CNA Staff, Aug 12, 2020 / 03:30 pm (CNA).- Catholics and pro-life organizations offered a range of reactions to the selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as former vice president Joe Biden’s running mate for the 2020 election.
Biden announced his selection on Aug. 11, triggering a wave of reactions among political and Catholic commentators
Fordham University professor Charles Camosy, who left the Democratic Party earlier this year over the party’s stance on abortion, called Harris a “deeply flawed” choice for VP.
“It is very good that a Black woman has been nominated for VP. And I can understand a desire to choose the lesser of two evils,” said Camosy on Twitter Wednesday.
“But for Catholics in favor of prenatal justice, and of government defending these children from terrible violence, we must say that Harris is a deeply flawed candidate. Unreserved praise of her VP candidacy is, in effect, yet another example of erasure of the prenatal child,” Camosy said.
Democrats for Life of America also criticized Harris’s selection, saying in a statement that she “does not provide pro-life Democrats with any assurances and will, in fact, further alienate 21 million Democratic voters who have been left out of the party for quite some time.”
Harris’ position on abortion, said Democrats for Life of America, is “far out of line with the majority of Democrats and Americans on this sensitive issue,” and encouraged Biden and Harris to reach out to pro-life Democrats and adjust the party’s platform stances on abortion.
Michael Sean Winters, a writer for the National Catholic Reporter and the author of “Left At the Altar: How Democrats Lost The Catholics And How Catholics Can Save The Democrats,” also expressed his reservations about Harris.
“[Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth] Warren was the person I wanted Biden to choose,” said Winters on Wednesday.
“After the racial tensions the nation experienced this summer, putting a Black woman on the ticket is to be commended,” Winters said, but called the selection of Harris a “setback for progressives.”
Winters was also critical of Harris’ 2018 questioning of a judicial nominee over his membership of the Knights of Columbus, calling her treatment of Brian C. Buescher “embarrassing in both its ignorance and its bigotry.”
At the time CNA broke the story, America Magazine published and editorial saying Harris’s questions to the prospective judge had shown “a surprising ignorance of the Knights’ many religious, charitable and civic activities beyond their direct political advocacy, not to mention a complete disregard for their history in opposing virulent anti-Catholicism in the nation’s past.”
“Whatever difficulties I have with the leadership at the K of C, they do not excuse her dismissiveness towards a religion held by millions of fellow citizens, including her new running mate,” said Winters Wednesday, following the announcement of Harris joining the ticket.
National Review writer Alexandra DeSanctis made a similar observation, saying Harris’s time on the Senate judiciary committee had shown “reprehensible anti-Catholic bigotry, and there’s no reason to believe her views have changed.”
Several commentators from across the political divide also noted Harris’s noted support for unlimited access to abortion.
Brian Burch, the president of CatholicVote, described Harris as “staunchly pro-abortion and anti-religious liberty,” and said that she “favors radical abortion policies including late-term abortion paid for by taxpayers, as well as forcing Catholic religious orders like the Little Sisters of the Poor to provide abortion drugs in their healthcare plans.”
On Twitter, CatholicVote called Harris a “devout anti-Catholic.”
Bishop Thomas Tobin of the Diocese of Providence said on Twitter that, in effect, Biden’s selection of Harris pointed to an absence of Catholic values by the Democratic candidate.
“Biden-Harris. First time in awhile [sic] that the Democratic ticket hasn’t had a Catholic on it. Sad.” tweeted Tobin on Tuesday. Biden, a Catholic who was on the Democratic ticket in 2008 and 2012, has come under sustained criticism from many Catholic leaders for his increasing support for abortion and for his having officiated at a same-sex wedding.
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Fr. Richard Cassidy, professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, dresses in Roman prisoner garb as he holds a copy of his newest book, “A Roman Commentary on St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians.” Fr. Cassidy’s eighth scholarly work, the book explores the subversive nature of St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, which the apostle wrote from behind bars in a Roman prison cell. / Valaurian Waller | Detroit Catholic
Detroit, Mich., Apr 30, 2022 / 08:00 am (CNA).
It was a tough decision for Rick Cassidy as he began graduate studies at the University of Michigan in mid-1960s. Would he take the course on Imperial Rome, because of his love of history, or the course History of Slavery, because of his deep concern for social justice?
The Dearborn native chose the course on slavery. The insights he acquired have helped to guide Fr. Richard Cassidy’s scholarly work for three decades, including his latest work, “A Roman Commentary on St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians“ (Herder & Herder, 2020).
Paul’s letter, composed in chains and secreted out of his Roman jail cell, is intentionally “counter-slavery” argues Father Cassidy, professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary since 2004, as well as “counter-emperor.” At its core, Philippians is an underground epistle that subverts the Roman power structure and the “lordship pretensions of Nero.” Reviewers praise the “distinctive thesis” of Father’s groundbreaking work as “fresh and illuminating,” making for “fascinating reading.”
This is Father Cassidy’s seventh book that examines the influence of Roman rule on the writers of the New Testament, and his eighth book overall. He returned to Ann Arbor on a rainy afternoon in late June to discuss his newest work.
Dan Gallio: St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians is most known for its soaring declaration of the divinity Christ, before whom one day “every knee must bend,” and “every tongue proclaim” his universal lordship (2:6-11).
Your new book presents a unique argument: Paul’s letter is primarily a “subversive” document of resistance against the Roman Empire—particularly against emperor worship and slavery. How did you arrive at this against-the-grain interpretation?
“A Roman Commentary on St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians” (Herder & Herder, 2020) is Fr. Cassidy’s eighth book and a follow-up on his 2001 work, “Paul in Chains: Roman Imprisonment and the Letters of St. Paul”. Valaurian Waller | Detroit Catholic
Father Cassidy: These insights were the result of long hours with the text, spending a lot of prayer time for guidance, as to Paul’s situation.
The issue of slavery came into play strongly. I now saw that Jesus was executed as a violator of Roman sovereignty, condemned by Pilate, executed under Emperor Tiberius—and that this was the slave’s form of death. This is a crucial point.
In regards to the two topics you mention, I had the intuition that the Letter to the Philippians was “counter-emperor cult” and “counter-slavery.” First, the self emptying of Christ from on high—descending downward into human form, downward, downward to the point of the slave’s death on a Roman cross—and then you have St. Paul’s wonderful words in chapter 2, verses 9-11.
My insight was that there is going to be a redressing of what has happened. Because of the great faithfulness of Jesus Christ, the Father intervenes and begins the lifting up, the ascending of Christ, where the Father exalts Jesus and bestows upon him “the name above every other name.”
So I can now speak about this famous passage in terms of a kind of “drama”: four scenes that represent the descent of Jesus, and four scenes that represent his ascent, akin to a medieval passion play. The Father intervenes on Christ’s behalf, conferring upon him the name of “Lord.” Now all of creation, including the emperor, the governor, the imperial personnel, are all subject to Jesus. They have to prostrate themselves before the name of Jesus.
DG: So, essentially, Philippians is subversive because it makes a political statement as much as a theological one.
FC: Yes, but for some, it is a great privilege to genuflect at the name of Jesus. This includes slaves! Paul had integrated slaves into his community in Philippi. They were empowered now to proclaim the name of Jesus, standing alongside free men and women. They are standing alongside the Roman imperial power structure, all involved in the same process of bowing before Christ and proclaiming his name.
A security guard at Sacred Heart Major Seminary helps Fr. Cassidy don his “prisoner’s clothing” for a photo shoot promoting Fr. Cassidy’s latest book, “A Roman Commentary on St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians,” which details Paul’s experience behind bars and the conditions under which he wrote his Letter to the Philippians. Valaurian Waller | Detroit Catholic
And that name is “Lord.” Jesus is being acclaimed as Lord, and not the emperor, to the glory of God the Father. This is the decisive element of Philippians 2:6-11, blended together in this one passage.
DG: You provide a forty-four-page introduction to the social situation of the Roman colony of Philippi. Why did you feel such an informative but lengthy introduction was necessary to support your thesis?
FC: I had to establish that conditions at Philippi mirror conditions at Rome. This is important. Philippi was like “Little Rome.” When Paul is speaking of conditions at Philippi, his is also experiencing the same oppressive conditions at Rome as a chained prisoner. I had to establish that emperor worship was everywhere, in Philippi’s renowned amphitheater, in the streets, in public artifacts. That is why I had to go into an extensive introduction to set the stage of what Paul is doing in his letter.
DG: Your appendices are extensive, too, like bookends to the introduction, driving the thesis home again using illustrations.
FC: There is one illustration of a monument where slaves are chained, and a slave trader is proclaiming his prowess as a slave trader. This monument to the degradation of slavery was at a city adjacent to Philippi. Paul almost certainly passed by it on his way to and from Philippi. It was discovered back in the 1930s and almost destroyed in the war by Nazi bombings.
DG: Paul is sometimes criticized by revisionist commentators for not rejecting the institution of slavery in his letters. Is your book an answer to these critics?
FC: Paul’s approach to slavery is complicated. There are some letters where he seems to envision the imminent return of Christ. Possibly he minimized the importance of slaves being freed in these letters. However, in Philippians, his final letter before his death, he addresses the issue definitively. It is very undermining of slavery.
I intended to de-establish the idea that Paul acquiesced to slavery. He did not acquiesce. The laudatory prepublication comments by scholars make me think the book will have a decisive role in re-imaging Paul.
Against a prevailing notion that St. Paul “acquiesced” to the idea of slavery in his writings, Fr. Cassidy’s book aims to counter the idea by showing how St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians actually served a subversive purpose in a Roman empire dominated by emperor worship and tight controls. Valaurian Waller | Detroit Catholic
DG: Back to Philippians 2:6-11. Why do you maintain this passage is not a hymn or baptismal catechesis, as is customarily believed, but is an original composition of Paul? Is this position another example of your counter exegesis?
FC: This is not some other preexisting hymn. No! This is fresh imaging. Visceral imaging. This is intensity from identifying with Christ as the “slave crucified.” No one else could have composed this passage. And Paul could not have composed this passage until he was in Roman chains and could see the threat posed against Jesus by the counterfeit claims that Emperor Nero is Lord.
DG: It’s almost like the passage is “supra-inspired,” that he would get such an original insight while in such dreadful circumstances.
FC: Correct. And there is a real question as to how this letter could be transmitted from prison, with the security and censorship. In garments? In pottery? It is possible the original written letter was confiscated. So how is Paul is getting his subversive thoughts past the Roman guards?
I suggest in my book that Paul was drilling his associates, Timothy and Epaphroditus, to memorize his letter, given the role of memory in early Christian life.
DG: With your busy teaching and pastoral duties, where to you find the motivation and energy to produce such a thoroughly researched, and beautifully written, work of scholarship?
FC: It’s Spirit driven!
DG: Is the Spirit driving you to another book?
FC: I would say so. After a book comes to publication, there is always a kind of mellowing period. So right now I have not identified the next project. I am appreciating the graces I have received from this book, and trusting that the same Spirit who has shepherded me through this sequence will still stand by me, guiding me forward.
“Beyond Dobbs” panelists at the 2024 National Conservatism Conference on July 10, 2024, in Washington, D.C., included, left to right: Emma Waters, senior research associate at The Heritage Foundation; Mary Margaret Olohan, author and journalist … […]
9 Comments
21st-century Progressivism regresses into the 19th-century Know-Nothings.
The bumper sticker for Bidden-Harris: “B[iden-harri]S”.
Setting aside her extreme pro-abortion views, it can be easily argued that the primary reason for the choice of Sen. Harris as Biden’s running mate is that she is (although she certainly doesn’t look like it) African-American.
Isn’t that a bit racist?
And long ago Biden made it clear that his V.P. running mate would be a woman, so it can be equally easily argued that the primary reason for choosing her is her gender.
“Deeply flawed” (but still deserving of your vote) may be a reasonable description of Donald Trump. What the Democrats have to offer is simply beyond the pale. They combine the politics of Stalin with unprecedented moral debauchery and perversity. No Catholic or sane person has any excuse for not doing everything legally possible to prevent them from winning elections. That would rule out voting for the “Solidarity Party” candidates who have no chance of and do not merit victory. Why does Dr. Camosy think that nominating a Black woman as opposed to a white (do I get points for having my capitalization right?) man necessarily a good thing? He also implies that Biden-Harris is the lesser of two evils. Exactly what is the basis for that statement? Of course, it is the usual Seamless Garment baloney. There is nothing quite like the responsible and respectable Catholic commentators with their measured and nuanced remarks. These fools should not be looked to for any guidance.
Since his views were thought worthy of mention in this article, it should be noted that Michael Sean Winters has expressed publicly his eager anticipation of the day when Catholic conservatives are brought to the guillotine. Not to worry, MSW, Kamala will do as much Lizzy would to hasten the moment if she is given the opportunity.
Being a belated RINO I must plead innocent to the depth of immorality in the Democrat Party that the many naysayers here have trashed Harris with. What little I know about Biden and Harris may be summed up in a few sentences of contrast…
Harris’ lack of Catholic dogma could be one of two things… If confronted with the fact that she might have aborted one of her two wonderful children for convenience or would she protect them in the womb? After all “black lives matter”. Or, she could be “ignorant” of Roe or the Hyde Amendment. Given her brilliance, I am inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Her amazing family history and her vast experience in the law and national legislation places both she and Biden in a unique position to govern at this dark moment in our nation’s need.
We have been Republicans all our lives. After the magnanimous failures of the Trump tenure in broad daylight, we are at sea in rough waters. Immorality, deception, attacks on individuals and treason are most disturbing. Add to that the mind boggling silence and complicity of the congress is not only ear piercing it is ear shattering. Notice I use the word treason. The definition: “Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years”. Trump since his meeting with Putin in Helsinki where he favored our mortal enemy, and who wages a ciberwar today against us, while trashing the warning of his intelligence experts places Trump a criminal traitor. He continues ’til this day to favor Putin with his adamant obsession that Russia “did not invade out 2016 elections” when the facts are abundantly in broad daylight.
21st-century Progressivism regresses into the 19th-century Know-Nothings.
The bumper sticker for Bidden-Harris: “B[iden-harri]S”.
It seems odd that Kamala Harris is referred to over and over again as a Black woman and not an Asian woman. It’s erasing her mother.
As with Barack Obama. His mother (and her parents who raised him) were pushed aside.
Sleepy Joe and Karen Harris. What a lovely couple.
Setting aside her extreme pro-abortion views, it can be easily argued that the primary reason for the choice of Sen. Harris as Biden’s running mate is that she is (although she certainly doesn’t look like it) African-American.
Isn’t that a bit racist?
And long ago Biden made it clear that his V.P. running mate would be a woman, so it can be equally easily argued that the primary reason for choosing her is her gender.
Isn’t that a bit sexist?
Signed,
Confused
“Deeply flawed” (but still deserving of your vote) may be a reasonable description of Donald Trump. What the Democrats have to offer is simply beyond the pale. They combine the politics of Stalin with unprecedented moral debauchery and perversity. No Catholic or sane person has any excuse for not doing everything legally possible to prevent them from winning elections. That would rule out voting for the “Solidarity Party” candidates who have no chance of and do not merit victory. Why does Dr. Camosy think that nominating a Black woman as opposed to a white (do I get points for having my capitalization right?) man necessarily a good thing? He also implies that Biden-Harris is the lesser of two evils. Exactly what is the basis for that statement? Of course, it is the usual Seamless Garment baloney. There is nothing quite like the responsible and respectable Catholic commentators with their measured and nuanced remarks. These fools should not be looked to for any guidance.
Since his views were thought worthy of mention in this article, it should be noted that Michael Sean Winters has expressed publicly his eager anticipation of the day when Catholic conservatives are brought to the guillotine. Not to worry, MSW, Kamala will do as much Lizzy would to hasten the moment if she is given the opportunity.
Being a belated RINO I must plead innocent to the depth of immorality in the Democrat Party that the many naysayers here have trashed Harris with. What little I know about Biden and Harris may be summed up in a few sentences of contrast…
Harris’ lack of Catholic dogma could be one of two things… If confronted with the fact that she might have aborted one of her two wonderful children for convenience or would she protect them in the womb? After all “black lives matter”. Or, she could be “ignorant” of Roe or the Hyde Amendment. Given her brilliance, I am inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Her amazing family history and her vast experience in the law and national legislation places both she and Biden in a unique position to govern at this dark moment in our nation’s need.
We have been Republicans all our lives. After the magnanimous failures of the Trump tenure in broad daylight, we are at sea in rough waters. Immorality, deception, attacks on individuals and treason are most disturbing. Add to that the mind boggling silence and complicity of the congress is not only ear piercing it is ear shattering. Notice I use the word treason. The definition: “Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years”. Trump since his meeting with Putin in Helsinki where he favored our mortal enemy, and who wages a ciberwar today against us, while trashing the warning of his intelligence experts places Trump a criminal traitor. He continues ’til this day to favor Putin with his adamant obsession that Russia “did not invade out 2016 elections” when the facts are abundantly in broad daylight.
God save the union
Or, she could be “ignorant” of Roe or the Hyde Amendment. Given her brilliance, I am inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt.
She’s a 55-year-old woman who has been working the public realm since 1990 or so. She has a 100% NARAL rating. She has a plan to protect “Roe v. Wade” from “anti-choice lawmakers”. I say we just take her at her record and word.