Cardinal George, KKK, and Homosexuals

By now, I am sure most have heard the news reports of Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago, making comments where he discusses homosexuals and the KKK in the same paragraph, grievously offending many people and making even many Catholics uncomfortable.

The issue is, of course, a relatively minor one concerning literally a non-event, given in an interview.  These were not words said in a big speech; not words said during the sermon at Christ-Mass on television or something.  Rather, the organizers of the Homosexual Pride Parade in Chicago decided to move the time of this summer's upcoming parade in such a manner that would have interfered with the schedule of the Catholic parish along the parade route, so the Pastor of the parish asked them to change it back.  And eventually they did.  Later on, a journalist asks Cardinal George his thoughts, and he says that he supports the Pastor, would have supported him if there had been a larger fight to un-change the parade time, and notes how the tactics of the rather unabashedly anti-Catholic homosexual rights groups, etc., bear similarity to the activities of the KKK.

What follows is the umpteenth instance of these groups proving, among other things, their inability to conduct reasoned discourse.  Cardinal George did not say that homosexuals lynch people, that they are just as evil as the KKK, that they are racist, or anything of the like.  His Eminence did not "compare" the KKK and homosexuals.  He said that the homosexuals are anti-Catholic and that the KKK were/are also anti-Catholic.  That is about it.  Thus commenced the furor.

My Catholic friends with whom I spoke about this even expressed at the very least discomfort with his remarks, accusing His Eminence of imprudence (isn't that always what it is, no matter that they said something that may be true, it is mean or uncomfortable, so it is imprudent) or being uncharitable (the other common canard when something true is said that others do not like).

Bishops are often chastised by many today.  Sometimes, rightfully so and sometimes not.  We live in a time where a terrifyingly large percentage of them seem to not want to offend anyone, not confess Christ clearly and exclusively, and seem more concerned with any number of activities not having anything to do with the salvation of souls.  So when a Bishop says something that calls into question one of the most anti-Catholic, anti-nature groups and their agendas and tactics, I welcome that.  It is too rare an event.  Bishops are not supposed to be politicians.

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As I finish this post, I realize that Cardinal George has decided to apologize, likely under lots of pressure from even his close aids, for the "hurt" caused, the "disrespect," etc. etc.  Sadly, in our day of political correctedness, that is how these things usually go, Cardinal George not being immune to them either (see the charade of the "Fr." Phleger episode).  Alas...