In his first interview since being named president of the Catholic League, Dr. William A. Donohue reiterated his dream of making the League “as successful countering bigotry against Catholics as the Anti-Defamation League of B’Nai B’rith has been in fighting discrimination against Jews.”
Donohue was interviewed at his Pittsburgh home where he was in the process of closing his office at LaRoche College and preparing to take up the reins as Catholic League president in New Yark in early July.
The interview by Peter Feuerherd appeared in the June 13 issue of the National Catholic Register.
Donohue enumerated recent glaring examples of anti-Catholicism including the ACT-UP demonstration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York which involved desecration of the Eucharist.
Donohue made it clear that the League’s new national headquarters in New York, the nation’s media capital, was well situated for the task which faces the organization in coming years.
“There are instances where Hollywood and the media take liberties with Catholics that they wouldn’t take with other groups,” he told Feuerherd. “I want them to think twice,” Donohue added pointedly.
Donohue also made it clear that he wants the League to reach out to all Catholics – liberals as well as conservatives. “Our charge is that we want to bolster the esteem of Catholics to take on a more active role.”
