Yours truly at Saint Louis Catholic made a foray into radio apologetics today as Press Box show on KFNS AM 590 discussed the comments of SLU basketball coach Rick Majerus regarding support of abortion rights, and the statement of Archbishop Burke that representatives of a Catholic University may not publicly support abortion.
This story is a completely media-created affair, as KMOV Channel 4 filed a report about statements Majerus made at a Hillary Clinton campaign rally. Majerus makes several idiotic statements of the usual variety concerning a "woman's right to choose" the death of her baby. If he is as good a coach as he is a logician, the SLU team has problems.
The video and report are at the link above, with some excerpts from the web story as follows:
Among the thousands in the crowd at presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's rally Saturday night was SLU head basketball coach Rick Majerus.
Majerus stated that he is a supporter for the democrats and that he actually campaigned in three states for Kerry last year.
Majerus stated that he is a supporter for the democrats and that he actually campaigned in three states for Kerry last year.
2004 democratic presidential candidate John Kerry of course came into direct conflict with St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke who said he'd deny communion to the catholic Kerry because he's pro-choice on abortion.
And Sheryl Crow's pro-choice and pro embryonic stem cell positions led Burke to try to have her banned from last year's Bob Costas fundraiser supporting Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital.
Burke tells News 4, "I think that's something that has to be dealt with at the university, but certainly these positions have to be clarified."
Burke said he expected to talk with SLU President Father Lawrence Biondi.
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The lack of judgement by Majerus, in being egged on to give comments supporting a candidate in favor of abortion on demand and human cloning, and in deciding to attend, as a public figure employed by a university run by the Jesuit order (at least nominally Catholic), a Clinton campaign rally, is entirely consonant with the wisdom of supporting abortion at all.
Then, of course, Channel 4 has to secure a response by His Grace, and the media circus begins.
I was listening to the Press Box show today, and heard the usual inanities about the Archbishop and the Catholic faith. At least one of the hosts is Catholic, so I called and referred him to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
2271 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.
2272 Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. "A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae," "by the very commission of the offense," and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society.
2322 From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice (GS 27 § 3), gravely contrary to the moral law. The Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.
2274 Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being.
The call seemed to be well received, but why the position of the Church or the Archbishop should surprise, shock or offend anyone is beyond me. But hey, any opportunity for the media to vilify the Archbishop will be seized by them with both hands.
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6 comments:
I read the comments posted on the channel 4 piece. Why is it people have such a difficult time with Abp. Burke? He teaches the faith clearly. I'm truly SADDENED by the number of people who consider themselves informed and sophisticated & don't even realize they DO NOT KNOW the Catholic faith they claim to profess.
So Rick Majerus publicly stated he supports a woman's right to choose. Yes, he made an inappropriate public comment considering his position as a representative of the school. From now on he will know to keep his mouth shut when it comes to making public comments about personal held views. This is not news worthy. I can think of hundreds of inappropriate comments student athletes have made or been arrested for and they too are representatives of college institutions.
A Roman Catholic in Iowa
I agree that this story was manufactured. This is pure sensationalism on the part of the media. The larger issue of the loss of Catholic identity at Catholic universities is a legitimate issue for a Catholic blog to cover. And on the news story, once the media puts it out into the public, then posting on the story to give the point of view of the faith is appropriate.
Personally, I am tired of the unending effort on the part of many to do anything to bring scorn to our Archbishop.
No need to try - he brings the scorn himself.
Jesus, too, was scorned, despised and rejected. If the internet had existed back in the days of His ministry on earth, I'm sure the message boards would have been full of people who said he brought it on Himself.
God bless you.
Allow me to give you a little non-Catholic perspective. If you profess to be Catholic, then it seems to me that you take the Catholic church as it is, which is Pro-Life. You also take the governing structure of your church as it is. Therefore, Archbishop Burke has certain authority. It seems to me like he was and is simply exercising that authority here. If Majerus doesn't like the governing structure of the Catholic church, then he shouldn't be Catholic. There are a whole bunch of us out here who aren't.
Majerus has the right to support any candidate that he chooses for any reason that he chooses. But, he gets the chance to publicly voice that opinion (and to try and sway others to support Hillary) because he is a public figure. He's a public figure in St. Louis because of his position at a Catholic university. Therefore, his public statements, it seems to me, should not directly oppose the stated positions or interests of his employer.
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