From Someone Who Was There

A commenter at Amy Welborn's blog named "Kevin" says he was at the Mass in which a deacon allegedly "berated" an anti-life Catholic Congressman who was in attendance. He says the media reports, of course, have spun the events in favor of the Democrat Congressman:

I WAS AT THE MASS!!!!

My mother attended the mass on Sat, not Sunday, where Deacon McDonnell gave the same homily. What has not been mentioned is that (1)a good number of people clapped after the remarks were made and (2)Fr Smith, the pastor, stated that he supported the Deacon on this issue and also urged for Catholics to "be aware of a canidates record on certain issues before you vote for them." Unless my 79 year old mother is not telling the truth, this is what was said. On Sunday, the Deacon gave the same homily as he did the night before. He said on RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY...that elected officials should be made aware of our (Catholic)confictions concerning Pro-Life issues. Higgins is no longer a member of this parish..but he is a member of another Catholic church close by. To me, it appeared that the Deacon realized Higgins was in mass while he was giving the homily. He stated that the Church has an open door policy and he would assume "our guess Congressman has one as well." It was then he suggested that we, Catholics and members of Higgins district, ask him to more closely vote in favor of his (Higgins) Catholic up bringing. Higgins and family then stood up and walked out.

The media is spinning this out of site. The Deacon did not "berate" him in any way. I am more upset that the Bishop and the pastor are being political and not standing up for him. They are trying to play both sides of the fense...

On the basis of this eyewitness account, assuming it is an accurate representaion, I will now revise and extend my previous remarks on this subject.

I now believe that the deacon was neither imprudent nor tactless. He was just preaching the Truth of the Church's views on the sanctity of life - on Respect Life Sunday. His pastor had commended his homily the night before at the Vigil Mass (but now plays suck-up to the offended Congressman). I won't write publicly what I think of the bishop's sycophantic actions out of respect for his episcopal office.

As for what I think of this Congressman, after reading his subsequent comments in which he attacks the Church, her teachings, and her clergy, it is blatantly obvious that the Congressman is so obstinate in his public sin that something more is required than sycophantic posturing from his bishop. Does that mean a pro-life homily in which he is mentioned by name? This Congressman, as evidenced by his latest remarks, almost seems to have had it coming.


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
And the True Villain Reveals Himself

Who's the Villain in this Story?