Judge not, lest be judged thy self

Hypocrisy from the pulpit always concerns us, and the latest example comes from Deacon Tom McDonnell at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Buffalo NY. Apparently openly and publicly, not in the privacy of the Deacons office, Deacon McDonnell chastised Congressman Brian Higgins in front of his family and fellow parishioners for his recent vote on stem cell research in Congress. Apparently missing from the Deacons public tirade was any mention regarding the Congressmen’s vote on the Iraq war, the minimum wage and many other issues of concern to Catholics in Congress.

The homily is a time during mass where the Priest or Deacon who has just proclaimed the Gospel message to the parish, is supposed to reflect on that Gospel message or teach on it. It is not a time for personal attacks, political disagreements and lessons on theology for public servants.

Indeed Catholic teaching is clear on stem cell research. However one would believe that a rational and charitable Deacon of the Church would seek to express his disagreement with a politically active parishioner behind closed doors. Not in front of that parishioner’s family and certainly not during a homily, disturbing the sanctity of the mass and the message of the gospel.

It is unfortunate that Deacon McDonnell has allowed the politics of personal attacks and division to enter the sanctity of the pulpit and the mass.