Pastor Rick Warren challenged to reconsider participation in inaugural ceremonies

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Comments: 22

Front Royal, Va., Dec 20, 2008 / 08:41 pm (CNA).- President of Human Life International, Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer, has challenged Pastor Rick Warren to rethink his participation in the inaugural ceremonies for President-elect Barack Obama. Rev. Warren, a strong supporter of both the pro-life movement and traditional marriage, was chosen to give the invocation at Obama’s inauguration next month.

In a statement, Fr. Euteneuer applauded Warren, the pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, for his pro-life leadership, but expressed concern "that his high-profile and explicitly Christian prayerful invocation at President-elect Obama’s inauguration may be perceived as an endorsement, even a blessing, of what will likely be the most anti-life administration in the history of this country."

Rev. Warren is also the author of the best-selling book "The Purpose Driven Life."

"President-elect Obama has given every indication that he has no respect for the lives of the unborn, and whenever given the opportunity, has promised to enforce the most extreme demands of anti-life groups," continued Fr. Euteneuer. "This extremist agenda should not be seen to have the endorsement of pro-life leaders such as Pastor Warren."

"I respect the personal relationship that Pastor Warren has with Mr. Obama," said Father Euteneuer. "But such a public and explicitly Christian endorsement as this invocation is certainly confusing to those who know Mr. Obama’s record on life issues.

"We respectfully ask Pastor Warren to reconsider his participation in the inaugural ceremonies, given Mr. Obama’s extremist anti-life views," the Human Life International president concluded.

Comments: 22

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Mary
Chantilly, VA 01/16/2009 09:34 PM EST

Bill Sr. said something very interesting:
It's no wonder the faith has been broken into so many pieces. We all must respect the office which Obama can rightfully claim and the authority it gives him. Unfortunately not all Christians believe in a central authority which has been assigned to guide them. "
Actually, for Catholics we do see a central authority -- and it's not Mr. Obama.
I see both points of view but I understand Euteneuer's point extremely well. If you were a rabbi and invited to do an invocation at the swearing in of a German leader named Hitler, what would you do? If Pastor Rick goes and really says what needs to be said, more power to him. But with Obama in office, we are now a Church in persecution. it is not business as usual (then again, thinking of the Church's history, maybe it is.)

Published by: Dorothy Swingle
Zanesville, Ohio 01/06/2009 04:57 PM EST

We surely did NOT vote for him OB, and all you so called catholics need HELP, GOD HELP US

Published by: michael-johns
WA, USA 01/05/2009 01:58 PM EST

I am a life long Catholic. I wonder where all the outrage has been over pro-choice Catholics in Government? After all Catholics were responsible for Obama being elected in the first place. Evangelicals with a large margin voted against him. How about Kennedy, Governor Gregoire, Speaker Pelosi, et al? It seems a bit hypocritical to single out Pastor Warren who has been very outspoken regarding life and family values. Instead of being critical of him, how about being supportive and respectful of his judgment as a
christian, advocating Christ's values and teaching? When your own house is clean, it is less questionable about your neighbors and their possible motives and actions!

Published by: Faithful Catholic
Sublimity/Oregon/USA 12/31/2008 04:40 PM EST

I applaud Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer for challenging Pastor Rick Warren. Pastor Rick is just trying to grab more media attention and expand his mega denomination. Follow the money. If he was truly Pro-Life and Pro-Family he wouldnt even consider participating in the inaugral ceremonies.

Published by: Phil
Canada 12/30/2008 08:38 PM EST

Didn't one of the apostles witness in a similar situation. Your very own mission field, go for it Pastor Rick.

Published by: James Maher
Ireland 12/30/2008 08:56 AM EST

While respect for life is a fundimental of christian faith - I repeat, FUNDIMENTAL - would a compromise in this world-watching situation not be best? Let Pastor Warren speak, but let him make specific reference to his hope for respect for life from the new administration and Obama's commitment to reduce the number of abortions.

Published by: Jordan Johnson
Lake Forest, CA, USA 12/30/2008 04:24 AM EST

Yes, I can agree with all concerned. Please remember though that Obama is getting a great deal of heat from the left (mostly homosexuals) over Pastor Ricks views against same sex marriage in the latest Cal. ballot. It cuts both ways. Pastor Rick is my pastor. He considers Obama to be a close friend, as Obama him. I am staunchly pro-life and oppose Obama on most, if not all his views, but if he trusts Pastor Rick, then at least it appears to me, that Obama is putting his money where his mouth is about "..uniting all Americans..". Ultimately, I guess we'll see. May God help us...

Published by: Nick
Columbia, MO 12/30/2008 12:22 AM EST

On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."-Matt. 9:12-13

My favorite verse in the Bible, and one which Fr. Euteneuer might be wise to remember. We cannot, as Christians, get our message out if we refuse to speak to those who don't hold our beliefs. There is no sense in trying to sway the swayed.

Published by: Corey
Saint Louis, MO, USA 12/28/2008 10:21 AM EST

I agree with Dan from Santa Fe; we need to help all people who do not understand the meaning of life. It is my opinion that Fr. Euteneuer (and others like him) are putting themselves at a disadvantage when not taking every opportunity to teach and be good examples of Christ by associating Christians actions with words.
Let us all continue to pray for President-Elect Obama and his administration over the next 4 years as well as all who do not have a clear understanding of pro-life issues.

Published by: Robert P
Chicago, Il., USA 12/25/2008 04:25 AM EST

Fr. Thomas J. Euteneuer should be reminded that the United States is not a suburb or vassal of the Vatican. As Catholics, we are alwats reminded that the Church is not Democratic. So, technically, what you have is a non-democratic government (Vatican) attempting civil government to adopt its agenda. The Faith is dear; however, the church as government is what's troubling....

Published by: James Kontoes
MA 12/23/2008 10:48 PM EST

Abortion is not like any other issue and to treat is as such is dangerous. That pastors such as Mr. Warren have not called Sen. Obama to task in any serious or sustained way ("Above my pay grade" being a prime example, no follow up at all) is scandalous. To refuse to give the invocation for legitimate reasons of protest would be the kind of Christian witness that has been largely missing to date by our church leaders. Sir Thomas More gave up his life in protest against a king who thought himself above the church; the evil we face here is infinitely greater. It is a strange thing; if President elect Obama was on record as supporting child pornography he would be hard pressed to find a job washing floors, yet, with his proud and public support of the dismemberment of utterly innocent children we find him elected as the leader of the free world. And we as Christians wring our hands about not making things too cut and dried, or appearing to be too extreme to the rest of the world. Saint Paul was clear and correct: if we are serious about sharing our lives with Christ, giving our lives to Christ, we must expect to be persecuted ( 1 Timothy 3:4). Persecuted for stating the truth, about matters of both faith and morals, as they are inextricably bound together; when we forget this, as a church or a nation, the darkness deepens.

Published by: tanarg
Boston 12/23/2008 05:47 AM EST

I agree that it's tantamount to an endorsement of the man. We will all pray for Obama's conversion, but I don't think that's the place to do it.

Published by: M. Johnson
San Luis Obispo, CA, USA 12/23/2008 01:12 AM EST

I strongly agree with Fr. Euteneuer's admonition. To the average person in this country who only has a nominal connection to any establishment that associates itself with the term "Christian", the participation of Rick Warren as part of the ceremony would only be confusing. In fact, the word "Christian" has been watered down so much by so many organizations that use this term in self-association (Obama's former "church" for example), that one can only ask what the term actually means in its original form. I believe that this is even true among the Catholic bishops in the United States considering the fact that they collectively don't seem to take a stand and openly question so-called leading Catholic politicians concerning their views on abortion, namely such individuals such as Biden, Kennedy, Carry, Pelosi and so on. Personally, I think that it's time for the Church to actively use its right to summon these and other individuals and notify them of their opposition to true Christian values with the absolute understanding that excommunication is not a dead "rite" of the Church, but actually a "right" possessed by the Church and endorsed by Scripture and Christian tradition. It's time for the bishops to take action pronounce what is right and what is wrong.

Published by: Dennis
Bloomingdale, OH 12/22/2008 10:11 PM EST

I too disagree with Fr. Euteneuer but of course I respect his opinion. Rick has been invited into a den of theives and now has a chance to proclaim the truth to all who will listen. What a great avenue to preach!

Published by: Alan
Fredericksburg/VA/USA 12/22/2008 02:54 PM EST

"...God is more interested in your character than your comfort" [quote from Purpose Drive Life]. I think Rev. Warren stated it correctly, but I question whether he really believes it.

Published by: Robert Lockwood
Lafayette, CA 12/22/2008 12:46 AM EST

Father Euteneuer is spot on. Mr. Obama is the most anti-Catholic president elect ever and there is no advantage to give him a honeymoon. The fact is he has no respect for the beliefs of Catholicism and ALL of his appointments so far indicate what we all fear, i.e. assult on our faith by the new administration.

Published by: David
San Antonio, Texas 12/22/2008 12:06 AM EST

Fr. Euteneuer is correct to ask Pastor Warren to reconsider his participation in the inaugural ceremonies. Abortion "rights" are simply not a matter of differing views. I personally believe this is just another example of how problematic relativism is within the thousands of non-denomination Christian churches.

Published by: David
San Antonio, Texas 12/22/2008 12:05 AM EST

Published by: Rev. Peter Calabrese
Lewiston NY 12/21/2008 09:18 PM EST

Rate: Good

This is oneof those things that can go either way. Not everything is so cut and dried. His participation can be seen as an endorsement but it need not be. Both clergymen deserve the right to make their opinion known without being pilloried as heretical or anti-Christ.

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 12/21/2008 09:33 AM EST

Rate: Good

I disagree. The time to not show endorsement or allow Obama to distort his anti-pro-life record was during the campaign. Now it is the office of president of the USA that Warren would be respecting. Beside, Obama needs all the help he can get given his clear lack of respect for unborn life. Maybe Warren can give a clear Pro-Life invocation--only theose that asleep would miss the message and who it was directed to. We need to take every opportunity we are given, since there will be few the next 4 years.

Published by: Bill Sr.
Jacksonville FL 12/21/2008 08:55 AM EST

Rate: Good

I don't understand Christians of any denomination who would oppose Pastor Warren's participation in the inaugural ceremonies of the president. All I've heard from mainline Christians in the past concerning him is praise for his great work for the Lord. So now that he has the opportunity to speak to and hopefully inspire our nation in time of great need spiritually, he is being asked to keep to himself? (Sounds a little like the followers of Christ who could not believe he chose to dine with sinners). This kind of attitude exposes the shallowness of many so called Christians. They assume their personal view of the faith has captured all the universal truths and as such they speak for and in the name of God. It's no wonder the faith has been broken into so many pieces. We all must respect the office which Obama can rightfully claim and the authority it gives him. Unfortunately not all Christians believe in a central authority which has been assigned to guide them. Pray for unity within Christ's church.

Published by: Jamika
England 12/21/2008 04:03 AM EST

Rate: Good

I disagree with Fr. Euteneuer. Come post-Jan 20th, we Pro-Lifers are going to be prepared more than ever to fight Obama's bad social policies, regardless of who gives the invocation.

ADD A COMMENT (Your e-mail will NOT be published):


NAME:
CITY/STATE/COUNTRY:
EMAIL:
COMMENT:

PLEASE ENTER THE SECURITY CODE DISPLAYED ABOVE:
Chars:

* Thanks for your comments. The number of messages that can be online is limited. Length should not exceed 1500 characters. CNA reserves the right to edit messages for content and tone. Comments and opinions expressed by users do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of CNA. CNA will not publish comments with abusive language, insults or links to other pages.

ADVERTISING
CNA does not necessarily endorse these advertisers. Please proceed with discretion. If you feel that a website announced has inappropriate or offensive content, please send it by e-mail to catholicna@catholicna.com