THE RABBIS HAVE SPOKEN! (The Bishops have mumbled something no one could quite catch.)

From The Black Kettle comes a link to this article and statement from the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada:

Sunday, March 27, 2005 11:11 a.m. EST
Rabbis Plead for Bush to Intervene

Rabbi Yehuda Levin has issued the following statement on behalf of the Union of Orthodox Rabbis of the United States and Canada:

"We urge President George Bush and Florida Governor Jeb Bush to take immediate, decisive action to save the life of Terri Schindler-Schiavo. We appreciate the pro-life statements of President Bush and Governor Bush. Yet, their efforts have thus far not been successful. We therefore urge the President and Governor Bush to take immediate and decisive action - either jointly or separately - to save the life of Terri Schindler-Schiavo before it is too late.

"When evil becomes 'legally' sanctioned by government, it rises to a higher order of evil - that of Sodom. Legality does not dictate morality. The Almighty dictates morality.

"America is being tested. Will we pass or will we fail?

"Perhaps some feel that everything that could be done has been done. But our holy Torah, the Word of G-d, says otherwise: 'Am I my brother's keeper?' We all know the answer."

I have nothing but praise for the joint Rabbis' statement. On second thought, yes I do have something else. G-R-A-T-I-T-U-D-E. Thank you, Rabbis! Thank you for having the courage and the moral clarity to condemn this horrible murder of Terri Schindler-Schiavo! I am a Catholic Christian, but I commend you most sincerely and emphatically and offer you my gratitude. I am sure many other Christians feel the same.

Now, compare the Rabbis' excellent no-nonsense joint statement just given above to this watered down, mealy-mouthed, lukewarm pap and crap issued by Bishop Robert N. Lynch of the diocese of St. Petersburg, FL :

"The bishops of Florida have once again addressed the issue of the withdrawal of the artificial feeding tube from Terri Schiavo. As in the past, I join them in addressing this complex and tragic situation. As the local bishop and pastor for all the family parties involved, I would like to add the following. At the end of the day (the judicial, legislative days) the decision to remove Terri’s artificial feeding tube will be that of her husband, Michael. It is he who will give the order, not the courts or certainly the governor or legislature or the medical personnel surrounding and caring for Terri. In other words, as I have said from the beginning of this sad situation, the decision will be made within a family. A significant part of that family feels they are outside of the decision-making process and they are in great pain and suffering mightily

"I urge and pray that before the finality, one last effort be made for mediation. Normally, at the end of life, families of the person in extremis agree that it is time to allow the Lord to call a loved one to Himself, feeling that they have done all they possibly might to provide alternatives to death, every possible treatment protocol which might be helpful has been attempted. There is a peace. This will not happen in this instance because of the seeming intractability of both sides. I beg and pray that both sides might step back a little and allow some mediation in these final hours. The legacy of Terri’s situation should not be that of those who love her the most, loathing the actions of one another, but of a heroic moment of concern for the feelings of each other, guided by moral and ethical considerations, with a single focus of achieving the best result for Terri. I ask the Catholics of the Diocese of St. Petersburg in the waning days of Lent to pray hard to the “Author of All Life” for Terri and for her family."

Catholic Bishops, listen up! It is a very sad day indeed when the Rabbis have the testicular fortitude and the grace of God to say what needs to be said without pulling punches, while our own Bishops churn out some insipid, watery, halfhearted nonsense of circumlocution and obsequious drivel. Shame on you, Bishop Lynch! You are called by God to to fulfill one of the most important roles in His church on earth. You are supposed to be a pastor who looks after His sheep. For shame! Shame on all you feckless, ineffectual, effete Bishops!

Revelation 3:15-16

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

It is a very sad day indeed. Sad that a lowly no one such as myself must tell a Bishop to be the man that God has called him to be. Presumptuous on my part? Out of line? Then, by the grace of God, act like a Bishop who pastors the Lord's sheep and stop your lamentable and fruitless "diplomacy"! (If such innocuous, and therefore useless, non-statements such as yours may be designated as "diplomacy.") God did not appoint you or anoint you to be a diplomat who minces words and tiptoes on eggshells. You are endeavoring to please everyone while accomplishing nothing. Of what or of whom are you afraid? What good is a frightened or cowardly shepherd to the Lord's sheep when the wolves are at hand? If the shepherd will not pastor the Lord's sheep, the black sheep must needs baa the loudest lest all be lost to the wolves because of the sleeping or quailing shepherd. Shame on you, you sheepish shepherds!

You've been told and NOW YOU KNOW. (And don't make me have to tell you again!)