Personally I'd have walked out alot sooner.

I would have walked out too.

CHICAGOLAND PING (St. Gerald's at 93rd and Central for those interested)

No need to apologize. It was good of you to keep us informed. Thank you.

You were put in an awkward position. I'm sorry to hear it. Thanks for sharing the story.

You should have kept it.

Revolting. I think you should write him a letter telling him that he had no business interjecting his political opinions into the homily. Also, see if you can find other people in the parish who were upset. I bet you weren't the only one.

I say this as somebody whose new BISHOP gave a homily after 9/11 saying it was all the fault of the US. I was so enraged I almost quit going to church, although I found that other people were also enraged and, in fact, many of them wrote to the bishop. He has turned out to be a good bishop, he's just a leftie in his political sentiments. But I think he has stopped spouting them quite so freely. Maybe your pastor will do the same.

I'd say that you restrained yourself admirably (at least compared to what I might have done).

Me too.....

ask you pastor if he agress with some of her quotes

I'm literally nauseous over the whole thing.

You did the right thing. Priests should not attempt to brainwash parishoners and they should stay out of politics. (Separation of Church and State, I believe is the term.)

I hope you don't feel horrible for walking out. I would have as well. If you feel horrible for anything, it's that this church you've attended for 20 years has done something to make you walk out, and you may need to find a new one. (Assuming this was not a "guest pastor", as you referred to him as "our.")

Interesting. Our pastor last night made similarly obnoxious, though not as blatant, comments.

He called on us to reject racism and predjudice (fine so far), then likened the Canaanite woman to muslims whom "we feel free to search anytime, anywhere."

This is a new pastor and it's only the second of his homilies I've heard, and both times he's made a political comment. Yuck.

You did the right thing.

You can always find another Church if it contunues.

I would have walked out too.

Perhaps this could be followed up with a letter to the Editor in your local newspaper so your Priest will know why you left and maybe spur others who share your feelings to follow suit.

Thanks for the ping. I'd give your Pastor the benefit of the doubt, he likely doesn't know the full extent of her commentary. It might be worth filling him in at some point.

I would have walked out too. Actually, I have walked out before -- a parish I used to go to had a very liberal priest who always injected his political opinions into everything.

Please let the bishop know about this. If he does not correct it, I suggest you cease financial support and make sure they know why.

reminds me of a similar incident with me. I was attended a Catholic church in town (Los Angeles) with my girlfriend. In the sermon the priest called for prayers for Timothy McVie, and yes-- God even loved Timothy McVie..

a made a bee-line for the door.

Only a blind follower would have stood for that.

Though not a vanity person myself, that needed telling. Thanks.

What's to apologize for?
That man would be my former pastor at this point. And, possibly, that would be my former church. I have only belonged to one church for my entire life so I don't say that lightly. People who hop and shop churches drive me nuts but that would be a deal breaker right there.

I've done this myself, but I stopped off at the men's room first to wash my hands before I left.

Hopefully, it will be heeded in the future.

The Sunday after the 0/11 attacks, my priest went to "..the corrupt neb who control Alan Greenspan.." in his sermon. He is a touchy feely creep who walks the aisle during his words of wisdom. When he got within two rows, I got up, genuflected and left.
This is not uncommon.

Me, too.

And I wouldn't have left an "offering."

I wouldn't go back to that church, either.

The political views of the pastor have no business intruding.

Remember John Paul II stood against the "Liberation Theology" of priests, which was nothing more than marxism.

Yes, that's 9/11.

I am a Catholic. I would have joined you. (Offering prayers for the health of both of you.)

I would not suggest writing to the newspaper before writing a letter to the Priest and seeing what the response is.

"What does the Canaanite woman and the eventual healing of her daughter, have to do w/cindy sheehan?"

You should have made it clear to the congregation why you were leaving. Some may think it was because you had an emergency. Too bad you didn't stand up and say to the preacher "we don't come to church to hear politics".

So sorry for you. I slept in this a.m. but would have done the same if it occured at any of the protestantant churches I frequent. :)

You did the right thing by walking out. We need more people with character. It's a shame that crap is coming from the pulpit and they are feeding the "sheeples" with it.

I walked out of a Sabbath service in Maryland a few months ago when it turned out to be a God-mocking left-wing shindig. You ain't alone.

Fortunately, the priest we had this morning was forced to flee Pakistan under a threat of assasination. At the point he may have strayed to the Cindy analogy instead he made a point about the inate evil of suicide bombers.

I'm betting he does not reach out.

I was with you until the offering part... heh heh heh.

You should have gone (with your offering) to another Church.

Bravo Zulu for your courage!

Irish GOP, does this sound familiar?

As I stated on another thread, I would have not put up this inappropriate commentary during a homily in church. I would have promptly walked out too.

And then find another parish to attend Mass at. I've done it.

Send Cardinal George a letter, certified with return receipt, detailing what this putz did.

Yes he certainly should, however I'd withhold judgement until I was certain he was. Cindy's most extreme comments haven't been covered much. That said, I doubt a retraction will be coming.

Not at all. This is very legit and one more great thing about FR - reporting on actual events in the real world, unfiltered. I hope you will take some action - letter, phone call, get with other parishioners - whatever works for you and let us know what happens.

I walked out, have not returned and I have never felt any remorse over it.

Faith is in your heart- not in a building.