Press Releases

Washington DC May 16, 2009 Among the most prominent opponents of President Obama's commencement speech at Notre Dame is Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City- St. Joseph who in a recent incendiary speech described Catholicism as "the Church militant" and told his audience, "We are at war."

In the course of his speech Bishop Finnhe named as "enemies" in this war, not only those who disagree strongly with the Church on various matters, but those who believe in religious tolerance and who reach out in respectful difference in search of "common ground."

Bishop Finn went on to describe dissenters as "dangerous." He also denounced people "in our own ranks... who claim a certain 'common ground' with us, while at the same time they attack the most fundamental tenets of the Church's teachings...". And who are these dangerous enemies of the Church? Finn singles out Rev. John I. Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame for having invited President Barack Obama to speak. The principle problem is that the president is prochoice. Finn also gratuitiously notes that the president,"is, of course, not Catholic."
'"The more dangerous 'human enemies' in our battle" declared Finn, "are those who in this age of pluralism and political propriety seek ways to convince us of their sincerity and good will."

Catholic Bishop Declares War on Obama, Religious Pluralism, and Catholic Dissenters and Common Grounders

Washington DC,  May 16, 2009   Among the most prominent opponents of President Obama's commencement speech at Notre Dame is Bishop Robert Finn of Kansas City- St. Joseph who in a recent incendiary speech described Catholicism as "the Church militant" and told his audience, "We are at war."

In the course of his speech Bishop Finn he named as "enemies" in this war, not only those who disagree strongly with the Church on various matters, but those who believe in religious tolerance and who reach out in respectful difference in search of "common ground."

Bishop Finn went on to describe dissenters as "dangerous." He also denounced people "in our own ranks... who claim a certain 'common ground' with us, while at the same time they attack the most fundamental tenets of the Church's teachings...". And who are these dangerous enemies of the Church? Finn singles out Rev. John I. Jenkins, president of the University of Notre Dame for having invited President Barack Obama to speak. The principle problem is that the president is pro-choice. Finn also gratuitously notes that the president," is, of course, not Catholic."

http://www.instituteforprogressivechristianity.org/?q=node/92800

Washington DC March 9, 2009 The Institute for Progressive Christianity ("IPC') applauds President Obama's long-awaited Executive Order lifting the Bush administration's restrictions on the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

According to The National Institutes of Health, embryonic stem cells "are derived are typically four or five days old and are a hollow microscopic ball of cells called the blastocyst." They are pluripotent, meaning that they "can become all cell types of the body."

On August 9, 2001 former President Bush restricted the federal funding of the research to stem cell lines available on that day and before. The administration claimed that sixty such lines were available for research when in fact twenty-two could be utilized.

IPC Director Frank L. Cocozzelli commented, "Today reason has prevailed over fear. The President has stepped up to the plate and hit one out of the park. He brushed aside the neoconservative-led Religious Right's often misleading arguments in opposition.

Cocozzelli, a Catholic who has LMG muscular dystrophy, and co-author of the IPC White Paper, An Unholy Alliance: How Neoconservatives and the Religious Right Have Joined Forces to Fight Stem Cell Research further elaborated:

Fox's Gretchen Carlson: "I'm all for free speech and free rights, just not on December 25th"

On the December 11 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, following co-host Steve Doocy's remark that "we've got to be tolerant of people who celebrate holidays in December, like Ramadan. ... You've got to be tolerant of all people," co-host Gretchen Carlson declared: "I am tolerant. I'm all for free speech and free rights, just not on December 25th." Carlson's remark occurred during a discussion of a Washington state man's reported request to erect a pole at the state capitol to celebrate Festivus, the fictional holiday that originated on the NBC sitcom Seinfeld.

Full text here: http://mediamatters.org/items/200812110004

In light of Alaskan Governor & Current GOP Vice-Presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s ongoing association with clergy affiliated with the New Apostolic reformation movement, CrossLeft has issued the following press release:

Questions Governor Palin Must Answer About the Anti-Catholicism of Her Spiritual Leaders

New York: October 10, 2008 Sarah Palin has maintained a long-term and continuous involvement with clergy of the U.S. based New Apostolic Reformation movement ('NAR") headed by C. Peter Wagner of the Fuller Theological Seminary.

"What makes this a matter of public concern," said Frank L. Cocozzelli, spokesperson for the progressive Christian group, CrossLeft, "is that the organization has a long, strong streak of anti-Catholicism."

For example, Bishop Thomas Muthee, who has spoken repeatedly at the Wasila Assemblies of God Church and personally blessed and anointed Governor Palin in 2005, engages in what NAR terms "spiritual warfare"-- with an aim to de- Catholicize communities and nations. "Brazil is occupied by Catholics," declared Muthee in a militant sermon he gave on March 14, 2004 at a United Kingdom church, 'but people are being saved anyway!"

C. Peter Wagner says that the Roman Catholic Church is under the sway of a great demon he calls the "Queen of Heaven."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 5, 2008
Media Contacts:
media@catholicdemocrats.org
Ph: 617/817-8617

Catholic Democrats Corresponds with Pastors Across Ohio to Keep Parishes Safe from Divisive Politics

Letter Publicizes US Bishops' Guidelines

Cincinnati, OH - Catholic Democrats, an organization that advances the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching within the Democratic Party and in the public square, has corresponded with all Catholic pastors in Ohio this weekend encouraging them to keep their parishes safe and free from disruption by divisive partisan politics during this presidential election campaign. In a letter faxed to, and received by, more than 600 Ohio parishes in advance of "Respect Life Sunday," the Catholic Democrats wrote to support the pastors who found themselves inundated this weekend by conservative organizations and representatives from the McCain campaign who have used the divisive issue of abortion to polarize Catholics for political gain. In 2004 it was well documented that the Bush Campaign employed similar tactics in Catholic parishes to their advantage.