Bishop Thomas Paprocki
Admonishes His Governor
Admonishes His Governor
Catholic Politicians . . . “Are
Accountable to Catholic Authority”
Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki Bishop of Springfield –
“This is a an official press release by the Most Reverened Bishop Thomas John Paprocki.”
After the Illinois House of Representatives approved legislation that would require the state to recognize same-sex unions, Governor Pat Quinn was quoted as saying, “My religious faith animates me to support this bill.” He did not say what religious faith that would be, but it certainly is not the Catholic faith. If the Governor wishes to pursue a secular agenda for political purposes, that is his prerogative for which he is accountable to the voters. But if he wishes to speak as a Catholic, then he is accountable to Catholic authority, and the Catholic Church does not support civil unions or other measures that are contrary to the natural moral law.
Let us keep Bishop Paprocki in prayer as he stands straight and tall for the TRUTH and God's Law.
Frankly, I can't be very objective when it comes to Bishop Paprocki. His Christmas homily last year was a tirade/rant against Muslims. I was very disappointed with his words.
ReplyDeleteLet me be absolutely clear that his issue about Christians being repressed in some Muslim majority countries is a legitimate and important issue. But does he have to pit our faiths against one another as if the Crusades were still going on today? His words promoted discrimination against Arabs and Muslims. How sad.
Please try to learn more about this Bishop. It isn't pretty.
Best Regards,
Junaid M. Afeef
Thanks for your visit and your comment! Well, we sure all have our faults, being human, huh? Sometimes being protective, we border on aggressive. This is a very hard subject now and I fear will only get worse as time goes on. However, for my part ... I have a hard time with any group that purports to be of peace when it's written in their laws that if you don't subscribe to their religion they get to cut your head off and it's ok. Perhaps that's where he was coming from. But I agree, we're always called to hate the sin, but love the sinner!
ReplyDeleteHi. I'd be very disturbed by such a group that calls for violence against those whose written laws call for such wanton violence. If that's what Bishop Paprocki thinks about Islam, then sadly, he is grossly misinformed. If this is the case, then it's all the more disappointing since he's had so many opportunities to understand Islam while he was in Northern Illinois. Up here we have a very vibrant dialogue with Catholics. Let's be frank - we don't have to concede one inch on the absolute truth of our religious beliefs and still not demonize the other. I read something about the Vatican II which called for dialogue with Islam. Perhaps you know more about it. I do understand your point about being protective. I've already forgiven him for his words but I do hope he apologizes publicly so that we more Muslims and Catholics can come together in our shared humanity.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for sharing this forum with me to discuss this with you.
Best Regards,
Junaid M. Afeef
P.s. If you are inclined to understand my point of view better perhaps you can, at your leisure, visit my blog at www.americanmuslimjournal.typepad.com.
Hello and welcome back! Unfortunately, there are groups of folks in every group that are influenced by the evil one. Some even think they are doing God's Will ... the evil one will give 99% truth if he can stick in his 1% lie. I have researched a bit of Islamic law and have found that the instructions say that there WILL be contradictions found, but in such cases, the Islamic people are to go by the most RECENT entry. The problem with this is that many do not know that the peace and calm was in the beginning and the violence and bringing about a global Islamic nation is the more recent. Caliphate is on the horizon and many, including Ahmadenajhad (SP?) feel it's their duty to bring about world turmoil so that the Mahdi will return to rule the world. I find it interesting that at this point in time with the way the earth itself convulses from sin and degradation that the 3 major religions (Jews, Muslims and Christians) are waiting for their respective: Messiah, Mahdi, and the return of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteOf course a group within a group does not constitute the whole nation. People should always be treated with respect and trust. Now, if they themselves throw that out the window because of their own words and actions, well then .... we have a right to protect ourselves. This does not mean we should inflict more harm that is necessary to do that. In other words .. there is no place for hatred for the sake of a group or idea in a world that truly loves God.