Tube City Almanac

May 07, 2008

Radical Cleric in Our Midst

Category: Politics || By

I don't want to discuss the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his relationship to Barack Obama, which has been beaten to death by talk radio and cable TV news.

But according to stories coming out of Indiana, about half of the people who voted against Obama in the Democratic primary say that Wright's controversial remarks --- especially the sermon where he said "God damn America" --- were an important factor in their decision.

Exit polls in Pennsylvania, where white Catholics went overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton, indicate that many voters here were also offended by Wright's remarks.

Well, hang onto your hats. You'll only read this at Tube City Almanac.

By accident, I have unearthed similar radical sermons by a local Catholic priest who has been endorsed and praised over the years by many politicians and community leaders, including several mayors of Pittsburgh, state Rep. Dave Levdansky of Elizabeth, Andrew "Lefty" Palm of the United Steel Workers of America, and Duquesne University Chancellor John Murray.

And I demand to know why these people haven't denounced this left-wing anti-American zealot the way that Barack Obama was forced to denounce Wright.

Here's what this local priest said about the Iraq war:

What have we to be proud of? Licking a nation of 19 million people and a tired army that had not mastered modern military science? Its real soldiers were outnumbered three or four to one.

That was not a war but a punitive expedition against an outmatched foe. But it pleased George Bush, who likes the idea of being a "war" president a la FDR and Wilson, and our war-like people for the most part enjoy the excitement and pumped up tension of war, especially one against a tin-horn "strong" man.

Remember, we have never tasted firsthand here at home the horror of a modern war.

It sounds to me like this radical pastor is bashing our troops in a time of war --- and saying that America should be attacked as punishment! He's also an elitist who considers average, working-class Americans "war-like."

And I want to point out again that some of our most prominent local officials have praised this man. Appalling!

Worse yet, when Bill Clinton ran for president in 1992, he received the enthusiastic endorsement of this priest. Why didn't Clinton reject his endorsement? I think we have a right to know.

Here's some more of this priest's dangerous thinking:
Seers in the White House are relieved that, according to public opinion polls, the American people are not bothered by the overkilling of Iraqis.

If the polls are correct, we Americans are not a good people, but are heartless and selfish. Now the God who, the self-same polls assure us, we believe in ... will surely punish us and our children severely. It will go much worse for us that we believe in Him and actually do much in His name which we invoke ad nauseam.

But I hope against hope that the polls are wrong because I love my country. I fear for her soul ... Are we really that evil?


He considers Americans "heartless" and "selfish" and "evil," and predicts that God is going to punish us. By the standards of commentators for talk radio, Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and major American newspapers, this so-called "holy man" is a dangerous un-American leftist.

Unfortunately, no one in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh is able to punish him!

You see, he died two years ago.

Those passages were written by the late Msgr. Charles Owen Rice. Both were published in that well-known radical newspaper, the Pittsburgh Catholic.

The first is from March 8, 1991, and the second is from April 12, 1991.

No, I don't really think Pittsburgh's legendary "labor priest" was a dangerous radical. In fact, I think he was a great and brave spiritual leader.

I also find it funny that when Msgr. Rice wrote those things in the bishop's official newspaper, read by more than 100,000 local Catholics, few people batted an eye.

Now, many Catholics (and I am one) are claiming that they voted against Obama because of things his pastor said --- which frankly aren't all that different from Rice's comments.

It makes me wonder if a lot of people who voted against Obama are using Jeremiah Wright as an excuse.

I can't possibly speak for Rice, but I strongly suspect that if the monsignor were alive today, he'd be telling those people to find some other excuse.

Or more likely, counseling all of us to examine our consciences carefully.




UPDATE: P.S. Darrin Bell, artist of the comic strip "Candorville," gets it:






Your Comments are Welcome!

The first George Bush was someting of a model of restraint in 1991. I think the world and the Iraqi people might not have minded if the first President Bush had gone in and toppled Saddam. But I think Bush pere knew there was nobody suitable to replace him, and that deposing him would have required a long occupation. Besides, I think Bush pere had made some arrangements with someone – the UN or the Arab world – to leave Saddam in power. Unfortunately his son was not that thoughtful.
Ed Heath (URL) - May 08, 2008



But I hope against hope that the polls are wrong because I love my country.

I think the difference between the Msgr. Rice and the Rev. Wright is the above sentence. I read Msgr. Rice’s comments and yes it is against the 1st gulf war but he loves his country. Not like Rev. Wright’s “God Damn America” tirade.

I think Obama’s problem with Wright is that Obama did not distance himself earlier and I don’t think Obama would have had to denounce Wright like he did if he did that earlier. I am Catholic also and after 8 years of Catholic school I have heard some things come out of a Catholic priest that I didn’t agree with, I didn’t change Churches because of it I just believed in my convictions and my belief that some people can be wrong about certain things and absolutly correct in others. All Obama could have done is state that some of Rev. Wright’s beliefs are not his beliefs and he doesn’t agree with the Rev. Wright on everything.

I am a Republican and could not vote for Obama in the Primary, if he is the Democratic canidate in November I won’t vote for him then either. But, it won’t be because of Rev. Wright’s comments
Chris - May 08, 2008



Jason,

If people don’t want to vote for a person, they’ll find a reason to tell people such as “his pastor” to sound good and hide the underlying reason, whatever that may be.

I’m supporting Barack because his values, his actions, his words and his campaign are in line with mine and how I conduct myself.

I must say, I am a bit more prone to the Senator to go on the offensice when challenged but that is a fault of mine, not his.

Staying positive when folks throw your name in the mud is not always easy. I credit Senator Obama and his campaign for doing just that despite all the arrows from the Clinton campaign and the RNC in North Carolina.

I believe that we are turning a corner where “old school” divisive politics are proving impotent against a strong positive message.

Look where divisiveness has brought our country. Why would we ever want “more of the same”?

For you readers benefit, Reverand Wright served his country in the military as a U.S. Marine while men of character such as Dick Cheney sought and were granted deferments.

There is good and bad in each of us and none of us can control the actions of our friends or associates.

Let’s judge our next President on his character, his message and his actions.

I think we’ll all be satisfied with the result.

~Sluggo
Paul "Sluggo" Shelly Jr. (URL) - May 08, 2008



There are a lot of good reasons why someone might not want to vote for Obama. I just don’t know if his pastor is a valid one.

As for judging the next president on his (or her :-) ) character, message, and actions, I agree.
Webmaster - May 08, 2008



I’ve read the biography and in fact I remember Rice’s writings, so I understand the comparison. However, where is Msgr. Rice’s equivalent to Pastor Wright’s suggestion that God should d—- America?
Does it matter? - May 08, 2008



“Now the God who, the self-same polls assure us, we believe in … will surely punish us and our children severely. It will go much worse for us that we believe in Him and actually do much in His name which we invoke ad nauseam.”

That’s not damning America?
Webmaster - May 08, 2008



READ: This may help some understand

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1734809,00.html
The Truth - May 08, 2008



I wonder how many good Catholics in the Mon Valley who plan to vote for Mr. McCain over Mr. Obama (assuming that’s the matchup) are aware of John Hagee’s anti-Catholic statements and beliefs? After all, Mr. McCain has only recently repudiated Mr. Hagee’s “whore of Babylon” and “full of idolatry” anti-catholic statements, and then only with the most tepid of denials: “I repudiate any comments that are made, including Pastor Hagee’s, if they are anti-Catholic or offensive to Catholics,” McCain said.

Where is the outrage from the area Catholics about this? Where is the endless media coverage? Why would you vote for someone who openly and publicly aligns himself with a movement that hates you?

You know, I still think the quotes in that awful Washington Post article were shameful, but at least they were honest. Don’t use the views of a person’s pastor, or 6th grade biology teacher, or third cousin twice removed as an excuse. Just say, “I won’t vote for a {insert label here}.” I’ll respect your honesty if not your viewpoint.
Aynthem - May 08, 2008



Truth,

Great article. A friend of mine had recently forwarded it to me. makes good points.

-Paul
Paul "Sluggo" Shellly (URL) - May 09, 2008



To comment on any story at Tube City Almanac, email tubecitytiger@gmail.com, send a tweet to www.twitter.com/tubecityonline, visit our Facebook page, or write to Tube City Almanac, P.O. Box 94, McKeesport, PA 15134.