Catholic Church, in Today's News 04.02.10

Catholic Church.  In a jaw-dropping homily near the end of Holy Week which is the remembrance of the persecution of the Son of God and His resurrection, the preacher to the Pope, Father Cantalamessa, declared that the recent attack on the Pope in the molestation scandal was similar to the persecution of...the Jews. (!!!!)

If ever there was a sign of what is on the minds of at least some of the leaders of the Vatican, this is it. At Easter time, their only point of reference it would seem is the Jews. How far the Church leaders have traveled from authentic Catholicism.

Michael Hoffman has a must-read commentary on Cantalamessa's message. It may be read here. 

It probably doesn't occur to Cantalamessa that Judaics around the world are chuckling over his foolishness. The New York Times article on his homily questioned a Rabbi: "Rabbi Riccardo di Segni, the chief rabbi of Rome, who hosted Benedict at the Rome synagogue in January on a visit that helped calm waters after a year of tensions, laughed in seeming disbelief when asked about Father Cantalamessa’s remarks."

And one might well ask, where are all the Judaic friends that the Pope has developed now that the Pope is under attack? So far, there has not been a peep out of them. Cantalamessa mentions receiving a letter from a Jewish friend. But, the letter is nothing more than remarking that the writer is reminded of attacks on Jews. As such the letter provides cover for the lack of response by Judaic leaders. And the theme of the letter is then picked up by Cantalamessa for this homily.

One other point. It shouldn't matter, but one cannot help noticing that Cantalamessa's robe is always extremely well-tailored and that his beard and hair are always immaculately coiffured. Not quite the example one would expect from a leading Vatican figure in regard to humility and lack of pride.