February 26, 2009 7:36 AM
Chaput warns against "spirit of adulation" re Obama
Denver archbishop warns against 'spirit of adulation' surrounding Obama.- Canadians packed St. Basil's Church in Toronto on Monday evening to hear Archbishop Charles Chaput speak about how Catholics should live out their faith in the public square. He warned that in the U.S., Catholics need to act on their faith and be on guard against "a spirit of adulation bordering on servility" that exists towards the Obama administration.
The public lecture by Archbishop Chaput took place on the campus of the University of Toronto at St. Basil's Church and was attended by an overflow crowd of more than 700 people.
After giving a sketch of the basic principles in his New York Times Bestseller "Render Unto Caesar," the archbishop offered his insights on the need for an honest assessment of the situation of the Church in the public square.
"I like clarity, and there's a reason why," began the archbishop. "I think modern life, including life in the Church, suffers from a phony unwillingness to offend that poses as prudence and good manners, but too often turns out to be cowardice. Human beings owe each other respect and appropriate courtesy. But we also owe each other the truth -- which means candor."
The Denver prelate then provided his critique of President Obama.
"President Obama is a man of intelligence and some remarkable gifts. He has a great ability to inspire, as we saw from his very popular visit to Canada just this past week. But whatever his strengths, there's no way to reinvent his record on abortion and related issues with rosy marketing about unity, hope and change. Of course, that can change. Some things really do change when a person reaches the White House. Power ennobles some men. It diminishes others. Bad policy ideas can be improved. Good policy ideas can find a way to flourish. But as Catholics, we at least need to be honest with ourselves and each other about the political facts we start with."
Yet this will be "very hard for Catholics in the United States," Chaput warned.
According to the archbishop, the political situation for Catholics is difficult to discern because a "spirit of adulation bordering on servility already exists among some of the same Democratic-friendly Catholic writers, scholars, editors and activists who once accused pro-lifers of being too cozy with Republicans. It turns out that Caesar is an equal opportunity employer."
Looking ahead to the coming months and years, Chaput offered four "simple things" to remember.
Read entire article here.
Posted in Catholicism, Obama Nation | Permalink
Comments
You have to love this man and how he speaks truth without apology. I know his cousin Terry (they are cut from the same cloth!). It gives true Hope to know that there are still good men willing to stand for what is right.
Posted by: Becky | February 26, 2009 9:40 AM
No adulation of Obama here in our community. But we are hoping that what he does works because that what we are stuck with for a while. Many of us are getting close to being in bad straits with the direction things have been going. Even a slow down of this freight train of disaster would be some relief so that things can be examined more carefully. We are now in crisis mode, and the next step down is going to really devastate a lot of families.
[Note from Barbara: the "freight train of disaster" was set in motion by the Clonton administration, House Democrats, the Black Political Caucus, Chris Dodds and Barney Franks. Contrary to those who blame Bush for everything from the war to their hangnails, Bush and McCain warned against the coming mortgage collapse and were ridiculed and rebuked for their trouble. If Obama's plan "works" it is at the cost of enslaving future generations and turning over more of our freedom and independence to the government. Some things are not worth trying to avoid discomfort.]
Posted by: Cath Young | February 26, 2009 11:24 AM
