Dateline Dayton — Although I use a dandruff shampoo, every time I shower, my dander is up, this time caused by the Bishop of Phoenix.
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted excommunicated a nun, Mercy Sister Margaret Mary McBride, because she allowed an abortion at the hospital in which she was vice president of mission integration. The nun concurred in an ethics committee’s decision to abort the child of a gravely ill woman.
You may remembe I am a pro-life.
Shouldn’t I be happy with the Bishop’s decision?
Here is why I am having a dandrt problem. The Bishop excommunicated Sister Margaret from the Church, yet we have all these so-called Catholic politicians running around the country, such as Vice President Joe Biden, supporting pro-choice.
Most bishops allow the politicians to be welcomed into the churches in their dioceses with outstretched arms. Something is wrong with this double standard!
Possibly Sister Margaret should have been removed from her position at the hospital, and she was.
I Am Only Observing
However, I am in no position to agree or disagree. am sure she prayed, relying on others with more medical knowledge before permitting the procedure proceed.
Even if her decision was wrong, wasn’t Jesus a forgiving person? In my mind, the signal this Bishop’s action sends is, if you had an abortion or participated in that decision, you are no longer welcomed in the Catholic church. I thought the Catholic Church had a program to help individuals who had an abortion, letting them know they are welcome. I could see this decision leading to other questions, such as why does the church have a prison ministry for individuals guilty of murder?
Sister Margaret was not your typical Catholic but, rather, a nun whom some have described as a saint. Saints are known for being persecuted.
On a Lighter Note
This past weekend we celebrated Memorial Day. For me, it was a mulching weekend. On Friday, I had eight yards of mulch delivered. Pauline and I spent the entire day Saturday getting ready for mulch and then spreading. The hot tub was great Saturday night for our tired aching bodies.
More mulching on Sunday, then church, out to breakfast, stops at a couple stores for needed supplies and then back to mulching.
Monday morning I returned to the mulching project, but stopped for a couple hours to attend an auction. The auction had a small National Cash Register book and postcards. The book sold early and went for $375, seven times what I was willing to pay.
I wanted to stay for the postcards.
However, since this was a book and paper auction, it was moving slowly. We going to a late afternoon cookout. I knew there wouldn’t be much mulching time. I left the auction, knowing there’s always a postcards show.
Pauline attended a Memorial Day Mass at church and told me she was surprised at the number of Veterans in attendance. They had all Veterans stand for a well deserved recognition at the end of service.
Always remember to say a special prayer for our servicemen and women, thanking them for their service to our great country.
Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net