Newt Gingrich on his conversion to Catholicism
Congressional Quarterly has posted a transcript of “Fox News Sunday,” including this exchange between Chris Wallace and Newt Gingrich about the former House speaker’s conversion to Catholicism:
WALLACE: Mr. Gingrich, you have been a Baptist most of your life, and last Sunday you converted to Catholicism. Why, sir?
GINGRICH: I’m not talking about this much publicly, but let me just say that I found over the course of the last decade, attending the basilica, meeting with Monsignor Rossi, reading the literature, that there was a peace in my soul and a sense of well being in the Catholic Church, and I found the mass of conversion last Sunday one of the most powerful moments of my life.
WALLACE: You have — it’s no secret — been married and divorced twice. Will you be able to participate fully in communion and all the other rites of the Catholic Church?
GINGRICH: Yes, we have done everything within the law of the church, following all of the rules of the church over the last 10 years. And it’s been a process. It’s been a very long process and something which was deeply affected, in part, by Pope Benedict XVI’s visit and the opportunity I had to sit in — as you know, my wife, Calista, sings at the basilica every Sunday, and I was allowed as a spouse to be there as part of the vespers program when the pope came. It’s been a long process.
WALLACE: And if I might ask, just briefly, what is it about the pope’s visit that led to this?
GINGRICH: I really believe, first of all, seeing the joy in his eyes, listening to his message, and I really believe that his basic statement, Christ our hope, is right. And I think much of what’s wrong with our country and with the western world is a function of looking inside ourselves, not just looking at money or looking at our wallets.
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56 comments Add your comment
Chris Broe
April 5th, 2009
5:45 pm
Now that Newt is a Catholic, is Flag Day a holy day of obligation? Can priests now water-board confessers? Will the communion wafer supersize to a cinnamon bun? Will there be a contract with Christ?
Jack McMillan
April 5th, 2009
6:01 pm
Chris, the answer to your questions are NO! But we now know that there is at least on
donkey posting idiot questions.
Joseph Palmer
April 5th, 2009
6:24 pm
Doh! Chris, looks like you have to go to Confession before yourself receives the Blessed Sacrament during Holy Week. Seriously, he’s a new convert, he’s sinned in the past. Give him a chance to live out his conversion before criticizing him. You sound like Tertullian after he became a heretic.
If one could be prevented from converting for past sins, then my priest would have kicked me out of the confessional booth during my first confession.
Joseph Palmer
April 5th, 2009
6:26 pm
That being said, I know that Mr. Gingrich probably had to be brief in his responses, but I could think of a thousand different responses that I would’ve given.
Charlie Wheeler
April 5th, 2009
7:07 pm
Hey Chris – What grade are you in, first? And when was the last time you stepped foot in a Church? Propably never. A lot of people take their religeous conversion seriously as I think Newt is. You’ve had your 5 minutes of fame so if you don’t have anything constructive to say then go get another cig and beer and leave the serious business to others.
Beagle Bailey
April 5th, 2009
7:16 pm
Chris, you are an ass.
Robert Heinlein's son
April 5th, 2009
7:46 pm
Buck up, Chris. Patriotism used to be the last refuge of a scoundrel, but now it shares that pathetic task with religion. Anyone who takes Newt seriously has the brains, well, of a newt.
Jim
April 5th, 2009
7:53 pm
Chris your comments were hilarious. Stay with it!
Jim
April 5th, 2009
7:53 pm
Enter your comments here
mike hussein smith
April 5th, 2009
8:10 pm
First off, I have a master’s degree and attended a church funeral last weekend, so I think I have met the unctuous Charlie Wheeler’s conditions for commenting. (Does he have an education, I wonder.) But all I got to say is this: Hahahahahahahahahahahaha. Newt continues to be a joke told on himself — and his true believers.
Louis
April 5th, 2009
8:12 pm
Newt is the real ass…
Joe
April 5th, 2009
8:25 pm
Newt is no Catholic, anymore than Nancy Pelosi, Joseph Biden, John Kerry or Ted Kennedy are Catholic. A Catholic does not divorce his wife while she dies of cancer while living in sin with another woman, and then divorce that women and marry a second woman with whom he is living in sin. Converts must abjure any heresy they have held (in this case the teachings of the Baptists church in conflict with Catholicism). Gingrich has not done this. Being a Catholic is not a fashion statement or a political tool. Catholicism is a religion with strict tenets that must be obeyed. Even the “pope” seems to be ignorant of this fact these days.
For all you “I can do as I please” Catholics out there, beware! God is not mocked!
ATL Resident
April 5th, 2009
8:34 pm
I wonder how much Newt Gingrich “really” knows about Catholicism, or about anything, why do we even waste time trying to keep up with this guy, there’s more serious issues to deal with.
frank
April 5th, 2009
8:42 pm
same ole newt. just like the rev jessie always with his head up.i think he’s on his 3rd wife . and he tried to bring bill down for the same stuff.
frank
April 5th, 2009
8:51 pm
thanks joe for some things i forget.
Louis2
April 5th, 2009
9:20 pm
I welcome newt into the catholic church. Ive met many a baptist and of all the protestant faiths the baptists are the most oppressive (my opinion) and for all the criticisms of catholicism the protestants suffer from all the catholicism that they have shed…just as catholics do suffer from the ossification built up over the millenia. Its why secular christians and non-christians are such a growing scourge. The protestants have shed so much of the ritual mass…as the catholics did after vatican2, people have slowly left because of it. Protestants never understood confession or indulgances or many others of catholicism….but they had a very human and humane purpose. The protestants saw it as spiritual corruption under the medici control of the church which was true at its time.
I welcome newt because he is a scholar and he could see what was missing from protestantism and he could see both the depth of catholicism and the issues its facing. For too long christianity has been hijacked by issues…like gay marriage and other hot button issues. Christianity is much bigger than a few issues…
Welcome newt…and as for the criticisms…they are from non-christians and christian haters/bigots.
meb
April 5th, 2009
9:26 pm
Joe -
I hope you are not saying that Catholicism is the way and that you must observe their rules to obtain salvation. There are tons of practices that the Catholics employ and have employed over the years that they will be judged for. Just as otehr denominatins who have used their religion to get their way. Catholicism is legalistic, true Christianity is liberating. Baptist, Catholics, Methodist, Episcopals, etc are denominations. Belonging to any denomination does not make you a Christian and therefore does not guarantee your deliverance. (although die heart members of these denominations will argue that it does). Only one who has truly given his life to Christ have obtained salvation.
meb
April 5th, 2009
9:33 pm
Louis -
I believe it is you who and those that believe as you do that are lost. There is nothing in scripture that substantiantes the practices of Catholicism. Again, there is a difference between being a Chrsitian and belonging to a religious denomination. The reason most leave Churches is because they do not find that it satisfies their needs. My belief is that they will never have their needs satisfied because they have the wrong idea of what living a Chistian life is all about. I have seen soooo many Catholics leave “The Church” because it offers nothing but legalism and practices that are not based on scripture (and I’m not talking about the Catholic Bible).
Will Jones - Atlanta
April 5th, 2009
9:34 pm
To Samuel Kercheval
Monticello, January 19, 1810
SIR, — Yours of the 7th instant has been duly received, with the pamphlet inclosed, for which I return you my thanks. Nothing can be more exactly and seriously true than what is there stated; that but a short time elapsed after the death of the great reformer of the Jewish religion, before his principles were departed from by those who professed to be his special servants, and perverted into an engine for enslaving mankind, and aggrandising their oppressors in Church and State; that the purest system of morals ever before preached to man, has been adulterated and sophisticated by artificial constructions, into a mere contrivance to filch wealth and power to themselves; that rational men not being able to swallow their impious heresies, in order to force them down their throats, they raise the hue and cry of infidelity, while themselves are the greatest obstacles to the advancement of the real doctrines of Jesus, and do in fact constitute the real Anti-Christ.
—
What’s an American Patriot to believe “the joy in [the] eyes” of a gay Hitler Youth-alum or the words of The Founder, Author and Prophet of the United States of America?
Newt’s “moral compass,” proven over the decades, has steered him on his rightful course to his proper destination: Babylon the Great – Wh.re of the World – Anti-Christ – Amalek.
Jeffersonian Exegesis http://theamericanfundament.blogspot.com
Sam
April 5th, 2009
9:40 pm
I have not seen anything written by anyone that Gingrich made any effort to publicize his conversion.
Apparently, he’s on better terms with the Roman Catholic Church than Sen. Kerry and Kennedy, and Rep. Pelosi, who need to plan their weekends carefully, to be where there’s a church that won’t deny them the Sacrament.
light bulb
April 5th, 2009
9:47 pm
Duh! New religious conversion. Proposing a new political party. Something smells. I say wait six months and follow the money trail.
Gentleman Jim
April 5th, 2009
9:48 pm
Chris, please remember: Dittoheads have no sense of humor and do not recognize sarcasm. Sadly, Newt and Sarah will fight it out for the 2012 nomination.
Boots
April 5th, 2009
9:51 pm
This ought to give him the inside rail with the hispanic voters in 2012. He will be speaking at the annual convention of Rev. Al Sharpton’s organization within the next few days and then at a Hobo Convention under the I-75 bridge in Hahira, Ga.
Mitch Cumstein
April 5th, 2009
9:59 pm
You lefties out there love to criticize all religeon. Have you no respect and tolerance? Of course not, that would threaten the very foundation opun which your religeon is based. Deceit and ultimate enslavement of the hard working providers of this once great nation. To embrace morals and values, you would have to face the fact that your ideology is flawed and socialism doesn’t work.
World Traveler
April 5th, 2009
10:01 pm
I don’t know why Newt changing religions is such a big issue. All “religions” are man made from imperfect people interpreting the bible in their own way. As people who are fundametally christian, we are suppose to worship the Almighty, not a pope, a priest, a pastor, a bishop, etc, and that is what a lot of people are doing. Catholics are just a more organized version of all that is corrupt with christianity. Look at it’s history-the reason why there are so many different demoniations in the world is because of the corruption that has taken place in history via the Catholic Church. All of these sacrements and rituals have nothing to do with Christ, and the Savior himself didn’t have all of that pagentry going on when we walked the earth.
Everyone should free themselves of all of this so called christian paganism and worship God as we are suppose to. Remember, the problem with Christianity is Chiristians.
jack
April 5th, 2009
10:10 pm
At least Newt believes in the sanctity of marriage, just not quite as much as Rush does.
Lady Liberty
April 5th, 2009
10:15 pm
Hey Joe… I’m not Catholic but I understand the gist of your objections regarding divorce. It’s not the Catholic thing to do. However, do facts matter to you? Newt’s first wife would be surprised to learn he divorced her on her death bed. Last I knew personally, she was alive and well. And Newt and Jackie’s daughters remain close to him.
Gee Monet
April 5th, 2009
10:29 pm
Mitch Cumstain- Being a leftie does NOT mean being anti-religious. It DOES mean that I am skeptical of organized religious institutions that make HUGE sums of money (tax free) and have preachers/pastors/clergy that live in posh houses. This is not how Jesus would have or did live (according to the bible). Get off your high horse and worry about your own soul.
jack
April 5th, 2009
10:31 pm
Lady Liberty,
Oh, I see. The fact that Jackie didn’t die makes Newt a better person. Got it.
light bulb
April 5th, 2009
10:40 pm
Christianity is God’s attempt to reach man. Relgion is man’s attempt to reach God. Christianity, no problem. Religion, nothing but problems. Even satan has religion but he certainly does not have Christianity. Newt, I believe in the power of restoration and the power of the resurrection.Let the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart be acceptable in “his” site. I’ll be watching you with the log in my eye.
Joe
April 5th, 2009
11:01 pm
Newt is no Catholic, anymore than Nancy Pelosi, Joseph Biden, John Kerry or Ted Kennedy are Catholic. A Catholic does not divorce his wife while she is sick in bed with cancer while living in sin with another woman, and then divorce that women and marry a second woman with whom he is living in sin. Converts must abjure any heresy they have held (in this case the teachings of the Baptists church in conflict with Catholicism). Gingrich has not done this. Being a Catholic is not a fashion statement or a political tool. Catholicism is a religion with strict tenets that must be obeyed. Even the “pope” seems to be ignorant of this fact these days.
For all you “I can do as I please” Catholics out there, beware! God is not mocked
Dee
April 6th, 2009
12:40 am
In actuality, if you want to look at religion from the viewpoint of Jesus, then all of you need to become Jewish. Organized religion, however, is, as it has been since the dawn of time, is a human invention, not divine. Your personal relationship with your God is divine. You do not have to have a religion to have such an experience.
Aaron Burr V. Mexico
April 6th, 2009
1:15 am
I am a liberal and I have no tolerance for the intolerant.
That means Republicans.
Copyleft
April 6th, 2009
8:22 am
What does religion have to do with morals and values?
Mary
April 6th, 2009
1:30 pm
There is only one reason why anyone should convert to the Catholic Church–because he/she believes that in her is found the fullness of Truth.
Newt’s answer was not only lame–it was politically calculated for his run for the presidency in 2012. Can’t the GOP do better than Palin or Gingrich in 2012?
norman ravitch
April 6th, 2009
2:18 pm
I don’t think this question to Gingrich was appropriate at all.
norman ravitch
April 6th, 2009
2:19 pm
If Gincrich could legitimately be asked why he became a Catholic, why not ask many Catholics, Baptists, and all the rest why they have stayed with their evil religions.
norman ravitch
April 6th, 2009
2:20 pm
If you ask Gingrich why he is a catholic, why not ask many other Catholics, as well as Baptists, why they stay with their crazy religions.
SickoftheTyranny
April 6th, 2009
3:56 pm
He’s in but the question is: Will he be able to remain? It is pretty hard to be a Catholic and hate poor people, though I have noticed that many of my Catholic brothers and sisters here in the South are almost as contemptuous of them as their Protestant counterparts.
Nevertheless, maybe the Church can help Newtie improve himself. I really hope that it can. Nothing else seems to have been able to work toward that end up to this point.
SickoftheTyranny
April 6th, 2009
3:57 pm
Oh wait–he isn’t in yet, is he? Easter hasn’t happened yet!
John the Jewish Pimp
April 6th, 2009
6:05 pm
The only difference between a Baptist and Catholic? Catholics will wave at you while in the liquor store.
Ed Hummel
April 6th, 2009
6:07 pm
Heaven is a superatural end only gained by supernatural means. Congratulations, Newt, for embracing the journey in the only Church founded by Christ providing those supernatural means.
SickoftheTyranny
April 6th, 2009
7:49 pm
Sally Hemmings = Institutionalized Rape
gerry m. boos
April 6th, 2009
9:03 pm
Welcome to the Church, Mr. Speaker, & I hope that God continues to bless you with this beautiful gift. His Holiness, Pope Benedict xvi surely represents Christ in this world so well. You were very perceptive. You have made the Journey Home & are most welcome.
John Sullivan
April 6th, 2009
9:31 pm
Please give Newt a chance to follow Christ…forgiveness is a very important part of Christianity…let’s pray for one another & for our beloved country…many unexpected events are about to happen to all of us.
Will Jones - Atlanta
April 6th, 2009
10:01 pm
If America’s Founder, Author and Prophet did have “relations” with Ms. Hemmings, she was the envy of ALL American womanhood of the time and their descent is blessed above most.
OTOH Joseph Ratzinger is a dress-wearing, not-very-closeted “queen” who fit right in with the rest of priest-molested Hitler Youth; now overseeing “the real Anti-Christ.”
Hmmm.
Not too complicated for Americans who disapprove of the Holocaust and pedophilia…and who believe in and live by The American Creed.
The Sheepcat
April 6th, 2009
11:17 pm
It’s been said that the Church is “a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” Newt, welcome, and God bless you.
Matthew
April 7th, 2009
3:00 am
It seems to me,having perused these posts, that more catechesis is needed in the USA.
anthony tran van kiem
April 7th, 2009
9:04 am
Jesus comes to save sinners. I dare not list Speaker Newt Gingrich among sinners. Who am I to stand as a JUDGE of my neighbors? If Newty’s life has been not perfect, it shouldn’t create any obstacle to his conversion. One becomes Catholic to be fed with the TRUTH, the Holy Eucharist and the love of the Blessed Virgin, all privileges granted only to Catholics. One needs not be a SAINT before joining the Catholic Church, one joins the Catholic to obey the Lord’s call, “Be perfected as uour Father in heaven is perfect.”
Fern
April 7th, 2009
10:18 am
Went to St Andrews in Roanoke, VA this Sunday and thought of Kepler who when invited to join both the Lutheran and Catholic churches said he did not need either churches’ dogmas. He was however a constant worker to understand the will/intention of the creator and added greatly to implementing the understanding and use of these intentions for humankind, glory be to the creator. As we continue to watch for signs of the will/intention of our creator notice we are entering into a new cycle of the stars in 2012 but do not try to foist any superstitious junk onto them as we did with the advent of 2000. Peace be with you and the coming generations.
David F.
April 7th, 2009
1:31 pm
All of this speculation and ridicule is just anger over their own human conditions and their own lack of inner Peace. The reality is that only Newt, his pastor, and God know whether or not his conversion is genuine. Newt himself said his conversion was a very long and arduous process and that he performed the obligations necessary to set himself up for full communion within the Church.
I for one applaud Newt for being intuitive and introspective enough to “be still and know that I am God”. So many of us today get lost amid secular pursuits and the “what have you done for me lately” mentality that it’s amazing to me that conversions do happen in spite of it all.
To all of the seekers of truth out there who read this, may God reward your perseverance and willingness to explore the avenues of thought that have previously gone untread and unappreciated in your life.
Barb
April 8th, 2009
2:28 am
First time responder. Iam not surprised at the comments above. I do agree with the comment that the question asked at the original interview with Chris Wallace was inappropriate.As for the rest of the remarks I find them inspired by uneducated folks who must live very sad and unhappy lives.Their time would be better spent learning spelling,punctuation and perhaps a little Bible study. They would find the Two Great Commandments. The first from God the Father( I am your God have no others before Me) and the second from Jesus the Son of God, Love others as I have loved you.I don’t recall any place in the Bible about reviling others to be “Christian”.
Penny Palmer
April 8th, 2009
5:36 am
Being Catholic, I welcome Newt Gingrich along with all new converts with open arms into the Catholic church. Some of the comments I have read have unfortunately been very unkind and very judgmental. As painful as it is to realize, there are some very hate filled, and unkind people writing on this site who have no respect for people of faith. I am hoping that is due to their ignorance. Christ said, “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.” The Catholic Church and all the Christian churches are made up of people who are all sinners, but the beauty of being a Christian is we are all forgiven in Christ. We make mistakes–sometimes very bad ones, but if we search our hearts and souls and are truly sorry and want to change, we are forgiven and there is redemption. Some of the Church’s greatest saints were once the worst sinners. Having said all that let us not forget that many of our ancestors came to this country for religious freedom. We still are a free country and we have freedom of speech, but that doesn’t mean we have to be hateful to people of faith whether they are Christian, Jewish, Muslim,etc… That is not what true freedom is all about. But the greatest freedom of all is the gift of true faith. Once you come to realize that, you will arrive at true peace and life will have so much more meaning. God Bless! And may the love and peace of Christ be with you.
Emmett
April 8th, 2009
6:06 pm
Well spoken Penny. The only reason people have no respect for others or their beliefs, is they have no respect for themselves. To those who comment negatively, I would ask you to reevaluate your priorities in life! To those who comment positively, may the light of truth remain in you and may you always be charitable. YIC
Patrick B.
April 8th, 2009
6:33 pm
Will Jones: How many different transcripts of Countdown with Kieth Olberman did you have to lift from before you completed your nifty little pomposity-filled, diatribe?!?!? What a haughty, self-important cuss!…
amused
August 23rd, 2009
12:46 am
10 pounds manure in a 5 pound bag. Anyone who believes this clown is sincere is a joke!!!