The fir has been flying on Long Island over a Christmas tree-lighting celebration in the tony North Shore community of Manhasset. The North Hempstead town supervisor, who is Jewish, objected to a local Catholic priest's religious blessing at last Friday's ceremony, and he made his displeasure known — in front of the entire crowd. What followed was a mini-holy war, waged via phone and e-mail, that ended with Supervisor Jon Kaiman bowing to public out rage and repeatedly apologizing to the Rev. Nick Zientarski by letter and in person.
In a widely circulated e-mail, "Father Nick," associate pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Manhasset, noted that when he was invited to the annual event, "I thought about what kind of blessing to give — something generic or something 'Catholic.'
"It seemed to me that because this was a Christmas tree, it would be OK to use the blessing from my Catholic tradition."
But when he did, he heard Kaiman fuming behind him, saying "something to the effect of, 'This is nonsense,' 'We're not doing this next year,' 'I can't believe this.' "
When the blessing was finished, the priest said, Kaiman took the microphone and "in a harsh, annoyed voice," told the crowd, "I just want to make it clear that this is in no way a religious ceremony . . .
"We're here to celebrate the holiday tree lighting. This is not the place for a religious ceremony."
In other accounts he grabbed the microphone from the priest and shouted the above in rage and not merely annoyance.
On television, Supervisor Kaiman tried to look remorseful. I don't think he succeeded. To me, he looked like he knew that his political career is over.
This one almost looks made to order for
Catholic League fundraising.
I also hope that the Diocese of Rockville Center doesn't retaliate against Fr. Zientarski for his boldness.
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