Father Ken Knippel of St. John Vianney Parish in Brookfield, where Walker has many supporters, wants to talk about the budget with his church, but knows he must tread lightly.
A recent off-handed quip likening the bickering by Jewish sects in Jesus' day to today's contentious political debates drew a caustic rebuke from one parishioner.
"I don't want to sound like I'm taking a political position. . . . There are faithful Republicans and faithful Democrats," said Knippel. "At the same time, I am preaching the Gospel."
That tension is apparent in the way faith communities are addressing the issue.
"At this point, we prefer the more positive approach of affirming those things we think society and government ought to fund, instead of pointing fingers at people," said John Huebscher, executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference.
As I've pointed out here Abp Listecki's staff stated that the WCC took a neutral position. BTW, note some Emeriti that still are on the board there.
Fr. Knippel is afraid how Catholic Walker supporters will respond? I'd like to know what specifically he'd like to talk about that he hasn't been able to address. Does he have that same problem when he's preaching on pro-life issues?
Huebscher's bizarre statement I guess is meant to teach us that questioning anything currently funded by the state is a very bad thing, and means that we are pointing fingers wrongly. I'm certain we are being mean spirited. So if I read that correctly, the WCC can only point out how to spend money, but not to comment on immoral spending habits? If the state was spending money on sweat shops in South America used to create our drivers licenses - misspellings punished by chopping workers hands off - would that maybe be a good time to do some finger pointing?
2 comments:
Since the mid 1970s most Waukesha county parishes have had to contend with an endless string of left-wing pastors.
Then one wonders why Elm Brook Church is one of the largest evangelical megachurches in the nations and its ranks are mostly former Catholics. We aren't losing people to the Episcoplains or the Unitarians.
By all means priests should be critical of political leaders, and there is plenty about the GOP to be critical of, but the problem is, the policies of the democratic party (abortion on demand, same-sex marriage, stem cell research, etc.) NEVER fall under any criticsm (too divisive?).
The impression quickly becomes that the Catholic Church is the democratic party of prayer. Since we are now 2 generations in on a vast number of Catholics not really understanding the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, church for most people is a place to sing some songs and hear a message.
If the Protestant churches offer better songs and a more resounding message and Catholics don't know what is important and distinct about their own faith the attrition goes on.
Fr. Knippel preached a rather unusual sermon last week, detailing some complaints of Milwaukee priests. A noticeable thread in the complaints centered on how the 'Church' was unjust to LBGTs and women (by following Christ's example on ordination.)
He wound up the sermon strongly suggesting that we should soldier on, in the certain hope of redemption.
For some reason, that sermon drew applause (!!) from some in the congregation.
Yes, the Pubbies can be criticized, mostly for their inability to distinguish "capitalism" from "pro-business". Capitalism, pure, is NOT a Christian ideal.
On the other hand, no Catholic has been able to reconcile State-imposed taking of earnings for many of its State-approved recipients, Planned Parenthood being one of many suspicious or downright evil outfits.
Post a Comment