Religious intelligence?

With all the problems being endured by the Catholic Church, one would thing that the hierarchy might want to repair damaged relations with the faithful, strive to increase attendance, and reach out to the public at large. No, not the Archdiocese of Boston.

In an incredibly stupid display of blindness and hypocrisy, Archbishop O'Malley has stated he will not attend the yearly Christmas Dinner for Catholic Charities because it plans to honor the Mayor of Boston, Tom Menino. Catholic Charities said, ''The Mayor has been an advocate and an effective political leader, responding to the needs of the poor, immigrants, the elderly and children and families of all races, religions and ethnic communities in the city....For these many reasons we wish to acknowledge his leadership and thank him."

Well, the Archbishop apparently wilted under pressure from a group of Catholic Taliban, the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, who threatened to boycott the dinner because Menino, as mayor to all of Boston – not just Catholics, is a supporter of abortion rights and same sex marriage. This group of “people” who supposedly support life, have no problem hurting the lives of the poor and disadvantaged.

Some Catholics had argued that O'Malley's boycott would only hurt the 150,000 needy people who are assisted by Catholic Charities every year. The capitulation by O'Malley shows him to be squarely aligned with the narrow elements of his flock and it erases any pretense to his being a man of god. Amazingly, at the same time, the Archbishop sent a letter to 300 parishes calling for all Catholics to join in eradicating prejudice against homosexuals. Doesn't he see the irony of acting in a prejudicial manner towards the mayor?

This is the type of religious idiocy that not only drives people away in droves, but it also gives religion a bad name.
Posted on the Human Stain