Church cancels Gingrich appearance
(CNN) - The Basilica of St. John in Des Moines, Iowa canceled a screening of Newt Gingrich's documentary about Pope John Paul II, the church confirmed.
The former House Speaker and recent convert to Catholicism co-produced the film, "Nine Days that Changed the World." He was exepcted to speak at the viewing.
Dwayne Weuve, the Business Manager for the church said they were not able to "work out all of the details" for the May 16 event and that Gingrich's potential bid for the White House was "one of the considerations that went into it [the decision]."
The Des Moines Register reported the event could be considered a conflict of interest.
Rick Tyler, a spokesman for Gingrich, said the film has been screened across the country and "thousands have come to see and be inspired by its powerful message."
"These events are a time to come together to remember Pope John Paul II, his life, and the remarkable period of history," Tyler said. "These are in no way political events and it would be a shame not to go forward and share this movie with the Basilica in Des Moines."
"In any case, however, we will respect the decision of the Basilica of St. John," he added.
He's a fat lying slob
Most churches and non-profit groups (religous or otherwise) do not allow politicians to speak to their memberships. Especially politicians who bear a strong resemblance to being a candidate for an elected office, looking for votes.
It would appear that Mr. Gingrich is trying to return the favor. He feels that he has been "saved" and maybe even converted. Now he must want to save and covert church members. "Nahp! No thanks." I didn't say that. The church did.
"Recently" converted to catholicism? Does that mean after his two divorces (and the affairs that went with them)? Catholics can't be divorced and remarry, how does gingrich get a pass? Do the same archbishops who advocate denying communion to supporters of abortion rights also deny gingrich, who has committed an actual (in the eyes of the church) sin?
Need a Catholic here to answer some questions: How would Newt's two previous marriages which ended in divorces filed by Newt when the women were critically ill, affect his conversion? Does the Church only recognize the 'sanctity' of marriage between two (heterosexual, of course) people? Do converts essentially get a 'Get out of Jail Free' card?
Its super to see churches finally begin to flee the CHEAP HYPOCRISY and ETHICAL STENCH which is Newt Gingrich.
I'd object to gingrich in the catholic church, but I more strongly object to the man who was at the head of the catholic church during a great many sex scandals being a "saint." Bringing Bernard Law to the vatican so he won't be prosecuted isn't my idea of what Jesus would do with a man who facilitated the sex abuse in Boston. I don't know what Jesus would do, but I'm pretty sure he would not remove an archbishop who continually moved abusing priests around away from any accounibility.
In Newt's mind Chruch mean $$. A lot of $$. He changes his religion to get $$. Will he change his gender to get women's votes? Stay tune.
The reason why is because the film was produced by "citizens united" the same organization creating political films for the republican party; they are extremely partisan and it probably is one of the reasons the curch saw a conflict of interest on the film
re: carrotroot "Biden and Kennedy are good representatives of the Roman Catholic faith" Please don't say such things!!! Biden supports abortion which is directly against Catholic teaching and the Kennedy family has openly defied Church teaching on so many fronts that we can't begin to address them in this comment section! Maybe it takes a convert, not saying Gingrich is the one, to truly represent the Faith, since a convert studies just what makes a good Catholic and is not simply born into it. By the way, I am a cradle Catholic.
Thats because he,s a Natural Born Sinner. Talk about" I need to make some confessions" ???
Exactly the right decision. Keep political figures and their "stuff" out of the church.
"Fig" Newton is such a quack. Like a few others have posted, I'm sure the Church cancelled due to fact he want piles of cash to further his run for POTUS as there are very few that would donate even a quarter to him.
If one wants to celebrate the life of Pope John Paul 2, I suggest you read his autobiography rather than join Newt's Club for his Own Financial Growth. He's a flim flam man just as $arah Palin's family are grifters. Newt is all about tired old ideas and greed. He needs a long vacation in Somalia to appreciate what supporting the general welfare of America really means. And it's not full time wars, demonizing others, or claiming "American exceptionalism" to get money or votes.
I am not Catholic, but I believe the Basilica of St. John made the right decision.