Catholic Cardinal James Stafford Is Wrong About Obama

 I, like the writer,am a recovering Catholic.  I have become quite displeased with the stands that the church takes.  it does not surprise me when there is backlash about Pres.-elect Obama as the church has shown me in many ways how it feels about Blacks. The last was when they would rather appoint a Pope that was less qualified than the African Bishop that it should have selected. I, too, wish that the church was as heated about the pediphiles within the priesthood as the fact that America now has a Black President. When you overlook the conditions in which your parishes are living to encourage racism, which is all this is, you fail to meet the needs of the people. the Catholic church has stopped caring about the needs of the parishioners and gone to bargaining for even more political power. Many, many Black Americans have seen this and are fleeing the church as I have.  I think it needs to look within because it has become just like the Republican Party; out of touch and out of date.  Thanks for the article; it was most informative and timely.

 I would like to hear the Cardinal speak as loudly about the help the Catholic church is offering the sexual abuse victims and the programs it has in place to help mothers feed, clothe and house the babies they have.  Until I hear that - he is only Catholic - not a true disciple of Jesus who demanded we show our love for him by caring for those in need - not making vitrolic speeches attacking those we disagree with.

 I am a Black Catholic female, born and raised,since 1953 and my answere to all of this is what the Priests, Archbishops,Aux-bishops,Monsignors,Cardinals, Nuns and the Pope better do is go to confession and say Bless Me God for I  have sinned, it has been how many?{just last week} since my last confession,Do you Catholic Church ,after all these centuries,with all your faults and accusations against you that are so true,Problems,that you have caused and contribute too,do you really renouce Satan and all his evil works and all his evil ways????????????????? as far as I'm concerned Obama didn't waffle on that question with Rick Warren, because what he was saying with a touch of humor was although we know it is no laughing matter,was that they were not paying him enough as far as a Goverment Worker{pay grade GS whatever}to even comment or give his opionon on it, because it is a hot button and very, very heated issue, no matter what side you are on and how you feel about it personally,especially when it comes from a man,although it takes two to make a baby,we are the ones who carry the baby for nine months, and in alot of cases, too numerous to count,those women are in it by themselves,sometimes through no fault of their own and a lot of decisions play into that,{finances,too many other children,homeless,mentally,physically,rape,incest, or should I say not enough money to take care of all their responsibilities}Do you honestly think most women want an abortion? Now I know Catholic Charities do alot of good work, but God gives us the Gift of Free Will,and we will have to answere to him for all the right and wrong decisions we made or make in life,Cardinal Stafford knows what he said and what he mean't by it,I don't remember him making this same kind of speech when Clinton came in office,or for any white president, whom he should have singled out for their transgressions on  all other matters,and beliefs, Jesus's Real Agony in the garden,One of them is certainly the Church{Catholic,Protesant,Judaism,Islamic,etc etc,etc,including all those man-made religeons,and its so call followers

 There is nothing wrong with what the Cardinal said. Like any of the others, I could find no fault in his words. He is a Catholic priest so of course he is going to believe that abortion is murder. It takes just as much faith to believe that abortion is murder as it does to believe that it is not. I also couldn't find any evidence of racism. Perhaps the reason he mentioned 1968 is because it was such a brutal year. Since he is pro-life he will obviously feel that Barack Obama is bad news for the pro-life movement. The guy was asked once by Rick Warren on his view on abortion and he waffled horribly. No one else held his feet to the fire on this. I wonder if in our desire to see the race barrier shattered if we gave this guy a free pass. As a former Democrat I have always thought that Chicago politics were corrupt. Now a scandal has emerged involving the govenor of that state. Barack - Say something concrete! The American people want to believe you! It does make one
wonder.

 As one who was raised in the Catholic faith, I'm not surprised by Cardinal Stafford's words.  Read it carefully and you'll see that there is no veiled racism in his monologue.  Instead what you find is a man and his faith that are completely out of step with modernity.  He specifically rails against modernity and considers not only the methods of our modern technological world, but the hope and belief that the Western world places in progress to be a sin and anathema to the Catholic faith.  No wonder I've since become an atheist!  These kinds of ramblings, with references to silly Continental philosophers, quotations of Catholic doctrine and anachronistic and out of context citations of great thinkers is typical of the mindset and convoluted logic of the religiously minded. I think most reasonably educated people would have a hard time comprehending what Cardinal Stafford or any other Catholic high priest has to say precisely because his mode of thinking is so outdated.  You would have to go back to the middle ages to find more people with this way of thinking.  Oh, I forgot, Osama Bin Laden also rambles on in this way.

 The cardinal's comments are wrong and sadly not in the spirit of love that Christ taught. I heard him say those comments directly on CNN with such venom; I believe the author is wright that this is camouflaged racism. There are some like the cardinal who hide behind other reasons when their problem is really the election of a black man.
By the way I am a born again Christian and yes Jesus said not to kill but how does killing in Iraq, Vietnam or Africa become right when killing an unborn child becomes the only type of killing some Chrsitian prefer to place emphasis on. Why does the cardinal not deny communion to all members who support the war in Iraq? How does fornication (as in the case of Palin's daughter) become acceptable such that she is flaunted on TV with her unmarried boyfriend but yet we keep pointing fingers at those who are pro-choice. I am a pro choice Christian like Christ (and Obama), Jesus always gives us the choice to choice life or death even though he tells us the truth. Jesus allows us to make choices in life; he does not strick us dead because we made the wrong choice, nor does he take away the option to choose from us. Wake up Christians and stop picking and chosing between sins; all sin is sin but let God's mercy reign on us all.Do not look at teh speck on Obama's eyes when you have a war and guns speck on your own eyes.if you are Christian, the Bible says that there is no authority but that placed by God, all you Obama haters out there, learn to respect and pray for your new leader even if he makes some wrong choices. let he who has no sin throw the first stone!!!!

 The Cardinal is right. Obama and Biden have a long history of pro-abortion rhetoric that is inconsistent with the teachings of the church. I'm not convinced the Cardinal is a racist - just a good Catholic ;-)

 I am terribly confused and saddened by the comments posted in regard to this article.  I have read and re-read Cardinal Stafford's speech (I wonder if many of the people who posted comments actually clicked the link).  NOWHERE in his speech does Cardinal Stafford make his case based on race!  His comments are based on the fact the Obama platform supports abortion.
What part of the following statement:  "criticized President-elect Barack Obama as "aggressive, disruptive and apocalyptic," and said he campaigned on an "extremist anti-life platform..." suggests racial bias?

I am saddened because it proves to me even more that we have become a society that does not take the time to get the whole story for themselves.  I am sure that most people who posted comments did so merely on the shirt tales of what the person before them said---or worse simply mimicking the attitude of the author.  It's sad that even the author missed the point of Cardinal Stafford's speech--but sadder still that readers can't even click on the link provided to form an opinion of their own based on facts---not based on what others think or say.

 I thank God that Cardinal Stafford has the courage to speak the truth. People, he isn't making us his comments nor is he speaking his views. He is speaking the truths of the faith. If you have a problem with this, then you have a problem with Jesus. It is Jesus who taught that life is to be protected, that He is the one who forms the child in the womb and that this lfie must be protected, that homosexual relations are sinful, etc. Folks, if you disagree with Jesus then I wonder how you can claim you are Christian? Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And that if we want eternal life, we must abide in Him and follow His commands. Cardinal Stafford is just trying to get us to Heaven. Jesus is the one that says he will separate the sheep from the goats and the sheep will go to heaven and the goats to eternal damnation. You are free to choose not to listen to Jesus as He gave you a free will. But you will be responsible for your loss of eternal life if you do not follow His commands. He does not give a woman a "choice" to slaughter the child God created. How sad that you would rather support this sinful culture than stand up for the Jesus who died for you. I will be suprised if they put this opinion on since it differs from the rest.

 As a black mother of 4 children schooled in Catholic schools and raised in the Catholic faith, Cardinal Stafford's racist comments about President-elect Obama is highly disappointing though not surprising.  Stafford's rhetoric and dehumanistic comments only help to encourage hate groups around the nation.  He should get out of the Catholic ministry and stop using the church to cover up his bigotry and hate of non-white people.  Same on you, Cardinal James Stafford!

 I'm so happy that you wrote about the Catholic church like this. They excommunicated my mother when she left my abusive father too. They have no compassion. In revelation, it talks about a political/ecclesiastical power that will help bring down humanity. With The Catholics there is no separation between church and state. Whoever was the pope in bygone days changed the original sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. This is the true mark of the beast.

 While I was saddened by the Cardinal Stafford unkind and bigoted comment about President-Elect Obama, I join others in thanking you for exposing the darkness of the Cardinal's position. The Catholic Church relationship with the Blacks has not always been enlightened. The Cardinal is a voice from the past which Americans of all hues relegated to the past with the one historic voice on November 4. We shall overcome despite the Cardinal and his elks. Our prayers are with Obama, his family and the USA.

 Cardinal Stafford's comments along with those of others my "fellow Americans" have made on one hand have truly angered and saddened me.  I am a firefighter, former Marine, Catholic university graduate, community volunteer among other things from a long list of a proud American who loves his country and community.  Oh, did I mention I'm BLACK?  Stafford's comments (I will NOT refer to him as "Cardinal," cause me to recall my days as a youth in Catholic school with ALL white nuns and priests who molded my mind to their Eurocentric values.  We were taught to "love one another" in Christ.  We were taught to have complete, unwavering confidence in the teachings of the church however, I never saw a black priest until I was 13 years old.  Did I mention I also attended a Catholic seminary?  Although my parents attend mass religiously, I have refused to participate in this hypocrisy.  If I were to meet
Cardinal Stafford, I would show him very little respect and take him to task over his remarks.  How dare he minimalize the struggles of President-elect Obama and in turn the judgement of the American people who helped elect him!  I have every confidence that President-elect Obama will execute the office of President expertly and with a high degree of intelligence and responsibility.  Sad to say, I have long disregarded and discounted the remarks and opinions of those white people who should know better, who make such racist comments.  Racism is not the sole property of the ignorant.  People in positions of authority share some of the same maladies.  Now that a Black man is now the leader of the free world, many of the comments are made known.  I am confident enough that my people will not shrink from this onslaught from our church leaders because I for one, will stand up and fight back.  God Save America!

 This man of cloth is obviously a racist and a syptom of the uselessness of these outdated institutions we call Churches. Religion should be the cause of unity not disunity. Clearly this is the devil we read about, the false prophets the bible speaks of.

 Thank you for your honesty regarding the Church that you once loved so much. I'm Protestant and sometimes wondered by my church wasn't more organized. However, the Catholic Church lost credibility with the sex scandals and their cover up efforts.

Cardinal Stafford is the extremist; trying to poison the minds of millions of people across the world.
America stood up and stood proud again on November 4, 2008.
Stafford's comments show the real danger when there's no "separation of church and state."

 The Cardinal's unchristian comments about Barack Obama are especially interesting in the light of what I can remember about the Kennedy election.  We were told that a vote for Kennedy would take decision making out of Washington and move it to the Vatican.  We were told that nothing could be scarier than a Roman Catholic president.  If the good cardinal had been running, they may have been right.

 I just want to thank you for your courage to write this article. And that this is something that the nation as awhole needs to hear. Again thank you and keep writting these great stories....

 I would like to thank you for exposing the cardinal's view of Barack Obama.   I am a catholic (black) and I am truly disappointed to see this.  We are Christians, even though many other Christians would differ.

I can't believe a member of the religious would say something like that.  When someone in his position comes out with rhetoric like that, they create an atmosphere that dehumanizes someone.  Once you dehumanize someone there are lots of folks out there who thinks it's all right to do whatever they want to others.  After all, the church says it's all right.  Very un-Christlike behavior.  You can disagree with someone without the dehumanization, which is very dangerous behavior.

 As a African American Catholic, I find it hard to hear that our spiritual leaders would continue with rhetoric like this.  It is amazing to me that they are not focus on the issuse of today, hunger, Aids, child abuse,war.  I have had my own struggles with the Catholic faith, and still I believe in God.  Each of us will be judged by our actions or lack thereof.

All of this hate because a Black man has become President and he believes in a woman's choice?  How does he view the past administration's decision on torture?

 Amen. With all the good work that can be done by our churches, this focus is just plain out of touch.

 Stafford's rant suggests: A) We need to initiate legal action to revoke  tax-exempt status of churches that directly intervene in politics by preaching specific voting choices from the pulpit, in the same way we rapidly remove tax-exempt status from any other non-profit that crosses the line, B) the Catholic Church, like other institutions hijacked by extreme fundamentalism, is headed for schism or irrelevance, C) unless his remarks are disavowed by the Vatican, Stafford is acting as a mouthpiece for Benedict, and D) we should be thankful he is now assigned to a minor post in Italy, so that he can't do the damage to parishioners, priests, and the public that he did in his last ten years in the U.S. at his post in Denver

 I am a cradle catholic who dreamt all her young childhood to be a nun.The greatest day of my life was my confirmation, and until Pope John Paul II, it was the last really moving event for me within my faith. How can we still argue about what women are to do with their bodies and conscious? What gives you the right to spew hate at someone because they may believe it is a private matter or they can not come to the decision you want them to?  How can you hear confessions and give absolution if you harbor hatred in your heart? Faith is a delicate thing that we are misrepresenting as we have love. I was a person that no one ever thought would question anything said by a priest. I thought your brain would explode if you doubted anything that was not church doctrine, but guess what? They are just men. Men who are trying to get it right as much as we are. Men who don't have all the answer, but get to hold the host, pour the wine and consecrate the bread. BUT THEY DO GET IT WRONG! And this is just an example of how wrong they can get it. You don't use your collar to spew hate. This is no better than the reverend they tried to use as an issue in the election. We have so many problems that the church should be addressing in the matter of faith, that is where they need to place their energy. There are so many parishes where the disparity is showing and they are closing churches left and right. WE need to work on saving our intercity catholic churches, the role of women in the church, and the need for new blood in the church. If the United States needs a breath of fresh air in the White House; what do you think the church needs? These older priest need to listen to their own flocks and look in their faces and give them what they need. Encouragement.  People are hurting for faith, some hope, and some relief. It is a shame that the non-catholic will probably be a better shepherd to his flock than the religious leaders of our time. Obama has my support and prayers, and yes, I will pray for you Cardinal Stafford. That is the christian way, at least my christian way. I don't know about yours.

 Over the past sixty years (i.e. my life time) I've seen the line between church and state become increasingly blurred. More and more religious institutions and their leaders have injected themselves into the political arena ... often cloaking their pronouncements and campaigns in both morality and their First Amendment right to "free speech".

As tax exempt institutions, churches and other religious organizations enjoy the benefits of an infrastructure, the government, a strong military and various public institutions supported by my taxes. Additionally, they get a chance to raise and spend money to politically influence how my government behaves and how my tax dollars are spent.

Modern day religious institutions exert their political influence on issues of abortion, creationism, school prayer, gay marriage and vouchers among others. In each of those cases religious institutions have attempted (with varying degrees of success) to bend the political process to do their will, often through legislation or referendum. While I support their right to speak freely, I resent having to also supplement their tax free status with my tax dollars.

My bottom line to Cardinal Stafford, the Catholic Church, televangelists, religious institutions, mega churches and all the rest is this: If you want to enjoy ALL of the benefits and freedoms available, you must also accept the attendant responsibilities. Thus, concerning your tax free status: either give it up or shut up

This is a great perspective and written so perfectly! I have long since denounced my own Catholic believes because of the atrocities carried on and condoned in the church. I don't know how our country got where it is today with intolerance. Isn't that what we've been fighting in every war since we originated? Why do we continue to carry messages of hate? We are currently faced with serious issues from human trafficking, poverty, and troops at war and here our societal leaders are talking about the sanctity of marriage and freedom of choice??? They should focus on productive ideas and help support unity and a greater good for humanity, but my mistake…I must have read the bible incorrectly all those years.

 This narrow-minded, tunnel vision is the very reason I am no longer a member of a Catholic church!  He obviously knows nothing about "suffering" nor the good, bad, and the ugly part of our country's history.  Shame on him for spewing such hate-filled jargon as a "representative of Christ" when our focus should be on healing and moving beyond the status quo.  Last time I checked it was 2008 not 1708.

 The Cardinal's unchristian comments about Barack Obama are especially interesting in the light of what I can remember about the Kennedy election.  We were told that a vote for Kennedy would take decision making out of Washington and move it to the Vatican.  We were told that nothing could be scarier than a Roman Catholic president.  If the good cardinal had been running, they may have been right.

 I just want to thank you for your courage to write this articla.And that this is something that the nation as awhole needs to hear. Again thank you and keep writting these great stories....