Archbishop Timothy Dolan Explains Why We Need the Catholic League

'Popular opinion may demand that Catholics suffer in silence, or more, embrace an insult as a work of art, but that doesn't mean that we should, no matter how many in public and private expect us to do so.  That is why I appreciate Dr. Donohue and the work done by The Catholic League.  I look forward to the day when the work done by the Catholic League is no longer necessary. Sadly, as recent events have proven once again, that day still seems far in the future.'

P>NEW YORK, NY (Catholic Online) -  Archbishop Timothy Dolan writes a regular column for the faithful entitled "The Gospel in the Digital Age". In the December 16, 2010 installment entitled "Why We Need the Catholic League" he defends one of my friends, a true Defender of the Catholic Faith named Bill Donohue, the President of the Catholic League. In the interest of full disclosure, in 2009 I broke with a self imposed decade long practice of not joining Boards when Bill invited me to join the Catholic League's Advisory Board. I prayed, and said "Yes". I wrote an article explaining my decision entitled "We Need the Catholic League Now, More than Ever." 

In it I wrote, "I am deeply grateful for the work of the Catholic League in defending the Catholic Church and all of her sons and daughters at the beginning of a new missionary age. In the boardroom, the marketplace, at the movies, in the halls of political power, on the television, the internet or on the front page of newspapers, they are there to defend the rights of the Church to proclaim and live her liberating message. I am convinced that as our culture becomes increasingly hostile to the message of the Catholic Church we need this defender of the faith now, more than ever.

"William A. "Bill" Donohue, Ph.D. is a pugilist who uses his words not his fists. He is the kind of man you want on your side in a real fight. (He) is more than a "street fighter" he is a "smart fighter". His adversaries often underestimate him and he uses that to his advantage like any good fighter. He is also a good steward, carefully selecting those causes and cases which will accomplish the most good in furthering the Catholic League's ongoing mission. As we contend with the growing hostility toward the Catholic faith and the Catholic Church we need the Catholic League now more than ever."

When I saw the recent vicious attacks on Bill Donohue for standing up and giving a voice to so many, like myself, who were offended by what purported to be "Art" and was in fact a blatant, sacrilegious depiction of the Lord Jesus Christ, I began to write my own article in defense of my friend and the work of the Catholic League. Thursday, Archbishop Dolan said it all better than I ever could. I offer his full column for our readers around the globe. I ask everyone reading this column to pray for Bill Donohue, the Catholic League, and Archbishop Timothy Dolan whom we are privileged to now have as the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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Archbishop Timothy Dolan on 'Why we need the Catholic League'

"It almost seems to be an unspoken rule that Christians, and Catholics in particular, are not supposed to respond to criticism, insults, and slights towards their faith with anything more than a smile. Certainly we shouldn't actually say anything.  For some reason, this is not expected of our other religious neighbors - Jews and Muslims - or of any other group, such as blacks or gays.

"If you doubt this to be true just take a look at the reaction inspired by Catholic League president William Donohue's now widely covered statement on an exhibit at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. "The exhibit, "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture," features a video that includes the image of  ants crawling all over  the body of Jesus on the cross. Dr. Donohue wrote a letter asking the members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee to re-consider funding the Smithsonian; the federal government funds the Smithsonian Institution while exhibits are funded privately.

"Dr. Donohue, for daring to articulate that this use of an image of the crucified Christ was offensive,  was denounced as a "blowhard,"  a self-appointed censor,"  a "right wing publicity mill," a "bully,"   an American Taliban" and one who "immediately and opportunistically seized"  on the occasion for some kind of self-promotion, among other things. Apparently, Catholics shouldn't take offense when our  sacred objects are depicted disrespectfully in the name of art. And we certainly shouldn't let anyone know we are offended if we are.

"Bill Donohue hardly needs me to defend him.  He's well-able to do it himself, and has a lot of experience doing so.  But, he's stood up for a lot of us before, and I am glad to express my encouragement for the work he does.  Some may take occasional issue with his style.  Fair enough, and he's open to such criticism. Some might even discuss whether the image is offensive.  However, no one should doubt the high value and necessity of his efforts, or dismiss him in crude terms.  Even the recent high-volume critiques of his stand on this controversy exhibit nasty anti-catholic canards.  Keep at it, Bill!  We need you!

"Our duty to defend our faith is grounded in the true understanding of freedom: the ability to do what we ought to do, not simply what we want to do. Popular opinion may demand that Catholics suffer in silence, or more, embrace an insult as a work of art, but that doesn't mean that we should, no matter how many in public and private expect us to do so.  That is why I appreciate Dr. Donohue and the work done by The Catholic League.  I look forward to the day when the work done by the Catholic League is no longer necessary. Sadly, as recent events have proven once again, that day still seems far in the future."

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