Barack Obama’s presence at Catholic Al Smith dinner is called ‘insulting’

The prejudice implicit in the article is outdone only by the uncharitable perspective of many of the Commenters. Obamacare takes care of the downtrodden, forlorn, poor and sick that once were the "protectees" of an erstwhile charitable Catholic Church. In Ireland we would term the article "stir the cipin" a mild form of 'rabble rouser' or provoker.

The two never have to acknowledge one another. It is probably a big room. Let Dolan sit one place and the President sit in another place. I do this with my sister-in-law all the time. We never speak to each other and we still have a nice time.

This is one arena where I have to disagree with my fellow pro-lifers. This is not a pro-life event. This is a political event celebrating the emergence of Catholic politicians in national politics. Since that politician, Al Smith was a Democrat, I think it would be singularly inappropriate to exclude Democrats, even Obama, from the guest list. Don't blame Obama for the weak character of "Catholic" politicians like Biden, Sebellius or Pelosi. Pressure our bishops to publically read them out of the Church with bell, book and candle. Only when they are publically ostracized will mainstream practicing Catholics understand the depth of error being promoted by these heretics.

If the points in this article are true; these people should "get over themselves" and ask themselves where were their voices when we invaded Iraq under the pretense of hidden weapons, when it is documented that the Cheney/Bush neocons had the plan to invade when they entered the White house long before the 911 attacks. Do the "good conservatives" even know how many soldiers and innocent civilian on the ground were killed in the days after the shock and awe campaign? If the cardinal "slams him" as this article predicts, it will be the first time such disrespect and ignorance will have been displayed at a dinner in recognition of a man who could teach the attendees an thing or two about politics and life in general.

Well, I can empathize with the Cardinal's dilemma. But no Church prince had issues with Ronald Reagan, the ONLY candidate or president who actually signed into law an abortion bill. Everyone seems to forget that, whited sepulchers all.

Mama mia! Doesn't Cillowen know Smith was Italian.

All of this becomes so tiresome. When the conservatives are in power, its "respect the office..." and civility. When they are out of office, its anything but. Didn't your mother teach you basic manners?

What's insulting is that they invite Republicans to the dinner in the first place. If you're a Republican and plan to attend, you should have manners enough to keep your foul mouth shut.

What's at stake in Obama attending is not a photo-op. It's the many many millions of dollars that Catholic hospitals, schools and agencies receive from the federal budget. If they do not obey the HHS fairness requirement of full health insurance for their non-Catholic employees, they will be in violation of the law and ineligible for the generous grants the Obama administration has provided for them.

In courts all around the USA, judges, both liberal and conservative, are dismissing the petulant lawsuits filed by Card. Dolan, the USCCB and Catholic hospitals and colleges against Obama, Sibelius, and the HHS. Their unholy, unAmerican attempt to rewrite federal law to exclude insurance coverage for women's legitimate health needs was foolish, and it has failed. Constitutional lawyer Obama could teach the cardinal and his bishops the real meaning of religious liberty if any of the USCCB crew were open to learning. Interfaith dialogue is important, but will it happen at the Al Smith dinner, or will Dolan bluster on ignorantly as usual?

Come on now folks.... Obama cares more for human welfare then the ryan/romney ticket.....

that black man with chutzpah honoring a largely German-Irish politician. Who knew?

It seems to me that no matter what President Obama does, he is condemned for it. Had he not accepted the invitation, he would have been criticized for thinking he was too good to attend, or some such nonsense. I get so tired of reading all this negativism that I chose not to read the entire article. Give it a rest, people...life is too short to allow hatred into it.

The president became Irish the same as he found that being black would get him votes. Why allow him to speak at an affair when he shows disdain for Catholic teachings? I hope the Cardinal gives him a good going over.

See you on here again Dr McH, Chicago as I recall with your usual illogical anti-Hierarchical rant. opposition to abortion as you may recall was required by the original Hippocratic Oath and that Natural Law has held sway with the major Faith groups worldwide always, regardless of how it has been violated. Murder and thieving and rape and perjury are also well-practiced, but still open to severe civil penalties. Today's abortion chemicals include abortifacients, a piece down the road from Dr Rock's 196os pills. And sterlization for the heck of it is also un-natural. The HHS mandate, contrary to your piece, requires insurers who are morally opposed to certain medical prescriptions are subject to severe penalties, and cover Baptist hospitals and Catholic Universities and Orthodox Jewish business women/men. The so-called " accomodation " was sleight of hand, your insurance company could pay. Duh, who pays that portion of the cost. And of course if said Baptist hospital, and said Catholic University only hired and served their own co-religionists, that covers them. Dug ditto. Your logic, awareness of the Natural Law and suspicion of your Church's hierarchy suggest to me that you need a Year of Faith refresher course. Have you made a Cursillo weekend? PEACE to you and all dissenters on here who pit your mind against that of JESUS Lord of the Natural Law,