Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch conducted a more in-depth interview of Rick Majerus concerning his comments this week about his support of the legality of killing little babies in the womb, particularly if by killing enough of them scientists can cure some disease.In an especially proud moment for the Jesuits, Majerus points to his Jesuit education at Marquette University as a key factor in the formation of his political opinions.
And, in a huge surprise, Majerus said that as of the time of the interview he had not heard from SLU President Fr. Biondi.
Furthermore, Majerus says the U.S. Constitution trumps the moral law, Divine law and the teaching of the Catholic Church. Very enlightening.
Finally, it appears that Majerus read the latest interview with the excommunicated Fr. Bozek, who equates respect for the Archbishop, and dialogue, with the notion that they wouldn't change their views as a result of a meeting with him they otherwise "welcome".
From the full story at STLToday:
[...]"I'm very respectful to the archbishop," Majerus said. "But I rely on my value judgments, thanks to my education at Marquette, which is a Jesuit institution, just like St. Louis. And that Jesuit education led me to believe that I can make a value judgment. And my value judgment happens to differ from the archbishop's.
"I do not speak for the university or the Catholic Church. These are my personal views. And I'm not letting him change my mind. I think religion should be inclusive. I would hope that all people would feel welcome inside a church, and that the church would serve to bring people together, even if they happen to disagree on certain things."
Majerus, in his first season at SLU, has never shied away from political activism. A lifelong Democrat, Majerus said he marched with his late father, a union leader in Milwaukee, at civil rights rallies during the 1960s. Majerus campaigned outside factory gates with Jimmy Carter in 1976. He campaigned for John Kerry in 2004. He's participated in death penalty protests outside prisons.
"These beliefs are ingrained in me," Majerus said. "And my First Amendment right to free speech supersedes anything that the archbishop would order me to do. My dad fought on Okinawa in World War II. My uncle died in World War II. I had classmates die in Vietnam. And it was to preserve our way of life, so people like me could have an opinion." [...]
Majerus said he would welcome a visit, or a conversation, with Burke.
"But in the end, it wouldn't make a difference," he said. "Because the archbishop would still believe in what he believes, and I would still stick with my beliefs."[...]
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UPDATE: This interview goes on at another story on the STLToday site. This second story is truly execrable. Miklasz goes on and on about what a great guy Majerus is, and how Archbishop Burke is a zero-tolerance tyrant. Majerus gushes about inclusiveness in religion, much as other dissenters from Catholic teaching in this town have lately done. Puke. You see, Majerus has prayed in Buddhist temples, mosques and other places! He's tolerant! In his own words:
“I don’t think anyone has the market cornered on religion,” Majerus told me Wednesday night. “It’s a deeply personal thing. And I never want to impose my views on someone else. I will share my views, certainly. But not impose them, as if I have all the answers, and that I am always right. So I want to discover all that I can. Maybe there is something I don’t know.”
This whole story is a microcosm of what is wrong with the media, the educational system in general, and the state of the Catholic faith at nominally Catholic colleges.
In my humble opinion, the worst thing Majerus has done, worse than any support for abortion, is to have supported Jimmy Carter for President. Yikes!
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9 comments:
What an excellent parody of the state of affairs in our church. It is parody, please tell me it is.
And if it is not, what low class to diss the fundamental beliefs of an institution while you are willing to take a paycheck from them.
Okay, gamblers let me put all my cards on the table. I think (and hope) that His Grace Raymond Burke is going to excommunicate Sr. Lears, one because it is right and two because the lady just raised the ante when she took everyone to pray with the Rabbi in the rain.
Pursuing this logic would have me conclude: the Archbishop will have to excommunicate Majerus. Why? He is putting TOO MUCH of his apostasy before the public. In a word he's creating a "scandal".
I think Majerus is just getting in deeper and deeper. He's going to force the Archbishop's hand.
ANd I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out to be just one more step in the secularization of SLU.
Great. Just Great.
Gotta love that "In the Jesuit tradition" hoey.
Of course, now instead of beaing a high-priced bust as a basketball coach, Majerus will be yet another apostate media darling.
All he needs to do now is start hanging out at St. Cronin's, and join the board at St. Stanislaus.
"...he marched with his late father, a union leader in Milwaukee, at civil rights rallies during the 1960s."
How dare he impose his belief that Blacks are human beings who deserve to be treated as human beings!!!! Doesn't he know that it's disrespectful and not inclusive to the racists out there???
I really love what Majerus had to say about letting his consensus and values guide his decision making and standing up for what he believes is right. His beliefs that the church should be a welcoming place that bring people together for worship seems to have alluded certain leaders. He appears to be solid in what he believes and willing to take a stand. I guess these attributes can be commended on whatever side of an issue that a person takes. If we lived in a totalitarian society this certainly would not be possible without the consequence of death or exile being imposed.
Francis, by your logic the Church should be a welcoming place for those who believe that Jesus is not God, or that He did not rise from the dead. For those who worship the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and for those who believe it is only a symbolic community meal. In short, it should become the Rotary Club.
Come on.
If you will not present all of my comments an rebuttals to your attack I will not return to your website again and will dialogue elsewhere. This is precisely the type of behavior that has made the Archbishop divisive and disliked by his own sheep.
Francis,
1. I have (to date) allowed you to post all the comments you have presented.
2. I notice that you, like so many who espouse the peace and love message, interpret disagreement as "attack".
3. You are free to "dialogue" wherever you choose. Dialogue implies listening, too, you know.
4. I know many Catholics, and nearly every one of them love the Archbishop. Perhaps we move in different circles.
I wish more Catholics would crack a Bible now and again. Paul wrote many letters, as did the Fathers of the Church, to those who were in error. What Archbishop Burke is doing is nothing new and it should be expected. Whiny Catholics who think "dialogue" is the supreme value are deeply misled. The issue of abortion is a no-brainer. If the pro-death folks want to die on that hill, then so be it. I will not lose my soul for the sake "choice".
Of this I am completely convinced: You cannot be pro-abortion/choice/death and be a Christian.
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