Fr. Jonathan Morris' Ash Wednesday Homily Includes PR For Cardinal Dolan

Along with being a conduit for the politics of the United States Council of Catholic Bishops, Fox & Friends appears to be a public relations arm for NY Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan who is also head of the bishop's group. Over the week-end, Fox & Friends ran several segments, live from Rome, during which Fox professional Catholic (and Dolan litigator) Peter Johnson Jr. and Fox house priest (only Fox official clergy) Father Jonathan Morris talked about the might and majesty of Timothy Dolan who, wink, wink, could be the next pope. (Irish Paddy Power odds are 80/1). The Dolan lovefest continued, this morning, on Fox & Friends.

This morning's Ash Wednesday segment started off with commentary about and video of Dolan helping out at a NY food pantry. (After which he probably brunched at Ducasse's). Fr. Morris explained the significance of Ash Wednesday which the chyron referred to as a "holiday" before the techies corrected the error. Morris, reverentially, presented the gang with a souvenir red cardinal cap (Vatican memorabilia?) and the gang all had a good laugh over the possiblity that Brian would wear it. Wonder if Fox & Friends will interview a rabbi about the significance of Passover.

Something you won't learn about Dolan on Fox & Friends: According to "The Daily Beast," Dolan was virtually mute about state laws which required that Catholic institutions, under his direction, provide birth control as part of their health insurance. A health care plan at Brooklyn's St. Francis College even covers abortion. Fancy that.

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Showing 7 reactions

commented 2012-02-22 18:58:01 -0500 · Flag

Curious…how many of the Fox peeps were flaunting the ashes on their foreheads?

commented 2012-02-22 15:09:46 -0500 · Flag

@kentbrockman. Of course not that there is anything wrong with that. At least as long as it is the little propaganda padre, and not one of those militant GLBT types that Fux Noise hates.

commented 2012-02-22 14:44:49 -0500 · Flag

Fux Nuze sez

This is so Gay.

commented 2012-02-22 11:34:50 -0500 · Flag

Or…in the alternative…we’ve seen the Da Vinci Diaries too many times.

With all my love,
Aunty Em

commented 2012-02-22 11:30:34 -0500 · Flag

Yes, Aunty Em, it was quite strange. I was under the impression that these things were taken quite seriously – in other words not in the same realm as Boston Red Sox caps that one can pick up as a souvenir of one’s trip to Fenway Park. What was interesting was that Gretch seemed puzzled and asked, appropriately, what one does with such a seemingly holy object. Thatâs when Doocy, I think, joked about how Brian could wear it. It did seem, initially, awkward.

Was this Dolan’s way of showing his gratitude, without actually saying it officially, to Fox & Friends for their partisanship on behalf of his politics? Interesting….

commented 2012-02-22 11:22:22 -0500 · Flag

I was surprised that the good father was able to smuggle one of the official beanies out of Vatican City. Honest question: Does anyone know how holy the church treats these skullcaps? Can you just pick them up at the Vatican gift shop? I got the impression from what was said, and by how Morris turned so solemn all of a sudden, that for him to be able to officially present those Foxy Friends with the red hat with the mysterious provenance was akin to a sacred honour. Did I misread this? Was this a task he was performing at someone’s behest? I bet a Knight of Malta would know the answer to that.

With all my love,
Aunty Em

commented 2012-02-22 10:28:45 -0500 · Flag

After enduring Father Spanky’s Dolan lovefest on Fux & Friends, I wonder if the two of them bothered with separate hotel rooms? Or does what happen in Rome stay in Rome? Just asking.