TOLEDO (OH)
Toledo Blade
Russ Lemmon
Seven molasses-coated Lemmon Drops to nibble on while waiting for the first spotting of a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited:
In ranking all-initial organizations that provoke the most intense knee-jerk reactions from their opponents, the ACLU would have to be No. 1 nationally. Take your pick for No. 2, PETA or the NRA.
In Catholic-rich northwest Ohio, SNAP might challenge the ACLU for the top spot.
On Thursday, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests held another one of its orchestrated, made-for-media events in front of the Toledo diocese headquarters. SNAP representatives were there to deliver a letter to Bishop Leonard Blair, asking that the Rev. Gerald Robinson not be allowed to wear his clerical collar during his murder trial.
SNAP's problem is that a certain percentage of Catholics automatically dismisses its message. Just because it's SNAP. (I could make a case that SNAP's insistence that the Oscar-nominated documentary Twist of Faith be shown in a commercial venue in the Toledo area was a big factor in why it wasn't.)
Had SNAP not made an issue of Father Robinson wearing his clerical collar in court, I never would given it a thought. But, you know, it is a valid argument. (For what it's worth, I disagree with SNAP's stance.)
Posted by kshaw at April 16, 2006 07:37 AM