Texas bishop: No Yom Kippur service at parish; rabbi has Planned Parenthood ties
September 17, 2010
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.
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Posted by: lauriem5377 -
Sep. 21, 2010 9:20 AM ET USA
Whatever prompted the decision not to go ahead, it was a good decision.
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Posted by: annemarie -
Sep. 17, 2010 9:40 PM ET USA
I think the change of heart was prompted by a rather scathing, excellent article on LiteSiteNews.com on Sept. 15. There was a photo of the Tabernable covered by the Star of David. How can anyone justify that!! The article also contained a link to the Diocese of Austin's email and its phone number. I think that the diocese got a LOT of feedback. Call me cynical! I can take the heat!
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Posted by: stpetric -
Sep. 17, 2010 6:43 PM ET USA
Withdrawing the invitation I think was a good decision. But since Yom Kippur begins this evening, the timing puts the Jewish congregation at a real disadvantage, and makes the diocese's decision rather un-gracious. They should have decided this weeks ago -- or allowed it to go ahead this year but not in the future.
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Posted by: extremeCatholic -
Sep. 17, 2010 1:23 PM ET USA
Why didn't the Rabbi ask the local Planned Parenthood clinic for space to hold a Yum Kippur service?
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Posted by: -
Sep. 17, 2010 11:27 AM ET USA
Excellent. Just a few years ago this outcome would have been improbable.
