Catholic Michael Steele takes over leadership of RNC

News Resources Tools Columns Documents ACI Group

Contenidos del sub-menu

Comments: 28

Michael Steele / Photo Credit: Rockville Central

Washington D.C., Jan 30, 2009 / 07:29 pm (CNA).- The Republican National Committee has chosen Michael Steele, a devout Catholic who is well-known for his charisma and strong work ethic, as its new chairman.

Steele, who previously served as the lieutenant governor of Maryland, is the first black chairman of the Republican Party. He was selected after six rounds of voting with 91 votes out of a possible 168. Steele beat out Ken Blackwell, Ohio's former secretary of state, and Saul Anuzis, Michigan GOP chairman, to win the chairmanship.

Some Republicans questioned Steele's conservative credentials during the campaigning for the chairmanship because of his past association with Christie Todd Whitman's Republican Leadership Council (RLC). Many conservatives within the Party ridiculed the RLC's "big tent" philosophy, which they say attempted to bring pro-abortion candidates onto the Republican ticket.

Deal Hudson, a Catholic political commentator, explained that he first became convinced of Steele's pro-life convictions by a 2003 meeting he invited Steele to with the U.S. Catholic bishops' executive committee.

According to Hudson, Steele spoke "very directly, but diplomatically, to the bishops about their need to promote the pro-life cause with greater vigor. He talked about his disappointment with their leadership and its consequences among the African-American community. When he finished talking there was a powerful silence in the room."

Steele's pro-life credentials were even further verified by his 2006 Senate run in Maryland, Hudson said.

The new chaiman was in good spirits Friday as he accepted the top post of the Republican National Committee. "It's time for something completely different, and we're gonna bring it to them," he said, according to FOX News. "Get ready, baby. It's time to turn it on."

"People like Mike," former Governor of Maryland Robert Ehrlich Jr. told the Baltimore Sun. "He's really charismatic. He's a really solid person. He's a solid family guy."

Michael Steele’s Catholic roots include attending Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington D.C. and then, in 1981, entering the seminary to study for the Augustinian Friars at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.

After completing the pre-novitiate period, Steele entered the novitiate for the Augustinians in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Six months later, he decided to pursue a career in law.

"Michael was a very bright, articulate man who I would say gave himself very sincerely to the whole process of discernment," Fr. Francis J. Doyle, who was Steele’s novice master and spiritual director, told the Baltimore Sun.

Comments: 28

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Beth Dake
Marion, Iowa 02/10/2009 07:18 PM EST

How wonderful---how
truly wonderful. Now I
will sleep better tonight..........

Published by: Mrs Judy DeAngelis
Grosse Ile, MI, USA 02/04/2009 08:17 PM EST

Now I will renew my membership in the RNC!

Published by: Don
Fort Worth 02/03/2009 11:07 PM EST

Great news for the country and the church. It will be a welcomed change to see a high profile catholic who beleives in what the church teaches.

Published by: kathleenmc
atlanta/ga/usa 02/01/2009 06:34 PM EST

He's a great pick for this position. It's water under the bridge, but I wonder what would have happened if he'd been the choice as McCain's VP candidate in 2008.

Published by: Marie
Seaford/NY/USA 02/01/2009 08:15 AM EST

This is great news! I truly hope Mr. Steele will "Turn it on!" The country needs to get back to it's Christian roots and as a Catholic, I truly hope Mr. Steele will be blessed by God to open peoples eyes and hearts to goodness!

Published by: Lisa
Munroe Falls OH USA 02/01/2009 01:13 AM EST

I am so happy that Michael Steele is the new RNC Chairman! I am especially happy to hear that he is a "Devout" Catholic. I hope he can help focus this party to be more conservative.

Published by: Catherine
Modesto,CA,USA 02/01/2009 12:40 AM EST

Congratulations to Michael Steele. I am so pleased he will lead the Republican Party, and I'm not even a registered Republican--not yet, anyway

Published by: C.L. O'Rourke, Ed.D.
Selma, CA, USA 01/31/2009 10:40 PM EST

I send blessings along with my best wishes, and prayers for your courage in meeting the challenges of this time in the hisory of America and of the world. You are very much needed in leadership.

Published by: Patricia Choquet
Rockville, MD, USA 01/31/2009 10:08 PM EST

I am so happy. Now there is finally "hope"! Congratulations Mr. Steele - I have been a long time admirer of you and was ecstatic when I heard you became the Chairman of the RNC.

Published by: Marianna Trzeciak, Esq.
Burlington, VT 01/31/2009 07:45 PM EST

It should concern all pro-lifers that Steele was associated with Christie Todd Whitman, who has made it clear that she has a political mission to bring pro-abortion politics back to the Republican Party.

I hope that CNA follows up on this story with more detail.

Published by: Kathie Mattox
Avon,IN USA 01/31/2009 04:50 PM EST

I am so grateful the Mr Steele has been elected to Chairmanship. I have listened to him many times and have been impreressed with his intelligent articulation and strong conservetive convictions. I am very proud he is leading my party.

Published by: Trimelda
Idaho Falls 01/31/2009 01:36 PM EST

Thank God.

Published by: Alphy Doucette
hamlin, Me., USA 01/31/2009 01:17 PM EST

If he sticks to Conservative principles without waiver and leads the running scared Rupublicans in Congress with firmness, we will take back national control in 2010.
Obama is loosing many Catholics that supported him, with his unacceptable abortion posture. Additionally, over 75% of Americans do not support his $.825 trillion stimulus. Let the market place do the corrections. Plus he has already started to waiver on many of his other campaign promises i.e. Gitmo.

Published by: Fran
USA 01/31/2009 12:45 PM EST

I've listened to Mr. Steele on Fox News many times. Although I didn't know anything about him, not even his name, I was impressed by his conservative ideas. I am excited he is going to lead the RNC and I wish him the very best. Kind of sad I will no longer see him on Fox News as much though.

Published by: Tom Fewless
Portage Mi 01/31/2009 12:01 PM EST

Steele/Palin 2012

Published by: Jack
NY 01/31/2009 11:09 AM EST

He'd make an excellent U.S. President.

Published by: Mary Ann
Bethlehem Pa 01/31/2009 10:18 AM EST

I am so excited about this, I have watched Michael on several interviews, and just love him, Thank God for him,were headed in the right direction, God Bless him.

Published by: BuffaloDon
Buffalo/NY/USA 01/31/2009 10:08 AM EST

Michael Steele as a "devout Catholic"? Are you basing this solely on his opposition to abortion? To be sure, that is a necessary component, but his Party voted unanimously against the stimulus bill passed in the House, even though it contained almost all the measures requested by the US Bishops. He may be a fine man, but let's be sure that he embraces ALL of the Church's teaching on social justice before we go labelling him a "devout Catholic".

Published by: Loretta MacDonald
Taylor, MI USA 01/31/2009 09:48 AM EST

OUTSTANDING MAN. I never knew anything about Michael, but, I've watched him as a guest on TV shows last year and I was ALWAYS impressed with him. His solid answers, pleasant ways and, his understanding and compassionate approach to situations and especially that he spoke out against abortion during a discussion and would not yet yield to media bias. Deo Gratias.

Published by: Mrs. Ann Marie porta
Lady Lake, Fl;32159 01/31/2009 09:10 AM EST

Dear Michael,
Congratulations, you are in our daily prayers.We have watched you on Fox for quite some time and know you willhelp to lead our party back to values and common sense. Sincerely,
Ann Marie Porta

Published by: Sheila Crocker
Pasadena TX, USA 01/31/2009 08:49 AM EST

This is wonderful news. Maybe the Republicans can repair the damage they've done to their party, and our Country.

Published by: Jon
Ft Myers FL 01/31/2009 08:34 AM EST

Too bad Steele's 2003 talk to the US Bishops had so little effect on them.

Published by: Virginia Hoyns
Flushing 01/31/2009 07:26 AM EST

Hope we now have strong leadership! This Michael Steele certainly is what we need, and now the African American population is being well represented. Let's go all the way!

Published by: John70
Yoncalla Or U.S.A. 01/31/2009 02:18 AM EST

I watched the votes from first to last, and the more votes it took,the more I prayed! My prayers were answered,God bless you Michael Steele.

Published by: David
San Antonio, TX 01/31/2009 12:28 AM EST

This is great news. Congratulations to Mr. Steele! This is very significant not only because he's African American but he's also a practicing Catholic.

Published by: Larry H Morton
Fort Worth, Texas 01/31/2009 12:00 AM EST

Michael Steele seems to be the kind of Christian/Catholic leader that the Republican party desperately needs.

He also, is the kind of leader that the Church needs as well...who is willing to stand firm on abortion and homosexual issues, which destroy the entire fabric of what was once a decent America.

Churches have become too timid in this battle and allowed their own members (lay and clerical) to stray within the confines of the Church.

Larry

Published by: Susan
TX, USA 01/30/2009 11:24 PM EST

Thank you God. Finally a Catholic in government we can be proud of!!! I hope this man runs against Obama in 4 years!!!

Published by: Dennis Galloway
Texas 01/30/2009 09:16 PM EST

Mr. Steele,
I could not be more elated that you are chairman of the Republican National Committee. God bless you, God speed, and please believe that millions of good Americans are on your side and we wish you well.
Dennis Galloway,
Corpus Christi, TX

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