Thursday, August 30, 2012

Dolan's Conventional Wisdom

I wasn't surprised when I read that Cardinal Dolan would deliver the closing prayer at the Republican National Convention.  He should be right at home there. After all this new batch of Republicans has lead it's own war on woman at the same time the Vatican is waging war with Women Religious.
The Vatican didn't like women speaking on women's issues saying  they often hosted speakers who "disagree with or challenge the bishops, who are the church's authentic teachers of faith and morals."
Ah, the authentic teachers of the faith. You know, men.
Similarly the men of the Republican Party have decided they are the authentic teachers of women's biology. When discussing the choice of abortion for women who have been raped Rep. Todd Akin  said:
“It seems to be, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, it’s really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut the whole thing down.
Granted making the latter part of that statement in Freshman biology class would get you an F for a grade, but in congress it gets you a seat on the House Committee for Science, Space and Technology. 
But what does he mean by "legitimate" rape? Or the language Akin used with Republican Vice President candidate Paul Ryan when they co-sponsored a bill that would have narrowed the already-narrow exceptions to the laws banning federal funding for abortion—from all cases of rape to cases of "forcible rape."
Isn't rape rape? What on earth could they be driving at? Or driving away from? 
The only adjective I hear commonly used before the word rape is statutory. Are they suggesting that isn't legitimate or forcible? 
That's what Rick Santorum, who will also be speaking at the RNC, suggested when he defended sexually abusive priests by saying:
"In this case, what we're talking about, basically, is priests who were having sexual relations with post-pubescent men. We're not talking about priests with 3-year-olds, or 5-year-olds. We're talking about a basic homosexual relationship. Which, again, according to the world view sense is a perfectly fine relationship as long as it's consensual between people."
Which brings me back to Cardinal Dolan.
While he was the Archbishop of Milwaukee he approved of payments of up to 20 grand to sexually abusive priests to make them go away,  leave the church and abuse kids somewhere else without the collar. That's the way to look out for the welfare of children in the world. In a perverse sort of way. Literally.
By reading this it might be best to suggest that you keep women and children away from the RNC. These people are crazy with their views of rape and abuse.
But not to be out done, apparently Democrats don't want to lose the coveted pervert vote either, so in the most unoriginal act conceivable and not forced but certainly legitimate, the Democratic National Convention will also have Cardinal Dolan say a prayer.
What?
He must give good prayer. I hope that's all.
Because when a person who participated so heavily in the cover up of sexual abuse of children is given such a huge national platform by both parties in the heat of a presidential campaign, I see no justice in the future for children.
Because no matter which party wins, the Cardinal has covered the bases. From local DA's to Federal Prosecutors to the Justice Department to much needed Congressional Hearings, I see no political will to hold accountable the men who are responsible for thousands of children being abused.
All I see is those is the old boys club looking out for their own, tossing women and children overboard as their Titanic sinks. And if this is how both parties lead, I pray it does.

4 comments:

stanchaz said...

Obama called the bluff of the Republicans (The Party of Wealth)
who had "claimed" that the Democratic Convention was scheduling a two hour Muslim service (!) while deliberately (and no-doubt demonically) excluding the good  cardinal.
And then Obama balanced Dolan with an opposing Catholic voice from Sister Simone Campbell. Good move.
Cardinal Dolan is a Prince of the Church who wants to be King-maker: 
For as the Cardinal addresses and blesses the Republicans and their billionaire buddies,
as he smiles upon those who would destroy Social Security & voucher Medicare to death,
and as he struts on the stage with those who readily admit they “don’t care about the very poor”......it would be good for the dear Cardinal to remember -and take to heart- 
the words of his boss,who once said “Whatsoever you do for the least of these - you do for me”.
Unless perhaps, ...just perhaps, the Cardinal is working for someone else these days?
Just asking.
Our Founding Fathers wisely realized that politics, secular power, and religion do not mix.
That they bring out the worst in each other, that ultimately they would destroy each other, and us. A pastor.....should stick to his pulpit. Period.

arthur dubois said...

I am truly disheartened that Dolan is showing up at the DNC also.

Santorum's comments are bizarre in so many ways, it is easy to miss that he is suggesting that it is ok for priests to have a "consensual" homosexual relationship, despite their vow of celibacy. This from the anti-gay party. That the simple hypocrisy of this demented view does not occur to someone of Santorum's supposed intelligence is criminal justification for horrific acts.

Kathy Dwyer said...

Good writing Skip. To see both these parties having dolan speak and "pray" at their conventions is to reflect the reality of why it is so hard to get meaningful change in our country and world. In some ways we should all be proud for what we have accomplished so far and use it as fuel to keep on keeping on. kathy dwyer

No_Bishopers said...

Skip, it was a real pleasure meeting you yesterday. There is a new petition online to get rid of Abdelahad.

Would you publish the link to your supporters and followers?

Thanks! Best wishes,
Karen Croci

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/522/208/357/