E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
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."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
Leave a Comment:
ADL is the "professional" Holocaust loudspeaker....not another Obama lobby group...
If this bunch of sanctimonious pietists doesnt become a little less impulsive, they will have missed the "writing on the wall" that the bishop was talking about.....they are also not invulnerable.
So, a Catholic Prelate compares Obama to Hitler? Hmmm.
Perhaps before he opened his ill-informed nasty mouth, he should have considered what goes around comes around. How about a current Pope in the Vatican that was a member of the Hitler Youth? How about that same Pope that, as Cardinal, was head of the Convocation of the Faith (sp?) that covered up the rape, beatings, and deaths of many Irish orphans while in the care of the Irish Catholic Church? How about that same Pope who declined an opportunity to testify in Irish court about the cover-up that he was officially responsible for as a Cardinal?
This is just a fat guy in a big ridiclous hat who thinks he has some inside link to God. Who cares what he thinks?
Does Obama even go to church, or has be built a Temple in the White House? This would be considered mixing Church and State. It seems like Obama can do whatever he wants, lie, scheme, and steal, oh ! and repeatedly appear on late night shows, reality shows, and celebrity magazines, while screwing up this country and the people AND then the very people he is screwing idolize him. Hence the Priest's comparison.
I am not a catholic. But I understand what the priest was saying and agree with him. sure are alot of atheists on this website. obama is trying his best to control every aspect of our lives. open your eyes atheist's. he will come for you and your precious civil rights next.
Hitler and Stalin did more than kill millions of Jews, gypsies, and others. To narrow every issue and discussion about Hitler to the Holocaust is to disregard all the other history surrounding that period of time and those men. Comparing anyone to Hitler must be taken in context of the comments made, not simply in context of what Hitler is most known for, that being the Holocaust.
The Bishop did not compare Obama to Hitler for his policies concerning the 'final solution' and the extermination of undesirables (by execution or sterilization), also known as eugenics (and promoted by many notable American liberals, including Franklin Roosevelt). He compared Obama to Hitler for other social policies that Hitler promoted in Germany.
It is very important to separate your visceral response to individuals, like Hitler, from your examination of facts when evaluating a comparison between an historical figure and a modern one.
A Catholic bishop casting the "first stone".
The bishop should know all about Hitler since his church turned a blind eye to the real Hitler in the 30's and 40's. Hitler murdered WITH the church's blessings! Kind of the pot calling the kettle black, eh? Very christ-like (lol) as with most right wing so-called christians. They do everything jesus said not to do....
Nonsense. The Catholic Church saved more Jews and other groups persecuted by the Nazis than anyone else. Your hate and ignorance are homeric. Calm your hysteria.
What you dislike about Catholicism is what you THINK you know. Learn before spewing.
The bishop is an American citizen and can say what he wants to say. Most of all, he is correct in his comments.
Actually, you are being overly nice. Hitler would never have been elected Chancelor of Germany in the first place without the wholehearted support of the Vatican and the German Catholic Church. Hitler was praised as 'a loyal son of the church.' That brought about not only the concentration camps, but also, probably World War II.
The whole bit about saving countless Jews, et al, was largely concocted AFTER WW II. The Vatican had a few fences to mend. It was all a lie, of course.
the catholic church is truly evil
Naw, just human. Just don't expect much from organized religion.
It's called cult of personality. Stalin had it, Hitler had it, Pol Pot had it, Ho Chi Minh had it, and Prez-0 has it.
...he fits right in with that group.
and, Pope John had it, big time.
Obamas Policies toward Religious Beliefs, being called similar to policies Hitler and Stalin had toward Religious Beliefs, and the Lunatic Fringe missed the point.
People need to learn how to read beyond the headlines.
The bishop is right on target.
Holy douchebag, Batman!
I think the Catholic church should spend more time on church activities and less time trying to gain political power. This is an organization that systematically ignored abuse by its highest officials yet tries to compare Obama to Hitler. And they wonder why church attendance is dropping?
Morality and how its organization is run ARE church activities. The abuse you allude to has been acknowledged and is being dealt with. When was the last time you listened to the news? 2001?
The bishop is exactly right. and he has the right to speak his informed opinion.
I am constantly amazed how stupid the American Public on the most basic understanding of the US Constitution. Nowhere in the Constitution is stated the "separation of church and state". What The First Amendment states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." What this means is the government cannot establish a state religion such as the Church of England. For those who are against the preaching politics from the Pulpit, they don't have a basic understanding churches had in abolishing slavery, protecting the rights of the working class, woman's suffrage, civil rights plus a host of other changes which has shaped this country.
Well said.
Would that be...simply because they hadn't any hand in abolishing anything, independent Pastors acted, with no sanction from their Church hierarchy; which did, as usual, not stop the Churches from claiming credit...and does not stop them rebuking those Pastors if they 'aid' the losing side.
Is that a true definition of what a 'Sidewinder' is....Religious Hierarchy.
My grandpa fought in WWII and spoke extensively about what the nazis did. He was even with one of the groups that found a concentration camp and described that experience. Only other vile mass murderers can be compared to Stalin and Hitler as that was what they were. This Priest's comparison of the President to these reviled characters shows he has a deep and sick-minded hatred of Obama. Given that this is a priest who expresses these sorts of feelings, I would question why he remains a priest. Let him go hang out with Hank Williams Jr. and spew his bile. If I had any of that man's music I would throw it out after he made that similar statement, but the last singer of any quality in his family was his father.
All this name calling?
Hatred?????
Why doesn't anyone debate what the Priest was actually arguing about????
There is still free speach in this Country???? Right??????
That's what all of you here tonight are exercising,,,,,,,,,, Right??????
The latest agrument is over Health care requirements put forth by the WHITE HOUSE for all religious institutions be required to offer something that goes completely against what the believe in.
All of you here always talk about the seperation of Church and State, and yet when the subject goes against what you think it should be. Ignore it. Yet, Here is the perfect example of where there is a REAL reason for the seperation of church and state.
And on those grounds, Obama loses. HE HAS CROSSED THE LINE BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE.
Can't have it BOTH WAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!
See???? Done without any name calling.
Kids call other people "names".
Adults should be able to actually talk about something without being overbearing and actually have an honest conservation.
Well, Most of the time,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
And you know? The Priest did make a few valid "points", now let's see if anyone can actually "talk" about what he said, without throwing everything that has happened in the last 2,000 years as being "his" fault.
Just a "side" note, If you are going to talk about religion?
Explain to me "HOW", Anyone can tell someone else that the Muslim faith is a "peacefull" one, when the Koran specifically states it is preferrable to kill ALL infidals?????? (That's everyone that doesn't believe in Mohammad's religion, - EVERYONE)
The problem isn't religion, it's that we are all human.
It (Religion), is often used as an excuse to go to war.
Sadly, that is not what God wants.
No religion has done what it should have.
Everyone "knows" what the teachings of Christ was, and no one can dispute what he asked.
But it is those that have followed that "at times", have erred.
But this Priest does have a "right" to say what he wants, just like anyone else on this forum does.
This is a "free Country" right????????
Peace to all.
The constitution reads that the government cannot interfer with the churches, but the reverse is NOT true. LBJ's proclamation could be fought in court, however, the churches have decided that they could fight it, they decided that they would rather their preachers not engage in politicing as that does not really save peoples souls. They do have the right to speak out about any injustices that they see wether they be in society or in government. The only apology that the preacher needs to make is that he didn't speak up PRIOR to the 2008 elections. obama said things at that time that should have sent up a lot of flags, but too many people felt that to say anything against obama would be racism, even though it is not. People have the right to disagree with anyone. There is just no reason to disagree for racial reasons, that is pointless. To disagree for political reasons is quite reasonable and should provide for intelligent discussion assuming that both parties enter with an open mind. For example, there are some things in obamacare that are quite reasonable, there are other things that are un-reasonable. IF they had actually worked on the bill in a non-partisian way, everything could have been worked out, however, it was a take this bill as written with little discussion acepted. That is not the way it should work.
The man should not do it as spokesman for the Church. On his own time as a citizen he can be as ugly, vicious and wrong as he wants to be. That is exactly what a person who would liken the President to the horrific and insane actions of Hitler and Stalin is, ugly, vicious and wrong. They need to get over that Obama won the election and need to understand the those of us who are moderates (the majority) are beginning to despise people who would be so ugly to call our President Hitler. Why anyone would agree to comparing Obama to a mass murderer who used genocide to his end goal is disgusting.
This guy is such a joke!!! I am constantly amazed by the lack of intelligence and crazy rhetoric of hate from the far right. What a confused bunch of individuals. Well, there are idiots everywhere you go, and church is certainly no exception.
The Catholic church is a joke. Actually, all of Christianity is a joke........
Godwin's Law.
amen, brother.
The bishop later admitted the real reason he hates The President is because he has two daughters. The bishop said if he had two sons he would think very highly of The President, especially if he got a chance to see the boys in their bathing suits!
These are the kind of nut cases that had me leave the church along time ago. Why do they want to take the rights from people other than their own people? I'm still a big believe in the seperation of church and state. If they have to have a political opinion, maybe it's time to take away their tax excempt status. That would help to make up for the deficet.
And a few quotes from Thomas Jefferson regarding religion in general and Christianity in particular:
Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity.-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782
But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.-Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782
Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear.-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787
I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshipped by many who think themselves Christians.-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Richard Price, Jan. 8, 1789
History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes.-Thomas Jefferson to Alexander von Humboldt, Dec. 6, 1813
Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law.-Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper, February 10, 1814
#1.51 Some of you have responded that the bishop does not respect Mr. Obama. While I hear that he abhors the politics of the man. at no time did that bishop use language that would be disrepectful. Calling any man a socialist with nationalistic tendencies, which is unAmerican, by the way; only calls the man what he is. If he calls to mind, Hitler, who posed that question and answer to his German constituancy and if that Hitler was a sociopath, which he was, then where is the disrespect? It truly is a cause of ... if the shoe fits. As an American human being the bishop has the right to speak his mind. Many other Americans feel likewise. Mr. Obama is scary and those of you who think America should be nationalized scare me too. That is unAmerican, plain and simple.