Bible Says Catholic Bishops Shouldn't Bet on NBA Finals

Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski pulled even yesterday with Oklahoma big collar Paul Coakley as the Miami Heat downed the Oklahoma City 100 to 96. The two priests bet on the series at a conference in Atlanta.

If Miami loses, Wenski owes Coakley hand-made cigars and stone crabs. If OKC fails, Coakley is offering organically-grown Oklahoma beef courtesy of the Oklahoma Beef Council.

Okay, wait. Doesn't Phillipians 2:4 read?: i>Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Oh well, Wednesday we noted that mayors were betting stone crabs and steak on the series.The prelates' wager adds a new wrinkle: the loser will have to be photographed in a T-shirt from the opposing team. Yes,go back and re-read that sentence, this is a real story.

Hold on another minute. Hebrews 13:5: ...be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Wenski and Coakley are together in no-man's-land in Georgia for the Spring General Assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, according to a press release. The pair broke away from the day's meeting to "seal the deal" with the holy gesture of a handshake.

This isn't the first time Wenski's challenged a fellow man of God over an NBA title, either. Last year, he bet Key Lime pie and stogies against Dallas Bishop Kevin Farrell for barbecue ribs, pecan pie, and a "Don't Mess with Texas" bumper sticker during the finals series against the Mavs.

As New Times has noted before, Wenski, a licensed pilot and proud Harley-Davidson owner, doesn't fit the traditional portrait of high-ranking clergyman. We can definitely respect a gambling man of the cloth with a sense of humor, especially if we get pictures.

Proverbs 16:33: We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.

So as far as Game 3 game goes, let's just hope Wenski's prayers reach the big guy in the sky before Coakley's.

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