CHRISTIAN SENSE
BY TOM SMIKOSKI
A publication devoted to making sense out of the twenty-first century.
THE CHURCH UNDER ATTACK
By: TOM SMIKOSKI
"CELEBRATION OF SPRING AT ST. PEDOPHILIA'S - THE ANNUAL RUNNING OF THE ALTAR BOYS".
The Catholic Church has been under attack for the actions of a few. And rightfully so, after all, their actions were sinful and in many cases unlawful. However, these priests do not represent the norm. Therefore, the entire Church should not be judged by the actions of these few.
Many journalists are attacking the Church with unrelenting fervor. Thank God however that the majority of journalists are keeping the situation in proper perspective. This is not true in Las Vegas.
On Wednesday, April 17, 2002, the Las Vegas Review-Journal ran an editorial cartoon titled, "Celebration of Spring at St. Pedophilia's - the Annual Running of the Altar Boys." The cartoon created by Pat Oliphant, shows a gang of priests chasing a crowd of preteen altar boys down the steps of a church.
In the drawing a bystander comments, "I'll go tell the Bishop." Another responds, "The Bishop has first dibs." A third onlooker remarks, "If I was the Pope, I'd marry a few of them off."
This cartoon was met with outrage among Las Vegas Catholics. The newspaper defended its decision to run the cartoon claiming "freedom of speech".
I'm sorry but as a Catholic I too am outraged. I find this cartoon disgusting. It is an insult to all Catholics. The paper claims "freedom of speech". I'm sure they don't run racial jokes. Or Jewish jokes. If they did there would be a massive protest. People would be marching and boycotting. People would probably lose their jobs for such distasteful jokes. Yet, they think nothing of attacking Catholics.
I for one strongly protest this thinking and demand an apology.
TOM SMIKOSKI
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