Bishop tells outspoken CA priest to "cool it" on Obama sermons

Incendiary:

"San Diego Bishop Robert Brom has asked an outspoken Escondido priest to tone down his fierce criticism of the Obama Administration, prompting supporters of the priest to launch a letter-writing campaign to the bishop on his behalf.

On Feb. 11, California Catholic Daily reprinted an article – “100 Days or End of Days?” -- from the parish bulletin of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Escondido written by Pastor Richard Perozich. In the article, Fr. Perozich warned that “evil has acceded to power” in the Obama Administration. (To see the article behind the controversy, Click Here.)

Sources at St. Mary’s told California Catholic Daily that a family from the parish-administered St. Mary’s School had complained to the chancery about the article. An intermediary, acting on behalf of Bishop Brom, then contacted Fr. Perozich by telephone, sources said, and told him to “cool it.” Aside from that single complaint, sources said, “the overwhelming opinion of parishioners has been favorable.” (California Catholic Daily)

I have some personal experience of Fr. Perozich's energetic ministry style. While I don't agree with everything he said in his letter (I only had time to skim it), I think what is at issue is not so much what he said, but that he said it - people are not used to hearing their priests vocally "naming names" in this manner. Also, an important note: this is what Fr. Perozich said in a homily - he published it in his parish bulletin.

Still, the problem with impassioned rhetorical language about these issues is that such statements tend to come across as irrational, thus doing a disservice to the principled versions of these sentiments.