Dear DMM,

It certainly sounds like, from your description, that the priest took entirely the wrong approach. And priests should not be political as such; for example, it would be very wrong for a priest to endorse a specific candidate for office. It's within a priest's prerogative, however, to comment on the morality of certain practices or to criticize laws as against the Gospel.

But it is possible to be judgmental on both sides, both liberal and conservative. I would caution you against judging the priest. We must always give people the benefit of the doubt and understand what they say in the most positive sense possible. Perhaps in your anger you didn't accurately understand what he was saying. We also have to be humble, as humble as possible, and not consider ourselves more righteous than other people. That can be hard sometimes.

You said:
I understand that there are some old-school beliefs that can be a little less tolerant of those who are different, but I don't think it is right to play judge in deciding who is and is not worthy of Christ because they do not actively persecute others. This seems very much the opposite of what I thought the Church was about.

I'm not 100% sure I understand what you're saying.

• What do you mean about deciding who is and is not worthy of Christ because they do not actively persecute others?
• Can you elaborate for me on what you think the Church is about?
• Tell me a bit about how you came to the knowledge of what the Church is about?
• What were you taught in RCIA? 
• What, in your mind, is the essence of the gospel?
• And how do you know it?

It would help me answer your question.

I'd love to hear a little more of your background about why you decided to become Catholic and what prompted you to enter the Church.

You spoke of treating those different from us with kindness. Certainly, we should treat everyone with kindness — and unconditional love. Part of love is pointing out when someone is doing something that's harming themselves, or others.

• Would you agree with that?
  

Dear DMM,

I haven't heard back from you. I will try to answer your questions without the clarifications I sought.

You asked:
I'm conflicted with what to do here, if it's appropriate to speak up or if I should just stay silent. 

It's clear to me that you and the priest will not see eye to eye and engagement with him is not going to profit either of you.

• Are parish members even allowed to question a priest's authority in such a way?

It depends on what you mean by "authority" (and whose authority). It sounds like you don't like his homilies (and I can understand why; I wouldn't like them either). This not a matter of authority, in and of itself. There are likely doctrines he is working from that, while it sounds like he expressed them badly, are based on the  Church's teaching and it sounds to me like you may not embrace them, perhaps because those who taught your RCIA program didn't teach them. That authority of the Church you cannot question. It is not the priest's authority, but the Church's authority.

• Is there a protocol for something like this?

I am going to recommend that you spend time every day, especially at moments when you are bothered by him, praying for this priest. Scripture says to pray even for our enemies. If your church has adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, pray in front of that for him. The more you hate him, the more you should redouble your prayers.

I am also going to encourage you to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church cover-to-cover, if you haven't already. I encourage every Roman Catholic to read it, especially new converts.