UPDATED II: A Terrible - And Terribly Disappointing - Response From the Archdiocese of New Orleans To the Bigotry of Second Line Brewery Owners
Cowardice
Reflecting Wednesday night on what was a full day… many phone calls, an interview on the radio, and obligations to my work. What stands out the most are the phone calls I received from a spokesperson for Catholic Charities (interchangeably: the Archdiocese of New Orleans.)
She suggested that “the family” that runs Second Line is due our respect, that Catholic Charities “doesn’t want any more trouble for that family.” I have no clue why “the family” of anti-religious bigots is more deserving of a defense from the Archdiocese than the faithful Catholics who are unwelcomed at Second Line Brewery. The bigots apparently are a greater priority to Archbishop Gregory Aymond than the practicing Catholics in his care.
“The family” has kept their “deeply sorry” post up on the brewery’s social media pages; it’s been five days. They have no regret or second thoughts about their “promise” to “vet” their customers, which means: they promise to “do better” to keep people of faith out of their business. In the interest of “inclusion, diversity, and equality” you are not welcome at Second Line Brewery and the Archdiocese of New Orleans would prefer to brush this nasty affair under some rug. You know… because of “the family.”
There is literally no other way to interpret “the family’s” very clear words. They’re making no secret of their intentions and their preferences: they will “vet” their customers and will disallow people of faith to enter their business. “The family” is “deeply sorry” to their Leftist customers that they almost accidentally allowed Catholics to drink some beers in their brewery.
“Just move on”
Catholic Charities, however…
“… just wants to move on and get their focus in other directions. They [Catholic Charities} know that they have other places that they can house that event and they’re working on getting it scheduled somewhere, and when they do they know they’ll get a good turnout.”
The spokesperson, Melissa, continued:
“So they really are trying not to have this turn into anything more than it already has.”
“I don’t understand what you mean about ‘the family,’” I inquired. “This is a family that kicked Catholics out of their business.”
“I understand your frustration, and I know that everybody was hurt by this. The bottom line is Catholic Charities really would just like to move forward, find a new place, and they are going to do that.”
Then, forcefully emphasizing each word in a transparent attempt to influence me:
“And they would very much like to not have this issue continue to boil up.”
“Why?” I asked…
“Basically, Catholic Charities will always stand for the dignity of life, and they absolutely were disappointed at having to relocate, and they want to share a new location when they have one, but they really hope that everybody can move on from this situation and spur positive conversations among those with opposing viewpoints.”
Somebody - anybody - explain that sniveling cowardice. Make that make sense to me please.
“We don’t want to spin this up any further.”
“But there are no positive conversations to be had with people who will kick you out for your beliefs,” I responded. “This is a bigger issue than (only) abortion. This is the fact that if they know my beliefs when I walk into their business they would kick me out. This is far bigger…. I’ve had many people call me today and say ‘You know I’m on the fence about abortion but I’m definitely not on the fence about bigotry, about being excluded from society.’ It’s anti-American to kick people out of your business because you don’t agree with their views. This needs to be exposed. And the reason why Conservatives and Catholics are losing this overall battle is because we cede ground! They have kicked us out! And you’re saying we should not complain?”
“I think Catholic Charities feels there’s been plenty of complaint and they would like to just move forward now. And their way forward is to bring the “Pro-Life and Pints” event to a new location. They really want to turn forward and move on. They feel that this issue has been raised, has been discussed and we need to just move forward now. And that is their request of you as someone who feels as they feel.”
“I have no obligation to follow their request,” I stressed, “I may or may not.”
“I understand completely and I respect that you have every right to do what you want.”
“I do not respect their point of view. I think it’s cowardly, ma’am. I think that’s a shame. I think it’s unbelievably cowardly, and it’s exactly why they [the abortionists] are winning in this battle. And the fact that Catholics can be kicked out for their beliefs and the Catholic Church still cannot find their courage. I find it appalling.”
“I understand that. To them, it’s a Biblical issue.”
I was incredulous at this point… I also don’t understand her use of “them” for Catholic Charities and not “we.”
“No ma’am, it’s not a ‘Biblical issue,’ it’s a PR issue. And it’s an issue of cowardice. I’m so disappointed with the institutional Catholic Church. I mean… do you know how hard it is to be Catholic in New Orleans? You jump from one scandal to another… the Archdiocese is literally in bankruptcy. Then in the bigger scene we have a pope who’s nearly a socialist! And now, we get kicked out of a “community based” organization that goes online and says ‘In the interest of inclusivity, diversity, and equality Catholics are not welcome here.’ And you want me to sit down for that. No. No. No… I will not. I will not sit down for that ma’am. And if you wanted this controversy to stop, guess what? It’s not gonna stop! I’m now going to raise this issue louder and further than it ever was going to be raised before. And I promise you that everyone will know the cowardly act that you committed today. I promise you that, ma’am. Bank on it.”
The ultimate responsibility for this course of action lies with this man, Archbishop Gregory Aymond.
NOTE:
In the first published iteration of this post, I wrote with a too-slimy attitude about the Archbishop; I offer him and my readers my apology.
That said, this overall issue offers a particularly potent opportunity to reveal to everyone what’s going on with the Left. Not only here in New Orleans, but everywhere, the response from Second Line ideally reveals the contradictions of the Left. Exploit this chance to expose their own words as contradictory and remarkably crazy: diversity, inclusion, equality.
This opportunity for the Church institutional to express its values, to go very public about affirming the beauty and mystery that is the Catholic faith, this opportunity should not be missed.
Use this event for good things everywhere.
It is indeed true that Archbishop Aymond makes the call on this.
Again, I apologize for and regret the earlier tone, sincerely.
WWL put out this article on the 18th, four days after the Second Line post. The Archbishop is never mentioned in the article…
I’m sorry for how my tone may come off, truly.
This event shouldn’t be swept away or ignored… it should be exploited as ready-made golden PR that reveals the Left in their own words.
Nobody can miss or deny the contradictions at work in the Second Line ‘Blue Post.’ The Archbishop should have demanded a public explanation from Second Line while offering a robust defense of not only ‘the faith’ but ‘the faithful’ also.
Facebook would seem the obvious place for a response from the Archbishop, but there’s no mention of this event at all. No statement. No demand of a public explanation. Though the header…
Things instantly jump by multiples in the “Diversity!” category when 3 Catholic nuns, in habit, drop in to your bar with lots of their friends.
A thing to ponder.
the bec
I am disappointed, also. I applaud your faith and bravery. I will also pray for your well being. Organized religions are governments in miniature with Holy scripture as their constitution. And like our secular government that ignores our Constitution, so organized religions ignore their Holy Constitution. Deacons, district superintendents, cardinals, archbishops or whoever in whatever denomination's governing bodies for the most part prefer the progressive modernity to suffering for their faith. Even pastors are more interested in their retirements than their flocks. I was raised Methodist. In my very early teens our independent church decided to join the UMC organization. Because of the UMC's watering down of Christian Doctrine over 4,000 Methodist Churches have left the UMC. That has been only in the last few years. I am sure many legal hurdles had to be overcome. I left the United Methodist Church in 1986 because the national organization supported too many political agendas that I did not. I could not see it getting any better. My religious affiliation is like my voting choice; independent. I do my best to try to pick charities where my money will best be used. Not to pay some religious bureaucrat's salary.
Hang in there and watch your back. God Bless.