Bishop Barron, Auxiliary Bishop of Archdiocese of LA, joined Dave Rubin on the January 30 episode of the Rubin Report to discuss religion.
Rubin: Your personal feelings on [the SCOTUS decision on same-sex marriage]: I assume you felt it was the wrong decision by the Court – is that fair to say?
Bishop Barron: Yeah, no, I do, but I don’t think I want to press it much further, I think where we are right now in the States, I’ll apply the Aquinas principle, I think it would probably cause much more problem and dissension and difficulty if we kept pressing it.
Rubin: Is this one of the things where, I sense that your heart and your spiritual sense-self, maybe aren’t quite matched up, because I don’t sense judgment from you sitting here, I really don’t and I don’t sense that you want – that you would try to legislate to reverse the decision but I also sense that you can’t fully say to me well it’s okay.
Bishop Barron: Yeah that’s probably right the way you just put it there is probably right. I wouldn’t want to fully just say ‘that’s great, off you go’, at the same time I wouldn’t want to get on a crusader’s tank and try to reverse that.”
Would Bishop Barron get on a “crusader’s tank” in order to overturn Roe v. Wade? I assume he would. Why are the lives of those suffering from same sex attraction worth less? Have they not also been victimized by the culture of death?
As someone who had made it his life-mission to outreach to the “gay” community, I have seen the real horrors that the legitimization of this lifestyle, which was moved decisively even a further step forward, by the SCOTUS decision on same-sex marriage, has had on the lives of our young people. And there has been a difference since June 26, 2015. At the last San Francisco Pride, I met a 22 year old young man, who was raised Catholic, and he is now embracing “gay” and fighting a third bout of gonorrhea. Although his family is somewhat ambivalent about his homosexuality, he feels that now the entire country is behind him. As a nation, I feel like that is at least partially our fault.
What Bishop Barron said in the interview reminded me of something that the late “gay Catholic pioneer” Father John McNeill said:
Barron: If the only thing gay person hears from the Catholic Church is you’re “intrinsically disordered” we have a very serious problem on our hands.[…] If that’s the way our message was coming out, we were “disordered.”
The late John J. McNeill, SJ: The Vatican is right, I believe, in claiming that we are dealing with an “objective disorder”. But that objective disorder has nothing to do with homosexuality but with the Vatican itself.
This reveals a massive disconnect within two very different members of the clergy and what they absolutely do not understand about the reality of homosexuality – for I cannot comprehend how someone could make an equivalency between perhaps, because of oversight or lack of knowledge, not being as pastorally sensitive as one could be and the way in which the false “gay” identity can literally take over a person.
Secondly – if a “gay” person is going to hear anything from a priest on this topic – it would typically swerve towards two extremes – and nothing near to what Barron is proposing: 1.) The priest, usually at a highly gay-affirmative parish located in one of the largely homosexual populated neighborhoods in the major cities, will be very affirming in this matter – telling the person that the Church is progressing on this issue and will one day catch up with the culture. 2.) If they are lucky enough to find someone associated with Courage – they will certainly NEVER hear any sort of condemning language.
But there is a third reality: I have confessed all sorts of sexual sins – some heterosexual, some homosexual – it’s been my experience that the priest at your non-weird gay-controlled parish will treat you like every other repentant sinner; he isn’t sitting in the Confessional ready to read from the Catechism that you are “disordered” – this somewhat reminds of the confessional as “torture chamber” analogy from Pope Francis.
In that case, Barron’s supposition is insulting as he singles out those who would uphold the Church’s teachings while ignoring those who openly disregard it. Bishop Barron: you are talking about a non-issue while the real problem remains unchecked.
In 2003, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith advised that existing laws which allow same-sex marriage should be repealed.
Bishop Barron made this clarification to his interview with Dave Rubin:
“What I question is the prudence and wisdom of pursuing the opposition to gay marriage right now through legislation. I believe that, given the present climate, it is best to oppose it through personal witness and education.”
Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons:
In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognized or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, clear and emphatic opposition is a duty….When legislation in favor of the recognition of homosexual unions is already in force, the Catholic politician must oppose it in the ways that are possible for him and make his opposition known; it is his duty to witness to the truth.
From the Joseph Sciambra blog.
Bishop Barron is basically bright. The things that encourage people to join or say in the Church are not,basically, things that turn people off to being in the Church. Christ did not come to earth, become incarnate, to rid the world of homosexuality. He could have done that himself without suffering and death, after all.
He came that we might have life, and have it fully. That is a much more difficult task, and that is why he became incarnate.
Such pablum YFC, you either accept the Faith or you don’t homosexuality is wrong and always will be… Bishop Baron thinks everyone is going to Heaven, rendering Christ’s sacrifice on the cross meaningless.
YFC, “YOU” along with Baron are causing confusion. I need to remind that the Human Backside is to rid the body of waste. Stop confusing yourself of this natural body reaction and using it for other things. Homosexuality is sinful and disgusting, PERIOD.
And Joe, may I recommend you stop confusing homosexuality with anal sex (after all, you don’t need to be gay to have anal sex, nor do you need to have anal sex to be gay).
exactly anonymous.
And what folks who get all up in arms about anal sex forget is that most of it is committed by straight couples, not gay couples.
The homosexual priests brought so much trouble to the Catholic Church. It was the Vatican II opening of the Seminary to deviants that brought US where we are. So this slick Bishop Barron says let it all slide. But here in Los Angeles Roger Cardinal Mahony paid $640,000,000 in reparations for disgraced boys.
the church needs to get over once and for all gay marriage
Gratias the Bishop did not “let it all slide” on the issue of clerical child sex abuse. He never ever said anything like that. Secondly, there were plenty of girls who were abused. Thirdly, the abuse started before Vatican II was even convened, so you can’t blame it on V II.
Further, Mahoney’s accomplice Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Curry, Barron’s direct predecessor, was suspended from all public duties by Good Archbishop Gomez for arranging that our pedofile Fathers were only treated by psicologists that were also lawyers so the attorney-client privilege would protect anything these perverts did within the Church. So now Bishop Barron says it is all kumbaya because our Argentine Pope Francisco said who I am to judge and decides to let all the sodomy slide by. The Church of Vatican Council II deserves the same treatment that was afforded to our great St. Augustine Scholar Benedict XVI. Long live Ratzinger.
I agree, I think our B. Barron is a wolf is sheep’s clothing…..so sad for us and I wonder how Jesus and Mary feel that one of their own beloved priest now bishop is going to take the easy road…..We need more St. Paul’s.
It is doubtful that St. Thomas Aquinas ever insisted that manifest sin be ignored.
B. Barron — who also said that almost everyone is saved from Hell — is a perfect Francis-Priest. There is a Hell. Many people go there. Homosexual sex is always and everywhere a mortal sin, one that cries to Heaven for vengeance. (Yes, B. Barron completely re-writes the Bible, including much of what Christ said about Hell.) Go to confession, stop committing sodomy.
Thomas Edward Miles: “Thanks, Bishop Barron, like Saint Thomas Aquinas, you possess common sense!! The Summa theologica is always a beneficial read!!!” There are words coming from B.Barron’s mouth, and there are inferences drawn from homosexuals like Miles. Bottom line: not to take a stand is to take a very obvious stand to those who can read between the lines. No wonder Miles is smiling.
You see, Bishop Barron believes everyone will saved so it doesn’t matter what anybody does, what any country does, nor what the Church does or doesn’t do: everyone will be saved, regardless.
a flip lightness about serious sin is an indication of what st paul calls a seared conscience. the ‘data reader’ of the soul doesn’t even register an issue and is confused by those who see something where they see nothing. many blind will stumble with this blind leader.. in the anything goes world of ancient pagan morality a light was given in darkness. how interesting that bishop barron’s ways dovetail perfectly with pre-abrahamic practices. our soldiers in muslim countries come home with accounts of witnessing widespead immoraility of all sorts, including homosexulaity. they do not feel free to openly discuss these things…
coming soon to american pastoral practice: the removal or retirement of clergy who don’t apply the ‘barron option’ for the peace of the church in the midst of shifting cultural values, it will be deemed fitting to quietly put aside ‘fundamentalists’. those who put aside the unperceived stumbling block will be surprised one stone standing when their edifice crumbles, gradualism has reached level 2;’ gradually quit talking about some sins, ever”.
If America is to avert the wrath and judgement of Almighty God it must strike down Roe versus Wade and same sex marriage. It also must not condone so called assisted suicide and embryonic stem cell research because it is against the laws of a powerful and Almighty God. Let us pray and hope that President Trump pursues the culture of life if America is really to be made great again. Pray America Pray!
If America is to avert the wrath and judgement of Almighty God it must strike down Roe versus Wade and same sex marriage. It also must not condone so called assisted suicide and embryonic stem cell research because it is against the laws of a powerful and Almighty God. Let us pray and hope that President Trump pursues the culture of life if America is really to be made great again. Pray America Pray!
What exactly is His Excellency will to stand for? The saints such as John the Baptist and Thomas More and John Fisher died for the defense of marriage rather than allow despots to subjugate the laws of God. If Bp. Barron will not be a ‘crusader’ for the defeat of abbero-marriage, then what teachings of the Church will he defend? What about the state of the souls of those who have entered into such an ungodly union? The Church Militant has become the church compliant. If the Pope and the clergy will no longer uphold what Our Lord and the saints lived and died for, then what we have left is no longer a Divinely created Church, but rather a anthropocentric NGO. Domine, miserere nobis. +JMJ+
God Himself declared the acts of homosexuality to be an abomination and this bishop clearly and cowardly fails to affirm the words of God Himself. One wonders would he refuse to refute Roe vs Wade also? This is just another example of today’s failed Church leadership unable to affirm and define Church teachings because they are cowards, afraid to speak the truth and California seems to have more than its share. They are weakening the faith.
Another lost opportunity. Imagine if Bishop Fulton J. Sheen had been asked these questions by a man in a so-called gay marriage. That guy would have repented and joined the Catholic Church within the month! We all are called to teach in truth, Bishop Barron is apparently full of fear and is willing to surrender the moral high ground on an issue that will lead souls to Hell. Really Bishop, that was the best you could do? Shame.
Kristin, I agree! But you know, the difference between Ven. Abp. Fulton J. Sheen and Bishop Robert Barron, is that Sheen was a full, red-blooded man, and a full Roman Catholic bishop, totally committed to Christ! No baloney! Very natural, very clear about God, about life, and his mission— all-MAN, and all-CATHOLIC PRELATE, 100%!! Ready to teach and preach Jesus Christ, ready to defend Him, as a Catholic man, and as a Catholic prelate! 100% sure of himself, and of his commitment to Christ! No 1960s political, social, intellectual, or psycho-babble garbage!! Rev. Billy Graham was also likewise, as an outstanding Protestant evangelist. How I miss REAL MEN and REAL CATHOLIC CLERGY!!
Kristin, of course, I know we both have the same beliefs– so, I hope you won’t mind me, with all my self-expressions, with big capital letters! I was quite upset, watching that above interview! A shock! It seems to me, that any average, normal, practicing-Catholic layman, such as a man of my dad’s age, let’s say– who belonged to, or helped to lead, a local parish Knights of Columbus, Holy Name of Jesus, Sacred Heart, or Legion of Mary (etc.) group, before the Second Vatican Council– would just DIE, to see this interview! Where are the REAL CATHOLIC MEN, for our bishops and priests, to lead today’s Church??? They all would roll over in their graves, and DIE, once again!!
Pre-Vatican II Catholic laymen, many with only high-school educations, or even much less (in a time before college degrees were needed, for jobs) — once were well-educated in Catholic Faith and Morals, led good lives, transmitted the Faith to their children, and knew far more than today’s well-educated clergy and Pope, about matters of religion, and Christian morality!! Most would give their lives (as they did, to protect America, in WWII)– to fight against sin!! All knew the importance of the Virtue of Chastity– and that sexual sins– especially homosexual perversions!– were unthinkable MORTAL SINS, and you must get rid of them, in your community!
I know my dad, and Jesuit-educated Italian grandpa, both in their graves, and all the other men of my family– also all in their graves! — would just DIE, seeing this interview! Gay sex acts– and even gay “marriage!”– accepted by society, and possibly some Catholic prelates; and this unthinkably filthy subject is allowed to be discussed on television, as a valid topic?? Where on earth did this “Bishop Barron” come from, they would all wonder?? Is he Catholic?? Or what?? Where is the Pope? What in the world happened?? Is this the Biblically-foretold end of the world– or what?
Ven. Abp. Sheen’s father only had a few years of formal education– but was quite successful in business and in farming. And his mother, Mrs. Sheen, I think had only an eighth-grade Catholic education. They were very good Catholic parents! Better than what we have in our Church today, among highly-educated (but often faithless!) Catholic clergy and laymen!
And folks, do realize that “Your Fellow Catholic” is a homosexual apologist who trolls this website in order to defend the sin that cries out to Heaven for vengeance. Time answering his twisted views are probably better spent praying for his soul.
I saw this interview, and was not surprised by it, but I felt sorry for Bishop Barron. He always seems, like the Pope and many of our prelates– afraid to confidently state the truth of Christ’s teachings, and try to EDUCATE and convert an errant man like Rubin, to Christ’s teachings! Unlike world-class Churchmen of recent years, such as Ven. Abp. Fulton J. Sheen– these modern prelates seem to lack conviction of Christ’s absolute Truth– instead, they focus too much on past problems with the institutional Church. They should forget about the institutional Church, and any past problems– and focus confidently on Christ, and winning souls to Christ! Mortal Sin is a TERRIBLE thing– and everyone must know it– and turn to Christ!
Bishop Barron, like the Pope and many modern prelates– like to talk a great deal, all about God’s Love for everyone– but they do not seem to understand, that grown-ups are not preschooler-age, needing lots of emotional security, needing reassurance that they are loved! It is true, that many people do need emotional security and love– but not to the extreme! Yes, God loves us! However, as mature adults– we also need to learn responsibility, and to live right, to live virtuously, unselfishly, courageously, always keeping God’s Commandments. We need to love God and love our neighbor, and keep God’s commandments! This requires a lot of maturity! With His grace, we can do it!
I think that a good, devout, dedicated Catholic priest or prelate, would present the truth of Christ’s teachings to someone like Dave Rubin, just as they would to anyone else– never viewing a gay man like Rubin, as some sort of “victim” of past possible Church mistreatment. Teach him what Christian Marriage is, teach him how Christ wants us all to be chaste and pure, according to our state in life– all Christians must practice a pure heart, whether married or single. Teach him how to lead a good life, dedicated to Christ, as a gay man, who will be single– and chaste. Teach him the promises of Christ, for those who are devoted to Him, and to His Blessed Mother, lifelong!
Of course, a good Catholic priest or bishop will always behave like a true gentleman, with good manners, when presenting the Catholic Faith to someone– never overtly seeking a conversion, only enthusiastic for Christ, Whom he so loves, and wants to tell the whole world about!
Give evil an inch and the bishops will let evil take a mile.
Let the camel’s nose into the tent and the bishops will invite the camel inside.
A stitch in time saves nine, but the bishops think stitching actually causes more problems than it solves.
With friends and leaders like the bishops, who needs enemies?
Bishop Barrons answers that he thought the decision was wrongly decided but doesn’t think it wise to correct the error. Does he not realize that setting an inferior judicial precedent begets further poor decisions in the future due to the legal concept known as of stare decisis.
It’s a good thing he’s not a judge: Come to think of it, I’m beginning to think it’s not a good thing that he’s a bishop either.
Yes, Steve Seitz! And what is a big shock to me, is that no one thinks of the massive destructions to millions of poor, helpless children– even Catholic children! — suffering in these terrible, immoral households, of gay “marriage!” Plus, no one cares about upholding proper moral standards, and protecting the true, American Traditional Judeo-Christian Marriage, Home, and Family! A BIG SHOCK! The Church should be out there, actively teaching, preaching, and protecting Christian Marriage and Family– it is SACRED, given to us by God! It is the basic unit of the Church and of society– and of all civilization! Sick, pervert “LGBT” sex acts are immoral and dangerous– and should again be made ILLEGAL!!
Linda Marie, where did Christ say that you should force others to conform to your beliefs about God? Instead, the Great Commission instructs us to tell others about “The Good News”. That presupposes that PERSUASION is the primary tool of the Christian, not the bully club of state force. The Sermon on the Mount also teaches that merely looking at a woman with “lust” in your heart is adultery. Since the fully formed INTENT to sin is what matters, using worldly force to stop sinful acts ACHIEVES NOTHING when the individual still WILLS to sin, but only refrains due to threat of worldly harm. That’s why Bishop Barron deemphasizes legal battles.
jonj, NO– of course I DO NOT BELIEVE IN PREACHING AS A BULLY, WITH USE OF FORCE as YOU DO!! Indeed, if you had any religious training at all– you would know, that it is PART OF THE BISHOP’S JOB, to teach and to preach the Catholic Faith and Morals, to all, and to lead them to Christ! That, jonj, is one of the MAIN ROLES OF THE BISHOP! If he cannot even do that– what good is he?
All of our Nation’s secular laws, and indeed, the practice of law– was originally founded in Biblical Law, in God’s Natural Law. Look it up, jonj. Read your Catechism and Code of Canon Law, too. Read about the founding of our country, and its original Constitution, etc.
In San Francisco, not far from where I live, there is a lovely little Episcopal church (a “church-gone-wrong!”) with a lesbian Pastor who leads it. She lives with her lover, whom she “married,” in the church parsonage. I was told, that this Episcopal lesbian pair, has a male gay friend in the church, whom they have invited over to their parsonage a number of times, to try to impregnate the Pastor, so that she and her lover can have children. This is UN-CHRISTIAN!! MORTAL SIN!! In America, our Biblically-based laws were originally meant (before God!) to protect the SANCTITY of BIBLICALLY-BASED, JUDEO-CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE and CHILDREN!!
According to the example that Bishop Barron set in his interview with Dave Rubin, then St. John the Baptist should have been more nuanced, in his words, “not pressing it” to cause more difficulty for himself, Herod and Herodias.
Over the years, there have been the most beautiful examples of faithful priests who act in Persona Christi by lovingly teaching the full truth while calling out the the many different sins that are offensive to God. A society that accepts “so-called gay marriage” is a great offense to God.
Jesus did not tell the woman caught in adultery, You’d better go, and let’s dodge the real subject while we are talking because, “it would probably cause much more difficulty if we kept pressing it.”…
Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible
Matthew 10:33 But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.
Time to listen to almost any of the crusades of Billy Graham! A good and great Christian. Sure he is non-Catholic, but a Man of God nonetheless. I will take the fervor and truth as spoken by Billy Graham over the nuanced nonsense from Bishop Barron almost all the time.
Isn’t he by defintion a heretic?
St. Christopher, I have always liked to listen to Rev. Dr. Billy Graham, too! And I like to view the broadcasts of his old Crusades, throughout his life! I once read his biography, and was impressed by the fact that when he was a young Bible college student, attending classes to prepare for his ministry, he suddenly encountered liberal professors and ministers, similar to what we encounter today, in our Church, and liberal Protestant churches, too! They no longer accepted the traditional, Biblically-based truths of Christianity! Rev. Graham was blessed, by the grace of God, to see through these influential Protestant Christian leaders, and he rebuked them! Reminded me of Pope St. Pius X’s warnings!
Thank you for this, Linda Maria.
He is a great man of God. Too bad most Catholic bishops lack Reverend Graham’s faith. They are not even good Protestants!
Bless you, St. Christopher! Today, many people are full of “baloney,” brainwashed by 1960s hippie leftist radicals, to be afraid to stand up for what is right, and be fully-developed as a mature, responsible, red-blooded man (or woman!) People are afraid to simply grow all the way up, to full maturity, as God and Nature meant it to be! Afraid of taking responsibility, afraid of authority, afraid to make tough decisions, afraid to suffer, or cause others to suffer, because you must do what is right! Would Bishop Barron cause a gay man to “suffer,” asking him to leave his former life, and his gay lover that he is “married” to– to follow Christ??
(Continued.) Christ always told people He met, all the time, how to live, as He was a Teacher, a Jewish Rabbi– and the Son of God! He told people things, sometimes, that they did not want to hear. He always spoke the Truth! When people are willing to listen to and accept the Truth, and change their life to live by Truth– then, they will also find true Happiness, walking with God! A life of sin never brings happiness! It is shameful to see great big prelates try to appease sinful, modern-day men (and women), instead of simply doing their job, preaching and teaching Christ’s Truths, to all! Dave Rubin lives a sinful lie– and I bet he knows that!
St. Christopher, I agree! We need our clergy of today, to be 100% full-grown, mature clergy, fully-committed to Christ’s holy work! It is a big job!
St. Christopher, as you can tell– I agree with you, 100%, and in writing my above posts, I was just expressing myself, just expressing what I think! But of course– we both have the same beliefs!
“Another lost opportunity. Imagine if Bishop Fulton J. Sheen had been asked these questions by a man in a so-called gay marriage. That guy would have repented and joined the Catholic Church within the month!”
Very true Kristin!
National Catholic Register – How Mother Angelica Became the Fulton Sheen of Our Generation
Mother Angelica’s example inspired many Catholic media professionals to ply their trade on behalf of the Church and the Gospel.
Said Bishop Barron, “I was also influenced by her *chutzpah and sheer gumption*. She saw what needed to be done, and she did it. *She didn’t wring her hands or bemoan her fate or blame others. She did the needed thing.* That influenced me very directly.”
https://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/mother-angelica-media-giant
Why should we not work for a reversal of the lamentable ruling that unconstitutionally and illegitimately forced same-sex marriage on the whole country? Because the Left will riot and throw temper tantrums on social media and in airports and on highways and in schools, as they are now doing in response to everything President Trump says or does?
I read the article today, Feb. 4th, written by Bishop Barron, for the “National Catholic Register,” in its daily online edition. It was very distressing to me! Without sexual morality– Christianity is WORTHLESS!! Also, a Nation such s ours, without firmly upholding sexual morality– is WORTHLESS! I recall the days before the filthy 1960’s, when the American Traditional Marriage, Home, and Family was considered SACRED– and television executives would NEVER have allowed a show such as Dave Rubin’s! (Plus, the subject matter would have been against the law!)
You can find the article by Bishop Barron, if you go to the Feb. 4th edition, online, of the “National Catholic Register,” at http://www.ncregister.com
Barron doesn’t know Aquinas well on this. In the treatise on law is the question whether human law should repress all vices (ST I.96.2). It states, “Human laws do not forbid all vices, from which the virtuous abstain, but only the more grievous vices, from which it is possible for the majority to abstain.” The SSM ruling is not a prohibitive law; it positively established a right to marry unnaturally, which is not the sort of law Aquinas was talking about.
In the section on lust Aquinas says the unnatural vice (II-II.154.11) is unbecoming because copulation with the same sex is unbecoming to the human race, and Q12 declares it to be the gravest and most shameful sin of lust because it is against nature.
Aquinas would consider the SSM ruling to be contrary to the human good because it is contrary to nature, an unjust law not binding in conscience because contrary to the good/end of society (I.96.4), and a change in law that has been detrimental to the common good because it regresses from the perfect to the imperfect (I.97.1) and reduces respect for law as custom (I.97.2). In no wise would Aquinas defend the ruling on SSM as just or good.
In no wise would Aquinas suggest the greater good is served by not working to reverse the very recent SSM law. Aquinas would insist that the common good demands reversing that unjust and profoundly erroneous ruling that will deeply harm society’s common good the longer it is allowed to remain in…
… effect.
Lastly, Bishop Barron seems unaware of the SSM ruling’s ramifications for the Church’s freedom. Already the ruling has led to lawsuits against Church schools and parishes that have fired employees who have entered civil SSM, and although still in flux courts have ruled that religious freedom should not trump the “right to marry”. Does Barron not foresee that the SSM ruling will make it nearly impossible for the Church to witness to the truth on this matter? In some countries merely speaking the truth about homosexuality and marriage is now a criminal offense. That is where America is headed as a result of the profoundly unjust SSM ruling.
Aquinas would agree it is a law that must be undone for the good of society and…
11. The Church teaches that respect for homosexual persons cannot lead in any way to approval of homosexual behaviour or to legal recognition of homosexual unions. The common good requires that laws recognize, promote and protect marriage as the basis of the family, the primary unit of society. Legal recognition of homosexual unions or placing them on the same level as marriage would mean not only the approval of deviant behaviour, with the consequence of making it a model in present-day society, but would also obscure basic values which belong to the common inheritance of humanity. The Church cannot fail to defend these values, for the good of men and women and for the good of society itself.
As we all know, Bishop Barron used to be the Rector of the major seminary for the Archdiocese of Chicago, Mundelein. He has an S.T.D. — a Sacred Theology Doctorate– from the Institut Catholique de Paris. Wouldn’t it be great, to take a class in Aquinas, from this “distinguished professor?” What a big laugh! Most of today’s seminaries no longer teach Aquinas— the backbone of our Catholic theology, and one of the main contributors, to Western Civilization! What a tragedy! Similar to an English teacher, who no longer teaches Shakespeare!