Chicago Tribune
April 19, 2012
A homily delivered Sunday by Peoria's Roman Catholic Bishop Daniel Jenky has angered the Anti-Defamation League, a watchdog for anti-Semitism.
In the homily in St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria, Jenky took aim at health care policies proposed by the Obama administration that have been a source of consternation for Catholic bishops since they were announced this year. He included Obama's policies in a litany of government challenges the Catholic Church has overcome in previous centuries.
"Remember that in past history other governments have tried to force Christians to huddle and hide only within the confines of their churches, like the first disciples locked up in the upper room," he said. "In the late 19th century, Bismarck waged his 'Kulturkampf,' a culture war, against the Roman Catholic Church, closing down every Catholic school and hospital, convent and monastery in Imperial Germany. Clemenceau, nicknamed 'the priest eater,' tried the same thing in France in the first decade of the 20th century. Hitler and Stalin, at their better moments, would just barely tolerate some churches remaining open, but would not tolerate any competition with the state in education, social services, and health care.
"In clear violation of our First Amendment rights, Barack Obama — with his radical, pro-abortion and extreme secularist agenda — now seems intent on following a similar path."
On Wednesday, Lonnie Nasatir, the regional director of Chicago's Anti-Defamation League, demanded an apology from Jenky, calling his remarks "outrageous, offensive and completely over the top."
"Clearly, Bishop Jenky needs a history lesson," Nasatir said. "There are few, if any, parallels in history to the religious intolerance and anti-Semitism fostered in society by Stalin, and especially Hitler, who under his regime perpetuated the open persecution and ultimate genocide of Jews, Catholics and many other minorities."
A spokeswoman for the Peoria Diocese could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
In the homily in St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria, Jenky took aim at health care policies proposed by the Obama administration that have been a source of consternation for Catholic bishops since they were announced this year. He included Obama's policies in a litany of government challenges the Catholic Church has overcome in previous centuries.
"Remember that in past history other governments have tried to force Christians to huddle and hide only within the confines of their churches, like the first disciples locked up in the upper room," he said. "In the late 19th century, Bismarck waged his 'Kulturkampf,' a culture war, against the Roman Catholic Church, closing down every Catholic school and hospital, convent and monastery in Imperial Germany. Clemenceau, nicknamed 'the priest eater,' tried the same thing in France in the first decade of the 20th century. Hitler and Stalin, at their better moments, would just barely tolerate some churches remaining open, but would not tolerate any competition with the state in education, social services, and health care.
"In clear violation of our First Amendment rights, Barack Obama — with his radical, pro-abortion and extreme secularist agenda — now seems intent on following a similar path."
On Wednesday, Lonnie Nasatir, the regional director of Chicago's Anti-Defamation League, demanded an apology from Jenky, calling his remarks "outrageous, offensive and completely over the top."
"Clearly, Bishop Jenky needs a history lesson," Nasatir said. "There are few, if any, parallels in history to the religious intolerance and anti-Semitism fostered in society by Stalin, and especially Hitler, who under his regime perpetuated the open persecution and ultimate genocide of Jews, Catholics and many other minorities."
A spokeswoman for the Peoria Diocese could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
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