The more I read America, the National Catholic Weekly, the more I'm beginning to think that the inclusion of the word 'Catholic' is a typo.
Seems that the editors have gotten together and scribbled some open letters and memos to the incoming President. Here are selections from their submissions, with my comments.
Agbonkhianmeghe E. Orobator, S.J., is a lecturer in theology at Hekima College Jesuit School of Theology in Nairobi, Kenya, and rector of the college’s Jesuit community.
Here in Kenya, your ancestral land, we claim you as a true son of Africa. Your name, Baraka, means blessing. You assume the leadership of the United States at a time when Americans groan in the throes of economic woes...This may sound nepotistic, but in Africa we say that a person whose relative sits on top of a mango tree always eats ripe and delicious mangoes. (what the...? Is that supposed to be deep wisdom?) Africa expects many blessings from you, as our relative, in your exalted position as president. (yes, because of all the African citizens who voted for Obama.)
Matthew P. Moll, a 2003 graduate of Marquette University, served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and is studying new media at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
According to a biannual report by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, “College tuition continues to outpace family income and the price of other necessities, such as medical care, food, and housing...." (newsflash, Matt! College is not a necessity, but a privelege.)
Peter Quinn, a novelist and essayist, was the speechwriter for two New York governors. His latest book is Looking for Jimmy: In Search of Irish America (Overlook Press, 2007).
I have not had higher hopes or greater expectations for any president since John F. Kennedy. You are every bit as intelligent, articulate and capable as he was. You seem wonderfully agreeable and genuinely decent. Your call for a new era of bipartisanship is admirable. (suck up.)
With malice toward none, Mr. President, but with firmness to do what is right, remember you cannot make everyone a friend. Partisanship is not pleasant. But there are times when it is necessary. Sometimes a measure of a president’s success is the vehemence of the enemies he makes. (based on that last sentence, Bush was a roaring success, which is something I'd be surprised this guy would admit. What a hypocrite.)
Helen Prejean, C.S.J, is the author of Dead Man Walking and The Death of Innocents.
(I'm not quoting anything from her - I keep thinking of Susan Sarandon, and I don't like Susan Sarandon)
Bob Finocchio Jr. is a corporate director, private investor, part-time professor and consultant.
(This guy actually makes a lot of sense, from a business and free enterprise perspective. It must have gotten published by accident)
Gabino Zavala is auxiliary bishop for the San Gabriel Region, Diocese of Los Angeles.
First and foremost, I would suggest that you find ways that help you to remain centered and grounded, in order to meet the new demands of your daily life and the well-being of your family. I would recommend that your work as president of the United States focus on cultivating the common good and promoting the dignity of every human person, both for the family of nations and our own national community. Restoring good international relationships based on mutual respect and equal regard is important for bringing about genuine peace and justice. Since you are coming into office in this difficult time globally and nationally, I would suggest that you focus on issues that are related to the dignity of the human person, and that you make it a priority to address the wars in the Middle East and other parts of the world that have torn apart our family of nations.
There are other related concerns that rob people of dignity, such as the food crisis, trafficking of human persons and genocide. Nationally, it should be your priority to restore those systems that affect the most vulnerable in our midst: education, health care, immigration, housing and employment. I would also encourage you to reconsider your pledge to sign the Freedom of Choice Act in light of the far-reaching and devastating effects its implementation will have on so many. (I reprinted the bishop's entire column so you can see how much time and space he didn't devote to the pro-life issue...)
Daniel Callahan is a senior research scholar and president emeritus of The Hastings Center.
I propose that President Obama take back his pledge to lower taxes, and instead persuade Congress to raise them. Amid the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, our many infrastructure needs, universal health care and the costs of the economic bailout, the government needs more money. (Dear Mr Callahan - if you want to pay the govt more money, please do so voluntarily. But keep your socialist hands off my wallet!)
Frank Brennan, S.J., is a professor of law at Australian Catholic University.
Gone are the days when the United States can go it alone or with “coalitions of the willing,” reconstituting the global landscape. The paddy fields and dusty roads will be safer and more productive if President Obama rekindles the dream of due process in international forums and equal protection for people of all races, regardless of their nationality. Change will not be easy; but together, as one world, “Yes we can.” (Translated to mean: please sign the UN charter for the International Criminal Court and prosecute the evil US troops)
Save yourself some aggravation and don't follow the link.
Instant "Acts"ess
