Jerry Falwell, R.I.P.
Jerry Falwell entered eternal life today at age 73. Let us pray for the repose of his soul.Yesterday, May 14, Mr. Falwell concluded what turned out to be his final column (click on this post's title) with these words: "Boldly live out your faith!"
Bill Donohue of the Catholic League http://www.catholicleague.org/07press_releases
said this of Mr. Falwell today:
“Jerry was a great fighter in the culture wars. He was both an exemplary evangelical and a renowned social activist, always exuding the kind of moral courage so often lacking in religious leaders of all faiths. He will be sorely missed.”
Mr. Falwell and his Moral Majority campaigned hard for Ronald Reagan in 1980. That helped make possible the President and Pope John Paul II's successful assault on the Soviet evil empire.
When Pope John Paul II died, Mr. Falwell said, "The world has lost a great moral leader."
Dissenter Catholics, like all liberals, will excoriate Mr. Falwell.
Wonder if our Catholic bishops will praise him for his pro-life efforts. As a former pro-life chairman of our bishops, Cardinal Mahony ought to do so.
"Boldly live out your faith!"
posted by Quintero at 4:16 PM
3 Comments:
Q - what do you mean when you say he "entered eternal life"? That he is in heaven? Or just that he died and, like every other human soul, will go on existing?
The man was a heretic who led others to heretical beliefs. Whatever he may have done as an ally in the "culture wars" shouldn't obscure the fact that he was not winning souls for Christ.
Dear Mike,
Thanks for writing. "Entered eternal life" encompasses the three destinies possible for us.
I believe in the counsel, "Speak no evil of the dead." There will be lots of time in the future for all of us to to discuss Mr. Falwell, but I would rather wait until after he is buried.
A recent bad example was the New York Times's attacking the late Bowie Kuhn on the very day of his funeral by publishing a column by Murray Chass that blasted him.
It is worth noting that both Fr. Tom Euteneuer and Fr. Frank Pavone praised Mr. Falwell after he died.
Quintero,
Thanks for your blog. I realized that some bishops were not as hard on so-called catholic politicians, but you have made me realize a little more of how dire the situation really is.
Adrian
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