Personal Aside: Mary Anne Hackett’s Letter to Cardinal George.

NOTE: Up to now I thought I was pretty good at slinging the ink but this letter from Mrs. Mary Anne Hackett to Francis Cardinal George says it all. She is, as you know, the president and CEO of Catholic Citizens of Illinois (which I served as Chairman). The full text which was sent to the Cardinal yesterday follows:

Dear Cardinal George:

We were outraged and dismayed that you would permit the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls to invite Hillary Clinton to speak at their fundraiser. The newspapers and various internet sites report that you questioned it but were satisfied that it was not to be a political event. You can’t possibly believe that. We can only hope that your comments were misrepresented by the media.

Hillary Clinton is running for President. Any appearance or speech she gives is a political event. Mrs. Clinton opposes the moral teachings of the Church on abortion, stem cell research, the morality of homosexual acts and the defense of marriage. She has spoken to the Human Rights Campaign, the major homosexual organization in the country and promised that she will advance their agenda “when she becomes president.”

Hillary Clinton’s appearance at a fundraiser for Mercy Home is a disgrace for the Church and a scandal to the faithful. It is a disheartening affront to the pro-life movement that fights on a daily basis for the lives of the innocent unborn and other vulnerable members of our society. It is in direct opposition to the Bishops’ statement opposing awards, honors or platforms for those who oppose the fundamental moral principles of the Church. No wonder Catholics think it is okay to vote for pro-abortion candidates!

Before long you will be taking the leadership of the USCCB. Is this what we have to look forward to? We have already experienced the weakness and indifference of the USCCB on major moral issues. If only all of the bishops would follow the lead of those courageous ones who are willing to take a public stand against such speakers on Catholic property. When can we expect the hierarchy of the Church to step up to the plate and lead the Church Militant into battle?

For the board of directors,

Mary Anne Hackett, President


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The full board is listed on the letter. This letter is more than just a statement to the Cardinal. Catholic Citizens of Illinois was the first…and only…organization to defend the appointment of Francis Cardinal George from a dissident group of disgruntled clergy that called him “Francis the Corrector.” Catholic Citizens of Illinois was the leader of a group of Catholics who defended the Cardinal after the clergy sexual abuse stories following the saga of Fr. Dan McCormack…by staging a rally on the steps of Holy Name Cathedral in response to those who had demanded the Cardinal resign.

In short, Catholic Citizens is a grassroots group of Catholics who have defended authentic Church teaching time and time again…when, time and time again, certain prelates and administrators have allowed weakness, timidity and the comfort of conventionalism to interfere with defense of Catholic principles…such as this case when those who run Mercy Home have decided it is better to grab the money that comes from an appearance of a pro-abort than not. Speaking for myself, Mercy School for Boys and Girls has received their last annual contribution from me until and unless this transgression is rectified, apologized for and adequate expression given that this will never happen again…which would have to be examined before it is believed. We’ll let Hillary Clinton and her group support it since their favor and political support is so dear to this supposedly non-profit Catholic group.