New York - Former Mayor Ed Koch Rebukes the Times' Anti-Catholic Bigotry

Former New York Mayor Ed Koch posted an article in the online edition of the Jerusalem Post defending the Holy Father and the Catholic Church against the bigotry-motivated attacks of the New York Times.  He hits the nail on the head quite a few times.  One of the key points that he spells out clearly is the motivation behind these unabashed attacks: "The reason, I believe, for the constant assaults is that there are many in the media, and some Catholics as well as many in the public, who object to and are incensed by positions the Church holds, including opposition to all abortions, opposition to gay sex and same-sex marriage, retention of celibacy rules for priests, exclusion of women from the clergy, opposition to birth control measures involving condoms and prescription drugs and opposition to civil divorce. My good friend, John Cardinal O'Connor, once said, "The Church is not a salad bar, from which to pick and choose what pleases you." The Church has the right to demand fulfillment of all of its religious obligations by its parishioners, and indeed a right to espouse its beliefs generally."  He mentioned his own disagreement with Church beliefs, but did acknowledge the Church's right to its tenets.

He then directly rebuked the Times' duplicity: "Of course, the media should report to the public any new facts bearing upon the issue of child molestation, but its objectivity and credibility are damaged when the New York Times declines to publish an op-ed offered by New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan on the issue of anti-Catholicism and offers instead to publish a letter to the editor, which is much shorter and less prominent than an op-ed."

He then acknowledged his belief that the Church is a "force for good".  I thank the former mayor for coming to the defense of the Church (more than some Catholics have done).  I pray that he be fortified against the rancor that his article undoubtedly inspired.  More importantly, I pray that the glimmer of light that he has obviously received increase and that he himself will find his way to Christ and the Church.