Cardinal George makes the case I don’t think I would make:
In the name of the Catholic Bishops of the United States, I would like to offer congratulations to President Barack Obama on his receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
As he has graciously said, much of the work of realizing a more peaceful and just world for all persons and nations remains to be done; but the prize was given because as President of the United States he has already changed the international conversation.
In our own country, the remarkable and historic achievement of his election has changed the relationships between men and women of all races. The rich diversity of United States society is now more surely anchored in a national unity that is better able to foster the peace we all are challenged to pursue. Our prayer is that almighty God will bless the president and his family.
The cardinal is on the Vox Clara Commission and is steeped in the new translation of the liturgy. I wonder how many Catholics will go for calling him by the Latin name, Equus africanus asinus?
Meanwhile, the former fawning Vatican organ, says the award’s premature. In an ordinary world, this would spell confusion for the faithful. But I think the Catholic Right have their heads screwed on tight. They just criticize everybody.
13 October 2009 at 6:11 am
the prize was given because as President of the United States he has already changed the international conversation.
I don’t think Americans realize how hated the USA had become due to the actions of the Bush administration. President Obama has indeed changed the international conversation for the better.
Of course, he’s also brought the evil morons out of the domestic woodwork, but that’s their fault, not his.
13 October 2009 at 9:52 am
Does this mean that Cardinal George now joins the ranks of “Catholics In Name Only”, forcing us to look to Newt Gingrich for the One True Church in America?
13 October 2009 at 4:33 pm
During the Bush years, I traveled quite a bit of the world. To say that Bush was looked at poorly by most of the rest of the world would be an understatement.
I haven’t left the country since September 2007. I did get emails and facebook notes from friends around the world who see Obama through a very different lens.
As you so aptly say, some people just go on by criticizing everyone. See – one size does indeed fit all.
21 October 2009 at 12:00 pm
I don’t think Americans realize how hated the USA had become due to the actions of the Bush administration. President Obama has indeed changed the international conversation for the better.
Being loved by some countries does not promote peace. Being strong enough to crush them and being known to have the will to do so promotes peace.
Obama is disarming our military, he’s trying to emasculate our nuclear deterrant solely on the word of known liars. He is a dangerous fool.
This path, I fear, will not promte peace. It will promote war, death and destruction for our nation.