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Published: April 10, 2008
“In defiance of our fundamental principles”
Archbishop George Niederauer to pay tribute to “philanthropist” backer of Planned Parenthood and embryonic stem cell research
San Francisco’s Archbishop George Niederauer tomorrow night will honor a “philanthropist” who, in recent years, has opposed parental notification for underage girls before they have an abortion and supported public funding for embryonic stem cell research. Niederauer will present George M. Marcus with Catholic Charities CYO’s Loaves and Fishes Award at a dinner and “gala” to be held at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.
This year’s honorees – which include Levi Strauss & Co. and “football great” Ronnie Lott – have “through their genuine concern for and effective action in improving the lives of those in need in our community and beyond… epitomize[d] the spirit of the faith traditions of charity and generosity," said Niederauer, according to Catholic San Francisco, the archdiocesan newspaper.
 Marcus, the founder and chairman of the real estate investment firm, Marcus & Millchap Co., will receive the “outstanding philanthropic works honor.” In supporting International Orthodox Christian Charities, Avenidas, and the John Burton Foundation for Children without Homes, Marcus has shown his "concern for enhancing the overall lives of local children and the elderly," said a CCCYO press release.
Did Marcus’ “concern” for children, include an Oct. 6, 2005 gift of $25,000 to “No on Proposition 73 Campaign for Teen Safety”? Proposition 73, which received support from the California Conference of Catholic Bishops, would have required that parents of an underage girl be notified before she has an abortion. Proposition 85 was a similar notification measure, which Marcus opposed by giving the “No on 85” campaign $25,000 on Sept. 26, 2006. Less than two weeks later, Marcus gave the same organization another $75,000.
Marcus supported another ballot measure opposed by California’s Catholic bishops. On Aug. 16, 2004, he gave $50,000 to the “Yes on 71” campaign – which pushed a ballot measure authorizing $3.5 billion for embryonic stem cell research.
Marcus’ other gifts include $3,600 given in 2007 to “Mark Leno for Senate” (Leno has sponsored bills in the state legislature to legalize homosexual marriage) and, in 2006, $2,500 to Planned Parenthood Advocates Mar Monte, the political action arm of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte.
Information about Marcus’ contributions comes from the “Campaign Finance” page of the California Secretary of State’s web site.
In the days preceding this Friday’s Loaves and Fishes Awards Dinner and Gala, the San Francisco chancery office received much of the above information about Marcus. Archbishop Niederauer was urged to demand another honoree or refuse to attend the dinner.
In 2004, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement, saying “the Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”
Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 2:50 AM By Lisa T.
I firmly believe that there could be a story every day about the homosexual activism, dissention, awarding pro-abortion public figures, etc. in this diocese and still nothing would be done. I personally know of two groups of concerned Catholics who have sent packages to Rome regarding these kinds of things and worse and still no action. I honestly don't know how much worse it can get before something is done. I hope I'm still alive to see the day that action is taken.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 5:35 AM By Jim
Never another penny for Catholic Charities.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 6:11 AM By RayC55
I think Archbishop George Niederauer should re-read the statement by the USCCB every day as his penance. I think it's time the Pope and Cardinals took some positive action such as demoting or even excommunicating such offenders who are allegedly leaders of the Church. May God help with this kind of leadership.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 7:44 AM By Sick and Tired
"The smoke of Satan has entered the sanctuary." Fr. Malachi Martin
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 7:47 AM By Sick and Tired
Correcting myself, Fr. Malachi Martin was actually quoting Pope Paul VI.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 8:24 AM By Miguel
I have seem to lost count of the amount of times this archbishop has offended orthodox catholics. I'm trying to think out-side the box and speculate if he is replaced by a stern traditionalist the arch-diocese could take a huge financial hit, possible collapse by non-traditional catholics( i.e liberal). That can be the only reason because this archbishop is so out of touch with orthodoxy it's not even funny anymore.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 8:42 AM By M.R.
Perhaps he has repented?
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 9:15 AM By Laurette Elsberry
Lest there be any Catholics out there who still stand up for Archbishop Neiderauer, the information above should clear the fog from their brains. Neiderauer may be an Archbishop, but from his continued actions he is akin to the one Apostle who was a traitor to Jesus - Judas. "If you are not with Me you are against Me".
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 9:25 AM By Gibbons in SF
Well, but let's give him a chance...he has not attended the function yet. Maybe he won't.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 10:12 AM By Betty
This is just awful news and all I can say is awful, awful awful. Why spend time and effort saying anything else. I'm with Jim - not another penny to Catholic Charities. Vote with your pocketbook. That's sbout all you can do.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 11:59 AM By Gibbons in SF
I know, I know....I'm suffering from "Charlie Brown running to kick the football and Lucy yanking the football away" syndrome.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:24 PM By Elizabeth
I just called and left a message for George Wesolik (spelling?) the head of Public Policy and Social Concerns....
I very charitably told him this MUST NOT be allowed to take place.
Things are going from BAD TO WORSE in the Archdiocese and the Archbishop needs to be our Shepherd......Right now a sad group of some of his flock is going in the WRONG DIRECTION.......
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:31 PM By Pax Christi
Wow, is the archbishop that blind that he couldn't discern a wolf in sheep's clothing if it bit him in the schnozzle?
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 12:45 PM By Ronnie
Maybe someone should post the good Bishop's e-mail address so that we can all politely contact him about this....
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:13 PM By Art of Redding
I agree with Jim: Never another penny for Catholic Charities. Does anyone know the phone number or email address for AB Neiderauer? We all need to contact him about the public scandal he will create by making this awward. Get holy or die trying.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:17 PM By Lisa T.
Gibbons in SF,
It's good to see you haven't lost all hope. Miracles still happen. Judging by your bishop's reputation it would take a miracle to stop him from attending.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:18 PM By Mavis
Dear MR: And perhaps Hell has also frozen over?
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:57 PM By Contact Info
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco
One Peter Yorke Way
San Francisco, CA 94109
415 614 5500
E-mail: info@sfarchdiocese.org
PLEASE BE POLITE AND RESPECTFUL IN YOUR COMMUNICATIONS!
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 3:08 PM By garvan
Several wrote "not another dime for Catholic Charities." That goes without saying. A better solution would be NOT ANOTHER DIME FOR THE S.F. ARCHDIOCESE! What's more, consider never sending another dime to the Vatican. If the pope and Card. Levada choose to ignore the faithful's calls to remove Niederauer, we can choose to ignore their calls for donations. Unfortunately, the hierarchy understands money better than they do doctrine.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 3:35 PM By Steve
You've got a real problem out there and that comes from a reader in Boston!! This bishop is corrupt and a product of his environment instead of a change agent. They need to appoint bishops from outside the metro area where there might still be worthy apostles with the courage to speak the truth.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 3:55 PM By Christine Tonkinson
That attacks on human life and the family accelerate every
day in our country is obvious but never, never, never could we
expect this from a Bishop of the Catholic Church.....until NOW in San Francisco Diocese. St. Paul fell from his horse in a moment of great grace. He suffered blindness of
the body but the blindness of his soul was lifted. God help
the babies, the parents and the USA if Bishop Niederauer
is not stopped in his tracks.....we must pray hard that he
will be blessed as Paul was blessed on his way to
Damascus. God help us if he does not wake up and SEE
his rebellion against God and His Church. Poor Catholic
Charities.....they will lose much this year because of this
blind prelate. Charity? No way!
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 6:10 PM By Jon
The rot in the American episcopacy starts with the process by which candidates for bishoprics are presented to Rome for approval. Who deceived B16 into appointing Niederauer to San Francisco? That’s the real mystery.
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Posted Thursday, April 10, 2008 7:10 PM By gravey
Does anyone have any info regarding Catholic Charities of the East Bay (CCEB) or Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County? Is this level of abuse just a S.F. thing?
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Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 8:47 AM By Laurette Elsberry
Gravey, just off the top of my head I remember that notorious pro-gay Dignity/NACDGLM perpetrator Fr. James Schexnayder operated his homosexualist activities under the mantle of Catholic Charities of the East Bay.
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Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 9:58 AM By Fr Denis Wilde, OSA
The RC Church is poised as simply risk-resistant at the very least. I had prayed and hoped that when the "scandals" emerged from that bastion of Catholicity, Boston, and then throughout the country, that it would have been a sign to the hierarchy to prod one another strongly to insist on orthodoxy in doctrine and practice with the discipline of a loving father in tough love where needed. Disappointingly, they chose cowering to legalists, the easy way out, which is playing out a scandal of such proportions that it dwarfs the coverups and sorry mishandling of the sex scandals. We are in Eastertide, and church leaders are hearing or reading the words of the Acts of the Apostles: "We would rather obey God than man." They were scourged for that, as noted in that samemost significant commentary of all time; today's "apostles" are perhaps slapped on the wrist by the local fly by night media when they do not dance the politically correct tune.
But here is an example where deliberate contributions militating against the Church and its enduring principles are rewarded by the head of the local church, albeit in a difficult Sodom and Gemorrah.
Who is to bother reading the USCCB statements when their own decide to disobey their own verbiage?
And a bigger related question - that elicits from the constant model of Catholic universities hoonoring speakers and fetting them as celebrities, contrary to ex corde ecclesiae - where is the SCREENING? Or is that too "judgmental" ? A scientist with a wonderful record for medical advances would not get to first base in the screening process - and I apply this with deliberate focus to the Archdiocese of San Franciso's main office as well - if that chemist had even a remote history in the KKK. I would like to limit my disgust to sloppy screening only. But it is worse. Killing babies in the millions seems to have little"gravitas" in the mindset of the normal Catholic diocesan headquarters, despite written bravado.
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Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 11:10 AM By G. Janis
Could it be that our Catholic leaders continue to defer to pro-abortion and gay rights leaders and contributors because we Catholics continue to elect pro-abort and pro-gay agenda politicians to office....ie the dozen Catholic Senators who are pro abort pro gay agaenda leaders, plus many, many others. If we VOTED pro-life, then our complaints would be more valid.....??
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Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 11:50 AM By Matt C. Abbott
Good post, Fr. Wilde!
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Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 1:25 PM By Elizabeth
I agree with by G. Janis....
But, sometimes there are NO pro-life candidate!
Take the last special election this past Tuesday here on the San Francisco peninsula......
Not a one candidate was pro-life!
So, what we got was a so called 'CATHOLIC' women with many years of Catholic education (at the same time i received my Catholic education here on the peninsula) who is Pro-Abortion and for same sex marriage.
I Would of LOVED to had someone with values to vote for.....but there was none!
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Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 2:30 PM By Joe
Obviously the Abp. San Francisco is being protected by Lavada. So what else is new? Duh!
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Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 3:24 PM By Janek
And again Rome will not act, if that was the case Mahony and his Pagan liturgies would have been long gone. You see my friends the good Archbishop of S.F. will let heretics, pagans, perverts, baby killers, into his arms wide open but not the Mass of all Ages the Traditional Latin Mass, imagine that.
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Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 3:24 PM By Theresa
I think priests like him joined the priesthood just to bring the Church down.
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Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 11:01 PM By Anne
This is one more reason I no longer go to San Francisco unless there is no other choice, even though I live near the area. I have had too many bad experiences there. I feel sorry for the fishermen who are having trouble with the fishing industry now, but most of the people of San Francisco have let too much evil go on down there. St. Francis must be crying.
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Posted Friday, April 11, 2008 11:04 PM By Anne
Never-the-less, we must repent of our own sins, and pray San Franciscans repent of theirs.
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 8:40 AM By Michel
Michel, the archbishop of SF is, along with Cardinals Levada and Mahony, part of that Camarillo Seminary crowd who seem to be sympathetic to gays and liberals. I can tell you that in Salt Lake City (the former post of the SF archbishop) I am willing to bet you will see a Hindu fire ceremony done at church well before you will ever see the TLM. Those of us devoted to tradition are constantly harrassed and, at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, I was told to "grow up and come into the present century." This from a priest at the Cathedral. Of course, it is widely known that "gay is okay" there, but the TLM--NO WAY!!
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 9:48 AM By Janek
My question has always been, don't these un-Catholic Bishops know they have to answer to our Lord in the end? It's very telling that of all the Bishops who act against Church teachings and promote perversion are all from the Vatican 2 era and the new Bishops are young and mostly orthodox, another product of that great "Springtime" of Vatican 2!!
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 10:04 AM By Gibbons in SF
Well, despite everything the Archbishop attended, and Mr. Marcus (and Levi Strauss) recieved their "honors." Although I doubt getting an award from Catholic Charities constitutes an "honor" any more.
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 12:31 PM By Jeff Johnson, Mn
Man, what is going on out there in California?
Our Lord can't be too happy with this, since abortion is the greatest sin on earth, and Planned Parenthood is in the abortion business. 1.8 million children murdered every year.
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 3:41 PM By GB
Ditto Jeff from MN. I'm very glad I don't live in that diocese but then I remember "when one part of the body is hurting, the whole body is hurting" and, its obvious to US Catholics who don't live in SF, that part of the body is definitely hurting for something like this to continue & continue & continue. Ouch!
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 3:49 PM By Anne
What is going on in San Francisco, Jeff? Transvestites using the women's restrooms at the Bart Station for cross dressing and perhaps worse. Nudity and worse during the so-called "gay and lesbian" parades. Children being taken to such decadent events. Lesbians kissing each other in the parks openly. Need I go on? Last year, at least, Mayor Newson and some others tried to stop some of the decadence during Halloween, etc. I know there are some other cities in the U.S. where such things happen openly, too.
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 3:58 PM By Peggy
It is time for those that realize what is taking place to not give one red cent not only to Catholic Charities, but to all the churches in this diocese. These bishops, these organizations would not have any money were it not for the Catholic faithful. We need to stop indirectly paying for all these things, including out of court settlements ranging into billions of dollars.
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 5:00 PM By laurette Elsberry
I remember one time seeing a fake piece of green currency with the words on it "NO DOGMA, NO DOLLARS" and they were meant to be put into the collection basket. Sounds like something that we should print up in great quantities.
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 7:20 PM By Ignatius Disciple
Imagine! A bishop hanging out with sinners! What would have Jesus done.
Oh wait. Never mind. History repeats itself.
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 9:14 PM By John L. Sillasen
Ig. Dis., Jesus taught the sinners not to sin; as opposed to some bishops doing otherwise.
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 9:20 PM By Anne
Quite a few years ago, I heard a Protestant pastor on a pro-life, Christian radio program, who had lived in San Francisco, tell how when he spoke out in a sermon about the sin of sodomy, a part of his house was set on fire. He also got telephone calls from men threatening to sodmize his son. This pastor did not seem like one who was hateful or used name calling. It seemed as though he was just a minister who was preaching what the Bible says about certain sins.Needless to say he sold his house and went to another state. On the local news they mention quite often that there are not as many families with children in San Francisco any more. Is there a woder why that is so?
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Posted Saturday, April 12, 2008 10:57 PM By Anne
Please excuse my misspelling of "sodomize" and "wonder" in my last e-mail. It is getting late and I am tired.
And yes, Sillasen, our Lord went among sinners to help them repent and lead virtuous lives, not comfirm them in their sins. When any priest tells me right is wrong and wrong is right, I do not go to him for confession, knowing he will lead me astray. I make sure my confessors are loyal to the teachings of the Church. I am not saying this is not the case with the Bishop in San Francisco because I do not know enough about him to make such a judgment, but I do know some abominations are going on in that city.
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Posted Sunday, April 13, 2008 10:01 AM By Patrick Henry
THE WAY TO HANDLEL THIS IS "CUT OFF THE MONEY".
IN YOUR PARISH COLLECTION, REDUCE THE AMOUNT YOU GIVE, THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO SHOW YOUR LOVE "CHARITY". THE BISHOP WILL GET THE MESSAGE.
GOD BLESS
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Posted Sunday, April 13, 2008 1:39 PM By Shoshiru Honda
This "Catholic" Archbishop should be pressured to resign.
He is a disgrace to his office and the Church.
But then again, so was his predecessor now in Rome and a Cardinal.
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Posted Sunday, April 13, 2008 3:23 PM By hollingsworth
They should make him pope. He's beyond criticism at that point.
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Posted Sunday, April 13, 2008 10:35 PM By calcath
I think of many of these clergy as almost prostitutes. They will do or be with anyone for the right price. They do not give a dash about anyone else but themselves. And I dare them ALL to OUT themselves as they are NOT men of GOD.
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Posted Monday, April 14, 2008 5:07 PM By M.C.Ostrowski
If enough people were praying the Rosary every day God would save us from Clergy kile Archbishop Niederauer.
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Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2008 7:46 AM By REAUME
THE ARCHBISHOP SHOULD BE TAKEN TO TASK BY BENEDICT 16. HE RETRACTS HIS ACTIONS OR IS EXCOMMUNICATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2008 9:57 AM By JCC MADD
SO WHAT ELSE IS NEW .. THESE ARE MODERIST BISHOPS . THEY LIVE IN A DREAM WORLD WHERE EVERYONE LOVES ONE ANOTHER. WE HAVE NO
PROBLEMS.. THATS THE CHURCH OF VAC II.
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Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:03 AM By j j boyle
Thank God for Bishop Neiderauer, he is a Catholic Christian hero;acting as Jesus would.
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Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2008 12:49 PM By DarkKnight
I don't recall Jesus attending banquets to give Pharisees awards on behalf of the Church for teaching doctrine contrary to the will of the Father; or do you read a different Bible than the rest of us?
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Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2008 6:11 PM By Tom in Houston
Gosh. He gave money to someone who believes that Gay people should be treated with dignity in public policy. Y'all's hatred of Gay people is consuming your minds. Many Americans now believe that 'religious' means mindless bigotry towards LGBT Americans. Many of these comments feed this perception directly.
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Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2008 8:02 PM By tom padberg
I am not in favor of cloning; BUT - - - it would sure be nice if we could clone about 1/2 dozen of Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis (go Cardinals!) and spread 'em around a few places like S.F., L.A., Chicago, Washington, DC, etc., etc.
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Posted Tuesday, April 15, 2008 9:21 PM By John L. Sillasen
Tom in Houston, you seem to have developed an enormous view of gay society. I don't see it as all that big a deal ... it's just noisy ... lot of horn blowing and streamer waving.
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Posted Wednesday, April 16, 2008 9:05 AM By spy in seattle
I still don't understand how Levada got the purple. Benedict is way too smart,so what;s the story?
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Posted Wednesday, April 16, 2008 12:17 PM By sean flanagan
Niederauer like so many of his fellow bishops have ceased to be " signs of contradiction." They go with the flow, and as we all know only dead things go with the flow. The homosexual agenda is diabolical and anything but gay.Yes we are called to love the sinner but not the sin. Our nation has the sad distinction of being the first nation in human history to enshrine in law the twin evils of abortion and homosexuality. Humanae Vitae spelled it out 40 years ago.May God forgive those Bishops who turned their backs to the WORD OF GOD from the VICAR OF CHRIST.Oremus.
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