Paul Ryan’s Aquinian Epiphany

Originally posted at Talk to Action. This past week we learned that Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) has had an Aquinian epiphany of sorts. The former Ayn Rand acolyte has essentially thrown the controversial author and her philosophy of Objectivism under the bus because of  ”her atheism.” But Ryan seems to have changed little except the [...]

Rick Santorum’s Opus Dei Catholicism

Originally posted at Talk to Action. In a recent post I explored the influence of the teachings of  Josemaria Escriva de Balaguer on GOP Presidential contender Rick Santorum. I warned that circumstantial evidence and the candidate’s own past statements suggested a strong identification with the secretive, ultra-traditionalist sect, Opus Dei, which Escriva founded. The Washington [...]

Rick Santorum’s Opus Dei Vision for America

Originally posted at Talk to Action. The deeper into the GOP primary season we get, the more  former Sen. Rick Santorum (PA) class and culture war rhetoric abandons all pretense of moderation.  More concerning, he has become more heated, snide and resentful as his popularity has grown. He has demonstrated that he is willing to [...]

The Bishops Can’t Have It Both Ways

Originally posted at Talk to Action. There is a profound and easily spotted hypocrisy when someone, or some institution declares in favor of freedom for me, but not for thee.   The Catholic Right and and their political allies have been trying to make this hypocrisy work for them for many years. They have certainly [...]

Santorum’s Second Song

Originally published at Talk to Action. Many of us thought that Rick Santorum’s (R-PA) political career was over when he lost his seat to to Democrat Bob Casey, Jr. in 2006.   But recent events suggest Santorum is enjoying an historic comeback.  His second place finish in the Iowa caucuses and the backing of 150 [...]

And the Winner of this Year’s Coughie Award is…

Originally posted at Talk to Action. It’s that time of year once again, to announce the recipient of the Coughlin Award —  presented annually to the person who best exemplifies an exclusionary, strident interpretation of the Catholic faith. The award is named for Father Charles Coughlin, the notorious radio priest of the 1930s who is [...]

What Is Truly At Stake In Kansas City-St. Joseph?

Originally posted at Talk to Action. The saga of Bishop Robert Finn, (the outspoken Opus Dei prelate who is in hot water over his alleged failure to report to police, evidence of a pedophile priest under his diocesan authority) continues — as does consideration of the fallout of his criminal indictment.   A faction of [...]

The Catholic Right Lines Up Against the Least

Originally posted at Talk to Action. Bishop Robert Finn has many powerful friends on the Catholic Right.  As a hard charging leader of what he has called “the church militant” and one of four American Opus Dei bishops, Finn is clearly one of their own.  Nevertheless, it extraordinary that his allies have chosen to side [...]

Finn Takes A Deal While Donohue Defends the Indefensible

Originally posted at Talk to Action. Robert Finn, the militant Opus Dei bishop and head of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri who was recently indicted by a Jackson County Grand Jury on misdemeanor charges of failing to report child abuse has cut a deal with prosecutors in nearby Clay County in order to [...]

Bishop Zurek Clamps Down On Fr. Frank Pavone

Originally posted at Talk to Action. It has already been widely reported, that Father Frank Pavone, head of the militant anti-abortion group Priests For Life, has been suspended from active ministry outside of his home diocese of Amarillo, Texas. His Bishop Patrick J. Zurek said he acted in the face of “persistent questions and concerns” [...]