It seems to me that Mr. Gingrich should be a Catholic for a few years before he begins writing about being one. Initial fervor is one thing - but being a Catholic is about perseverance and that's a matter of time, not just being a political celebrity.

We are all guilty of abusing the legacy of John Paul II, when we fail to be "authentic witnesses" to the Gospel -- especially after quoting from his work and invoking his name.

To you who wrote this comment....be reminded of the words of Jesus.....Matthew 21:28-32
28 "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' 29 "'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. 31 "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.
BRAVO MR.GINGRICH!

It seems to me that Mr. Gingrich is relating the workings of God’s grace on his path to becoming Catholic; a story which should be told. A story which helps strengthen the gratuitous gift of faith which we cradle Catholics received without any struggle on our part.

The “initial fervor” of converts may, in fact, be the fruit of their “perseverance” as well as evidence of a high level of sanctity arrived at through the many difficulties they overcame in faithfully following the promptings of God’s grace.

While it is not mine to question the time tested superiority of Tom’s Catholicism over the newly minted faith of a “political celebrity,” I have to admit, I’m tempted.

Way to go Newt! Keep the Faith!

First, I don't doubt Newt's conversion. And if he wants to talk about it or what led to it, fine. Many people do this. It can be encouraging, no matter where one stands in political views.

Second, I hope people give the same respect to Tony Blair. I think the two are quite similar here. I really don't agree with much of what Blair has said or done, nor what Gingrich has said or done. But I am a person who believes in grace, and that grace perfects sinners. Some of my favorite saints make even Saddam Hussein look like a charity case before their conversion (like St Vladimir of Rus).

Thus, third, whatever I think or do not think of someone's political position, or sins they did before conversion, I believe the grace of conversion should make both the one who converts, as well as the one who looks at them, humble. Grace triumphs over everything else. We need to respect it and be thankful for anyone who Christ converts.

Fourth, nonetheless, I think people are right in saying Newt (and Tony, and anyone else) should be cautious in playing their "I'm a convert" card to Catholics. It's good to take some time to adjust to conversion. It doesn't mean they have to be silent about it. But there is a tendency of converts (and I know it, I went through it myself!) to have a "know-it-all"sentiment to the faith. I don't think Newt will go that way. But I have seen too many who have. Either one learns and overcomes that disposition, or one eventually sees the faith is not lived and believed as one "thought" and a crisis of faith develops. This has led many converts becoming apostates. I don't get the sense of this with Newt, as I did with some (who I ended up being right about).

So let's rejoice in his conversion. Let it be real. And let's let politics end up being played out on another day.

What is it about modern Christianity that makes so many abandon common sense and rashly embrace as authentic actions that experience informs us ought to be treated with skepticism?

If Time magazine can be trusted (can it?) Newt was seen prior to Mass. In a pew. Reading a novel.


Color me skeptical but I do not think that zeal for the novel was ever understood to be a sign of an authentic conversion. Name any other Catholic you have ever known - Cradle,Convert,Revert - who brings novels to Church to read prior to Mass.

Also, one would think a "famously voracious reader" who is a recent convert would have read Caritas in Veritate.

When a famous politician, whose entire adult life has been centered around politics, engages in an action that could benefit him politically, then I do not think it cynical to think that his conversion had something to do with a possible Presidential run.

As far as his politics goes, I trust Newt almost as far as I could throw Barbara Mikulski.

"I do not think it cynical to think that his conversion had something to do with a possible Presidential run." - Spart

If his conversion were politically motivated, recent history has taught us that it would have been far more efficacious for him to join Rev. Wright's church. Since when is "sincere devout Catholicism" of a candidate a prerequisite for voters in general elections? This past election illustrated that the farther one strays from true Christianity, the more votes he will receive.

That being said, I do understand your "skepticism" ... sadly, we have gotten to the point in America when all politicians should be doubted until they prove otherwise.

1- six year term in congress
1- six year term in the senate
and
1 six year term as president

This would weed out the ambitious career politicians and get us much closer to what the founders originally intended... temporary service to constituents and not long corrupt careers in the pockets of lobbies.

I have only one thing to say to Newt Gingrich or to anyone who finds himself called to become part of our Church -- Welcome! I also would add, the longer you are a Catholic the more you will realize the significance of your conversion.

As one who loves the Church, as I read the article, I was thrilled for him to come into the Church. When I read these comments,I was amazed at peoples cynicism. Where is the parable about the lost sheep and how God seeks it out? What is needed for the cynical is a conversion of heart.

I was glad to read of Newt's conversion but like others of his political persuasion (Sam Brownback comes to mind) I see little evidence that there is full acceptance of the Church's doctrine on the Just War. Too often we see Republicans resorting to war for insufficient reasons, and too often the Catholics are enthusiastically on board. When I see this impulse stifled on their part I'll believe a real change of heart has taken place, especially if this cost them politically. Don't count on it.

Exactly, Dave K! Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict have been outspoken about Just War. It boggles the mind that so many conservative Catholics become cafeteria Catholics when it comes to war. Republican before Catholic, I guess. Catholicism isn't a magic bullet like born again evangelicalism -- although some Catholics commenting here seem to imagine that it is -- and it won't make people like Gingrich any less of the Capital Hill elitist he's always been.

Brother Gingrich is entitled to the same wage as the rest of you pundits, though called late in the day.That includes respect for his faith until he proves otherwise, a test neither Blair nor Brownback have recently passed.

Welcome home Mr. Gingrich.

It pleases me that Newt Gringrich converted to Catholicism and to read a little biographical piece written by Deal from an interview he held with Newt is quite a consolation to my heart. What a gift to have such a close account of this precious time in his life! It is so rare to have a celebrity disclose how they were moved by the Pope's visit... that they went out of their way to possibly get a chance to receive his blessing.... I love to hear that openness, that high regard for our Holy Father John Paul II and Pope Benedict.

Some of the comments on this blog shock me... especially when the first comment has to rush in there with a harsh negative slam! It really begs only one question in my heart and that is what God do they worship? The God I worship died on the cross for sinners and went way out of His way to make the point that He waits with LOVE on all souls to come to Him, return to Him, join Him in eternity..... With Love I will pray for your coming into His presence before you blog in the future ....
For the Just War champions I suggest that you watch Mel Gibson's Apocalypto..... I really believe that it gives a clear reference point for understanding the concept, "Just War".

I'm with Mark--I don't see conversion to Catholicism as a boost to a presidential run. For one thing, the US has had exactly one Catholic president, which seems a little odd considering the proportion of the population which is Catholic. For another, Republican Catholics get even worse treatment from the media than Republican Evangelicals, which is really saying something.

There is nothing uncharitable about seeking the Truth. After all, only the Truth will set us free! Good for you people who have the courage to get out of your comfort zones and take a hard look at reality. Maybe you are precisely the ones who have "come into His presence before blogging". If you are closer to the Truth, you are closer to HIM. Even when what is true, stinks!

Perhaps Mr. G has just told the Father "I will", but will not do the work! We shall see! He certainly would be appealing to many christians in 2012 who desire to "combat the secularist movement".

As for another fairy tale about JPII, no thanks!

Are we to kiss the koran also, following the example of the VICAR OF CHRIST, JPII, showing our warmth for the REJECTION of the DIVINITY OF JESUS? The REJECTION OF THE HOLY TRINITY?

That pope EXCOMMUNICATED FOUR HOLY BISHOPS for the "CRIME" of practicing the Holy Catholic Faith FAITHFULLY and DEVOUTLY, bishops who could not in good conscience embrace the MODERNISM and PROGRESSIVISM of Vatican 2. You know, the modernism that Pope Pius IX RAILED AGAINST!

Didn't our Lord tell us that the world would DESPISE AND REJECT us because it DESPISED AND REJECTED HIM FIRST?

Why did the world so embrace JPII? Including so many politicians? It's clear most people in postions of power hate christian principles and want to destroy them.

As for the latest encyclical, IT IS A DISASTER OF THE HIGHEST DEGREE! Our VICAR OF CHRIST is supposed to be in the "business" of SAVING THE SOULS OF HIS CHURCH FROM ETERNITY IN HELL! It is NOT the "job" of the HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH to call for a "world political authority", or to "reform the United Nations" so that it would have "real teeth"!

READ BETWEEN ALL THE PRETTY WORDS THAT FLOWER UP WHAT HE ACTUALLY SAID! It is the HALF TRUTHS THAT ARE KILLING OUR SOULS AND LEADING OUR CHURCH ASTRAY into the grip of the evil one.

"Strike the Shepard and the sheep will be scattered".

Please look up the ORIGINAL and ENTIRE prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. Pope Leo XIII in his vision saw that the "See of the Blessed Peter... the Chair of Truth, there they have placed the throne of the abomination of their wickedness"...

When we have the gift of Courage to open our eyes and see, it will hurt badly to know that we have been lied to and deliberately fooled, but it will be the beginning of Jesus' triumph.

I have faith that Newt Gingrich will be an excellent Catholic. It seems to me that many of the writers here were very harsh. Some went into orbit. About the novel that Gingrich was reading, how do you know it wasn't something edifying? Notice, that Gingrich put the novel away before Mass began. Doesn't that tell you something? Also, notice that Gingrich always attended the Catholic Church with his wife before his conversion. Doesn't that also tell you something? Quit being so judgmental.

Pray the Holy Rosary. I pray at least 11 Holy Rosaries daily. My intention isn't to brag, but to encourage you to pray the Holy Rosary. Many miracles in the supernatural order have occurred, on account of my praying the Holy Rosary, that were beneficial to me and to others. God bless you.

We must look into conversion and realize it is a continuous process for us as Catholics. We can be led to the Church, but it doesn't mean we will know, understand, and practice everything perfectly. I'm not a fan of Newt, but I do not think the way to react is to find a reason to kick him out because he is a new Catholic. All new Catholics continue to learn, grow, and develop in their faith. Let's help not hinder that by following the faith ourselves, and welcoming him in charity.

Debate his politics and decisions in other threads. But we must remember that the Church is for all of us sinners.

Twice previously, Newt stood before God and man promising to love his then wife; Newt promised before God and man to honor his wife; Newt promised before God and man to be faithful to his wife; Newt promised before God and men to stay married to his wife until death parted them.

When he was running for Congress in Georgia for the first time, citing family values, he ran an Ad claiming that his female opponent would leave her husband behind once she got elected and moved to Washington.

He ditched his first wife while she was in the hospital recovering from cancer surgery. Reportedly, he had been cheating on her - with the woman he married six months after his divorce. HER Church had to provide money and material support for her and their children because Newt refused to pay alimony and child support.

He ditched his second wife after his attorneys admitted he was cheating on her -with the Catholic woman who sang at The Basilica of the Immaculate Conception - and this was during the time Newt was trying to Impeach Clinton for lying about sex.

And now he has married another woman he had been cheating with while he was married and we Catholics are supposed to be all excited that he has converted and if I am skeptical about the conversion (and scandalised about just how lax Catholic standards have become vis a vis marriage/annulments) I am the one who is the one who is being judgmental.

"Racist" is the accusation most effective as the way to silence legitimate criticism of any minority and "judgmental" is the charge most effective (for most, not me)in silencing common sense Christian skepticism.

I am not being judgmental about the state of his soul but I see no reason not to be skeptical about Newt given that his past actions are incongruent with his past public claims.

I sure do hope that his conversion is sincere but skepticism about it is not judgmentalism.

It is interesting how it is never judgmental to judge another judgmental.

AUG. I suppose the command here to be no other than that we should always put the best interpretation on such actions as seem doubtful with what mind they were done. But concerning such as cannot be done with good purpose, as adulteries, blasphemies, and the like, He permits us to judge; but of indifferent actions which admit of being done with either good or bad purpose, it is rash to judge, but especially so to condemn. There are two cases in which we should be particularly on our guard against hasty judgments, when it does not appear with what mind the action was done; and when it does not yet appear, what sort of man any one may turn out, who now seems either good or bad. Wherefore we should neither blame those things of which we know with what mind they are done, nor so blame those things which are manifest, as though we despaired of recovery. Here one may think there is difficulty in what follows, with what judgment you judge you shall be judged. If we judge a hasty judgment, will God also judge us with the like? Or if we have measured with a false measure, is there with God a false measure whence it may be measured to us again? For by measure I suppose is here meant judgment. Surely this is only said, that the haste in which you punish another shall be itself your punishment. For injustice often does no harm to him who suffers the wrong; but must always hurt him who does the wrong.

Far be it from me, a man who regularly has to go to Confession, to think I am less of a sinner or more righteous than is/was Newt but, come on, I am not judging his soul but being skeptical about his conversion based upon his past actions.

As far as his conversion having something to do with his potential Presidential run, he can cite his Conversion as a real metanoia that signals a total repudiation of his secular past- when did Newt ever demonstrate he truly cared about Family Values, Religion, Pro-Life Politics, The Constitution, Unjust Wars, etc - and a new beginning; a beginning that just happens to coincide with a run for the Republican Party Nomination as a Catholic "Conservative" against a Mormon "Conservative".

Neo-Cons regularly dupe Christian Conservatives into thinking they represent the true desires of Christians.

God Bless you and hold you and keep you! God's love is such a wonderful feeling! I too saw the Pope when his was in Washington DC, and I know what it FEELS like to be close to the Pope...it brought tears to my eyes,His Holiness right there in front of me! I felt so much love, with GOd's presence rigtht there. Welcome Mr. Grinich, and may God continue to bless you and your wife!

God's grace is a gift that transcends and lifts up all humanity. It is the love of God for each of us. Let us rejoice and be glad!

What is this film really going to contain? What will be the theme? Well with Gingrich having anything to do with it, it probably goes like this:

Pope John Paul II was a Reagan Republican.

He was for strict capitalism, even at the expense of the poor.

He hated immigrants. Especially Hispanics and Muslims.

He was for the illegal invasion of Iraq. And also the deaths of innocent men, women and children. Also the deaths of American service men and women. And the spending of billions of dollars a month on this illegal invasion and genocide.

He was for the concentration camps that practiced torture on men women and children. And he loved the pictures from Abu Graib Concentration camp.

He was for unregulated capitalism and an everybody for themselves attitude.

He was for tax breaks for the rich.

He was for the Reagan belief in "trickle down theory."

He was for Gingrich's um-teen marriages and his fooling around with pages in the House.

He was really for Gingrich leaving his wife on her death bed for another woman (not the one pictured as his wife here.)

There! Now you don't have to see the movie!

Anyone who has heard this man speak even before the last election, and read any of his books can easily discern that he stands against just about everything the Church teaches on social, economic and moral thought! All you have to do is go over his speeches posted on the internet, listen to him rave on Fox News and read his books after his "conversion." Then compare it with the thoughts and writings of Popes John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI and the Catholic Catechism.

I hope the readers of InsideCatholic are sufficiently informed not to be taken in by misinformation about the social teaching of the Church. One of the most effective partisan tactics of some Catholics is to declare specific positions on prudential matters as THE position of the Church, when, in fact, they are not.

On most political matters, the Church teaches general principles that must be applied prudentially as directed by intelligence, judgment, compassion, and, yes, the prudential reasoning of the bishops. (This does not mean all prudential positions are equally valid.) This basic distinction between obligatory political positions, such as the defense of unborn life and marriage between a man and a woman, the prudential matters is, perhaps, the greatest confusion found among Catholics about politics.

One reason for the confusion is that it is being deliberated promulgated by those who are providing cover for pro-abortion Catholic politicians. It's the favored tactic, for example, of Catholic United and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.

Others, who repeat the same mistake, I assume are merely confused themselves or uninformed. Every political and moral document produced by the Vatican and the U.S. bishop's conference has underlined this distinction, yet, the confusion still pervades most discussions about Catholics in politics.

It would be much more helpful to argue the pros and cons of differing prudential positions, but that rarely happens.

The elephant in the room here is Money.

In various ways the American Catholic Church receives millions of dollars each year from the U.S. Government.

Has the need for money been a factor in the corruption of some of the Bishops? It sure looks that way -- on the left and right.

Wouldn't it be nice if there was no "left" or "right" -- just "organic" Catholics.

Those who claim to be pro-life are taken more seriously when they also acknowledge that the war in Iraq was wrong.

Given the choices in the last election, I didn't vote. Neither candidate earned my vote.

I am confused, why are you commenting on something you know nothing about? You have not seen the video. And, did God ask you to be the judge of this man's spirituality? At least he has lived long enough and cared enough to explore spirituality from various viewpoints, and has made this informed decision after being married to a Catholic. If he is hypocrital, he will be impoverished spiritually by it. But does that possibility, which is for all, justify this comment section itself being so hypocritcal? I do not know what the video will present or the status of Mr. Gingrich's spiritual understanding. But neither does any of you.

"Those who claim to be pro-life are taken more seriously when they also acknowledge that the war in Iraq was wrong."

Hey, how about this... you guys who hate the fact that we won the war in Iraq, admit that Bush and Cheney are no longer in power and come join us pro-lifers on the right now?

I rejoice at the conversion of Newt Gingrich. The comments our our "progressive" brethren were predictably disappointing. The Church opposes rabid capitalism AND SOCIALISM.

As for the enumeration of Gringrich's past sins, gee, who doesn't have them. I am a catholic who came back in repentence to the Church after 30 years of being out of it with all the baggage that comes with such a life. I repented, was forgiven and am now an unworthy servant of the Christ and His Church.

If you don't believe in the transformational power of Christ than you deny Redemption. If you deny Redemption then you deny the Gospel of Christ. If you deny the Gospel - even for Newt Gringrich (and even for me), what are you doing in the Catholic Church? What do you think it's here for?

Thank God for the saving power of Christ.

I make no judgment on the state of the Gingrich's souls, but I get tired of these celebrity Catholic articles; Gingrich or Kennedy, it's equally disturbing. Back in the days when I worked on the Hill, I knew Callista Bisek as an Ag committee staffer who was sleeping with the Speaker of the House, in between songs at the Basilica, of course. And Newt was Newt, in all his egotistical glory. I am thrilled at Mr. Gingrich's conversion, but this kind of sycophantic puff piece makes me a bit ill.

Is there a reason to have rules when you look at the way those who posted above chose to ignore them? Clearly many hate Newt. Seems like it would be easier than all the ways you circle around it like vultures. Why not just post three words, I hate Newt.

Lets look at those rules again..

RULES FOR COMMENTS: We want to host a constructive but civil discussion among mature adults. With that in mind:

1. No name calling or personal attacks; stick to the argument, not the individual.

2. Assume the goodwill of the other person, especially when you disagree.

3. Don't make judgments about the other person's sinfulness or salvation. You are not the Inquisition.

Greta, that's a hard argument to make when you are 1. calling other "vultures"; 2. Assuming ill-will towards Mr.Gingrich on the part of those with whom you disagree; and 3. accusing others of harboring hatred for their fellow man, a mortal sin.

Can we all just stop worrying about whether Mr. Gingrich is sincere in his conversion and get about the business of tending to our own?

Ryan Haber
Kensington, Maryland

p.s.: I have brought foreign reading material with me to church - flashcards, magazines, and even a novel or two. Usually, I was carrying them around town anyway. Sometimes I peek at them before or after Mass, or during a dull or dim homily. I almost always bring my Daily Roman Missal. It is not hard for me to imagine Time Magazine mistaking that, or another prayer book, for a novel. Nor is it hard for me to imagine Time Magazine wanting to embarrass Mr. Gingrich. Let's all take it easy and try trusting God and the men that He has ordained to lead us to Him. Like the first twelve, some of them are boobs, and some of them are saints on earth. Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Blair are works in progress, as are you and I, and our leaders upon this pilgrimage.

p.p.s.: The spiritual danger with judgment is that we risk accusation. God is so eager to get us off the hook that he sent Jesus to die for us so that the merest beginnings of repentance - combined with infinite grace - can win us eternal life. The devil, on the other hand, seeks to accuse us before God. That is his role in the Book of Job (Job 1:6 ff), that is how he is described in Revelation (Rev 12:10), and that is what his name means in Hebrew: "accuser" or "slanderer". When we accuse others (except when we are in a position to rectify an injustice), especially when we do so falsely - whether knowingly or not, we align ourselves at least in attitude with the devil. We literally become the devil's advocate, when all along God's Word has asked us to advocate for each other (Col 4:3; 1 Thes 5:25; 2 Thes 3:1; and esp. 1 Tim 2:1; inter al). If we suspect someone of needing improvement, we should follow St. Paul's example in praying for it (2 Cor 13:9), rather than touting their failures in public. Who likes to be treated so? Though famous, Mr. Gingrich is a real person. Let's advocate for each other, instead of for the devil, filled with love, instead of filled with self-righteousness.

I'm not judging when I say that many of you are saying a lot of bad things about Newt Gringrich because you are. It's true that he was unfaithful, but many of you write as if Gingrinch hasn't made a sincere conversion, or that he is incapable of converting. Again, I have faith that he has made that conversion. Saint Paul was even worse than Gringrich, yet, he became a great saint. What are you big critics doing to better your spirituality?

It's obvious that many of you don't give Gringrich the possibility of true conversion. You'd rather hack him death, figuratively speaking of course. Can't you show, at least, that there is some kindness in you? Why don't you pray instead of going into fits?

About the very rich: I'm glad that rich people are very rich. They are the only people who hire sometimes tens of thousands of people, who love to work for a living. Wal-Mart comes to mind. I feel there is some jealously or envy in some people who are against the rich. Did you ever see a poor person hire anyone? You're silly if you think that rich people simply pile their money into one big pile and forget about it. They invest it for the benefit of all.

About the "riches" of the Catholic Church: Many people criticize the Catholic Church about its "riches." How silly. The riches of the Catholic Church is invested in more than 300,000 schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, clinics, orphanages, homes for the aged, thereby hiring millions of people who love to work for a living. True, there are millions invested in the Vatican in museums, paintings on the walls, ceilings, the pieta, et cetera, but I want these riches to remain there for the benefit of people who love to see history and art. I've seen these "riches" many times. Thank you.

About the poor: Who are the poor? Usually they are winos, unwed mothers, drug addicts, people who come down with aids through their own fault, lazy people, millions of children with loose parents, for example, no dads, who roam from woman to loose woman. Yes, I've helped many of them with tens of thousands of dollars. I'm not bragging, just trying to give an example instead of criticizing Newt Gingrich. Leave him alone. He might become a greater saint than you.

Yes, I'm the one who prays at least 11 Holy Rosaries daily and attends Mass daily. I'm not bragging, just trying to give an example. Okay, quit your criticism, pray and work. Many miracles, in the supernatural order, come from the Holy Rosary. If you don't believe me, try praying many Holy Rosaries daily, for many years, with lots of faith, and you'll see the beautiful gifts that proceed from the Holy Rosary. Don't brag if you pray a lot. If you do "brag" don't give your last name. May God bless you.

[Ryan wrote]Mr. Gingrich and Mr. Blair are works in progress, as are you and I, and our leaders upon this pilgrimage.[/quote]

Take it from a guy who will turn 60 in about a month, Ryan is hitting the right note. We are all "works in progress," and thank God for a family and good friends who understand that.

Criticism of a public figure is fair, but, as a rule of thumb, if I am criticizing someone I imagine them reading what I have written. Or, better yet, imagine them looking them in the face while I am saying it. That usually, but not always, forces me to put the criticism in the kind of words that are as temperate and accurate as I know how to be.

Some here have no problem with Gingrich's conversion. One would pray that God's grace affects his life at as it can any Sacramental Catholic's.

The dilemma, as I see it, is that Gingrich's political track record is problematic. He has been a LONG tenured federal legislator, who has taken full advantage of his influential role by becoming an advocate for a political agenda that serves a select special interest group. Whether one agrees with neoconservatism or not, it is possible to perceive this "philosophy" as a fairly narrow set of policies which benefit some and not others. I don't know of anyone who questions whether Gingrich is a neoconservative. It seems entirely legitimate to discuss whether this ideology serves the best interests of Americans, Catholics, Arabs, etc..

Furthermore, now that he's become a Catholic, one naturally wonders if his conversion will be used to gain some kind of political advantage. It may appear cynical, but it's perfectly normal to imagine that his Catholic Faith may benefit his political goals and aspirations. Sam Brownback was the darling convert of many conservative Catholics during the last presidential election, but he also gave pro abortion Katherine Sebelius his "blessing" when Obama selected her for Secretary of health and Human Services.

It seems that Catholics are getting tired of being manipulated by power hungry politicians who will use whatever means necessary to secure their objectives. Machiavelli advised the Prince to be seen at religious events so that the people may think of him as a man of God. Only time will tell if Gingrich's conversion was intended to serve political expediency or not.

With all due respect -- If you are in the back of an airplane that has just hit a flock of birds and has both engines out, the last thing you want to hear from your pilot is that he is just "a work in progress."

The fact that Newt Gingrich may very well be a presidential candidate in the not too distant future, combined with the condition the country is in, makes this discussion all the more relevant and necessary.

"Can we all just stop worrying about whether Mr. Gingrich is sincere in his conversion and get about the business of tending to our own?"

And then you go on to tend to the business of others:

"When we accuse others (except when we are in a position to rectify an injustice), especially when we do so falsely - whether knowingly or not, we align ourselves at least in attitude with the devil."

Nobody accused Newt of anything. What was written is widely known and very much public knowledge. What false charge was made against him?

"We literally become the devil's advocate,"

No judgment there.

"Let's advocate for each other, instead of for the devil, filled with love, instead of filled with self-righteousness."

So, other than being a minions of the Devil, how do you like those of us who are skeptical about Newt due to his past?

When those who demand no judgment (it was skepticism, not judgment, but that aside) be made then spend the rest of their post making judgments and accusations about others,that rather begs the question, no?

How is that not hypocrisy?

If a pro-abortion politician like Ted Kennedy can receive a very public Catholic funeral after militating against the Catholic Church's teachings for his entire career, the least we can do is wait for Gingrich to demonstrate whether he will live as a faithful Catholic before we bash him.

Let's wait and see if the grace of the Sacraments is more effective in Gingrich's life than it was in Kennedy's. Kennedy's Catholic book of life is closed; Gingrich's is just beginning.

I just heard the interview(s) of Newt and his wife on The Greta Van Susteren Show in which they were asked about their two part movie, "Rediscovering God in America." (This was prior to them beginning to film the movie about The Pope)

Really, is there no shame left in modern life?

Way, way, way, way, way, back - in 1963 - John Profumo (English Sec State for War) resigned after having been caught committing adultrey with Christine Keeler. Profumo quit public life and became a volunteer toilet cleaner for a London Charity.

What? Shame and penance for one's adultrey and public scandals? (Pffffft. That is creepy Pre-Vatican Two self-flagellation stuff)

Light-up a Virginia Slims, Baby. We've come a long way.

Our Impeached President, Billy Jeff Clinton, has made millions since his sexcapades became public. Elliot Spitzer, after his whoring-around is back on the front pages of periodicals and Newt and his wife are all over the media talking about God and The Pope and the role of religion in pubic life and Newt leads all Republicans when it comes to fund raising for the next Presidential Election.

In his grave, Elmer Gantry is spinning like an anemometer atop Mt Washington.

Folks in here who object to those of us expressing our skepticism about Newt and his Wife ought to be thankful that no comments about them in here have been written by his two former wives or the children he abandoned.

This is the most confused and contemptible comment in the comment area! To say you are pro life and write "we won the war in Iraq" after hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children have been killed. Concentration camps were set up to torture those innocent human beings mentioned above, with pictures to prove it. The complete dissemination of Iraqi society including one of the oldest Catholic Community's in the world, tells one alot of this person's stance on life!
It also tells one this person goes against Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict VI in their disgust and negative statements about the Iraq War!
And this person is pro life??????

I was interested to read this article but like so many commenters above, I turned to the comments and was disheartened by the level of meanness found there.

My Catholic brethren, where is our Christian charity?

I can do no more than offer up my prayers for Mr. Gingrich's video to be a tool in God's plan for the salvation of many souls, evangelizing to bring them to belief. In God's plan, even an imperfect tool can reap a great harvest.

My prayers also for the continual, ongoing conversion of Mr. Gingrich, myself and indeed all Christ's body: we, the Church.

May He lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of His mercy.

Gee Terry, could you try to be a little more self-righteous and judgemental?

I know from experience that this will most likely be futile, but to exercise my patience, I will try to help you out here.

"To say you are pro life and write "we won the war in Iraq" after hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children have been killed..."

I AM pro life and I correctly say we won the Revolutionary War, WWI and WWII also ... or were there no innocent men, women or children killed during those wars? I'm not interested in playing left-wing political shell games. It's an objective fact that we (and by we, I mean the U.S., not sure where you stand) won the Iraq War... deal with it. War is hell and an absolutely horrible reality of our fallen world. But that does not mean that there are not winners and losers. History dictates this reality.

As for Just War Theory, one must have absolute and unfettered access to all of the military intelligence prior to engagement for this to even be a factor. Did you have that? Do you know for a fact that the Popes had that? Are there still locks on the doors at the Pentagon? Of course Popes are going to say "war should be the last option" can you imagine them saying "yeah, I think it's time to bomb?"

Jesus did not start His Church in order to give the go-ahead on wars. He also did not start His Church to redistribute wealth. He started His Church in order to save souls. Unfortunately, the reality of evil in our world makes that mission a difficult one.

By the way, did you vote for Obama, the most pro-abortion politician in the history of our nation? Is that why it is so important to live in the past and not let the Bush-Cheney era go?

Thank you for the prayers and I will pray for you as well.

You must be really sensitive, not even my friend RK took exception to my comment.

As a fellow convert, I think we should not question anyone's sincerity when it comes to their faith. If we believe in the works of God in our own lives, then we should trust Him in His works in Newt Gingrich's and all others who seek God and find Him in the Catholic church.
God Bless all,
Kelly

You're right, Mark, I didn't take exception to it, because I believe people should be able to express their opinions, regardless of how wrong they may be.

By the way, Popes are not axiomatically pacifists. Many of the Crusades were sponsored by the Papacy. Popes just don't seem to like unjust wars.

I have a great deal of respect for converts to the Catholic faith. Unlike "cradle" Catholics, they must examine their own hearts and motives, and they must examine the specific dogmatic and doctrinal teachings of the Church before accepting them as Truth. Converts experience a conversion of the mind as well as the heart. Far too many "cradle" Catholics believe with no understanding, or they think they understand and choose not to believe those parts which do not conform to their understanding
How many Catholics read and study the catechism of the Catholic Church, or even have a copy? How many have read the works of Augustine or Aquinis? I'm sure plenty, but most of those would be converts.
Welcome home, Mr. Gingrich. God bless.

Welcome Home Newt!

I am troubled by some of the hypocrisy and the cynicism in this world. We need more people, famous or not, to take a stand against the secularization of our great country. I pray we don't let political leanings close our minds to positive messages. Remember that thing about casting the first stone. Remember that thing about judge and be judged. Remember that thing about we all fall short of the glory. Newt, we thank you for your contributions, we welcome you to our community and we pray for your continued growth in the faith.

It seems that there is a type of bitter puritanism on the Catholic left that comes to the surface when conservative political figures are discussed. It is still a good thing that people come to the Church, right ?

Gingrich

Sounds like a character just stepped out of Rowling Harry Potter books

Most moving account of his conversion - in a church a few steps away from the BB where i stayed once for a month. Handel Messiah, my mother in law favorite pieces (she used to sing in a choir). Wonder what that child will think should he recall being blessed by the will then President of the USA.

Amazing how faith paths intercross each other

I would just like to advise Newt Gingrich not to put much stock in what ANYONE has to say about his Spiritual walk with Our Lord and Savior. God is Holy and Sovereign and in Scripture He says, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy." In other words, who among all humankind is honestly in a position to question the ways, wisdom, and merciful love of the Grace of God?
One would think that news of Newt Gingrich's wonderful spiritual awakening and conversion would be blasted across the news networks! But no, it was hardly reported at all! Why is that? Is it that people in this day and age prefer to read and hear about all the scandal instead of the good things of God? If Newt repented and turned back to God in a big way, why wouldn't we all be excited for him? Could it be because of our own sinful and mean-spirited natures we were born with? Only Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, was completely without sin. The Bible offers some wonderful clear guidance in the 8th Chapter of the Gospel of John. The Bible tells us that the self-righteous Pharisees brought a woman charged with adultery before Jesus. Then they made sure to remind Jesus that adultery was punishable by stoning under Mosaic Law (see Deuteronomy 17:7). They then persisted in challenging Jesus to judge the woman and stone her to death. Jesus thought for a moment and then replied, “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her.” The people around him were so touched by their own consciences that they walked away beginning with the oldest and wisest among them. When Jesus found himself alone with the woman, he asked her who were her accusers. She replied, “No man, lord.” Jesus then said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.” Come on people, leave Newt Gingrich in peace and pray for him. Stop trying to judge others so harshly! Once someone has repented and been forgiven by God, we are to let it go too.

Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged."

Romans 2:1 "Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."

We should REJOICE for the entire Body of Christ that Newt had the humility to say that he was sorry for all his sins and has now been completely forgiven of all his sins by Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! It is not the "Cradle Catholics" who are the only ones that are saved and going to Heaven. Actually, it is those who are "True Believers" in the Salvific Love of Jesus Christ. I personally am very happy for him and I pray he will continue to grow daily in the wisdom and grace and knowledge of Our Precious Savior, Jesus Christ! I also pray that he can continue on his quest to help bring about a more just and free society in the United States. True Social Justice is rooted in God, not Marxism or Socialism! The theologians of Vatican II knew that. Our founding fathers knew that, and I believe Newt Gingrich knows that too. I have always liked Newt's politics and I would be absolutely ecstatic if he and Sarah Palin would team up and run together in the next election. "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst for justice and righteousness, for it shall be theirs!"
God bless you Newt! May you never grow weary of doing good!
Best regards always,
Denise K. from Bloomingdale, N.J.

Galations 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

James 5:7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.

Here's Saint Newt in the news! Is this the NEW Catholic?

Newt Gingrich Group Honors, Shakes Down, Then (Ooops!) Disinvites Strip Club Owner
Posted: 10/1/09
Filed Under:Republicans, Fundraising, Woman Up, Conservatives
143 Comments

When Dallas "gentlemen's club" owner Dawn Rizos learned that a group led by Newt Gingrich picked her as a 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year, she was "very honored."

Now, she's very disappointed.

The former House Speaker's American Solutions for Winning the Future told her Tuesday it has rescinded the award, saying it had made a mistake.

"We were very honored to receive this award and it's really kind of rude for them to change their minds at the last minute," said Rizos, owner of The Lodge, which bills itself as "the #1 Gentlemen's Club in America."

On September 2, Rizos received a fax from Gingrich's group, telling her that she had been selected to represent Texas as the 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year and inviting her to "dine privately with Newt" as part of an exclusive group of less than 50 business leaders. The invitation, printed on Gingrich's letterhead, included a promise that the Oct. 7 dinner would be "unlike any political event you've ever been to," and a cheerful assurance that "Newt is looking forward to hearing your ideas."

My brother got a divorce and remarried after being Married in the Catholic Church and having five children. The Priest told my sister-in-law that she could not re-marry or have sexual relations. If she did she could not go to communion. She would not have an annulment, since she had children Now Newt who has had very controversial divorces, is a Catholic. Can he receive Communion? I have been Catholic all my life and cannot understand how they bend rules for some. I know many stories like my sister-in-law, and tried to abide what the Catholic Church taught. This does not seem fair!

Lou

Lou, you are right to sense something fishy with divorce, annulment, and (re)marriage among Catholics in America. Our culture, of course, pays homage to marriage while making divorce hypocritically easy to obtain. The problem with the Church in every age and society is that she is always made up of people, and people are always prone to sin. But these problems are necessary, because Jesus came in part to found the Church to draw people into it, so that we might be saved from sin. But we are works in progress.

The Catholic Church, while ruled from top-down by an absolute monarch, the Pope, is still very much a bottom-up organization because one man cannot really be everywhere at once, and also because God has created everyone with gifts and abilities that He wants them to use. So our local leaders, like the bishops and the pastors, have very real influence in how things are run locally and in neighboring areas as well.

Because American culture thinks divorce is peachy-keen, it is really hard to find Americans, even Catholics, who do not on some level also sympathize with the desire to divorce as an easy fix for a broken marriage. Because it is not good for man (or woman) to be alone, it is natural that divorcees seek new spouses.

The problem is that they are still married.

But easy divorce gives the illusion that the marriage ended. That seems to our senses to be the realer fact, much more real than the continuity of the marriage. A divorce cannot end a marriage; but neither does an annulment. An annulment is a declaration that there was something wrong with the marriage that prevented it from being real, despite the best intention of the spouses at the time. The Church knows and guards this truth.

Americans in the Church tend to use annulments as permission to remarry after divorcing. But an annulment is not such a thing; rather it is a statement that the first marriage wasn't real, and so the persons involved are still free to marry. If the marriage had been valid, only the death of one's spouse would free a marriage partner to marry again.

But American bishops, priests, and laypeople are Americans, after all, and so we tend to make the same sorts of mistakes as our countrymen. One of those mistakes is to give out annulments like candy, compared to what the Vatican would like to see be a rare thing, and compared to how rare annulments are in the rest of the world. Other common American mistakes are inconsistency - do one thing at one time and place, and another thing at another time and place when all other circumstances are quite similar.

One thing unclear to me from your post is whether your brother remarried inside the Catholic Church, or whether (as is frequently the case) he abandoned the Church to remarry (which would almost certainly be so; if your sister-in-law cannot remarry, then their marriage was probably not annulled).

In any event, there is very little you or I can do about it except pray. To leave a woman with one's five children is obviously a very serious thing. She will need a great deal of support, and even if practical circumstances make practical support impossible, prayer is always possible - and prayer is the most practical thing of all!

Another final mistake common among Americans is to carp at our leaders. But whereas our civic leaders have been elected by the people to represent our wishes, our church leaders have been ordained by God to represent His fatherhood. They frequently do so miserably. But carping at them does not help them. Praying for them, however, might.

All of this is to say that you are right to feel something is deeply wrong. What's wrong isn't wrong with the Church specifically, but with human beings generally, and we bring the wrongness with us into the Church: our lustfulness, irresponsibility, our lies and deceit. God gave us the Church to save us, and we screw it up with the very sins from which we need saving!

Thank God that God is more powerful than sin, and can save even the Church!

Lou, let's pray for each other.

"He who is without sin, cast the first stone"!!!!

As an outsider, I find many of these comments really petty and against the ecumenism that recent popes have expressed is a Christian Duty.

I grew up in the UCofC and heard warnings against Secular Humanism throughout the fifties and early sixties, yet we know what the UCC has become. I learned my REAL theology in a Southern Baptist pew. The congregation was in the 'liberal wing' to be sure, recently the convention has shifted to a 'purist' and rules-based theology. RULES for expressing salvation. Yet Jesus himself preached that there were very few rules and all that was needed was faith and belief in Him and his Word.

I'm a cynic and fond of using snark, but I wont go so far as questioning the faith and belief of anyone else. All I have to do is look to myself and my faith. I truly believe that when I get to heaven I'll find it overwhelmingly filled with Catholics but very few princes of the Church. Or heads of ANY church for that matter.
{We'll see true ecumenism when Billy Graham is nominated for sainthood.}

I believe in the Holy catholic Church as most protestants state every Sunday. I also believe that the Catholic Church will be the core of the last believers, but I think that the last thing we should do is question others' motives when they profess.
That, my friends, is for the confessional... between the supplicant and God.
If I live that long, and 'convert' to catholicism in order to join a community of believers, will I see my motives impugned? Will the incumbents judge me?

Remember when Jesus addressed Peter and told him 'Upon this Rock I build my Church'? Remember the context of the surrounding verse? If you dont I suggest you go back and read the entire book. It's both ironic-humorous and enlightening.

I just read that Mr. Gingrich is supporting a very liberal 'republican' in New York's legislature; Deidre Scozzafava.
Is this another fake Catholic? I hope not.