Muslim fanatics threaten Catholics and Jews: NY archbishop

Most Rev. Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, has been mentioned in this blog before. He is, you see, one of the few members of the US Catholic hierarchy who is not afraid to speak the truth, no matter how politically incorrect the truth may be.

Earlier this month, he addressed more than 250 Jewish leaders assembled in New York for the annual meeting of the Anti-Defamation League, an organization that fights anti-Semitism. Why the ADL would invite a leading Roman Catholic to speak to them is a bit of a mystery, but never mind.

In his speech, Abp. Dolan took stock of Jewish-Catholic relations and urged Jews and Catholics to work together to protect religious freedom. Click here to read the Catholic News Service account of Archbishop Dolan's address.

Warning of a “possible movement by the government that would dangerously tread on issues of conscience and religion that our two families [sic] hold very dear,” the archbishop said that “internationally, all believers are in the crosshairs of fanatics around the world. Somewhere, someplace, somebody’s being persecuted to the point of blood because of their faith, and we need to stand together in defence of those people.”

“It would take an ostrich not to see that religious fanatics have in their cross hairs Jews and Catholics,” he added. “Perhaps you and I are going to be drawn closer together as we defend each other, as we try very creatively and energetically to reach out to moderate Islamic leaders to build mutual defence of religious rights.”

Reaching out to moderate Islamic leaders... Yes. Well... That is the politically correct thing to say, after all, but may not be factually correct. Walt is reminded of a story...

Q. Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, a moderate imam and an Islamist fanatic are competing in a foot race. The first one across the finish line wins a pot of gold. Which one finishes first and wins the prize?
A. The Islamist fanatic, of course. The other three are mythical characters.

But let's not let the lame conclusion distract us from the central truth of Archbishop Dolan's argument. Jews and Catholics, he said, need to “face realistically the common threat we have from fanatics, especially in the Islamist community.” They are out to get us; that's a fact!