Yes, you read right. The pastor of Saint Louis IX Catholic Church had invited the local rabbi to hold the Jewish service in the Austin church for the past two years. The synagogue isn’t big enough, you see, to accommodate the large crowd that comes to the temple for the major feast. This year, however, under episcopal direction, the invitation had to be withdrawn because word got out on the internet that Rabbi Freedman is on the board of the local Planned Parenthood. Didn’t the pastor, Father Covington, know that? Let’s assume that he didn’t. Well, then, didn’t Father Covington know that his guests covered the crucifix and the statues when they held their service at his church the past two years? Let’s assume that he didn’t, although his parishioners did. Well, doesn’t Father Covington know that the true Emmanuel (God with us), the Son of God Incarnate, resides in the tabernacle of his church? Or is the Blessed Sacrament removed and the sanctuary lamp snuffed out when the Jews hold their service there? After all, if his guests cannot bear to see even the figure of the Messiah on the Cross, they certainly are not going to genuflect before their God truly present in the tabernacle. Wait a minute! But his guests don’t believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, and God with us. So, what is their service of Yom Kippur all about? Does it enter the mind of Rabbi Freedman that he ought to “atone” for supporting the murder of pre-born babies? Does it enter the mind of Rabbi Freedman that he ought to “atone” for rejecting Christ and covering up a crucifix? No, apparently it doesn’t. And this is one priest’s idea of ecumenical outreach!
Catholic Culture reports:
Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin has directed a parish to withdraw its invitation to a synagogue to hold its Yom Kippur service there following reports that its rabbi serves on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood.
“In view of the fact that Rabbi Alan Freedman is a member of the board of Planned Parenthood, and questions about the suitability of the use of a Catholic sanctuary by a non-Christian community, Father Covington has determined, in consultation with Bishop Vásquez, to withdraw the invitation,” according to a diocesan statement. Read full report here.
