A faith perspective on current events. By: Fr. Steven Foppiano
It is too bad that legitimate political discourse cannot take place without someone like Mr. O'Neil going into hyperbole. I am always amazed that from the left point of view the only legitimate concerns are their own. All others are due to a fault of character against those who dare to stand up to their rhetoric. In my case, I stood against the President declaring that his policy was the moral course of action. Yes, I did point out that the President only looks to Christian values when it fits his agenda but since when did speaking the truth become a matter of character? I did not write against the President personally, only against his policies and attempt to take the religious pulpit into his own agenda.
Mr. O'Neal had good company. According to Jack Jamison, his neighboring columnist, Republicans have been taken over by the wacko fringe. After all, you have to be a wacko to oppose these far reaching policies or to disagree with Jack or Jaime ... at least from their point of view. Both would probably be unable to understand that I and many others standing against these policies are not Republicans. I quit supporting that party long ago, mainly because I believe both major parties have lost their way and are working for interests that have little to do with the common man or woman.
I never said that individuals are "on their own" regarding health care. I have no problem with people pooling their risk together (It's called insurance.) and I am especially an advocate of reaching out to those who are unable to help themselves. I am all for community helping community. I just realize that government usually brings about the deterioration of community and that many of those who claim to have nothing but the best of intentions in imposing policies can count among themselves such great people as Hitler, Stalin, Castro and a host of Chinese despots.
That does not mean that all those supporting government run health care are evil or stupid or in any way morally deficient. I count many who are politically opposite me as friends. No, they are simply wrong and I want to help point that out. I have nothing against them trying to point out that I am wrong from time to time but let us keep it at the policy and reality level and not try to undermine each others character or to claim to know each others agenda! It's too bad that Mr. O'Neal and Jamison concentrate on the people who oppose them instead of fighting for the policies they say they support. Theirs is a method of silencing critics rather than defending policies.
Being a Christian does not mean that we all walk in lock step and agree on all things. There are many ways to try to bring about the Kingdom of God in the world. I happen to be an advocate of the individual taking on this responsibility and thus saving themselves and they work to save others. Others tend to depend on the government to do God's work. I distrust this method as I believe it breaks the ties between those that need help and those that can help. It makes some people believe they are deserving of all things and allows others to forsake responsibility for others in the world. Such a world, even if it could work, would do little to bring about God's kingdom in the world. It breaks the ties of community and within humanity.
Even if we all work towards the goals of reaching out to the needy, of being a people of peace, granting forgiveness and working for the betterment of all; there will still be disagreements among us. We can still, however, be united in our cause if we keep the Master in mind as our true leader at all times. Then God will lead the way. I doubt that Saint Peter will be asking anyone for their party affiliation. In fact, I doubt that he will ask any one for their list of good intentions. All will have already been revealed by the actions of our faith. The lives we live are the true measure of the faith we hold.
Since our nation is founded on Christian principles, it is the duty of a Christian leader to speak out when those principles come into conflict with the new wave of aberrant societal norms, even if it is distasteful for members of one’s own congregation.
The single article I read and the others I skimmed were so sopping full of your political opinion that you could not hope to claim objectivity. The fact is that all politicians on either side of the isle will often turn to religion or god to support their arguments, however your role as a spiritual leader is to above such argument.
I was always proud as a Catholic that I could disagree with certain politics of the Church, and yet still love god and love the church. Your role as leader of a congregation should be to bring people in and help raise them up. You should literally be above the fray, because the ideals you are responsible to teach are above the fray.
If you want to be a politician, pundit, or political consultant, return to school, because the job you have now is a very special and important one, and I can assure you that if you think such an article is appropriate, it is time to reflect upon your calling.
Sincerely,
BJ
Full Text wouldn't fit. Second half.
Father Foppiano,
It greatly disturbed me when perusing my hometown newspaper's website to read this article, and skim the earlier ones you have written. As someone who was raised within the walls of St. Thomas More, it was always a point of pride that the church was somewhere that hope, joy, and love would be preached and not politics. I will not address your political rhetoric, and my opinion about it is irellevent.
What is relevant is that you are out of your element, and reaching beyond your scope as a priest.
Yeah, Jonny, he makes a solid point. I was so mad at Michael Jackson that I pretty much prayed that he would bite the big one...and guess what, it happened! And you know what, he probably went to heaven b/c he changed skin colors. I'm not saying that God is racist, but it was probably hedging his bets...all those old testament references to slaves and all.
Will all due respect to YOU, Mr. John Cecil (if that is indeed your real name) - with enough people holding hands and singing Kumbaya, we CAN achieve anything...including curing people's physical ailments. We merely need to pray to the Lord and cross our fingers and boom - problem solved. We can learn something from the Republicans; they are indeed our moral superiors.
With all due respect ( a preliminary meant to indicate some disrespect is forthcoming). what was your reaction to the woman at the meeting with Cong. Cantor when she asked what was her friend to do when her insurance was cancellel after she lost her job and was diagnosed wth stomach cancer? He told her to find some government program for which she may or may not have been eligible and failing that, she should have tried for charity. Is this the position of the Church? Or is it the position of you and the rest of the greedheads in the Republican party. Shame on you and those in the church that support this position.
Regards,
John W. Cecil, a former member of St. Thomas More