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Award-winning columnist Tom Archdeacon — an old-school storyteller in a brand-new venue — writes about sports, the city, southwest Ohio and anything else that catches his fancy… or yours.Home > Blogs > Through the Arch > Archives > 2008 > January > 23 > Entry
Archdeacon to Archbishop: Zip It !!!
This week Saint Louis University basketball coach Rick Majerus finds himself in a bigger holy war than he ever imagined.
When the season began, the well-rounded man of the sidelines — an I mean that in every sense of the word — figured his biggest religious battles would be against a couple of saints, Atlantic-10 foes St. Bonaventure and Saint Joseph’s.
But now he’s finding himself facing a full court press from St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke, the outspoken and often polarizing head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis.
The flap started Saturday when Majerus — who’s always had a strong interest in politics, the root of it likely going back to his dad who was secretary-treasurer of the United Auto Workers — attended a campaign rally for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
A local TV reporter interviewed Majerus, who said he supported Clinton and — with some prompting — said he agreed with stem cell research and abortion rights.
Soon after, the reporter contacted Burke, who in the past has publicly blasted current Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, 2004 Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry and Grammy Award winning singer Sheryl Crow — all for being Pro Choice.
When he heard Majerus’ comment, Burke said the coach — who is paid $650,000 a year to guide his Catholic school’s hoops team — should not only be disciplined by the university, but have a gag order placed on him when he’s in public and such matters arise.
“I would have to insist that it is not possible for a representative of the university to espouse these views,” Burke told the TV reporter. “They’re in open violation of moral law, let alone Catholic teaching.”
The way I see it, Burke needs to zip it himself.
This is still a country of free speech and just as Kurt Warner, once the St. Louis Rams Super Bowl quarterback, was free to appear on TV commercials speaking out against stem cell research a while back, Majerus should be permitted to say what he believes.
He was speaking as a private citizen, not on behalf of his university.
But Burke is having none of that. He was in Washington Tuesday for the annual March for Life and, addressing the Majerus comments again, he said it was “not possible to be a Catholic and hold those positions.”
St. Louis University‚ including its president, Rev. Lawrence Biondi, publicly supported the coach, saying he was entitled to vocalize his views because he was not representing SLU.
I would like to think that’s their heartfelt view and they’re not speaking just because of a court ruling for which they recently lobbied.
Last year the Missouri Supreme Court said in a 6-1 decision that SLU — while run by the Jesuits — is not “controlled by a religious creed” and that paved the way for the school to get $80 million in public funding for a new arena.
The flap has got much of St. Louis talking and Tuesday, Laura Willingham, a research assistant in Saint Louis University’s School of Medicine, told the St. Louis Post Dispatch:
“If SLU wants to have a policy of, ‘you have to be Catholic and believe the Catholic way,’ SLU wouldn’t exist. Should (Majerus) have said it publicly? There’s freedom of speech.”
As for Burke, he’s having none of that.
He said he would deny giving Majerus communion as long as he knew the coach held those views. He said the same thing about Giuliani recently.
My advice to Burke, clean your own house first.
Four years ago, it was reported his archdiocese paid out $2 million to settle 18 claims of sexual abuse involving five priests. At the time 16 more suits were pending. There may be more now.
A few of those priests’ transgressions happened as far back as the 1970s and yet some of them still were handing out communion long after that.
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Comments
By Dan
January 29, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Geez, the anti-Catholicism is sure as heck showing here. Disappointing.
By Matthew Scallon
January 25, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
So, it’s official. Saint Louis University is not a Catholic university. Fine. Then Archbishop Burke should take away their mundatum which allows them to teach Catholic doctrine in their theology department. Matters settled. From the “What does one have to do with the other” department, by paying settlements for lawsuits for cases which occurred long before Archbishop Burke even came to St. Louis —he wasn’t even a priest at the time— doesn’t that constitute “getting his own house in order?” God, you bigots are not just bigots; you’re hypocrits, too.
By Benedict XVI th
January 25, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Burke is in a long line of current pedophile enablers and criminal unconvicted co-conspirators (Mahony, Rivera, George, Egan, Pilla, etc.) in the Roman Cahtolic Church, like known and house arrested pedophile founder of the Legionnaires of Christ, Fr. Marciel. For daily vetted global coverage, and why all laity should not be donating any monies to the Roman Catholic Church, for any reason, until these miter and red hat crooks are booted from their offices, we recommend: www.bishop-accountability.org/abusetracker No Curial Accountability? No Laity Monies! Benedict XVI th Current Pontiff
By Savanation
January 25, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this
People in glass houses just shouldn’t throw stones. Let Burke concentrate on his own sins and those of his priests then he can worry about someone else’s opinions. I would venture to say that Burke probably voted for President Bush. Now if he were a real Catholic he would have condemmed Mr. Bush in the same manner he condemmed Mr. Majerus. Above, a Mr Matt Phillips, points out that Burke: “is correct in what he is saying. It his job to enforce Catholic Doctrine.” So why the hell didn’t he condemm the killing of 4000 good young American soldiers or the lack of Christian charity espoused by Bush in denying healthcare to millions of poor children? Archbishop burke needs to get his priorities straight and become a Christian not a politician. If Bush were a Catholic would the good bishop give communion to him? I certainly hope not.
By DON
January 25, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
Zip it yourself, Archdeacon. Who set you up as the all knowing one? Majerus has responsibilities as a representative of such a Catholic University. Freedom of speeech does not mean the right to say whatever one wants whenever one wants. And to bring an irrelevant item such as the abuse situation shows ignorance on your part. It is not perinent here. I guess when you not a principled writer you resort to such yelloe journalism.
By Chuck
January 24, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
All of you who were educated in catholic schools, don’t you remember that priests were the embodiment of Christ on earth and bishops were above even that. That is why they are not bound by the laws of decency that apply to all mortals. They do not have to worry about the morality of their actions and most of all they can go to any extremes to avoid actions which may cost them money and/or loss of status. That is why they can fight the sex abuse trials tooth and nail yet they can (try) to control the thoghts and actions of everyone else. Their right of free speech trumps everyone else’s, especially Rick’s.
By Mike
January 24, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Please stick to sports and stay away from politics and religion. Getting involved in something that is beyond your competence does not help anyone. You sound so sanctimonius as if you are the source of all wisdom. We don’t need or want moral guidance from a sports writer. Talk about the height of arrogance? You made it to the top. Rick and the Bishop can handle this without your help or mine either.
By Mary
January 24, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Majerus knew that what ever comments he made, reflected on the Catholic Institution that he represents. Perhaps Archbishop Burke should go further and investigate the moral teachings in this Jesuit Institution!
By Democratic Catholic
January 24, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
It is not a Diocese sponsored institution. Completely independent of the Bishop, Jesuits founded the school. The Bishop needs to get house in order. Why doesn’t he just say no Democrats allow. See how that palys in good’old St. Louie.
By ED
January 24, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
To put it in words you might understand that article was an air-ball…you do understand air-ball. Sure we are in the USA and we can have freedaom of speech but why does the Archbishop enjoy that right. For those that talk about praying to dead women… learn something about the Catholic faith before you spread lies. And Tom, Rick also says he like to run around nude…maybe not a person that we should be interviewing for Catholic doctrine.
By Matt Phillips
January 24, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
The Bishop is correct in what he is saying. It his job to enforce Catholic Doctrine. The commend about cleaning your own house first, was uncalled for. As sickening as the sexual improprieties are they are addressing it.
By Another UD Grad
January 24, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
The Bishop doesn’t have to zip it. He is representing what Catholic doctrine teaches. The abuse cases were admitted wrongs also.
By UDgrad
January 24, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Tom, Please spend a little more time working on your gramatical errors and less time pontificating about the priest scandal. Teachers are molesting kids at a 10-1 ratio across the country (See story on page 17, or not at all. Where’s the outrage? Maybe if priests had a union as powerful as the teachers… but I digress.) Yes, Majerus has free speech rights. No, he wasn’t speaking as a “representative” of the university. But, at $650,000 clams a year, he is a high profile employee of the school and any action he takes on or off the clock “reflects” on the school. He should reserve his opinions to the topic he knows best-basketball. By the way, the Archbishop also has the free speech right to disagree with, even chastise, Majerus for his comments. It’s clear where you stand on the Catholic Church, but let’s stick to sports- OK?
By Mike
January 24, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Religion and Politics Tom…stick to sports.
By CATHERINE MARY HENRY
January 24, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Dear Tom, You couldn’t be any more correct in your commentary. Why is anyone surprised that Burke, representing the Roman Catholic Church does not particularly favor the rights to free speech that we Americans take so much pride in? You history buffs out there should remember that the Catholic Church was very much opposed to the establishment of the United States and a democracy to begin with so this follows a long party line if you will. Moreover, the sexual abuse problems in the Roman Catholic Church and its continuing scandal in this country have everything do to with this issue! Victims of sexual abuse by clergy members along with their parents and families were threatened with eternal hellfire and damnation in the next life if they said anything about their ordeals. If threatening their status in the afterlife didn’t work, excommunication, counter-suits and retaliatory action in this life was the next button pushed. Priests and Sisters who were so bold as to speak out were silenced. Look at what is happening in the courts - this very morning in Madison, Wisconsin. Church officials are arguing there that is isn’t FAIR to remove STATUTES OF LIMITATION regarding the sexual abuse of minors. Visit www.napsac.us and find out what is going on in WI. Unbelievable! And churchmen go on to say the church will go bankrupt, programs will be cut, etc., etc., etc. SCARE TACTICS ALL. The institutional catholic church fears FREEDOM OF SPEECH most of all. They fear Jesus’ words, “The truth shall make you free.” They fear having to be accountable for the crimes as well as the sins of the past. The extent of the sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church in the United States alone is greater by three then the numbers presently out there. Former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating was right on the money when he likened the institutional church to the MAFIA. Of course, he wasn’t supposed to say that so he was fired.
By Tom
January 24, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
You split the uprights on this one Tom A. Great piece of writing!
By MDK
January 24, 2008 7:35 AM | Link to this
First, keep in mind that Majerus is ultimately an employee of the diocese (the Bishop of the diocese has jurisdiction over all Catholic schools within that area). So if the head of his [Majerus]coroporation deems that an employee who represents the school and dioceses in a public and de facto manner as Majerus does says something which is a conflict of interest to the vision and purpose of the same coorporation [the Catholic Church], his boss [or Bishop] should repremand that employee. Also keep in mind that Majerus could [and should] have practiced his “freedom of speech” by NOT answering a question HE KNEW would be a conflict of interest with his employer. Last, Archdeacon - the shameful church abuse scandals have nothing to do with the issue at hand in this article… Weak coorelation at best, cheap and unneeded shot at worst…
By JJ
January 24, 2008 5:57 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the reminder to the church that we are not in the Dark Ages anymore. The comments about abuse are not overblown-people just want them to go away.
By Bill
January 24, 2008 1:45 AM | Link to this
The catholics pray to a dead woman while their leaders are destroying the lives of young children. What kind of religion is that anyway? They may as well convert to Scientology or Satanism. Catholicism is a joke.
By Mariaaa!!!
January 24, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
First, Burke spoke of “moral law.” During all his time in the cloth, especially as Archbishop, do you suppose that he EVER heard as much as a whisper (or more) about a fellow priest molesting a minor and did nothing about it or even tried to suppress it? “Statistically” I’d say the chances are pretty good. You know, some priests tended to look the other way where their brothers transgressions were concerned. So, morally, he might not be in a real good position to be telling Majerus he’s no Catholic. Second, Burke said it’s “not possible to be a Catholic and hold those positions.” If that’s the case with ALL of the Church’s positions, then there aren’t NEAR as many Catholics as Burke would like to fantasize that there is. Third. Stone, Tom A. didn’t “put a tainted mark on a religious institution.” A bunch of law breaking, immoral, child molester priests did that all by themselves! People who live in glass houses…..
By Lew
January 23, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
Two points: 1)I have to agree with the folks who stated that facts and figures about sexual abuse by priests have nothing to do with freedom of speech, which is the real issue. 2) I’d be willing to bet that Archbishop Burke didn’t have any problems accepting the $80 million in public funding for the new arena. Therefore, yes…he should shut up about Majerus’ personal political views.
By Dan
January 23, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Tom, I am very disappointed in this article. To call point to Church abuse numbers, already overblown, was classless.
By Stone
January 23, 2008 9:09 PM | Link to this
Tom, throwing out some statistics about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in St. Louis was pretty classless in terms of what your argument was in this case. There was no need to try to use a few cases of abuse to make your point about free speech and put a tainted mark on a religious institution. There are many professions with abuses. Maybe we should document all the writers who have been labeled as sexual predators and publish that in the DDN.
By Mariaaa!!!
January 23, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
I suspect that Burke is a sinner, too. Albeit, Holier than thou.