Left-wing Catholics were exuberant with the election results, but their eudemonia proved fleeting: the very next week the bishops met in Baltimore where they reaffirmed their commitment to the civil rights of the unborn, the defense of marriage, and the cause of religious liberty. The Catholic League was delighted with the hierarchy’s statements.

Thus those Catholics who reject the Church’s teachings on abortion and marriage, and who support the anti-Catholic mandate being imposed by Health and Human Services (HHS), lost big time when the United States  Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) assembled for their biannual meeting. Moreover, the bishops shot down a vaguely worded document on the poor; it was not distributed to them until they arrived at the meeting.

Everyone knew the bishops would not drop their guard on issues like abortion and marriage, but given all the flack they’ve received over fighting the HHS mandate, the outcome was less certain. Timothy Cardinal Dolan, the president of the USCCB, minced no words in his continued support for religious liberty.

Critics of the bishops went bonkers. It is important for the practicing-Catholic community—the only subset that really counts—to understand that there are any number of front groups out there who deceitfully use the Catholic label to advance their agenda. Three such entities that  condemned the bishops are Catholics for Choice, Catholics United, and Faithful America.

Catholics for Choice is the oldest of the anti-Catholic front groups—it is a creature of the Ford Foundation and has no members—and it told the bishops that they need to “realize the error of their ways.” Two other groups lectured the bishops to “refocus their attention on caring for the poor and vulnerable” (by which they mean pushing for more welfare): Catholics United and Faithful America; the former was founded with seed money from atheist billionaire George Soros, and the latter is an online hybrid of another Soros-funded front group, Faith in Public Life.

Remember all those Catholic left-wingers who for years were singing the refrain about the need to achieve common ground? Some of us never believed them, and now at least one of them has admitted that this was a ploy all along. “It is said after every election that the victors should put politics aside and work for the good of the country,” wrote E.J. Dionne. Then he unloaded: “If President Obama believed this pious nonsense, he would put his second term in jeopardy.” Nice to know he does not want the president to “work for the good of the country.”

Many members have asked for advice on how to handle attempts to censor manger scenes from public property. Here’s some straight talk.

When a petition to erect a crèche on public property is denied, offer a substitute: ask if it would be okay to put a sign on the grounds where the nativity scene was to be placed. The sign should simply say: “We sought to display a manger scene on this spot, but we were censored by the authorities from doing so.” Win or lose, invite the media to cover this story (you can also sue in the event you lose).

An unusual manger scene development that caught our eye occurred in Naples, Italy. The Italians are famous for creating novel nativity scenes, but this year they outdid themselves by including President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle.

Bill Donohue told the press: “Look for the ACLU to import the Obama crèche and have it erected on the White House lawn, making the case that this is a free speech issue, not a church and state matter. And because some of the figurines hold a sign that says, ‘God Bless America,’ look for Obama’s fans to thank him for his blessing.”

Bill saved his best for last: “Shame on the Italians for overlooking Joe—there are any number of animals he could have represented.”

By the time Christmas comes, there will be more manger scene scenarios to address. Despite this craziness, it’s important not to lose a sense of humor.

FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK 
William A. Donohue

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we need something to cheer about, especially as we approach the holiday season. I bring you good news, but first a word about some bad news.

Never have I encountered more devastation to life and property from a storm than what Sandy wrought. Some made matters worse by looting and price gouging (of gas and other items). New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg cared more about his Marathon than he did tending to the people ravaged by Sandy and it took several days before the generators in Central Park were moved to Staten Island. On the other hand, there were countless incidents of people who went out of their way to help those in need. Let me share one with you.

Vinnie Muldoon came to the U.S. from Ireland in 1986, first to Boston then to Long Island. A middle-age married man, he has a soft face, a steely determination, and a huge heart. Take the latter. After Sandy hit, he got his crew of some 30 men, mostly Catholic, to restore homes damaged by Sandy at no cost. This selfless act was not an anomaly: when a woman unexpectedly lost her husband last year, leaving her and her children economically crippled, Vinnie and the boys gathered neighbors together for a fundraiser that brought in a boatload of money.

Old World Quality Corporation, the Garden City, Long Island company Vinnie founded in 1994, is not like most entities in the home contracting business: they specialize in restoring old homes, and building new ones that resemble old homes. Ever thankful to America for the opportunity of experiencing a “rags to riches” story, Vinnie wants to give back. Most of those in his business, he says without a trace of anger, just want to earn a living. He wants to do that as well, but it is not enough.

Whenever there is a dire weather forecast, Vinnie contacts his current and former customers asking if they need help prior to the onslaught of the storm. He means what he says. To wit: if Jones was one of his customers two years ago, he gets serviced for free, even if there was no intervening contact.

The source of Vinnie’s virtue is traceable to his parents, Fintan and Kathleen Muldoon. The youngest of ten, Vinnie learned at an early age that “the greatest and simplest set of rules to live by are the Ten Commandments.” He certainly puts those rules to work in his business. “If you are in a position to help people,” he says, “and you have the resources to do it, it is the right thing to do.”

Vinnie says with earned pride that the “vast majority of people who work for my company feed off the energy and example that I set.” One of those who most exemplifies what Vinnie stands for is Mike Denny, a veteran member of his staff.

Mike has a rugged look but a gentle interior. He not only looks tough, he has the strength to break most men in half. But his outward appearance masks a sensitivity that manifests itself in a myriad of ways. To be exact, Mike is the kind of guy who wouldn’t think twice about rescuing those in need. Indeed, he has done so many times, without bravado. So when Vinnie asks his crew to help those in trouble, Mike never lets him down.

Not surprisingly, Mike speaks highly of Vinnie. For 35 years, Mike has worked for “good guys and thieves,” but never with anyone like the man from Galway. Though Vinnie can be demanding—Mike calls him “The Hammers of Hell”—he credits him with always being fair.

So what motivates Mike to be so selfless? Like Vinnie, he cites his parents, as well as the Ten Commandments, for imbuing in him a strong work ethic and a commitment to the least among us. But there is also something else that they share: both have a strong animus against the prevailing “sense of entitlement” that marks our society.

Liberals love to deride “rugged individualism,” but when it is they who are the ones in need, they don’t summon wimps. They call on guys like Vinnie, Mike and the rest of the crew. So when Mike says he loathes people who are “lazy and greedy,” he speaks the language of a man driven by a much maligned work ethic.

Not without reason does Mike say our society is rife with people who won’t do anything to help others, unless there is something in it for them. Ever blunt, he opines, “You can’t write off volunteering.” This is not the voice of selfishness; rather, it bespeaks an altruistic impulse, one inspired by his boss.

Mike was happy on Election Day, though it had nothing to do with the electoral results. At the end of his workday, he reflected on what had just happened. “It made it all worthwhile to see the smile on her face,” he said. He was referring to the woman, handicapped since she was a child, who was serviced that day by Vinnie’s staff. “You can’t put a price on someone’s life,” Mike concluded. Amen to that.

Our society would be a better place to live in if there were more men like these, but, alas, there are not. Regrettably, we have gotten colder as a people. But when we do see examples of self-giving, we need to trumpet it loudly. Virtue, like vice, can be contagious.

Merry Christmas!

This fall the Catholic League addressed in detail revelations that the BBC knew about the exploits of child rapist Jimmy Savile [pronounced SAV-ILL], one of its most famous employees, yet spiked a report revealing what it knew; Savile died in October 2011, and a month later the exposé on him was canned. But it was not the cover-up that interested us most of all, it was the fact that the man in charge of the BBC when the investigative report was killed, Mark Thompson, was set to head the New York Times Company on November 12. He claimed then, as he does now, that he knew nothing about Savile’s behavior or the nixed report.

What follows is a chronological journal of Bill Donohue’s response, as we reported it. It should be evident why Donohue seized on this issue, but if there is any doubt, it will be relieved after reading his comments.

October 16 – Mark Thompson is slated to start next month as the new president and CEO of the New York Times Company. He comes in under a cloud of suspicion. Almost a year ago, a decision was made at the BBC to kill a “Newsnight” investigation into what is now becoming the most astonishing sexual abuse scandal in the history of the U.K.: Thompson was the director general at the BBC from 2004 to 2012, and serious questions have been raised about his role in squashing the investigation. He denies wrongdoing. The person of interest is suspected child rapist and serial predator Jimmy Savile, a celebrity icon who worked at the BBC for more than 25 years. His predatory behavior extends back six decades, and some of his sexual abuse took place on the premises of the BBC.

I have personally collected a great deal of information on this subject and will have more to say. My interest is twofold: both the BBC and the Times have been among the harshest critics of the homosexual scandal that took place decades ago in the Catholic Church. Let’s see how they react to a little “sunshine,” as they like to call it. I’m just beaming.

We know the BBC is already in deep trouble over this issue—two internal investigations are under way—but it cannot be trusted to report on itself. Indeed, contradictory accounts have already been offered, involving what Thompson knew and when he knew it. British Culture Secretary Maria Miller has called off an independent inquiry, but she may not have the last word. We support British Labor chief Ed Miliband’s call for a probe.

October 17 – When Jimmy Savile died last October, he was mourned by the BBC. Mark Thompson, then the BBC’s general director, said he was “very sad” to hear of his death. But many of those who grieved would now like to strangle Savile: BBC figure Jeremy Vine said this week that Savile is “one of the most serious predatory paedophiles in criminal history—and he was on our doorstep.”

The flamboyant, cigar-chomping, big-time charitable fundraiser was, in the words of New York Times columnist Bill Keller, “a combination of Dick Clark of ‘American Bandstand’ and Jerry Lewis, maestro of the muscular dystrophy telethon.” This is true but incomplete: add Liberace, Michael Jackson and Pee Wee Herman to the mix, and the portrait is complete.

Savile was Britain’s first DJ, a TV host, miner, wrestler, dancehall manager, cyclist, marathon runner, book reviewer, Mensa member, and a child rapist. His most popular gig was hosting “Top of the Pops,” the legendary U.K. music show. His own program, “Jim’ll Fix It,” lasted almost 20 years; it allowed him to make promises to kids which he tried to fulfill. Unfortunately, for a lot of these kids, Jimmy fixed them alright—they were used to fulfill his own sick needs. He was an equal opportunity molester who preyed on boys as well as girls (he favored girls), both pre- and post-pubescent.

Everyone knew Sir Jimmy was bizarre, the kind of crackpot that was charming, if not engaging. Many suspected he was a pervert, but no one—not one person over six decades—did anything about it. The question on the table is whether Thompson had anything to do with nixing an investigation into Savile’s sordid behavior.

October 18 – Scotland Yard is hot on the trail of Jimmy Savile’s victims, and there appears to be no end to them. Not only are the top cops pursuing 340 inquiries, dating back to 1959, they are being assisted by 14 other police agencies. Savile, the celebrity BBC icon, was not only a child rapist, he was known for groping women on the air. Indeed, he may even have had sex with the dead.

An investigation by Stoke Mandeville Hospital, where Savile allegedly abused disabled youths is probing his “unaccompanied mortuary visits.” They have reason to do so.

In 1990, Savile admitted he liked hanging around Buckinghamshire Hospital in the wee hours of the morning. He said in a Q magazine interview that he took great pleasure being alone with the dead. “One of my jobs is to take away the deceased. You can look after somebody, be alone with somebody, who has lived a whole lifetime, and I’m just saying goodbye.”

October 19 – Here is what MailOnline said last week about the victims of Jimmy Savile: “The picture they paint is of a ‘classic’ child abuser, targeting vulnerable youngsters at schools, hospitals and children’s homes….He plied them with treats—under the noses of teachers, doctors and BBC managers—and took them for rides in his Rolls-Royce….Savile sexually abused them in his car, his BBC dressing room, on hospital wards and in the bedrooms of girls at Duncroft boarding school in Surrey.” Former BBC chief Mark Thompson says it’s all news to him.

Janet Cope, who worked for Savile for 32 years, saw him as a Michael Jackson-type predator: “He was like Peter Pan, forever surrounding himself with youngsters.” Acting like the “classic child abuser” that he was, Savile sought out the most vulnerable young people to exploit. For example, just recently, a disabled female actress, Julie Fernandez, confessed that he groped her when she was 14.

The more dysfunctional the youngster, the more attractive they were to Savile. A report recently stated that he preyed on kids at an institution for emotionally disturbed girls; at least five former pupils from Duncroft have come forth with their stories. As one of them said, “Jimmy treated Duncroft like a paedophile sweet shop.” So why didn’t they report him? “The girls at Duncroft had been sent there by the courts for prostitution, drugs and because they tried to kill themselves,” Toni Townsend said. “Who would have believed us against Saint Jimmy?”

The predatory behavior extends back decades. English folk legend Meic Stevens recently revealed that in the 60s, “It was well known in the music business that he [Savile] was like that, that he liked to mess around with underage girls.” Savile was also generous with his victims: Stevens was offered underage girls to abuse in the back seat of his Rolls-Royce.

October 22 – It was reported over the weekend that BBC icon Jimmy Savile had sexually assaulted his own niece. Worse, her grandmother knew it all along but kept her mouth shut: grandma’s brother, Jimmy, made sure she had a comfortable lifestyle.

Savile’s exploits were no secret. Here are a few examples. In 1976, a 9-year-old boy was molested by Savile in his dressing room, and was caught in the act by a man who simply said, “Oops,” and shut the door. At about the same time, a teenage girl, whose father was a pedophile friend of Savile’s, was abused by Savile. In 1985, Savile recorded a BBC song where he bragged about becoming a dancehall boss so he could meet girls. And no one thought this odd? In 1992, after a 7-year-old boy was asked by Savile to take off his clothes in a performance with male strippers, a complaint was filed with the authorities, but nothing came of it. Indeed, the BBC called the episode “a lighthearted item.”

In 2000, Savile was finally accused of pedophilia in a TV documentary but got away with it. Astonishingly, he actually admitted he lied about not liking kids because it was a convenient decoy: “It’s easier for me as a single man to say I don’t like children because it puts a lot of salacious tabloid people off the hunt.”

George Entwistle, the director-general of the BBC who succeeded Mark Thompson, wants us to believe that he was clueless about Savile’s predatory behavior. “Jimmy Savile was regarded by a great many people as odd, a bit peculiar and that was something I was aware some people believed,” he recently said. Just peculiar?

October 22 – Over the weekend, the BBC denied reports that Peter Rippon was resigning; he was the person who spiked a “Newsnight” documentary on Jimmy Savile last December. Within hours, Rippon resigned.

Tonight, “Panorama” will air an hour-long special on the BBC scandal and cover-up. George Entwistle refuses to speak to the media, but that hasn’t stopped his own journalists from accusing him of misleading the public about the spiked documentary. For example, here is what The Daily Telegraph is saying: “Liz MacKean, a Newsnight reporter, told the programme that Mr Rippon had enthusiastically given the go-ahead for the film to be broadcast but had an ‘abrupt change’ of heart and appeared to be ‘under pressure’ from above.” Furthermore, “Newsnight” producer Meirion Jones says she warned Rippon of “substantial damage” to the BBC’s reputation.

For reasons like these, an editorial in yesterday’s Sunday Telegraph said, “It is becoming clear that there were many warning signs within the BBC that Savile’s behaviour was not merely odd, it was criminal.”

Former actor Bill Oddie jacks up the heat on Entwistle’s predecessor, Mark Thompson, saying “everybody knew” within the BBC that Savile was a pervert who preyed on children. When asked how he could explain Thompson’s claim that he never knew a bad thing about Savile, Oddie said, “You worked at the BBC and you don’t know anything about it? That is absolute nonsense.”