DC Archdiocese Personnel Donating To Pro-Death Politicians

Father Charles Antonicelli is pastor of Annunciation Catholic Church on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington DC.  Opensecrets.org reveals that he donated hundreds of dollars to Hillary Clinton during the last presidential election.

Last year I wrote of other anti-life donations made by individuals who hold, or recently held, positions of prominence within the Archdiocese of Washington.  Regarding Chuck Short, I wonder why he is allowed to have a column at all in Our Parish Times since his donations suggest complete lack of moral credibility.

By the way.. Regarding Kathleen Matthews, my colleague at the Archdiocse of Washington Catholic blog informs us that Kathleen Matthews is now state chair for the Maryland Democratic Party.

How are these individuals allowed to retain their positions and remain in the good graces of the DC chancery?  Yes, that question was rhetorical for the chancery is of the same mind in many respects as these pro-abortion Catholics.

Our Parish Times And Strange Social Justice Opinions

I've written before about my opinion of Our Parish Times, the periodical published by the Catholic Business Network.  When it first appeared, it was a welcome alternative to the Catholic Standard.  Whereas the Standard's tilt was definitely to the left (after Tom Rowan retired), OPT took on issues and viewpoints that the Standard was reluctant to touch.  However, something happened to OPT.  In my perspective as a reader, it seems that the Archdiocese of Washington somehow neutered OPT.  Is that why their excellent columnist Bob McCarthy has disappeared from the OPT pages?

But they still retain Chuck Short, a former ADW official who is now working for Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggitt.  Two weeks ago I wrote how he has given donations to Chris Van Hollen as the latter runs for the US Senate seat being vacation by "katholyc" pro-abortion Barbara Mikulski.  In so doing, Short is subverting the campaign of the GOP pro-life candidate Kathy Szeliga; he's choosing abortion over life in this election.  Yet OPT sees fit to retain Short as he blathers about his left-wing perverted view of "social justice".  Do they keep him simply because of his connection with Leggitt?

His latest blather is entitled "Street Mercy".  Among other things he discusses the explosion in the numbers of those who panhandle at street corners and meridian strips.  Many, like myself, are concerned that the money they collect will be used to procure drugs and/or alcohol.  Short poo-poos such concerns, whipping out the "who am I to judge" canard, misquoting Jesus Christ in the process.  To be fair, Short is merely following the example of Pope Francis.  Make no mistake about it; while tippy-toeing around the matter, Short is suggesting that we engage in sentimentality as opposed to rationality, not consider to what we may be materially contributing, and blindly fork it over.

In that portion of his paragraph, Short demonstrates his lack of credibility in opining about Catholic social teaching.  Was St Katherine Drexel "judging" when she counseled against giving cash directly to beggers?  For many panhandlers, what they do is a racket (I've seen evidence of that at Shady Grove and Frederick).

I'll relate another incident that occurred at my parish several years ago, with the pastor immediately prior to our current one.  A "family of indigents" appeared in front of the churh doors, begging for money.  It was still going on when the pastor, from the pulpit, gave us the full story.  After they first appeared, the St. Vincent De Paul Society and other parish ministries approached them to see how they could assist.  The "family" declined their assistance, preferring instead to receive only cash.  The pastor suggested that we not give money to them.  Was Father being judgmental?  Our Lord did caution us to be discerning, something that Short fails (or refuses) to consider.  To his credit, Short does suggest a number of parish outreaches where we can volunteer.

What is the mission of the OPTanyway?  Is it simply to be a forum in which members of the CBN can advertise?  I don't see a mission statement in their publication.  If I missed it, please advise where it is located.  At any rate, their readership is being ill-served by columnists such as Chuck Short.

Catholic Charities CEO (And Other Social Justice Leaders) - Donating To Pro-Abortion Candidates

Let's look at Catholic Charities as a whole.  We see the majority of contributions going towards pro-abort candidates (there are a few pockets of sanity in that list).  Most notably, we see that Msgr John Enzler, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, gave $250 to pro-abortion John Delaney last November and Kathleen Matthews a few months prior.  In addition to being pro-abortion herself, Matthews is the wife of Chris Matthews.

There's more to this Enzler-Matthews situation than meets they eye.  Let me recall some history.  Msgr John Enzler was pastor of Blessed Sacrament in DC.  It sits on the south side of Western Avenue.  On the north side is Chevy Chase MD.  I think it was in the very early part of 2012 that he left Blessed Sacrament to take the reins of Catholic Charities.  In February, despite our many pleas, Chris Matthews did a book-signing at Blessed Sacrament.  The timing of the event was such that caused us to believe that the invitation to Matthews occurred while Enzler was still at Blessed Sacrament.  At any rate, we were there when Matthews appeared and we protested quite unmistakably.  See here for some reports on that.  So now we can see what appears to be a rather cozy relationship between the CEO of Catholic Charities and a prominent pro-abortion "katholyc" couple.

Looking at Just Faith, we see that the little that was contributed went to Barack Obama and John Kerry.  Put the word "Jesuit" in the employer box and you'll see that most of their recipients are pro-aborts, with a few pockets of sanity sprinkled throughout.

There are a number of people named "Charles Short" on this page, but the one of interest is in Rockville, MD.  Currently Special Assistant to the County Executive, he was a director of social concerns for the Archdiocese of Washington.  He recently gave money to pro-abortion Chris Van Hollen as the latter runs for the Senate seat being vacated by Barbara Mikulski.

Let's look at contributions from those who draw paychecks from Catholic University of America.  Stephen Schneck is the Director of the Institute for Policy And Catholic Studies at CUA - at least he was at one time.  In addition to his many other lapses of judgment, he has seen fit to donate solely to pro-abortion politicians.  Why on earth was he ever put in a position where he could corrupt young Catholic minds?

Until very recently, Barbara Early was an associate professor of social work at Catholic University of America.  As you can see at this link, she contributed a total of $1500 to Obama/Biden and four months ago to Clinton/Kaine.  Leah Wortham, a law professor, has contributed thousands to Obama/Biden throughout the years. Eric Jenkins, another professor, gave $2000 to John Kerry.

These people are so-called "movers and shakers" in the "social justice" crowd within the US hierarchy.  As we see where they literally put their money, we get a clear indication regarding their not-so-hidden socialistic and anti-God mindsets.  Their "social justice" is not Catholic by any stretch of the imagination.