65 Comments

• EphraimKibbey | Nov 05, 2012, 05:45 PM EST

  irishamerica46 - Ike sent in advisors and JFK had planned on removing them but Dallas got in his way. LBJ made it a shooting war for us and kept doubling down. Nixon promised he had a "Secret" plan to get us out while on the campaign trail but did nothing until late in his presidency and then it was done VERY poorly. I lived it! As a Republican, I even voted for Nixon, a quaker like my mom, to my shame. Just shows how much a man's religous affiliation speaks for his real character. I agree with you 100% on Afganistan but our only ground route out lies through a very DANGEROUS Pakistan. We must get our kids out SAFELY not helicoptered off some roof with the enemy closing in. We must also get all our stuff out so that it does not come flying back at our troops in the future. If staying another year or two means SAVING American lives, then I will let Obama LEAD. He seems to have done pretty well so far at cleaning up the messes left by the previous administration. It WOULD be nice though if the other side of the aisle would quit pouting and give him some help. As for cutting money to the military, sequester was voted for by both sides assuming the commission could compromise. Ryan and company demanded "My Way Or the Highway" and refused to negotiate. Here we are thanks to THEM. Hopefully, after Obama wins, they will be more reasonable facing the financial cliff of 2013. Meanwhile Mittens comes up with 2 billion more for defence that the pentagon doesn't want. Mr. Mittens Dufus.

• pilib04 | Nov 05, 2012, 10:49 AM EST

  mreinhar2001, you don't have to be alive during World War II in order to have read the history. Hopefully all students learn about the Holocaust and Nazis. As for this bishop, he's a tool.

• seanomelb | Nov 04, 2012, 06:09 PM EST

  Frosty38!! It was a case of the tail wagging the dog. The Dem controlled legislature forced Romney to compromise. Can someone tell me if he was a one term governor and if so why did he lose???

• irishamerica46 | Nov 04, 2012, 05:04 PM EST

  EphraimKibbey, remember also who got us into Vietnam and then remember who got us out. Our young people should be brought home from the Middle East now. Not tomorrow. It's a war like Vietnam that cannot be won.Bring them home and don't cut money for the military.Off topic, I don't care.You even brought up Hoover.

• mreinhar2001 | Nov 04, 2012, 01:13 PM EST

  Lokelani: Just exactly how old are you? You wrote "when I recall during WW2 how the 'one true Church' helped the Christian villains rather than the Jewish victims during the holocaust!" If you actually lived during WWII in Europe, you would have "seen" (for real) otherwise.

• charlie0491 | Nov 04, 2012, 10:11 AM EST

  Just another AH with a collar.

• Lokelani | Nov 04, 2012, 04:47 AM EST

  I agree with what Brnmar1 has to say. This whole article smacks of hypocrisy and to think that this Illinois bishop would even dare compare Obama to Hitler, when I recall during WW2 how the "one true Church" helped the Christian villains rather than the Jewish victims during the holocaust! I feel this Bishop is talking from his pocketbook, (wants that Romney tax break) not from his heart; he is insulting the American voters intelligence and the bishops should just stay out of it; I think we can make up our own minds, thank you. I am for Obama and that's who I'm voting for.

• EphraimKibbey | Nov 03, 2012, 11:55 PM EDT

  Frosty38 - Magical Mitt the Mendacious SAYS he worked with Democrats in Mass. as Governer. His idea of working WITH them was to veto a record number (over 700) of their bills passed by both houses. Of course they also over turned his veto a record number of times. How much does Mass. love Romney? He was down 28% the last poll that I saw were they know his style of governance best. Most of the liberal clips and quotes that you see were while he was campaigning. Lies roll off his tongue like raindrops in a downpour. Those who believe him do so at their own peril.

• Frosty38 | Nov 03, 2012, 11:02 PM EDT

  As for Gov. Mitt Romney, while we may have seriously considered the man who served as Massachusetts’ governor, a man who sought bipartisanship in the Legislature, who forged the blueprint for healthcare reform, a man who was a voice for women’s rights, to our great chagrin the candidate for president is not the same man. Nor have we forgotten how he abandoned that post in the last years of his governorship.

• Brnmar1 | Nov 03, 2012, 10:33 PM EDT

  In answer to someone who wrote that former Mormon bishop Myth Romney had more 'godly values,' than President Obama. Adolph Hitler was once described as having "godly values" too. Hitler and the National Socialists (Nazis) came into powers in the 1930s because he represented a moral movement that spoke against the sexual promiscuity that had engulfed the German cities. All the members of the Nazi army had German Christian crosses on their uniforms. They saw themselves as the best examples among Christians. Just like the Mormons now, who says that they only are the 'true' Christians. There are too many people who hate President Obama to such a degree, that they are willing to elect a man from a secretive cult who has a messiah complex to the presidency of the United States of America. We are being tested by G-D, and our choice may lead to another world war by electing a self-righteous holier-than-thou nut from a wacky cult who constantly changes his positions on issues in order to be elected.

• seanomelb | Nov 03, 2012, 07:30 PM EDT

  The bishop should be careful. It doesn't take to many twists to turn a cross into a Swastika ask any evangelical right wing gun totin Christian.

• EphraimKibbey | Nov 03, 2012, 06:36 PM EDT

  irishamerica46 - Its Sooo easy and Soooo CORRECT to blame Cheney/Bush as they *** **** near destroyed America. They sent our military into harms way for a personal feud with Saddam and ignored the real killers of 9/11 (I don't know where Bin Laden is and I don't care - Thanks W. from all the families of his victims!.) They sucked the surplus of the Clinton administration dry and kept on sucking until we were borrowing to pay for two off-budget wars and their immoral taxcuts for the wealthy. They cut regulations on polluters, on Banks and on Wallstreet leaving our country in the worst mess since the great depression (another GOP gift - Thanks Mr. Hoover!) And things have NOT gotten worse over the last four years, they have gotten much, much better than the conditions in which those War Criminals left us. We are GAINING jobs not LOSING them now - DUH! Where have you been? Watching Fox again? Stop it, you'll hurt your brain!

• trconnors | Nov 03, 2012, 06:12 PM EDT

  Its jerks like this who has helped destroy the catholic church. I cant get far enough away from the pedophile protecting catholic hierarchy. As a young, catholic youth I admired the church trying to save souls and teach us to love all. Now they are just political miscreants who have abandoned what they where ordained to do. They are a disgrace!!!!!!

• Bocktherobber | Nov 03, 2012, 04:40 PM EDT

  Irishpjk -- Every time I read a comment as uninformed as yours, it makes me wonder how America survives.

• irishamerica46 | Nov 03, 2012, 03:41 PM EDT

  Proud Canadian. It's always so easy to blame Bush.That excuse is really getting old. The past 4 years is what is important. Everything has gotten worse. No promises kept.Kids living in cars, more homeless on the streets,foreclosures on every street, Ambassadors ing killed,But I'm sure it's great in Canada.

• alisaann | Nov 03, 2012, 03:31 PM EDT

  i guess this FOOL, forgets a little thing known as "SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE"....and he needs to SHUT UP....i wonder HOW his god feels about him doing such a thing?....that's just SICK AND WRONG. ALISA

• Frosty38 | Nov 03, 2012, 08:42 AM EDT

  BTW Yesterday I got an email from one of my sites and Obama family goings back to the

• Frosty38 | Nov 03, 2012, 08:31 AM EDT

  In this clip he sounds like the Rev Wright

• cillowen | Nov 02, 2012, 10:11 PM EDT

  Bloomberg tells Obama not to visit New York By Mario Trujillo - 10/30/12 07:06 PM ET New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) said President Obama offered to visit the city in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, but Bloomberg told him that everyone has “lots of things to do” instead. Bloomberg said he didn’t want to “diss” Obama and was flattered by the offer. Obama is scheduled to visit New Jersey on Wednesday, where the hurricane made landfall. The mayor said that trip would represent the whole region. “What I pointed out to them is we would love to have him, but we have lots of things to do,” Bloomberg said at a press conference. “I’m not trying to diss him. But I know he had planned a trip to New Jersey, and I said that is fine. It represents the whole region. ... He has got a lot of things to do, and I was flattered that he offered to come.” Bloomberg didn’t say whether he thought the storm was a result of man-made global warming, but said there is no doubt the climate is changing and the city could learn from the storm. “Is this — a storm like this that is so strong and so unusual — a global warming incident? I think what is clear is the climate is changing, nobody knows if it is a [cyclical] or secular thing. I think each of these storms we have to learn to see if we can do some things better the next time,” Bloomberg said.

• tony whelan | Nov 02, 2012, 09:15 PM EDT

  another man in a collar that thinks he is holier than though. Where were you when men in collars like yours were sexually abusing children. I don't ever remember you standing up to force the church to do the right thing or ever lifted a finger to protect them. You like all the other men in collars stood silent and closed your eyes and ears to what was going on in the churches. now you have the gall to stand up for so called church teachings. The catholic church to day is just like the N.R.A. yes the gun lobby they say that the 2nd amendment is under attack now you say the church is under attack. When all the time its about finding a away to support the GOP. You wonder why the church pews are empty on sundays. Its because the church has abandoned the working people the church has gone back to the old days catering to the rich and abandoning the poor. The church used to preach against cremation, now it's ok. divorce , now the sell there version and call it something else the rules change to fit the requester, ect,ect,.....

• irishpjk | Nov 02, 2012, 08:56 PM EDT

  wtf. It’s about time the Bishops spoke up, comparing him with Hitler was a bit extreme but taken in context I can understand what he means, Hitler did not start killing Jews right away he built up to it. Obama is anti-Christian just look at the changes he is making he goes out of his way to keep from offending Muslims, it needs to be a two way street with mutual respect. Muslims call us infidels and say we must all die, you can be executed for wearing a Christian symbol in a Muslim country yet they practice their religion freely here. One of two things will happen if Obama wins, two years down the road all the democrats running for office will be out, four years from now you will see a republican in the white house and for many years to come.

• Parents | Nov 02, 2012, 08:32 PM EDT

  I am shocked that anyone would think it is ok to equate Obama with hitler, just insane. Yes good idea take this man's tax exemption away now. I am tired of all these extremists. Vote Obama

• Proud Canadian2 | Nov 02, 2012, 08:25 PM EDT

  Irishamerica46 the United States fell nine years ago when George Warmunger Bush was illegally elected and then was put in for another term. I just hope that the American people have learned from that, praise God that they have.

• odubslaine | Nov 02, 2012, 08:06 PM EDT

  I don't think much about this clown, it seems he's venting his racist tendencies... My catholic church, with a small "c", was dissembled when I really began to think for myself at age seventeen. In my opinion all "organized religions", and disorganized religions for that matter, are personality cults, based on lies, ego and greed ... much like the so-called Republican and Tea Parties in the U.S.A. "Bishop" Jenky ought to take all of his vestments to a pawn shop and use the money to take a homeless family to his favorite restaurant for dinner, wine and dessert...

• hollabackgurl | Nov 02, 2012, 07:48 PM EDT

  They don't have a cent to pay the tens of thousands of victims of child sex abuse, but the unlimited millions to pour into political action committees like the National Ornagization for Marriage (NOM) a front group they bankroll. They have nothing to say about the poor getting access to health care but they think tax cuts for millionaires are God's will. They'd make you sick.

• mayoman | Nov 02, 2012, 07:15 PM EDT

  What's wrong with the Bishop? Is he deranged? Comparing the President to Hilter? A dictator that murdered millions of innocent people, while President Obama has championed healthcare insurance for those too poor to afford it. How the hell can he find the gall to compare a compassionate man to a mass killer? And how can the Bishop get on his high horse and instruct Catholics that they must vote with their "Catholic conscience"? Does he represent that conscience? On the one hand he is whining about abortion, which has been permitted since the early 1970s, and then he howls that his freedom is being eroded because the Church is required to include contraceptions in their employee health plans. Did it never occur to the Bishop that abortion was present during the Ford, Reagan, and both Bush Administrations? Were they also Nazis? Why was the Bishop not demonizing those men with his mindless and perverse rhetoric? And does the Bishop not realize that by allowing women to determine their own reproductive health that there will be few unwanted pregnancies that may require an abortion? If this unfortunate, destructive man wants to get out the vote for the GOP in his diocese, he can do so without his tax-exemption. We shouldn't be forced through the tax system to subsidize him. Its high time that a serious discussion began on the issue of removing that benefit for those clerics that insist on playing partisan politics. They can't have it both ways.

• seanomelb | Nov 02, 2012, 06:01 PM EDT

  Seanmor and his fox bullsh#t. What have you lost in the way of freedom in the past four years and how do you sit with your fellow legionnaires at meetings who are dems? I would love to know what freedoms you have lost please tell us.

• irishamerica46 | Nov 02, 2012, 05:21 PM EDT

  Our society has become amoral and narcissistic. Wonder why???It's about time someone speaks up and addresses issues that are turning us into ancient Rome. It fell and we will too.

• sparticusnorth | Nov 02, 2012, 05:13 PM EDT

  thats rich comming from a manmade religious cult who practice child rape and abuse , milking the monies from the states they operate in , oh and on that wee man hitler your chuch signed concordats with him , and all your cardinls worshipped him with the salute see utube rome and hitler if i were obama i'd drive you out.

• Seanmor | Nov 02, 2012, 05:01 PM EDT

  Since I arrive in the U.S. as a teenaged immigrant, I have oficially sworn an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution at least 4 times, and I sincerely intended - and still do - to live by the letter of that oath. For the past quarter century I have attended countless meetings of the American Legiion and have recited the Pledge of Allegiance at these meetings. One of the many reasons why I truly love this great country is because it guarantees us religious liberty, among many other precious freedoms, many of which are now in great danger because of Obama.

• Frosty38 | Nov 02, 2012, 03:49 PM EDT

  My thought on this is why did they let the church close their eyes to what was going on. I agree with Therea Cross all the way. we go over Sunday and we are usher's and EM So now it comes to light and money has been given to those kids and that what they were. Now they are coming out of the woodwork with this C--P

• Teresa Cross | Nov 02, 2012, 03:43 PM EDT

  I think the whole diocese should LOSE its tax-exemption status!!!! I would complain to the Internal Revenue that he his preaching politics from his pulpit!

• Maureen15 | Nov 02, 2012, 02:58 PM EDT

  Bishop JERKY.....should remember Church and STATE separation. Shame on him for getting involved. If a Parishioner wants to know what he thinks...they will ask.

• bunkerisland | Nov 02, 2012, 02:53 PM EDT

  Bishop Jenky is going straight to hell for all those years of playing with himself. No wonder his brain is damaged.

• EphraimKibbey | Nov 02, 2012, 02:51 PM EDT

  eiriamach - Thanks for the definitive answer! I just have one little thing to add. For those of you who are used to a nice tax write off when donating to a religious body, if that body loses its tax exempt status, YOU lose YOUR exemption. If that concerns you, you might want to write the good bishop and ask him to keep his comments to ones about the practices that he condemns without reference to any particular candidate. I wonder if he thinks that his parishoners are too STUPID to know which candidate believes in a woman's right to choose what happens to her own body and which one believes that it is the government's job to instruct her and jail her when she does not follow orders.

• Joe Kelsall | Nov 02, 2012, 01:50 PM EDT

  In the UK, Oliver Cromwell's separation of 'head from Bishop' was quite successful; and permanent.

• docmikey | Nov 02, 2012, 01:35 PM EDT

  No more tax exemptions for the Bishop! Separation of church and state is still the American way.

• Scrivner | Nov 02, 2012, 01:34 PM EDT

  Let's see, about 160 years ago a large group of clergy campaigned for a change in public policy. This was based on strongly held moral view of what was right and what was wrong. Their preaching railed the masses and encouraged law breaking. They were called Abolitionists--they sought to abolish slavery in America. This Bishop seems to be walking in their footsteps.

• Joe Kelsall | Nov 02, 2012, 01:20 PM EDT

  Do you know what!! These religious nutcases are operating on both sides of 'The Pond' now! At least we know how to treat them: Cardinal Keith O'Brien was named Stonewall's Bigot of the Year last night, despite threats from Barclays and Coutts to withdraw their sponsorship of the awards over the category. Cardinal O'Brien, the most senior figure in the Catholic Church in Britain, was "honoured" for his outspoken attacks on proposals to legalise same-sex marriage, which he has described as a "grotesque subversion of a universally accepted human right".

• shamrocks | Nov 02, 2012, 01:10 PM EDT

  Bishop Jenky lives with the delusion that most Catholics care and believe what the bishops say anymore. They are out of touch and in jeopardy of losing their status of power.

• Proud Canadian2 | Nov 02, 2012, 12:43 PM EDT

  Boy the Catholic Church is sure running scared. Someone said on here that he never named anyone or any party in his letter, well I suggest they learn how to read. It was plain as the nose on your face he was talking about Obama and the Demacrats. I have little else to say because I feel eiriamach has said it all and very eloquently. I would not have come on here if the Bishop would have said something against Mitt the Twit Romney who in my mind is a lot closer to Hitler and Stalin than Obama ever will be. Please for the world's sake Americans vote Obama back for another term. We don't need another Bush, thanks. I Proud Canadian Approve of this message.

• FastEddy | Nov 02, 2012, 12:42 PM EDT

  A comparison of some in the Obama Administration and certain fascist members of congress to Mussolini would be much closer to the mark. (He has not tried to kill any Jews ... yet.)

• eiriamach | Nov 02, 2012, 12:29 PM EDT

  The IRS also demands obedience ("render unto Caesar"): Here's some info on political activities prohibited by IRS Code: "Religious organizations, as well as all other organizations exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are prohibited from participating or intervening, directly or indirectly, in a political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for elective public office. This prohibition ... precludes direct political campaign intervention, including the making of statements, whether oral, written or in an electronic medium, supporting or opposing any candidate, political party or political action committee; creating a PAC; rating candidates; and providing or soliciting financial support.... It also precludes indirect political campaign intervention of a sort that reflects bias for or against any candidate, political party or PAC, such as distributing biased voter education materials or conducting a biased candidate forum or voter registration drive." Not only billions in tax exemptions, but Health and Human Services makes $407.4 Billion available in grants to faith-based hospitals, agencies, and schools, with Catholic organizations getting a lion's share-- lotsa money at stake!

• bignevermo | Nov 02, 2012, 12:28 PM EDT

  The problem Eamonn is that when a church gets involved in politics..they may be liable to lose their tax-exmpt status... "Illinois Catholic bishop, who compared Obama to Hitler earlier this year, has ordered an anti-Obama letter to be read from the pulpit during mass this coming weekend." he is getting involved in politics! tax that Diocese! It is not the job for a clergyman to get involved in politics...at least not while they enjoy tax exempt status... so go ahead and promote a political agenda...but then you will face the consequences!

• HorsesInMdstrm | Nov 02, 2012, 12:11 PM EDT

  Don't forget that the church demands absolute obedience. You can't pick and choose your points of agreement; it's not like a bowling league. I learned this in my theology class in college. This, of course, is why I no longer am a practicing Catholic.

• jerrydonovan | Nov 02, 2012, 11:49 AM EDT

  In your charity you should offer prayers for Bishop Jenky for a full recovery from what is obviously a serious mental condition.I would also ask all the Jewish people to not take offence at his ramblings in view of his obvious mental condition.Had he said that when it came to lying, that Romney was like Gobbels then we might have viewed his mental condition as improving.

• CelticQueenUSA | Nov 02, 2012, 11:35 AM EDT

  Don't believe this man at all. He is short sighted and crazy.

• eiriamach | Nov 02, 2012, 11:35 AM EDT

  The commenters who think that Bsp Jenky is only "doing his job according to scripture's writ" as a "pastoral leader of a Christian flock" need to LISTEN to his words in the embedded video: "In clear violation of of our First Amendment rights, President Obama with his radical pro-abortion and extreme secularist agenda now seems intent on following a similar path [similar to Hitler's and Stalin's shutting down churches]. Now things have come to such a pass in our beloved country that this is a battle we could lose, but before the awesome judgment seat of Almighty God, this is not a battle where any believing Catholic may remain neutral. This fall, every practicing believer **must vote, and must vote with their Catholic consciences, or by the following fall our Catholic schools, our Catholic hospitals, our Catholic Newman centers, all our public ministries--all excepting church buildings, could easily be shut down.**" This is a completely political attack on an incumbent president. It misrepresents facts and promulgates a blatant lie about the financial impact of Obama's health care law, which can never "shut down" any religious organization. And it stirs fear; it threatens, rather than trying to persuade on any rational and truthful moral grounds. Jenky illustrates political demagoguery at its most virulent.

• slainte9 | Nov 02, 2012, 11:21 AM EDT

  There's something very wrong and dishonest at "Irish" Central when they feature stories like this and refuse to cover mainstream Catholic clergy like Bishop McElroy of San Francisco who has explained that Catholics need to vote their conscience even when in disagreement with the Church and that there are no "Catholic" candidates: Republican or Democrat.

• pndirishandprou | Nov 02, 2012, 11:14 AM EDT

  Far-right extremist clergy supporting the ultra-conservative Republican party. Why does that not surprise anyone.

• plynchhayes | Nov 02, 2012, 10:59 AM EDT

  I think the IRS should put him on notice that he is skirting VERY close to the line separating church and state and putting the diocesan tax-exempt status in jeopardy.

• joan1954 | Nov 02, 2012, 10:47 AM EDT

  Why do we hellfire and damnation a Catholic bishop for doing his job according to scripture's writ? No where does he damn our country like Jeremiah Wright does or hate whites like Louis Farrakan's Black Muslim movement. We have free will but how many properly use it? Finally we don't see all this criticism directed at black churches where politicians go to speak and don't think they don't. What is the difference? There isn't any. Get real this is done all over this country, just they don't get the publicity.

• EamonnDublin | Nov 02, 2012, 10:46 AM EDT

  Apparently, the Bishop "ordered" his priests to read out the letter on Sunday. That's fine. That's within the boundaries of the church's internal authority. I don't see anywhere in the letter where the Bishop "orders" anybody to do anything. He has stated his own thoughts - that is fine. He has also asked people to vote - nothing wrong there either. So, what's the problem with your posters? Just anti-Catholicism? A rant for the sake of ranting? Or perhaps it's just that your headline is so (intentionally?) misleading. (BTW, any respondents, please try to tone it down just a bit, the fury on here is becoming very nasty.) Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• JohnGalt | Nov 02, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT

  This guy is the ultimate argument for post-delivery abortions. John Galt

• Joe Kelsall | Nov 02, 2012, 10:34 AM EDT

  I think that Bishop Danny should keep his mouth shut and keep out of National politics! The Roman Catholics had no trouble cooperating with the Nazis in WW 2! The last time I was in Illinois, it seemed that the church had enough work to keep it occupied without further brainwashing its congregations' Bishop Danny has a cushy sinecure in permanent well paid 'employment' I suspect that in Bishop Danny's house 'there are many rooms': I wonder how many homeless people have access to them?

• patrickesq | Nov 02, 2012, 10:26 AM EDT

  This bishop has breached the wall separating church and state. He fails to show any understanding or appreciation of the US Constitution that protects freedom of religion, including the right to be an atheist. There is no commandment from God forbidding artificial birth control and sterilization. These are arbitrary church restrictions that are rightfully rejected by most people of all religions. The Affordable Care Act was designed to make health insurance coverage more available and affordable for all Americans. It is estimated that an additional 30 million people would be able to have coverage as a result of the Act. The Supreme Court of the US held that abortion is legal in limited circumstances. the President does not promote abortions, but he is obligated to abide by what the Court determines to be legal. So I would suggest to the good bishop that he show more respect for our constitutional government and the president's role in that, and, that he do more to promote social justice,, rather than trying to elevate sterile catholic religious doctrine as the law of the land.

• eileenkny | Nov 02, 2012, 10:18 AM EDT

  Whatever this bishop believes in his own heart is one thing, but to imposed this demand upon his priests-he's stepping over the line of separation of Church and State.

• StRoibard | Nov 02, 2012, 09:51 AM EDT

  It is the responsibility of a pastoral leader of a Christian flock to make them aware of dangers and situations in their community that may affect their spiritual well-being. This shepherd is merely bringing to the attention of his congregants the current political issues. Nowhere in his letter does he direct his members to vote for any particular person or party. He does point out some variances between some Catholic politicians and the church's beliefs, but he never speaks against any person or party. He is well within his legal rights to admonish his followers to follow biblical principles. I'm not sure why you would want to censor a minister from teaching biblical principles. People scream about separation of church and state all the time (which is NOT a Constitutional principle, BTW), but see no problem with censoring a religious person, group, or leader from speaking on their topic to their followers who have freely chosen to sit under this teaching. No one makes them listen to this pastor's lessons, and no one can enforce their compliance. ... unlike governmental directives, which can be enforced. If you don't agree with him, don't go to his church, don't read his letter, and don't follow his advice. But don't tell him he has no right to tell his free followers his beliefs.

• conorsmom | Nov 02, 2012, 09:48 AM EDT

  As a church going Catholic this man upsets me more than the destruction of hurricane Sandy to my home state of New Jersey. This is a"man of God"? God gave us free will and therefore "holier than thou" men have no right what so ever to tell me or any other women what we can or can not do to our bodies! This man should spend more time doing Christian acts of charity and keep his big mouth shut!

• Parents | Nov 02, 2012, 09:45 AM EDT

  Wow this is arrogance with a capital A, still telling people how to live theirlives,who to vote for etc. Who is paying this guy and what is he after. Get out of politics and look after your own affairs like out of control sexual abuse of children.That should be your focus, did Jesus have anything to say about that? All catholics, including myself, vote as you feel necessary, not according to what this old windbag has to say. Vote Obama if you want the US to continue as a forward, free country.

• PghIrish | Nov 02, 2012, 09:42 AM EDT

  This is surely the most corrupt abuse of power I've seen in this campaign. Shame on the bishop, and those Church authorities who probably will not act to stop him. Hopefully the parish priests of Peoria will reject the orders, preach compassion, and encourage their congregations to vote with their conscience.

• CindyDoyle | Nov 02, 2012, 09:30 AM EDT

  He has no business sticking his nose in politics and using the Church to push his own political views Wish he was "Dethroned" by the Pope.

• hollabackgurl | Nov 02, 2012, 08:43 AM EDT

  It's disappointing to see a bishop get involved in national politics. But apparently he plans to pay taxes for turning the Catholic church into a political action committee, doesn't he? The people in his home state should insist he does.

• eiriamach | Nov 02, 2012, 08:20 AM EDT

  Catholics must vote against Obama, the bishop says -- from the pulpit he says it! He construes it as a matter of conscience, and he threatens Catholics with hellfire for disobedience. Not only does he violate the conditions of tax exemption for his church, but also he mocks conscience, making it the voice of a financially motivated political authority figure--himself!--rather than the exercise of moral principle that it ought to be. Catholics with integrity and liberty of conscience will vote their basic humanity and support Obama's HHS mandate to serve women's reproductive health care needs. Hitler tried to silence religious leaders. And Jenky tries to abolish freedom of conscience and march Catholics in "Stechschritt"-- or more accurately " Passo Romano"-- to the polls. Hitler did not succeed, and neither will Jenky.

• thetint | Nov 02, 2012, 07:59 AM EDT

  Who elected this guy?