Boehner, McCotter ask for faith-based official's resignation

[babylonsister]

http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/05/13/boehner-mccotter-ask-for-faih-based-officials-resignation/

Boehner, McCotter ask for faith-based official's resignation
@ 12:08 pm by Hill Staff



Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) and Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) co-signed a letter characterizing Harry Knox, a member of the President's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, as a "virulent anti-Catholic bigot" who has made "numerous vile dishonest attacks against the Church and the Holy Father."

The letter, delivered to the White House this morning, says that "Knox has no business on any Council having to do with faith or religion," and calls on President Obama to "remove Mr. Knox from his position and to formally disassociate yourself from his militant anti-Catholicism."

The letter was signed by 20 Catholic organizations leaders concerned about past comments made by Knox. The group, in a press conference Wednesday, stressed that the disagreements they have with Knox extend beyond policy, and go to nature and tone of his comments.

Mr. Knox "has not only criticized the public policy of a Catholic leader, but in did so terms that are hateful and simply prejudice," said Chuck Donovan, executive vice president of the Family Research Council.

In the press conference, the speakers pointed to a number of Knox's statements as evidence of his prejudice. One comment Knox had made about the Pope's position on condoms particularly angered the letter writers.

"The Pope needs to start telling the truth about condom use," Knox had told CNSnews.com on April 6. "We are eager to help him do that. Until he {Pope Benedict} is willing to do that and able, he's doing a great deal more harm than good–not just in Africa but around the world. It is endangering people's lives."

A spokesman for Boehner said the Minority Leader felt obligated to speak out.

"As a leading Catholic lawmaker, Rep. Boehner felt it was important to weigh in condemning the abusive rhetoric this nominee has used towards the church and the Pope," said Michael Steel.

This latest wave of anti-Catholic anger aimed at the President comes as he prepares to speak at Notre Dame's graduation, a move that has sparked controversy in the Catholic community.

The White House was contacted for this story, but was not immediately available for comment.

[ThomCat]

1. So, telling the truth about condoms

and calling someone out about lying about condoms is now anti-catholic. :P

Gotta love it. :rofl:

[cap]

2. the republicans are trying to split catholics away from the democratic party

Fortunately, it is on an issue that a lot of catholics don't take the church's position too seriously.

But, they are trying to start the meme that Obama is anti-Catholic. Most people don't know that Obama started out in community organizing in a progressive Catholic organization

[quiller4]

6. I sent an email to Boehner telling him that he doesn't

speak for me or the other Catholics in my community who were deeply distressed by Pope Benedict's comments. My parish has a program called the Lesotho Connection and supports another mission effort called Hearts for Zambia. We are more aware than many of the death, pain and suffering AIDS causes in Africa. More people of faith need to challenge Pope Benedict on this--not fewer. Thank you Mr. Knox.

[David__77]

12. Most Catholics aren't anti-condom.

This won't work.

[DJ13]

3. Forget firing him, just close it down entirely

[zipplewrath]

4. Former community organizer

This former community organizer, that worked closely with faith based groups, isn't going to close down his committee to support exactly those kinds of organizations. Call it "alumni week".

[vaberella]

8. As a community organizer...faith based initiatives are IMPERATIVE for social change. n/t

Especially in communities that need change but cling to religion like oxygen.

[David__77]

11. The office should be about community organizations in general, not specifically religious ones.

I don't see the need to incorporate "faith" references in the governmental organizational names.

[RandomThoughts]

5. Where were they when anti-Catholics were in Bush administration

They even use there religion for partisan purposes. Unbelievable.

[vaberella]

7. I'm a Catholic and in our family we UTTERLY DISLIKE the Pope.

Not to mention the many different policies of the papacy in particular this twisted view on birth control.

[S_E_Fudd]

9. The world would be a better place...

If the Republican Party and the Catholic Church would just both disappear...

Both do far more harm then good..

Both are reliant on frightening the less advantaged to maintain any support whatsoever...

[AspenRose]

10. Everything is about politics to these people

It's disgusting.

I had no idea Catholics in the U.S. couldn't exercise free speech or differences of opinion. So glad the GOP let us know that. :puke: