Jerry Falwell, founder of both Liberty University and the Moral Majority, passed away today. While I disagree with some of Falwell’s theology and comments (for example, his comments following 9/11), Catholics and Falwell share many moral and theological assumptions. Falwell has worked with many Catholics (and even non-Catholics), uniting against government-sanctioned abortion and other social problems. The Rev. Falwell was generally friendly to Catholics, leading some in his own tradition to accuse him of treason.
Eternal Rest grant unto them him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them him.
May they he rest in peace.
David Bennett
Jennifer
asimplesinner
Fr. J.
Chad Toney
Jorge Flores
Jonathan B
carmelbennett
nicenehobbit
Jason S
jaybird68
papaz
May 15, 2007 at 10:00 pm
He was “friendly to Catholics…” and so you were friendly to him?
Um, has the Church learned nothing since that venture with the Nazis?
May 15, 2007 at 10:33 pm
David,
Thank you for your kind words about Dr. Falwell. Things are really somber here at Liberty University. Dr. Falwell was always a presence around campus, and he truly loved us students. I saw Dr. Falwell last night driving around in his Denali as I was heading to Subway…I guess that’s the last time this side of glory I’ll see him…what a grim reminder that “life is but a vapour”.
When I heard of his death, one of the stories that he always told in chapel instantly came to my mind. He often told us of a boy attending boarding school who was heading home via train. The conductor of the train asked the boy, “Aren’t you afraid of traveling all this way by yourself?” The boy replied, “No - My father is waiting for me at the end of the line.” Likewise, our Father awaits us at the end of the line, and we need not fret or fear in this fleeting life. Jerry has reached the end of the line, and is with his Heavenly Father. May God rest Dr. Falwell’s soul, and may we imitate him as he imitated Christ.
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” - I Thessalonians 4:13-14
May 16, 2007 at 1:27 am
“Anonymous”
That is a ridiculous comment for a)comparing Jerry Falwell to the Nazis, and b)talking about a Catholic “venture” with the Nazis.
Obviously you dislike Falwell, and dislike that I chose to emphasize the positive things I thought about him (from my perspective). If you read my post honestly, you would see I said that Catholics agree with Falwell in many moral and theological issue, but that I did take issue with some of his positions. I did not imply a “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” situation.
May 16, 2007 at 1:56 am
Unfortunately the “angry left” is gleeful that Falwell has died, producing their normal nasty comments. For a rundown:
See This
Please don’t think I am saying all people on the leftward side of things are angry, but the left has its share of very angry folks just like the right has.
May 16, 2007 at 2:31 am
Don’t worry about anonymous, David. Whenever somebody opens by comparing their personal ideological enemies with the Nazis, they have already refuted themselves. Hiding behind “anonymous” only amplifies this effect.
Oh, and amen on the “eternal rest grant unto him, Lord.”