Cardinal George of Chicago today took on "Chicago values" as defined by two Chicago politicians.
In his "Cardinal's Network" blog, Cardinal George reflected on recent statements made by Chicago alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel regarding the personal beliefs of Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy.
Moreno said he would deny a permit Chick-fil-A needs to build its second Chicago store — located in his Northwest Side ward — because Cathy believes in the biblical definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Emaneul then said "Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values."
Cardinal George wondered in his blog what exactly constitutes "Chicago values."
"I was born and raised here, and my understanding of being a Chicagoan never included submitting my value system to the government for approval," he wrote. "Must those whose personal values do not conform to those of the government of the day move from the city? Is the City Council going to set up a 'Council Committee on Un-Chicagoan Activities' and call those of us who are suspect to appear before it? I would have argued a few days ago that I believe such a move is, if I can borrow a phrase, 'un-Chicagoan.'"
Cardinal George also pondered how Jesus would be treated today for proclaiming marriage as between one man and one woman.
"Was Jesus a bigot?" Cardinal George wrote. "Could Jesus be accepted as a Chicagoan? Would Jesus be more “enlightened” if he had the privilege of living in our society? One is welcome to believe that, of course; but it should not become the official state religion, at least not in a land that still fancies itself free."