Wow US Ambassador Nikki Haley Praises Catholic Church despite Abuse at Al Smith Dinner in New York

On October 18, UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, also former Republican South Carolina governor, was the main speaker at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner.  This  dinner is named after the former New York governor, Alfred Smith, who was the first Catholic to receive a major party nomination for president in 1928. Smith was the first Catholic to be nominated as a presidential candidate by a U.S. political party. The annual dinner raises money for the Alfred E. Smith Foundation, which helps the “neediest children of the Archdiocese of New York, regardless of race, creed, or color.”
The dinner features a prominent politician; last year Paul Ryan was the speaker. The annually event is hosted by New York Archbishop Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
After making several jokes (as is traditionally done at the dinner), Ambassador Haley spoke of the Church’s efforts to address the sexual abuse scandal while continuing its “incredible work” helping “millions of desperate people” in the world. Haley has offered her resignation as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Haley is an American born East Indian Methodist with 2 children.
Haley explained, “I’ve been to the border between Colombia and Venezuela, where people walk 3 hours each way in the blazing sun to get the only meal that they will have that day. Who’s giving that meal? The Catholic Church”. “I’ve been to refugee camps in Central Africa where young boys are kidnapped and forced to become child soldiers and young girls are raped as a matter of routine. Who was in the forefront of changing this culture of corruption and violence? The Catholic Church.” Haley explained that abuse does not only happen in the Catholic Church but “deeply touches the American family.” She said that the Church is taking action. “The church’s place must be with the victims that carry the pain with them. I know the church leaders recognize its deep responsibility to address this moral failing, and it is taking action,” she said. But she admitted that she noted “the amazing good works the Catholic Church does every single day.” Haley called the charity, education, and healthcare of the Church “everyday miracles”. “We are blessed with a political system that allows us to resolve our differences peacefully. In the end, we must recognize that we are all Americans, and we are stronger and healthier when we are united.”  The dinner raised nearly $4 million.