Seems to me that you also assume that only Catholics come to this website. You have no idea if I am Catholic or not, but be advised that many other religions have the some of the same moral beliefs and values as the Catholic religion. And for you to assume that because one expresses their disappointment, disapproval, makes a request to withdraw the invitation or not to attend, that they are hating the sinner and not the sin is ludicrous.

Obama has been given the ‘honor’ to speak at the Al Smith dinner which is an ‘honor’ that should NOT be given to a person who has continually attacked the Catholic Church at its core. He has attacked the sacred rights, the duty to the protection of life, he has redefined marriage and he is forcing things that are not negotiable to the Catholic Church.
“WHEN THE GOVERNMENT TAMPERS WITH A FREEDOM SO FUNDAMENTAL, ONE SHUDDERS TO THINK WHAT LIES AHEAD.” statement by Cardinal Dolan.

“If you don’t behave as you believe, you will end by believing as you behave.” Ven. Fulton J. Sheen

I do support my Bishop and others but it becomes difficult when we are in a battle over out Religious Freedom& more and the Cardinal is going to dine with the man who is bringing this down on us. Do NOT invite Obama to dinner and then tell me to support the bishops. The SCANDAL this will cause is far reaching. Why would any Catholic think they should not vote for Obama when they see him dining with the Cardinal?

Look, we can all easily identify bishops who are knaves, fools or cowards. For example, Pierre Cauchon, the bishop who presided over the obscene first trial of Joan of Arc, was all three; yet for all his faults, he was still a bishop of the Church of Christ, and his flock was bound to give due respect and adherence to his teachings on faith and morals.

It’s an odd teaching in this day and age, when we are obsessed with credentials, charisma and popularity. But it is an essential part of what makes us Catholics, rather than Protestants.

With the conviction of Monsignor William Lynn in Philadelphia, the unrefuted testimony about the cover-ups and child endangerment, and secret lists by Cardinal Bevilacqua ,the upcoming criminal trial of Bishop Robert Finn in Kansas City, the escape from justice and reward in Rome of Cardinal Bernard Law, the fact that many current bishops formerly held similar positions in several dioceses and are now ordinaries, and have been identified by SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) and the deafening silence of our bishops and cardinals on all of these matters , they all need reminded of the words of Our Lord in Matthew 7:5 before they go out attacking the government leaders and ignore their own households, “Hypocrite, first get rid of the log in your own eye, then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye”.

The bishops can deal with these matters, the utter sexism that pervades the institutional Church, the unwarranted attacks on our dear religious sisters, and become a model of justice and righteousness. Instead, they operate in secrecy, without transparency, and morally selective about their attacks. No religious liberty ? Two-thirds of the monies for Catholic Charities comes from governmental sources.

In many respects, the alleged attacks on religious freedom that the bishops call anti-Catholic find other religions holding the opposite position of the Catholics. We live in a multi-religious, diverse society. The Catholic hierarchy claims a type of religious supremacy of the Catholic position always. Yet, the Catholics have left the negotiating table, and instead have resorted to pure political stunts in this election year.

I have checked out the Solidarity HS plan and have already signed up for early access. I am interested in what they end up presenting in their package, and this would likely be the best alternative to the compromises in most private health insurance plans.

thanks!