Look, when I first read that story, blogged last week, about the Diocese of Brooklyn’s reluctance to get officially involved in the Graham Crusade, my first reaction, was "Losers!" and echoed many of your comments along that line. I thought about it for a few minutes, however, and tried, as I usually do, to work it out practically – that’s just my habit. I don’t deal in the world of abstract statements and ideal situations. I come at things pastorally – how is this going to work out, in real life?

And I couldn’t see it. Perhaps it’s done elsewhere, but I just couldn’t figure out how the Catholic Church could be "officially" involved in the Graham Crusade on terms acceptable to both – without seeming to endorse a theology unacceptable to Catholics or brining a vigorous Catholic presence in, which would probably be unacceptable to many from the Crusade organization, if not most. (For example, at altar call time, having Franciscan Friars of the Renewal ringing the stadium, ready to talk to the Catholics who’ve been moved by the mission? That would fly? I don’t think so.)

Hence my post. And I don’t really understand how that’s a statement of disrespect for Reverend Graham. Look, there have been lots of great American Protestant preachers, from Jonathan Edwards to Dwight Moody to Billy Graham, and appreciating them on their own terms doesn’t require us to join up.

And as I read the accounts of this weekend’s Crusade, I felt…oh, shall we say vindicated?

The sermon the first night was on the subject of John 3 – the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. I don’t have a text of the entire sermon, but the accounts I read emphasize, naturally enough, being born again. I don’t know if he spoke of this part:

"Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.

That is, the "water" part. I don’t know if these materials mentioned it:

About 3,000 people responded to the invitation to follow Jesus at the end of Graham’s sermon. They were given copies of the Gospel of John and 30-day devotionals by counselors trained to help them clarify the decision they had made

Look, no one is saying that 3000 people coming to the beginnings of a relationship with Christ is a bad thing. No one is saying that the Catholic Church doesn’t need to take some sort of lesson from the evangelizing spirit of evangelical preachers. But translating this into an official, sponsoring presence at a Crusade in which the Catholic understanding of rebirth, baptism and faith is undermined makes no sense.

Especially with a scene like this wrapping it up

Graham drew a big laugh from the former president — who theatrically buried his face in his lap, then threw his head back and closed his eyes with mirth — when he recalled once saying that Clinton should become an evangelist "and leave his wife to run the country."

"Because he has all the gifts," said Graham, who used a walker but spoke in a strong voice. Graham was effusive about both Clintons, returning to them after the altar call and telling the crowd, "I love them both with all my heart."

Oh, that would be a comfortable moment.

Dawn Eden has a bit more, as well as an account of her good news of beginning RCIA in the fall. Of course, her story begins with a perfect example of why Catholics need to listen to and take some kind of lesson from the Billy Grahams of this world:

I first inquired about RCIA in February at my favorite church, in midtown Manhattan. The parish’s RCIA director never returned my message. I already had a bit of an inferiority complex about the place, so rather than try harder to insinuate myself, I decided to look elsewhere.

The rest of the story is better but, hey…parish staff members out there…return inquirers’ calls, ‘kay?

And congratulations to Dawn – and to all inquirers out there. We’re looking forward to reading the RCIA experiences of such a thoughtful, honest writer. We might want to make it required reading for all involved in pastoral ministry out there. It might be good continuing education for them.

Update: Here’s the Bishop of Brooklyn’s letter on the matter. I had looked for it over the weekend, to no avail. Thanks to the commentor who posted it.

I am grateful to the organizers of the Crusade for their cooperation in offering to provide our Diocese the registration information for all Catholics who attend the Crusade. Plans are already under way by the Vicariate for Evangelization and Pastoral Life to provide follow-up pastoral care for all Catholics who may attend any of the Crusade events. Special listening sessions, local revival missions and Catholic evangelization prayer services will be held throughout the Diocese in the Fall for all who wish to attend, especially those who attended the Crusade. All pastors will also be forwarded the registration information for those who attended from their parish. I ask that a special effort be made to address these individuals’ spiritual and pastoral needs.

In the spirit of ecumenical cooperation, I warmly welcome Dr. Billy Graham to our Diocese during this special weekend. As a fellow Christian, I pray that the Lord will continue to bless him in his ministry to preach the Gospel to all who are willing to listen. He has been a faithful disciple of the Lord putting out into the deep for the many years of his exemplary evangelical career.

These final two paragraphs were preceded by a detailed explication of the differences between Graham’s theology and the RC view. This strikes me as exactly the right tone and process.