America Magazine takes shot at Arch Nienstedt for pro-marriage DVD

CNN covers the ongoing controversy in the Minnesota Catholic community surrounding the distribution of 400,000 DVDs to the local faithful by Archbishop John C. Nienstedt. Financed by the Knights of Columbus and anonymous donors, the DVDs offer a strong reminder that the Catholic Church opposes same-sex marriage, and exhorts faithful Catholics to voice their opposition as well.

It is laughable to think that a Catholic today who has any semblance of a relationship with the Church could possibly forget that its hierarchy opposes same-sex marriage. One may rightly wonder what kind of wisdom was at work in spending presumably significant resources on this initiative. All over the country, food banks are more crowded than ever, foreclosures continue at unprecedented levels, and the need for basic human necessities remains alarmingly high. And yet it appears that the Church in Minnesota spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in the production and mailing of anti-gay marriage propaganda? Some Catholics may support the position of the Archbishop Nienstedt in particular and the hierarchy in general, and others may disagree strongly. But to spend precious resources—time and money—on a project such as this, at a time when so many people are in need, certainly merits closr examination. We are compelled as Catholics to care for those in need, and with a limited supply of resources, we will do wisely to reflect thoroughly on how we use them.

 From the Comments (26)

#26 ---When I went to Journalism School, we learned first and foremost to check our facts before writing - a lesson Mr. O'Laughlin might find worthwhile. He writes about the "hundreds of thousands" the Bishops of Minnesota spent to produce and send a DVD in defense of traditional marriage to Minnesota Catholics. In fact, the Archdiocese and the other dioceses spent not one red cent on this campaign. It was totally paid for by private donors who stepped forward. And they were NOT political donors. As for how it affected our social welfare contributions? It affected them not a whit.

The Archdiocese and its affiliated associations are the largest single non governmental funder of social welfare in the Twin Cities - shelters, housing, food shelves, clinics, pre-natal counseling, job assistance, etc.. Last year alone, those contributions exceeded $3 million.

Next time might we expect a call first, especially from a Catholic periodical as significant as AMERICA before you make your indictments.

Oh, and by the way, to make the assumption that "most Catholics" know same sex marriage is not condoned by the Church is another sweeping generalization. The mail and emails we've received have demonstrated that is NOT the case and many have thanked us for the instruction.

Posted By Dennis B. McGrath | Thursday, November 11, 2010 05:40:56 PM

[Dennis McGrath is the Communications Director of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis]

 Stella Borealis