to you a few weeks ago
at [deleted] regarding Pat Byrnes [husband of pro-abortion Illinois
Attorney General Lisa Madigan], a speaker for Theology on Tap [sponsored by the
Young Adult Ministry of the Chicago archdiocese].
"My sister Teresa and I attended his talk and a few other TOT talks.
After we heard how heretical and mocking of Church teaching these
speakers were, we decided to make a couple of signs to hold out in
front of Holy Name Cathedral for TOT's concluding Mass. Our signs
simply read 'FOR TRUE CHURCH ANSWERS READ THE CATECHISM OF THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH' and 'QUESTION THE AGENDA OF THEOLOGY ON TAP.'
"We remained on the sidewalk, out of the way of pedestrians, and
spoke to people who wanted to chat with us about their experience
with TOT. We had the Catechism of the Catholic Church with us
and showed it to those with whom we spoke. The associate director of
the Young Adult Ministry, Kate DeVries, came out and demanded to
know what we were doing there; she stomped off while we were
answering her.
"The Chicago police arrived shortly after and ordered us off the
sidewalk. They said there is an ordinance prohibiting demonstrations
near church services. Remember, however, that SNAP and Rainbow Sash
demonstrations — or those by any other group that wants to protest
Catholic teaching and practice — are always seemingly 'welcome.'
"The police made us go to the other side of the street where our
signs couldn't be seen by those whom we were trying to influence.
Father John Cusick, director of the Young Adult Ministry, came out
after Mass and gave the police a big 'atta-boy' pat on the back and
hand shake for making us move. This whole program is nothing but
political conditioning.
"Pay Byrnes and another speaker, Friar John Paul Cafiero, both
ridiculed and dismissed the Catechism as 'their' rule book.
Somehow the suggestion of the Catechism in any way at TOT
really hits a nerve.
"We are currently composing a letter to Cardinal George about our
experience. We thought you would like to hear our story; and we
thought you would appreciate that there were others who also were
uncomfortable with the TOT program."
Friar Johnpaul's Response: Ms. Emmerth and her sister were present
with pad and pen in hand. Waiting for the speakers to "spout
heresy". I was speaking about how the motivation of all laws
and rules must be love. If we truly loved one another we wouldn't
need laws or rules, we would live our lives according to Jesus'
teaching in the Gospels. The Catechism, civil law, etc would not be
necessary as a rule book. But since we are a sinful people,
not always living as true disciples of Jesus, the rules are
necessary. She also had a problem with the concept of
Sacramental theology as developmental. The Sacraments are based on
the life and words of Jesus. Their present form has developed
throughout 2000 years of
history.
2- From the website- RCF.Org.
Roman Catholic Faithful is another activist watchdog group- In their
article they quote an article written in 1999 by the Springfield
Journal-Register which misquoted my response.
"Friar Johnpaul Cafiero, described by the
Associate Press as "one of 16 friars or priests who take turns
presiding
over a Mass at Mt.Carmel Church in Chicago for
gays and lesbians.
Cafiero "would even like to be able to preside over same-sex
commitment ceremonies." He stated, "If
people are in a deep, committed relationship, let’s bless that
love..."
Friar
Johnpaul's
response- The ministry at
Mt.Carmel
is sponsored by the
Archdiocese of
Chicago. I was appointed as one of the 16 chaplains by Cardinal
Joseph Bernadine. As a followers of Jesus and
St.Francis,
we friars are called to reach out to the lost and outcast of
society. After the Anniversary mass at which I presided,
I was asked by the AP, " what did I think about Gay Marriage?"
My response was," the Church's teaching on human sexuality is
very clear and the battle over same sex marriage would never be won
in the Church." Then asked about Gay Unions, I said, "If we can
bless battleships, soldiers going off to kill in the name of a
country, casinos and various other questionable realities why can we
not bless a friendship between two people. Historians have
even found copies of such blessings in Church archives."
Because of the above website's
misquote,
I even had a parish in
Peoria, IL cancel a mission I was scheduled to do, without as much a
a call for clarification. So yes, some people believe
everything they read.
"Who would Jesus
exclude?"
|
