I realize this event can be situated in the great tradition of American Christian circuit preachers and revivalists. I also realize that the Catholic Church has a great tradition of itinerant preachers. And St. Peter's Church, which it is sponsoring and benefiting from the event, seems to be concerned with the corporal and spiritual works of mercy--so it's a worthy cause, IMHO.Nonetheless, the little cartoon at the top of the advertisement sent a little chill down my spine: a soldier/priest in an alb with a gun. Or is it a cross? Or is it a cross meant to look like a gun?It's bedtime. I'm afraid I am going to have to sing "Kumbaya" just to get that image out of my head. Sorry, Bob Imbelli and Kathy.

Cathleen Kaveny is the Darald and Juliet Libby Professor in the Theology Department and Law School at Boston College.

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