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Subscribe to RSSThe Anti-Defamation League wants an apology from Peoria's bishop following a recent homily comparing President Barack Obama's policies to those of despots Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin.
During the message at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria, Roman Catholic Bishop Daniel Jenky contended social services for Catholics could be eliminated if Obama's directive to include contraceptives in health insurance continues. Jenky went on to compare the actions to past cultural wars against the Catholic Church.
“Remember that in past history other governments have tried to force Christians to huddle and hide only within the confines of their churches like the first disciples locked up in the Upper Room,” Jenky said.
Read the original story, hear audio at NBChicago.com
In comparison, he pointed to Otto von Bismarck's "culture war against the Roman Catholic Church, closing down every Catholic school and hospital, convent and monastery in Imperial Germany."
“Clemenceau, nicknamed ‘the priest eater,’ tried the same thing in France in the first decade of the 20th Century," Jenky said. "Hitler and Stalin, at their better moments, would just barely tolerate some churches remaining open, but would not tolerate any competition with the state in education, social services and health care."
"In clear violation of our First Amendment rights, Barack Obama, with his radical, pro-abortion and extreme secularist agenda, now seems intent on following a similar path,” he said.
Chicago’s Anti-Defamation League calls the comments "outrageous." League Regional Director Lonnie Nasatir told the Chicago Tribune Jenky "needs a history lesson."
Nasatir said the bishop's homily trivialized the deaths of six million Jews and others during the Holocaust. He said there are few if any historic parallels to "the religious intolerance and anti-Semitism fostered in society by Stalin, and especially Hitler."
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I am raised Roman Catholic, but the Bishop is a Bombasttic Blowhard and he should stay the hell out of politics! In fact, I hope IRS does their job and seeks to revoke that bishops' diocese tax exemption for crossing the line.
sure...you're a true roman catholic...like obozo is a true "christian." Go back to your job with moveon.org.
A true "Christian" wouldn't ever call someone Obozo (unless that was actually their name) either, Slide.
Go read the gospels again and then forget everything else about religion anyone has ever told you.
The IRS rules do not forbid churches from making political stances as that is the foundation of faith: we are what we believe and we vote that faith! What do you vote???? What you don't believe?? The rule to which you refer never passed and is as much a myth as "separation of church and state." By the way, where do I find that in the Constitution????
I stand slightly corrected in that any advocacy politically by a church in terms of passing out flyers for only one candidate, repeatedly urging churchgoers to vote for only one particular party or politician DOES cross the line and will result in losing the tax exempt status afforde to most churches.
Why must it be one way or another when it comes to contraception?? Why cannot the government offer it but Catholics choose in their own consciences to not use it???? The same with Abortion...no one is making Catholics have any part in it. Government funds to Planned Parenthood exclude abortion so their tax money is not contributing. These statements make me almost ashamed to be a Catholic! The Catholic church is trying to make the government enforce their rules on everyone...can't the church and the individuals do that themselves? Are they afraid Catholics won't follow their own rules? Isn't that what faith is about? What a person does is between them and God...leave the government and the bishops out of it! Shame on him for making these statements!!
Where you been catvand????? ObamaCare forces Catholic and other religious organizations, including hospitals, universities, orphanages,etc., to provide contraception to their employees. That's the rub.
Abortion is paid for by taxes paid by US citizens through several government sponsored organizations...PP being one of them. Christians believe what the Bible says about life and that God "foreknew" each person, knitting them together in their mother's womb. Taking another's life, regardless of age, is murder.
Only those who have already been born are in favor of abortion.
HE IS COMPLETELY WRONG ! ! !
The biggest difference is that Hitler & Stalin were SMART ! ! ! !
Obama has usedHolder and Hilary to attack the 2nd Amendment. He has blown 1.4 trillion a year over the revenue (Federal taxes) . Con his idiots into thinking the Rich can just be taxed and take care of it.
His proposed tax on rich would not even cover a month of Obamanations spending spree.
The comparison should have been to the people who "allowed" Hitler to do what he did - the German people and to the American people who sit idly by while we cliff-dive into financial & ethical oblivion all in the name of "our party!"
Americans have forfeited their right to make decisions based on right or wrong in favor of classic "Utopian" thought. As long as we get what we want, forget everyone else and the consequences of that action. Of course, few readers will understand what I am talking about since it hasn't been taught in public schools since the late 1960's with the influx of "progressive" education.
So, keep arguing over your petty crap while you rapidly transition from superpower to super impoverished...all in the name of "your rights!" Land of the free and home of the brave....past tense!
A member of the Mormon Church OR a Black Racist that we have
now as President
I call for a vote of No Confidents in ETHER ONE.
I say bring on the multiple girls ;)
No way! I pick the Mormon in a heartbeat! Me and the other 87 million Americans unemployed or under employed!
Please enlighten us on your evidence that President Obama is racist in any way. Is it because Glenn Beck said so? Certainly there could be no more reliable source.
How can so many people be brainwashed? Is there anyone who can remember the reason for the bailout in GWB time 2008?
Can anyone recall why America's bond rate droped from AAA to AA. answer: republicans held up the the vote past the due date.
Does anyone recall The letter sent to President Obama, signed by the Republicans including John McCain stating their no vote for any bill proposed by Obama or the democrats?
Do you The American voter really think it is alright for the person you elected to receive foreign money for their campaign?
Do you really think that a group that calls its self a religious church has a right to scream and yell at a military funeral ,that that military person being buried is going to hell?
It is time to stop abuse of power!
Psychology of the Republicans: Tell them what they want to hear, never mind that it is a lie! Perhaps that is psychology of the church and some democrats
From church's to politics, it is time for the American voter to seek and know the truth. Do not allow any politician or religion to spoon feed you a huge bag of manure! Use your computer and your bible to look up facts. The next time anyone tells you America is the best, tell them it could be if we could get rid of raceism, politicians that sell their vote, religious places that teach understanding of your fellow man.
Another disolusioned Republican ... The Republican Tea Party from the very start of Obama's Presidency did every thing they could at everyone elses expence to make sure Obama would not serve a second term ... You ultimately became the victums of your own Republican Tea Party of Malcontents along with possibly half the 87 million you suggest above, including; (other; Dem's,Ind's,and many minority peoples as well) ... Take your blinders off and look at the real world ... I'm not going on and on here, but take that first step toward the truth and you'll be free as rightly anyone in our country should be ...
Biggest differents is Hitler and Stalin was smart enough not to piss on the military.
...unlike Li'l Barry does.
I'll ignore the fact that you can't spell or write a proper sentence. Exactly how has Obama done anything to hurt the military?
I can't believe all of the hatred and lies being perpetuated by people in our divided country. It makes me embarrassed to be an American. Why can't we all just get along!
Because for 7 years the Progressive Movement has spent several billion dollars trying to turn American against American to gain control because of the chaos they created.
This isn't a soap opera, cut the melodrama out. You say the Progressive Movement is spending billions of dollars? Let's see the records! And last I checked, if you want control, you don't divide the people you're trying to unite under your "rule".
There is nothing that irks me more than bad rhetoric.
The "Progressive" movement is much older than 7 years...just look at who Sal Alinsky (admired and used as teaching material by Obama and Hillary Clinton) dedicated his book to!
Foolish Americans...who has bewitched you?!?!
The complaint originated in Chicago. That's interesting. The Bishop's remarks were not off the cuff rhetoric but based in fact. Lonnie Nasatir seems to be the one needing a history lesson. I don't find anything in the Bishop's remarks that trivializes the Holocaust and the Jews, Gypsies, mentally ill and many others selected for the Final Solution.
It is time to take away any and all tax exemption form the catholic Church ! this church is the CHURCH OF PEDOPHILES AND SEX ABUSERS !! I SAY NO MORE TAX FREE RIDE !! I guess all you catholic are really proud of that hey !
You are a pedophile. Obama is SATAN!!!!
do they eat dog meat too??!!
Talk about a pedophile Joseph Smith was one the
fonder of the Mormon Church
Talk about a pedophile Joseph Smith was one the
fonder of the Mormon Church
Mitt Romney a
member of the Mormon Church and thinks Joseph Smith is GOD or
Barack
Hussein Obama a Black Racist that we have now as President
I call for a vote of No Confidents in ether One.
One only has to look at obamas socialist policies to see where hes bringing this country,,Ill be happy to see him go out the white house door in november,,,,,,,,,,
Apparently this Bishop has become a spokesperson for Rush Limbaugh and the Republican far right. President Obama's policies and budget proposals are far more in line with Catholic Social Teachings and concern for the poor than the Republican Party and especially its far right(moderate Republicans seem to have "left the building"). Shame on you, Catholic Bishops. Your laity should call you back to the Gospel and to care and compassion for the poor instead of blindness to everything but contraception.
The Bishop is right you know. I'm glad to see some people are waking up and seeing OBama for what he is " The Anti Christ".
Didn't see all these Anti-Christ comments made when George (6) Walker (6) Bush II (6) was in office taking us to a make beleive war, saying God told himto do it ... Isn't THAT the sign of the Anti-Christ 666 claiming to work for God?
To Dee: Sadly, Georgie #2's incompetence is a big reason Obama got in in the first place...people went the opposite to want to believe in "Hope and Change"...but never bargained for TYPE of change...TOTAL DESTRUCTIVE DISASTER... with MORE on the way!!!!!!!!!
He has demonstratred his gross dislike for America in SO many ways. We worked mostly well as America before HIM! Certainly THIS is not an example of "America working."
At the very least Bush loved our country.
WAKE UP, AMERICA!!!! Rally together against this monster! NO PRESIDENT HAS EVER GOTTEN RE-ELECTED ON HIS sorry RECORD... for GOOD reason!! We can't let this set a precedent from History. Much of history has proven true.
I'm tired of being told what's moral and what's immoral from members of one of the most corrupt organizations in our history. The Catholic church and it's representatives have murdered, stolen and most recently raped our children and when they find out one of their own is raping our children, what do they do? They sent them to another Parrish to rape more of our children. As far as I'm concerned I have no interest in anything they say unless it is to plead for forgiveness for all the harm they've done in their history. By the way, is that the head gear of a grand Wizard on his head.
The guy is right Obama is a twisted sick bastard! He also looks like Curious George does he not. What an Idiot this president is.
Sooooooooo tired of priests getting political in the pulpit ... And I am a Caotholic! (You'd think he would know better than to throw stones ...) The Church is NOT the authority on this issue of compassion and fairness ... The President's Health Care program will allow ALL to have a choice to control their reproduction systems....God can judge later whether that is right or wrong ... these men, priests, who have no personal experience with or understanding of the female body, menstruation, or reproduction are the last people who should be throwing stones at the President. SOME people take birth Control pills to eliminate severe pain and cramping .... They are making fools of themselves chiming in on this issue. (They yell about abortion too but I know God gave my BFF a baby later in life after she had one, so apparently HE forgives.) Another embarassing moment in the Church History.
If your cramping, take a midol. We shouldn't have to pay for your plumbing problems. Dumb As*.
Misogynist, much? Mild to moderate cramps are normal, severe cramps aren't. Irregular periods can be distressing, especially for those ladies with heavy flow. Surprise! Oh, and then there is PCOS, which is also treated by birth control.
Maybe we should stop funding flu shots too, so we don't have to pay for your child's crappy immune system.
alright, I got It! Barak osama, I mean osama barak, I mean bin ladden osama!!! Da!@*&^%(&**^%
You need to know real before you talk about anyone else getting real. Truth is the only victim when righties like you diss Obama. Obama is the best president this country has had since Carter. That is why attacks on him like yours and most of the others on this site are baseless, truthless and mindless. Rant on, you have the freedom to rant - which you wouldn't, if what you said about him were true. He follows the Constitution while the Supreme court uses it as protection to legislate from the bench. But no doubt that is ok with you since they are pursuing agendas you agree with. You guys are sour grapes to the max.
Obama is the DEVIL!!!
Dear george go @!$%# youself and all the rest of you mother @!$%#ybf republicans and tea-party morons !!
@schoolldog- HAHAHA I laugh at you.
George i look you up on newvine and yes you are a moron !!! says so right there !
You are right "bluecollar" Obama is the best president since Carter...IF you like dying on the vine like an October tomato. I remeber those Carter years and the despair that filled this country...gas lines, no jobs....and so now we have his love-child in office...not much has changed...except we didn't learn our lesson the 11st time!
OMFG........... is this for real!!!!!!!!!!!............what a stupid moron,.......
i feel what is more important here is who gave this paticular biship the green light to air such an unfortunate, troubling rant ... was he perhaps concerned no one cared about his flock out there in rural Peoria? did Jenkins think he could play politics beyond the churches doctrins and get away with it ? ... i don't think it's enough for just jenkins to apologize; i think the pope should also have a few words to say followed imediatly with a regrettable apology ... (no caps because no respect) ...
Why the Uproar? The Bishop is just making a comparison and it seems to be an apt comparison at that. The Bishop is correct and back in 1932-36 the Nazis tried to shout down the opposition then too and tried to quiet the church. How eerily similar this is. Scary. And so, we are doomed to repeat history since the Anti-Defamation league and a bunch of uneducated yahoos say so. Say what? Speak up now or your rights will be taken away and the camps will come. They didn't believe it in the 30's and so it goes again. This is why dictators keep popping up. What does it take to get through to these people? They deserve the Nation Obama is leaving them.
I think that Bishop Daniel "Jerky" is the only Nazi around the block.
The problem is, Hitler was Catholic, Used the Christian gods name numerous times to explain his belief in Aryan supremacy, and a good majority of the German people in Nazi party/army were Catholics. Not to mention the fact that no one is being killed, ostracized, nor are they being wrangled together for branding.
The Catholic Church: The source of most of the western evils since the dawn of Christianity. Keep it up Bishop, you and your sect is just helping the rest of the world wake up from the religious slumber we've been under for generations.
Can you say Taliban? That is what the Catholic Church has turned into. A bunch of over zealous old men raping boys but then want to force their belief on others. All of you catholic parents out there you had better be careful when sending your little boys to church by themselves. If they go to confession, better be careful as to the penance the priest will give them.
Come here my son and let me touch you to relieve your sins. The catholic church has gotten just like the republican party, do as I say, don't think just do. We know what is good for you. And oh by the way don't pay any attention to the crazy stuff we do. That is none of your business.
This is why I no longer go to church. I believe in God and Jesus Christ. But I don't believe in the farce that most leaders of the churches, Catholic, Baptist whatever put on.
JESUS HATED organised religion!! and so do I!!
No, He did not hate organized religion - He despised those who were "religious" without relationship with God - going through the rituals without any real knowledge of the heart of God. The Jews were to "use" religion to lead the unsaved to God through mercy, not sacrifice.
Since God set up the Jewish "religion" I seriously doubt He hated it! The ritual were intended to bring us closer to God, to understand that ritual could not save us, that we needed a Savior, the Messiah. Hence, today we have Christianity, which is again supposed to lead the unsaved into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Say good bye to freedom of speech? Welcome to the new order of the United States of America. Good bye to the Bill of Rights and the free country our fore fathers and families faught for.