Once upon a time, long, long ago, the leaders of the Catholic church picked and chose who they deemed holy enough to get into heaven by how much money they gave to the church. It really didn't matter what you did (or how bad it was) as long as you forked over the cash.
Well, things have changed and the Catholic church has corrected those corrupt and hypocritical ways... Or have they?
Earlier this week, St. Louis Archbishop Burke resigned as Chairman of the Board at Cardinal Glennon Children's Foundation in response to Sheryl Crow being chosen as the entertainment at a benefit for the Bob Costas Cancer Center at Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center. Burke is upset with Crow's view on abortion and outspoken support of stem-cell research.
"It's very painful for me," Burke said during a news conference Wednesday. "But I have to answer to God for the responsibility I have as archbishop."
Now, I understand that the Archbishop has standards he must live by and doctrines to follow. But aren't we being a little short-sighted here? This isn't about you or your religion, padre. This is about helping kids with cancer. This is about helping support a center that provides medical care for kids fighting a disease that very well might kill them. And you, in your pius view, believe that who sings at this event and their personal political views are more important than helping these kids? You must, because not only have you resigned your post on Cardinal Glennon's board, but you also believe Catholics — even those who already have bought tickets to the show — "should think hard before attending."
Some will say that since this event is at a Catholic institution that Archbishop Burke is right to take this stand. My question is, do doctors who share the same views on abortion and stem cell research practice at this facility?
If so, will they be fired?
What about the donations for the event or money in the collection plate on Sunday?
Will the church consider that money dirty if they are donations taken from those who also agree with Sheryl Crow?
Will they be returning those donations? Um, I bet not.
Bob Costas weighed in by saying "I have never applied a litmus test, Catholic or otherwise, concerning the politics or religious beliefs of any of the generous performers who have come to St. Louis to help this worthy cause, nor do I intend to ..." Way to go, Bob. Actually using some common sense.
As if that weren't enough, Archbishop Burke last month approved a memo criticizing Susan G. Komen for the Cure, a national organization of breast cancer survivors and activists. The memo said the archdiocese could not endorse the charitable group because it gave financial grants to Planned Parenthood, supports embryonic stem cell research and has dismissed a link between abortions and incidents of breast cancer.
Following that, on April 4, the archdiocese sent a letter to St. Louis Catholic schools that echoed the criticism. The letter said schools should be aware of the archdiocese's position as they plan charity events, and suggested they direct donations to Catholic hospitals that do breast cancer research instead of the Komen Foundation.
When contacted about the claims the archdiocese made in the letter, spokeswoman Susie Knopf said the St. Louis chapter of the Susan G. Komen group has never funded Planned Parenthood and she disputed the claim that the charity supports embryonic stem cell research.
According to Knopf, "Komen has not funded any grants involving human embryonic stem cell tissue, but has funded grants involving adult stem cells. Whether embryonic stem cells will have a role or be of value in the fight against breast cancer has not been clearly determined."
So, just to recap... The Archbishop resigns from his position of Chairman of the Board of Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and encourages his flock not to attend a charity event for kids with Cancer because Sheryl Crow is appearing. He also has a letter sent to local catholic schools basically encouraging them not to donate to a well-respected breast cancer charity based on things that aren't even factual.
How Christian of you, Father. Glad to see you are watching out for the young and the weak and the helpless...
