* Illinois Review has published a piece by Robert Klein Engler who wants Gov. Pat Quinn, Rep. Marty Moylan and others excommunicated from the Catholic Church. Moylan used Pope Francis’ statement about gay people “Who am I to judge?” to justify his vote for the gay marriage bill.

Engler is upset that Cardinal George has remained silent…

At one time, Cardinals in Chicago did speak up. In the summer of 1966, Lou Christie’s song ‘Rhapsody in the Rain’ was banned from airplay on WLS and WCFL–the two major pop stations in Chicago at the time, and the nation’s 2nd largest radio market.

The song was banned because of the objections of John Cardinal Cody. “The Cardinal thought that the rhythmic windshield wipers while “makin’ out in the rain” and “makin’ love in the storm,” were just a little too morally corrosive…”

* I’d never heard of that song before. Here it is…

Suffice it to say, Cardinal Cody probably did Chicago radio listeners a big favor.

* Anyway, back to Engler…

How can [the Cardinal] allow elected Catholic officials to go forward with an insult to all Catholics? If the Cardinal reasons that he cannot carry through with this excommunication, then he should give Catholics in the archdiocese an explanation as to why they must tolerate this insult to his office and the Church. […]

See how the mighty have fallen over 50 years in Illinois. Once, a Cardinal with ears wide open, had a song banned from the radio. Some say he was objecting to what could be considered only a venial sin. Another Cardinal, today, with eyes wide open, refuses to stop the Democratic enemies of the Church from inflicting great harm. He is silent about those who commit a mortal sin.