Friday, April 08, 2011

Michael Voris and the Diocese of Scranton.



Statement of the Diocese regarding Michael Voris.
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The Diocese of Scranton has determined that Mr. Voris will not be allowed to speak in a Diocesan or parish facility. After these engagements were scheduled, the Diocese became aware of concerns about this individual’s views regarding other religious groups. In videos posted on the Internet, Mr. Voris makes comments that certainly can be interpreted as being insensitive to people of other faiths. The Catholic Church teaches us to respect all people, regardless of their faith tradition.

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Although the Diocese shares Mr. Voris’ support of efforts to protect human life, his extreme positions on other faiths are not appropriate and therefore the Diocese cannot host him. - Diocese website
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Now what could possibly be wrong with that?  Doesn't the Diocese have a right to say who speaks at its institutions?  Isn't the Bishop supposed to be in charge?  Yet Catholic bloggers are crying foul at the news.
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Get a rope.

19 comments:

  1. hey Terry, never a dull moment!

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  2. Great, he's going to be a martyr. Americans should count themselves lucky that they have mo idea what martyrdom is like - yet.

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  3. I think he's a bit crazy (just like meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!)

    I really must get some sleep now.

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  4. I'm just hoping Michael Scott is not involved.

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  5. non-faithfulcatholicschools.blogspot.com/.../continuing-saga-of-pedophiladelphia.html

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  6. Oh oh. Scranton is gonna have a Sodom and Gomorrah moment any moment now.

    I say that as someone who's known Michael for the past 4 years, and has gotten to know his apostolate quite well over that period of time. In that time I've never heard him say anything untrue about any other faith, or say anything disrespectful about other individuals. He says that only the Catholic faith is the One True Faith - which it is - and that Protestants lack the fullness of truth and sanctifying grace.

    Oh - and he has a really cool Iron Maiden in one corner of the studio that they use to torture unbelievers every Thursday night, but hey? What faithful Catholic doesn't do that?

    The bishop of Scranton is only doing what he feels is best for his diocese. It's not like the folks there are forbidden from buying his DVD's or CD's or watching his Youtube videos.

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  7. ncronline.org/news/.../appointment-inspires-hope-beset-diocese

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  8. I like Michael Voris too, and agree with most of what he has to say - I admire his courage and fidelity. But the bishop calls the shots.

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  9. Look at it this way - it will take their (Catholic bloggers) minds off of bitching about Corapi.

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  10. I'll admit I am a little surprized to hear that the Bishop did what he did, but as LarryD said, it is his right to do what he did. I meet Micael Voris last Fall when he was here in DBQ. He can come on a bit strong, but again as LarryD pointed out, he has never said anything disrespectful, just upheld Catholic teaching.

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  11. Anonymous1:45 AM

    I find Voris' church militant schtick a bit much. He has a way of mixing sound information with ideas that are a bit extreme. He is like a catholic Glenn Beck. Too far to the right. I wouldn't call him "catholic taliban" as some do, but he is very much more to the right in a political way and it gets too much like " the church should run the country."

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  12. Maybe videos like this haven't helped? Caution, swear/cuss word at top of page!!!!

    http://stupidevilbastard.com/2011/01/michael-voris-explains-why-america-needs-a-christian-dictator/

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  13. michael. r.9:12 AM

    I have to admit I've enjoyed watching the videos that I've seen -- posted over at Fr. Z's. I always read the comments there too, and it seems like roughly 50% are always negative on him. Mr. Voris too extreme for many of Fr. Z's regular readers?

    It's not so much the message, but his very caustic delivery -- that is the real turn-off. Already his influence is marginal, and possibly wanning. Perhaps if he toned down the sarcasm, he could reach more people.

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  14. The Catholic Glenn Beck! Exactly! They both are so right about so many things, but something inside you says, "this doesn't end well".

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  15. Already his influence is marginal, and possibly wanning

    I'm not so sure about that. I provide him his mailing/packaging materials, and he's been ordering more as of late. And his RealCatholic.TV site continues to grow in # of subscriptions.

    Is he caustic? Perhaps. One thing for sure is that he's unashamed of being Catholic and he is convinced of the truths taught by the Church. His goal is to help save souls. He's not convinced that enough of our bishops and priests are of that same mind.

    I tell you one thing - I'm glad he's on our team.

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  16. Oh - one more thing - he's no Feeneyite, either.

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  17. michael r.7:52 AM

    Right, Larry. "He" is unashamed of being Catholic, and "he" is convinced "he" has it right, and "he" is unconvinced that the bishops and priests have it right. Somehow, it comes out the same way that people are complaining about that other guy -- the priest that's gotten everyone into a tizzy lately ( partially because he seems to self-promote too). Because Voris has developed that sarcastic schtick, it all sounds a bit too much about "him" and his ideas, instead of HIM.

    Sorry, but I can really imagine Voris reaching a much wider audience, without watering down the real message.

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  18. Whatever, michael r. I wasn't disagreeing with you about his style per se, but if you want to believe that, go right ahead. As to his influence waning - based on personal experience, and knowing him and his apostolate, I have some insight that most folks don't have. At this point in time, interest in St Michael's Media and RealCatholicTV is increasing.

    And I didn't say he's convinced "he" has it right - I said he's convinced of the truths taught by the Church. C'mon - your reading comprehension is much better than that.

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  19. From what I hear, the heart of this controversy is a pro-gay marriage, pro-abortion speaker was allowed to use the same venue that Voris has been denied with the bishop's only caveat being that the president of the university had to be present to monitor what was said.

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