The Committee to Re-Elect President Bush has been quietly making donations to Catholic churches, primarily in the so-called "swing" states. These donations are purportedly aimed at getting out the vote in November. The Committee states that the "donations are perfectly legal and have no strings attached." The Detroit Free Press, however, found evidence to the contrary.
Of the $3.5 million dollars already distributed in Detroit, Flint, and other Michigan cities, almost 93% of the monies appear to have strings attached. Our Lady of the Rosary in Detroit received $215,000 to educate its parishioners about the politican issues of tjhe day including abortion, stem cell research, birth control, pre-marital sex, just wars, and the practical ramifications of original sin. The Free Press reports that Father Finn, the parish priest, was given taking points for his Sunday sermons. He was told to remind parishioners
that embracing political positions that are anathema to the Church could mean excommunication. The talking points included the suggestion that, prior to offering Communion to the faithful, Father Finn should ask the individual if he or she is in a state of grace, refusing the sacrament to anyone the least bit suspicious. Such behavior includes dressing like a Democrat and sporting long hair.
The priest is advised to equate the Republican political stance as closer to Godliness than the Democrat's. He is advised to urge his flock to vote Republican because that party embraces most of Pope John Paul's dictates.
The Free Press found evidence that the Committee will give a "voter bounty" for anyone who, under sacred oath, promises to vote for Bush. Conversely, it will also pay a bounty if Democrats stay home.
The paper also learned that the Committee agreed to underwrite the cost of funding the gift of a plenary indulgence for Catholics who convince others to vote Republican. As in the Middles Ages, a plenary indulgence is a payment for prayers that might get a loved one out of Purgatory. The Catholic in question can assign the indulgence to deceased loved ones or the living in need of a boost--such as a daughter taking the SATs. The faithful can assign or resell the indulgence as he or she sees fit. This includes using the net value of the indulgence as a token during a bingo game. The Commttee has worked out a deal with most major airlines so that the indulgences can be added to Mileage Programs for free flights.
Indulgences can be bought and sold like baseball cards. eBay is already in the business of selling indulgences. Father Finn says he's never seen such a great fund raiser and hopes to franchise the business. With some seed money from the Committee, Father Finn has set up a transaction site for indulgence sales.
See plenaryindulgence.com. The Future's Market will come later.
Posted by Chuck at May 25, 2004 03:02 PM | TrackBack