Saint Louis University basketball coach Rick Majerus is supporting Hillary Clinton for president, and he made an appearance for her campaign on Saturday. Now Majerus could be in hot water with his employer. Saint Louis is a Catholic school, and Majerus said he is pro-choice on abortion and that he supports stem cell research. St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke says Majerus should be disciplined -- and maybe even fired:
During an interview with the Post-Dispatch today in Washington, where Burke is attending the March for Life, he said the coach should be disciplined.Burke has a long history of using his position in the Catholic church to criticize Democrats and Catholics who support Democrats, and Majerus is just the latest person to feel his wrath.
"It's not possible to be a Catholic and hold those positions," Burke said. "When you take a position in a Catholic university, you don't have to embrace everythign the Catholic church teaches. But you can't make statements which call into question the identity and mission of the Catholic church."
The archbishop declined to offer specifics of what discipline Majerus should face. "I'm confident it (the university) will deal with the question of a public representative making declarations that are inconsistent with the Catholic faith."
Hat tip: Sports by Brooks. Sorry, No Photos
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 24)
1-22-2008 @ 2:21PM
Brave Sir Robin said...
Fun fact: It's similarly against Catholic teaching to support the death penalty. And yet, these bishops aren't screaming at the Republicans about this.
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1-22-2008 @ 3:04PM
jon said...
1. Fun fact: It's similarly against Catholic teaching to support the
death penalty. And yet, these bishops aren't screaming at the
Republicans about this.
Of course the fact that most dems support it as well means what? Bill Clinton left the race in 92 to get back to Arkansas to kill a retarded man The church has spoken out long about the death penalty
Thanks for your attempt at tit for tat and we have lovely parting
gifts for you
As for case at hand..they knew what he was when they hired him so
dont cry now
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1-22-2008 @ 3:35PM
scottj0405 said...
Yes, it is easy for the catholic church to take an anti-abortion stance, especially when the thousands of young MEN who have been molested by their priests can get pregnant. Lucky for them.
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1-22-2008 @ 3:36PM
Dan said...
Archbishop Burke needs to shut his big fat mouth before the entire Catholic Church in St. Louis becomes completely disenchanted and walks out on it's so-called "spiritual leader." I don't ever hear him speaking out against the death penalty. He's a hypocrite, and the anti-christ.
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1-22-2008 @ 3:46PM
mick said...
sorry it is not against church teaching to support the death penalty...the death penalty can be used in rare circumstances however abortion is always wrong...Pick up a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, it's there in black and white. it is wrong to be employed by the Catholic church and publicly disregard its teachings. keep your opinions to yourself or go work for a secular university.
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1-22-2008 @ 3:47PM
cmo said...
the difference - the Church teaches that abortion is an objective sin; the Church teaches that we should try to avoid the death penalty in all situations - it is not a sin
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1-22-2008 @ 3:47PM
JORGE TORRES said...
LETS BURN RICK AT THE STAKE FOR GOD'S SAKE
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1-22-2008 @ 3:48PM
Frank said...
The Catholic Church is NOT against the death penalty nor against a just war under extreme or severe circumstances. The fifth Commandment is "You shall not Murder" (Abortion is always murder); however, killing a criminal in severe circumstances is not a sin according with the Church teaching.
Study or research the facts before posting any false coments.
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1-22-2008 @ 3:50PM
ed said...
Fun Fact: fact is you should check your facts before you make a non-factual comment. the Death Penalty is not against the teaching of the church. It is church teaching that the Death Penalty should be used only when absolutely necessary to protect society. This is a guideline, not a dogma, which means it is ultimately up to a society and individuals to follow their conscience on this issue. You should really take the time to know what you are talking about before you pronounce something as fact. Otherwise you look the fool!
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1-22-2008 @ 3:51PM
joyceafrancis said...
Since it's the Catholic Church paying his salary, then I say the coach is dead wrong!!! He should be reprimanded and one way is to sew his lips shut. I suppose he also thinks we the taxpayer should pay for the abortions!
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1-22-2008 @ 3:52PM
lalonde1 said...
This man has caused nothing but trouble for the Archdiocese of St Louis since he arrived. Can we trade him for a first round draft choice (or lower)?
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1-22-2008 @ 3:54PM
charlieh said...
coach has to go
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1-22-2008 @ 3:54PM
Jimmy388 said...
Perhaps the Archbishop should read the Constitution about a person's, rights, first amendment rights. The coach is an employee not a slave.
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1-22-2008 @ 3:59PM
Florida said...
Sometimes, hard decisions must be made - for example, I'm an environmentalist, but, am also Catholic, and, since my favorite environmental organization, The Sierra Club, is aligned with organizations such as Planned Parenthood (Population Control and the Environment), I cannot give monetary support to The Sierra Club.
I'm not an expert on the Bible, but, as the Bible states:
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 6:24)
As for Coach - he cannot be of both minds, if we works for a Catholic institution...
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1-22-2008 @ 4:02PM
KARENP1957 said...
HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT SUPPORTING THE DEATH PENALTY IS NOT MURDER???? YOU SAY IT IS OK TO USE IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES...WHAT ABOUT THE WOMAN THAT WAS BRUTALLY RAPED THEN FINDS OUT SHE IS PREGNANT? ABORTION WOULD BE MURDER THEN? THERE ARE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING ALL ABORTIONS AND THE DEATH PENALTY. LAST I HEARD WE LIVED IN A FREE COUNTRY TO SUPPORT AND SPEAK OUR MINDS. THAT MUST BE WHY AFTER BEING RAISED CATHOLIC, I AM NO MORE...AND THAT ARCHBISHOP NEEDS TO GO...
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1-22-2008 @ 4:04PM
Jim said...
If he had an undefeated season and scored more than 20 points in one game, the bishop would forgive him and say 10 Hail Mary's for him.
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1-22-2008 @ 4:06PM
Frank said...
It is NOT ultimately up to a society and individuals to follow their conscience on the issue of abortion or stem cell. It is an infallible teaching of the Church that Abortion is always murder (because of the killing of an innocent being) and stem cell is always intrinsically evil. Saying otherwise is heresy.
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1-22-2008 @ 4:06PM
dankintz said...
Each of you who suggest they know the Catholic Church's stance on the death penalty should first consult the Catechism of the Catholic Church before making bold statements. In addition, the issue is not a political one.
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1-22-2008 @ 4:06PM
strut2k said...
Catholic Bishops! Each one is a bigger dumbass than the one before. Majerus is an elite coach, and will have no trouble finding a gig with a smarter boss. Bishop Burke should thank Majerus for providing safer leadership to his team than Burke's priests have provided the children of St Louis.
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1-22-2008 @ 4:06PM
Jim said...
Plain and simple The Vatican needs to remove the Archbishop from St. Louis. He has been, and continues to be a detriment and embarassment to the City of St. Louis and metro area, Catholics, and Christians in general. I continue to be a non-practicing Christian due to the hierarchy allowed to preside over this community. In fact, I am seriously considering converting to Judaism. I see a more cohesive and family oriented faith and far more acceptance of the human spirit.
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