The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist: These excellent sisters, with their emphasis on the traditional forms of religious life, Eucharistic Adoration, in habit witness and fidelity to the magisterial teachings of the Church continue to thrive. In fact, they have just signed a contract to buy the Troubled JP II Cultural Center in Washington DC to serve as a house of studies and a formation center. It's needed because vocation continue to flock to them. Oh--if you are not familiar with these sisters, the average age of the congregation is something like 27.
In February of this year Oprah did a show about them. Unexpectedly, they won over Oprah, the audience and Oprah's feminist reported Lisa Ling, who called them the most liberated women she had ever met. Oprah has them scheduled for a return engagement on the 23d of November.
It's interesting to note that this congregation of sisters is not affiliated with the LCWR, which is facing two investigations by the Vatican Dicastery responsible for religious life. it's also notable that they are characterized by their joy and devotion, and not by the anger, bitterness and opposition that mark the congregations of the LCWR, such as the Sisters of Providence, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth or the Ursuline's. This goes a long way toward explaining why they get vocations. Who wants to sing up for a lifetime of embittered political activism and lesbian identity politics?
The World is Experiencing a Resurgence of Vocations: Did you know that there are more priests in the world now than there were in 1965? Despite the constant cry that Catholicism will die out for lack of priests if we don't ordain women and married men, we have thousands more priests now than we did then! Interestingly enough, areas experiencing the most persecution often have the highest vocation rate. But in the US, Seminary enrollment is the highest it's been in forty years. For four straight years the number of seminary enrollments has increased. So much for those who say that pope Benedict XVI was a disaster for the Church. Unless one counts increasing vocations, especially among orthodox men and women, as a disaster.
It's not only us--England and Australia are reporting similar things as well. it's only in the old strong holds of European Catholicism that it's not happening. Of course, they have traded in their culture and future for run and material possessions, and have no interest as a group in keeping themselves alive.
Russian orthodox and Catholic Churches Are Allies: Metropolitan Kiril, the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church spoke recently about how they and the Catholic Church must work together in the struggle against secular liberalism and moral relativism. It's a wonderful start, this cooperation. We need eventually to heal the schism that has separated us from our Orthodox Brothers--who Benedict call the "Other lung of the Church", but until we can iron out or differences--and a thousand years of separation can lead to big differences--we can work together. And Kiril values us in this task as much as we value him. The Russian Orthodox Church is growing fast in Russia, and the people there are pacing great value on it, not least because so many of them have lived through or seen the results of a secular, centralized power structure, and what it does to people who cannot turn to God, when it itself refuses to acknowledge any ethical or moral standard other than itself.
God Bless Patriarch Kiril.
TRIUMPHALIST--YOU GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT?
Saturday, November 20, 2010
The Bad
Connecticut is still at it: Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport has issued a letter entitled "Let Freedom Ring" in which he lists the ways that the State of Connecticut is seeking to abridge religious freedom. In it he says there is a "..growing tendency in our state to view religious liberty as a grant to citizens by civil authorities". he points to the defeated SB 1098 that singled out the Roman Catholic Church and attempted to strip all authority for it's temporal governance from the bishops and pastors. He went on to enumerate the laws that give special status to law suits against the Church, while exempting State Schools, reformatories and other like institutions from liability. He also noted laws that prevent medical practitioners from administering tests before prescribing emergency contraception, which circumvent legal protection of Catholic practitioners freedom on conscience. He noted Connecticut law redefining marriage that opens the door to lawsuits against Churches that will no perform same sex unions. Most importantly he has noted that the phrase 'Freedom of Religion" is being replaced in the discourse of the proponents of these measures with "Freedom of Worship". This is a phrase with a very different meaning--one that relegates religion to the inside of Churches, and exiles it from the public square. It's also a phrase that our president likes to use, along with others in the progressive movement.
The Democratic Congress Vs the Internet: So, for the forth time since the inauguration of president Obama, the party in power--until January--is trying once again to gain control of the content on the Internet. The last three attempts were failures on legal grounds. This one attempts to use legislation. The rational is to protect intellectual property rights. However, as always, there is a provision for an unelected political appointee to direct websites to be taken down or shut down. It's called the Combating Online Infringements and Counterfeits Act--COICA, for short. In this incarnation, the attempt places the ability to decree a shut down would rest with the Attorney General. Interestingly enough, the way this act is written, there does not have to be any illegal content on a web site, a link to one that is found to have illegal content is enough. And there is no provision to require due process. Considering that there have been attempts to use "intellectual property" to silence people who used information that would normally be considered to be fair use in reviews, critiques and essays that were controversial, this looks again to be an end run around freedom of speech. The Internet has proven one of the most versatile tools of dissent in human history. The current administration is hostile to both free speech and dissent.
New York City interferes with Crisis Pregnancy Centers: In the name of women's health, of course. The abortion industry hate these centers, because a woman who goes to one is much less likely to have an abortion than otherwise. And the Abortion industry exists not to help women, but to make money forserial killers abortion providers. Considering the low standards of care--and the resistance of the industry to meeting the same standards of care required of any other medical facility--the high infection rates, the poor informed consent practices, the surprisingly large number of facilities that are found to use unlicensed practitioners, this seems a strange way to protect women's health. It seems a good way to protect a vested interest that serves Moloch by the murder of children for profit and the convenience of others.
The Democratic Congress Vs the Internet: So, for the forth time since the inauguration of president Obama, the party in power--until January--is trying once again to gain control of the content on the Internet. The last three attempts were failures on legal grounds. This one attempts to use legislation. The rational is to protect intellectual property rights. However, as always, there is a provision for an unelected political appointee to direct websites to be taken down or shut down. It's called the Combating Online Infringements and Counterfeits Act--COICA, for short. In this incarnation, the attempt places the ability to decree a shut down would rest with the Attorney General. Interestingly enough, the way this act is written, there does not have to be any illegal content on a web site, a link to one that is found to have illegal content is enough. And there is no provision to require due process. Considering that there have been attempts to use "intellectual property" to silence people who used information that would normally be considered to be fair use in reviews, critiques and essays that were controversial, this looks again to be an end run around freedom of speech. The Internet has proven one of the most versatile tools of dissent in human history. The current administration is hostile to both free speech and dissent.
New York City interferes with Crisis Pregnancy Centers: In the name of women's health, of course. The abortion industry hate these centers, because a woman who goes to one is much less likely to have an abortion than otherwise. And the Abortion industry exists not to help women, but to make money for
And The Ugly
TSA: A stewardess who is a Breast Cancer survivor is reporting that the TSA Goons our Government Appointed Guardians of the Transportation Safety Administration required her to shell out her prosthesis when her worries about exposing her cancer scarred body to more radiation convinced her to choose a "pat down".
This was in front of everyone else. They made this woman expose and remove her prosthetic breast in front of a crowd.
Professor Helen Fisher of Rutgers University: On the Joy Behar show, discussing the choice to not have children, compared having children to littering. No body on the panel even thought to say that that could be offensive. So, to all you mothers out there, how does it feel to have our children, and your status as the ones who form our society compared to the clods who scatter their fast food liter in the city parks?
You can't say "Taliban" in New Jersey: A high school boy in Wayne new jersey is facing suspension from school because he used the word "Taliban" in a conversation with friends about a video game. A Muslim girl was upset that he did so and complained. he received a talking to. Then he talked to his friends about how bogus it was. The Muslim girl complained again. Now he's facing a suspension. The principal said it was not about the use of a word, but that the boy had "hurt a girls feelings". Bull shit. It's about a Muslim in a public school trying to control the conversations of others by playing the victim card. The principal says it's a teachable moment. And so it is--they have just taught this boy that his rights are trumped by the "feelings" of Muslims, and that the part of the government he most interacts with--the education department of his locality--will not uphold his rights, and care nothing for his feelings. After all, he's a White, American Male.
This was in front of everyone else. They made this woman expose and remove her prosthetic breast in front of a crowd.
Professor Helen Fisher of Rutgers University: On the Joy Behar show, discussing the choice to not have children, compared having children to littering. No body on the panel even thought to say that that could be offensive. So, to all you mothers out there, how does it feel to have our children, and your status as the ones who form our society compared to the clods who scatter their fast food liter in the city parks?
You can't say "Taliban" in New Jersey: A high school boy in Wayne new jersey is facing suspension from school because he used the word "Taliban" in a conversation with friends about a video game. A Muslim girl was upset that he did so and complained. he received a talking to. Then he talked to his friends about how bogus it was. The Muslim girl complained again. Now he's facing a suspension. The principal said it was not about the use of a word, but that the boy had "hurt a girls feelings". Bull shit. It's about a Muslim in a public school trying to control the conversations of others by playing the victim card. The principal says it's a teachable moment. And so it is--they have just taught this boy that his rights are trumped by the "feelings" of Muslims, and that the part of the government he most interacts with--the education department of his locality--will not uphold his rights, and care nothing for his feelings. After all, he's a White, American Male.
To The Louisville 'Courier-Journal'
Dear Courier-Journal,
If nothing else, you are consistent. I am referring to your editorial cartoon in the Thursday, November 18 issue in which you depict the Archbishop of Louisville ascending a stairway labeled 'Catholic leadership', that same staircase being supported on the back of an oppressed looking person labeled 'Gays'. This cartoon is reminiscent of the Naste cartoons, noted for their Anti-Catholicism. In fact, it puts me in mind of the notorious cartoon 'American Ganges' in it's use of a bishops mitre as a symbol of oppression.
As I said, you are consistent. You have published many cartoons over the last year, attacking Archbishop Kurtz, and through attacks on his person, the Catholic Church. You have given much coverage to any dissenting group, to include Priests who have defected front he priesthood to attempt marriage and to form their own "churches", while declining to cover a good many events that would reflect well on the Church, or that would indicate that your editorial stance is less than universally accepted in this town.
You suffer from TOGIT* syndrome. As the only major newspaper in the City, you mistake economic and business conditions for a mandate to declare what is true.
Your (inaccurate) perception of Pro-Life sentiment as an exclusively Catholic concern has resulted in slanted coverage, to include implications of intimidation by those who pray in front of the abortion mill downtown. yet you have not reported on one single instance of intimidation or bullying against those activists, despite this being a regular occurrence!
But it is your editorial cartoons that are most offensive. Cartoons have long been recognized as effective tools of propaganda, and of popular agitation.
I wonder, what would your reaction be if someone were to publish a cartoon depicting a Gay Couple ascending a staircase labeled 'Cultural Dominance', supported on the back of an oppressed person labeled 'the family'. I believe that you would call it hate speech, and decry it as an attempt to provoke violence. The thing is, we Catholics remember the role your institution played, along with the Times in provoking the Black Monday Riots, which saw mobs bent on burning down Catholic Churches storming through Louisville. We remember your anti-Catholic roots. And may of us think that with the passage of time you have reverted.
Far from being a voice of tolerance and inclusion, you gleefully practice the last acceptable prejudice in America, and actively promote discrimination and hate against Catholics.
As a matter of longstanding record, you are the paper of religious bigotry.
*The Only Game In Town
If nothing else, you are consistent. I am referring to your editorial cartoon in the Thursday, November 18 issue in which you depict the Archbishop of Louisville ascending a stairway labeled 'Catholic leadership', that same staircase being supported on the back of an oppressed looking person labeled 'Gays'. This cartoon is reminiscent of the Naste cartoons, noted for their Anti-Catholicism. In fact, it puts me in mind of the notorious cartoon 'American Ganges' in it's use of a bishops mitre as a symbol of oppression.
As I said, you are consistent. You have published many cartoons over the last year, attacking Archbishop Kurtz, and through attacks on his person, the Catholic Church. You have given much coverage to any dissenting group, to include Priests who have defected front he priesthood to attempt marriage and to form their own "churches", while declining to cover a good many events that would reflect well on the Church, or that would indicate that your editorial stance is less than universally accepted in this town.
You suffer from TOGIT* syndrome. As the only major newspaper in the City, you mistake economic and business conditions for a mandate to declare what is true.
Your (inaccurate) perception of Pro-Life sentiment as an exclusively Catholic concern has resulted in slanted coverage, to include implications of intimidation by those who pray in front of the abortion mill downtown. yet you have not reported on one single instance of intimidation or bullying against those activists, despite this being a regular occurrence!
But it is your editorial cartoons that are most offensive. Cartoons have long been recognized as effective tools of propaganda, and of popular agitation.
I wonder, what would your reaction be if someone were to publish a cartoon depicting a Gay Couple ascending a staircase labeled 'Cultural Dominance', supported on the back of an oppressed person labeled 'the family'. I believe that you would call it hate speech, and decry it as an attempt to provoke violence. The thing is, we Catholics remember the role your institution played, along with the Times in provoking the Black Monday Riots, which saw mobs bent on burning down Catholic Churches storming through Louisville. We remember your anti-Catholic roots. And may of us think that with the passage of time you have reverted.
Far from being a voice of tolerance and inclusion, you gleefully practice the last acceptable prejudice in America, and actively promote discrimination and hate against Catholics.
As a matter of longstanding record, you are the paper of religious bigotry.
*The Only Game In Town
Are We Catholics Waking Up?
I think the long period of somnolence that has afflicted the Church in the united States is coming to an end. part of it is the leadership of His Holiness, and the effect it has had on the minds of Catholics who think that the faith should be more than a pseudo-ethnic identity.
And part of it has been the gradual wresting of the American hierarchy from the control of the Modernists.
Bu there are signs, signs of an impending "springtime". Many of these signs are being misinterpreted by various factions, but taken together, they do add up to a change that is long overdue.
Of course, we have the election of the new USCCB President and Vice President, but there are more signs than that.
The Conference voted this week to undertake a review of how well or poorly Ex Corde Ecclesiae has been implemented. This comes in the wake of major Catholic universities flouting their duty, as Catholic institutions, to protect and promote the faith. The people running these institutions should be thinking hard now, about how to comply. (I don't think they will--I think they feel themselves to be unassailable. And that will continue until a major school gets declared to be Non-Catholic.) I hope that these institutions do reign themselves in, and return to their Catholic identity. I don't want to see them become formally Non-Catholic, that does nothing for anyone. I want to see them become faithful once again. i think the Bishops share this concern, but I hope that this review means that they are preparing to enforce it, if the Institutions fail to reform themselves.
At the same time the fight over the Catholic Campaign for Human Development encourages me. Yes, I am aware of the set back in Chicago, but consider this:for forty years, there was no real effort to control the CCHD or debate about it's roll. I am particularly heartened by Bishop Morin's address to the USCCB, in which he stated that the campaign will give priority to Catholic identity and institutions, to pastors and parishioners, in it's activities. This is an indicator that the Bishops are becoming more proactive in their leadership, and less likely to delagate responsibilities to cliques and factions of lay bureaucrats and functionaries. It's a beginning.
Another thing I see as hopeful is a return to Catholic spirituality. Bishops and priests are less willing to support faddish spiritual practices and movements. The number of Parishes offering Holy Hours, Benediction, Eucharistic Adoration, Novenas and other traditional practices is increasing. Pope Benedict has noticed and commented on it. It's not just a local or regional trend, it's global. People are noticing something else--Churches, Oratories and Religious Houses that offer worship conducted to a high standard of Ars Celebrandi are attracting people from wide areas, who sometimes travel for hours to attend. People are rediscovering the richness of our Traditions. This applies to both the Extraordinary Form, and to the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. With this rediscovery of out liturgical patrimony comes a rediscovery of our spirituality.
And we are renewing our awareness of and commitment to spiritual warfare. It came out last month, I guess, that there were about a half a dozen exorcists in the United States. This month, there has been a training session to begin the process of training men for this ministry in Baltimore. It had 50 bishops and 60 priest registered. Out presbyters and bishops are waking up to the reality that our problems are not merely political and social, but the product of spiritual warfare. The pro-life movement, especially Forty Days for Life has been an important contributor to this, with their practice of prayer and fasting, which for the two years i have been paying attention to their activities, has always born good fruit. We are re-learning the basics, the nuts and bolts, of living our faith.
(As a personal aside, I was gratified that Bishop Paprocki of Springfield,IL addressed Harry Potter in specific, and fantasy movies in general, in relationship to occult activities. He said, rightly I think, that the greater danger lies in being isolated from the faith; that people who are grounded in Christ do not experience this temptation. He also pointed out that parents should teach their kids that fantasy is not real. Being grounded in Christ is our surest defense against evil. BTW, Bishop Paprocki's comments came at the end of the conference mentioned above.)
Not that all is clear sailing and sunny days. Dissidents in the Church are outraged. NCAN, that collection of elderly activists sisters has complained loudly that the Fall meeting of the Bishops did nothing to combat 'anti-gay' bullying. Father Richard Vega of Los Angeles has dissed training exorcists, wondering why we would bother. (It's also interesting that he said demand might pick up, for this 'service' with the influx of Latin and African immigrants--as if he thought that these people were superstitious or fearful--no bigotry there!) Call to Action, Dignity USA and SNAP have all chimed in about how horrible it is that the USCCB has a moderate President, and that the Church is moving back towards a stronger expression of Catholic Identity. Well, i like this development a lot. To be blunt--you can only measure the effectiveness of reform efforts by their engendering of opposition. To see these groups upset, and to hear their complaints tells us that we are indeed making progress. I am tempted here to put in a line I read in a piece by Jack Kenny: "Years a Bishop in England noted ruefully that wherever Saint Paul went there was either a revival or a riot. 'Wherever I go, they serve tea', he said." let's hope our bishops have grown weary of tea.
To use the springtime metaphor, it feels like March to me. Yes, there is till damp and cold, and I'm not seeing a lot of leaves or flowers yet. But you can sense the budding and the shoots pressing upward. Yes, we can still have a killing frost. Yes, there will be the equinox storms. but we can feel assured that spring time will come. For this is the Church Christ Founded, built upon the rock, and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.
And part of it has been the gradual wresting of the American hierarchy from the control of the Modernists.
Bu there are signs, signs of an impending "springtime". Many of these signs are being misinterpreted by various factions, but taken together, they do add up to a change that is long overdue.
Of course, we have the election of the new USCCB President and Vice President, but there are more signs than that.
The Conference voted this week to undertake a review of how well or poorly Ex Corde Ecclesiae has been implemented. This comes in the wake of major Catholic universities flouting their duty, as Catholic institutions, to protect and promote the faith. The people running these institutions should be thinking hard now, about how to comply. (I don't think they will--I think they feel themselves to be unassailable. And that will continue until a major school gets declared to be Non-Catholic.) I hope that these institutions do reign themselves in, and return to their Catholic identity. I don't want to see them become formally Non-Catholic, that does nothing for anyone. I want to see them become faithful once again. i think the Bishops share this concern, but I hope that this review means that they are preparing to enforce it, if the Institutions fail to reform themselves.
At the same time the fight over the Catholic Campaign for Human Development encourages me. Yes, I am aware of the set back in Chicago, but consider this:for forty years, there was no real effort to control the CCHD or debate about it's roll. I am particularly heartened by Bishop Morin's address to the USCCB, in which he stated that the campaign will give priority to Catholic identity and institutions, to pastors and parishioners, in it's activities. This is an indicator that the Bishops are becoming more proactive in their leadership, and less likely to delagate responsibilities to cliques and factions of lay bureaucrats and functionaries. It's a beginning.
Another thing I see as hopeful is a return to Catholic spirituality. Bishops and priests are less willing to support faddish spiritual practices and movements. The number of Parishes offering Holy Hours, Benediction, Eucharistic Adoration, Novenas and other traditional practices is increasing. Pope Benedict has noticed and commented on it. It's not just a local or regional trend, it's global. People are noticing something else--Churches, Oratories and Religious Houses that offer worship conducted to a high standard of Ars Celebrandi are attracting people from wide areas, who sometimes travel for hours to attend. People are rediscovering the richness of our Traditions. This applies to both the Extraordinary Form, and to the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite. With this rediscovery of out liturgical patrimony comes a rediscovery of our spirituality.
And we are renewing our awareness of and commitment to spiritual warfare. It came out last month, I guess, that there were about a half a dozen exorcists in the United States. This month, there has been a training session to begin the process of training men for this ministry in Baltimore. It had 50 bishops and 60 priest registered. Out presbyters and bishops are waking up to the reality that our problems are not merely political and social, but the product of spiritual warfare. The pro-life movement, especially Forty Days for Life has been an important contributor to this, with their practice of prayer and fasting, which for the two years i have been paying attention to their activities, has always born good fruit. We are re-learning the basics, the nuts and bolts, of living our faith.
(As a personal aside, I was gratified that Bishop Paprocki of Springfield,IL addressed Harry Potter in specific, and fantasy movies in general, in relationship to occult activities. He said, rightly I think, that the greater danger lies in being isolated from the faith; that people who are grounded in Christ do not experience this temptation. He also pointed out that parents should teach their kids that fantasy is not real. Being grounded in Christ is our surest defense against evil. BTW, Bishop Paprocki's comments came at the end of the conference mentioned above.)
Not that all is clear sailing and sunny days. Dissidents in the Church are outraged. NCAN, that collection of elderly activists sisters has complained loudly that the Fall meeting of the Bishops did nothing to combat 'anti-gay' bullying. Father Richard Vega of Los Angeles has dissed training exorcists, wondering why we would bother. (It's also interesting that he said demand might pick up, for this 'service' with the influx of Latin and African immigrants--as if he thought that these people were superstitious or fearful--no bigotry there!) Call to Action, Dignity USA and SNAP have all chimed in about how horrible it is that the USCCB has a moderate President, and that the Church is moving back towards a stronger expression of Catholic Identity. Well, i like this development a lot. To be blunt--you can only measure the effectiveness of reform efforts by their engendering of opposition. To see these groups upset, and to hear their complaints tells us that we are indeed making progress. I am tempted here to put in a line I read in a piece by Jack Kenny: "Years a Bishop in England noted ruefully that wherever Saint Paul went there was either a revival or a riot. 'Wherever I go, they serve tea', he said." let's hope our bishops have grown weary of tea.
To use the springtime metaphor, it feels like March to me. Yes, there is till damp and cold, and I'm not seeing a lot of leaves or flowers yet. But you can sense the budding and the shoots pressing upward. Yes, we can still have a killing frost. Yes, there will be the equinox storms. but we can feel assured that spring time will come. For this is the Church Christ Founded, built upon the rock, and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.
Nobody Learned a Da**ed Thing
Well, I've been watching our Congressional Overlords, and it's clear to me that they haven't learned a thing from the election.
The House leadership survived intact, they simply changed places. The same poltroons who've been leading the Republicans and the Democrats are still leading the republicans and Democrats. The Democratic leadership didn't understand that the change in the make-up of the House of Representatives was in part a rejection by the center of their leadership policies and style. And the Republican leadership seems not to have caught on that the TEA Party candidates are as much a repudiation of their policies and leadership as that of the Democrats.
The Republicans tried to dodge the idea of spending caps and an end to earmarks, but belatedly had to get on board when they realized that the electorate wants spending and the deficit controlled. But their support for these things is both halfhearted and late, and I don't expect them to make good on their word.
In short, I think they're lying to us, again.
Right now, the Democrats are trying very hard to get some last minute things rammed through congress during the lame duck session. They know they won't be able to after January. Among the things they want to get through while they can--after the electorate more or less said "STOP"--are the laws concerning "Don't Ask--Don't Tell", and a new START treaty with Russia. my opinion of these two things is unimportant. What is important is the fact they are trying to ram them through while they think they can. Incumbents would do well to realize--especially in the Senate, that the people are watching and this looks like an attempt to further an agenda already rejected by the voters.
The things I read in the press and on the 'net are interesting too, and support my thesis that nobody learned anything from this election. The progressives are trying very hard to place blame for their losses, on anything or anyone but themselves. They took an election that was largely about war weariness and the ineffectual administration of the Bush years, and decided it meant that the nation wanted a form of Social Democracy that it doesn't, and cant afford. But they cannot admit that they misjudged the electorate. Instead, they seek to place blame on fund raising, Bloggers, Talk Radio, anything that seemed to be opposed to them. most of all they cannot see that their contempt for the masses, especially those who are not progressive, contributed mightily to their problems.
This contempt is one of the most important ingredients of all in this mix. In the local press I seen many, many editorials and letters, usually from progressives, decrying the ignorance and evil intentions of conservatives. The editorial cartoons are particularly galling, for they almost invariably depict conservatives as ignorant, narrow minded, often portrayed as micro cephalic, inbreed or as religious fanatics. In short, even though the regional electorate spoke quite decisively against the progressive agenda, the self appointed intellectual elite can only attribute this to our short comings as human beings
The cover of Mother Jones has a cartoon that depicts a bimboized Sarah Palin as the 50 foot woman leading the "Attack of the Middle Class" with the sub header of "They're back, and they're after your money". Odd, I thought most middle income Americans were trying to preserve their own money. Moreover, the connotation of class warfare and the idea that what some have earned should be given to some who haven't earned is frightening to many people.
The Machine Republicans are not above this either, hinting that they know how to run the process, and that the newcomers should simply fall into line and vote as they are told.
So neither party has learned, not in their leadership, what some of the implications of the recent election are. And the progressive press hasn't quite figured out that we aren't listening any more, because why should we listen to those who insult and disrespect us. If the two main parties are trying to erect a viable and aggressive third party, they seem to be finding an effective way to do so.
It's time to look at history. It's time in fact, to look at the Jacquerie, the peasant revolt of the 14th century. The one thing that was consistent, from region to region, in every list of grievance recorded, was the contempt in which the common man was held. Congress would do well to remember that fact, and the fact that the patience of the people is not infinite in the face of poor leadership and bad judgement. It would also be good for our leaders to remember the French Revolution, which was in part sparked by taxation to support a government that was rapidly bankrupting itself. The Tax Rate then was around--really, pay attention politicians--10%.
We are running out of patience. And when we finally decide that we can no longer obtain redress at the ballot box, it will indeed be ugly. I'm afraid of it, and what kind of government will result from it.
The House leadership survived intact, they simply changed places. The same poltroons who've been leading the Republicans and the Democrats are still leading the republicans and Democrats. The Democratic leadership didn't understand that the change in the make-up of the House of Representatives was in part a rejection by the center of their leadership policies and style. And the Republican leadership seems not to have caught on that the TEA Party candidates are as much a repudiation of their policies and leadership as that of the Democrats.
The Republicans tried to dodge the idea of spending caps and an end to earmarks, but belatedly had to get on board when they realized that the electorate wants spending and the deficit controlled. But their support for these things is both halfhearted and late, and I don't expect them to make good on their word.
In short, I think they're lying to us, again.
Right now, the Democrats are trying very hard to get some last minute things rammed through congress during the lame duck session. They know they won't be able to after January. Among the things they want to get through while they can--after the electorate more or less said "STOP"--are the laws concerning "Don't Ask--Don't Tell", and a new START treaty with Russia. my opinion of these two things is unimportant. What is important is the fact they are trying to ram them through while they think they can. Incumbents would do well to realize--especially in the Senate, that the people are watching and this looks like an attempt to further an agenda already rejected by the voters.
The things I read in the press and on the 'net are interesting too, and support my thesis that nobody learned anything from this election. The progressives are trying very hard to place blame for their losses, on anything or anyone but themselves. They took an election that was largely about war weariness and the ineffectual administration of the Bush years, and decided it meant that the nation wanted a form of Social Democracy that it doesn't, and cant afford. But they cannot admit that they misjudged the electorate. Instead, they seek to place blame on fund raising, Bloggers, Talk Radio, anything that seemed to be opposed to them. most of all they cannot see that their contempt for the masses, especially those who are not progressive, contributed mightily to their problems.
This contempt is one of the most important ingredients of all in this mix. In the local press I seen many, many editorials and letters, usually from progressives, decrying the ignorance and evil intentions of conservatives. The editorial cartoons are particularly galling, for they almost invariably depict conservatives as ignorant, narrow minded, often portrayed as micro cephalic, inbreed or as religious fanatics. In short, even though the regional electorate spoke quite decisively against the progressive agenda, the self appointed intellectual elite can only attribute this to our short comings as human beings
The cover of Mother Jones has a cartoon that depicts a bimboized Sarah Palin as the 50 foot woman leading the "Attack of the Middle Class" with the sub header of "They're back, and they're after your money". Odd, I thought most middle income Americans were trying to preserve their own money. Moreover, the connotation of class warfare and the idea that what some have earned should be given to some who haven't earned is frightening to many people.
The Machine Republicans are not above this either, hinting that they know how to run the process, and that the newcomers should simply fall into line and vote as they are told.
So neither party has learned, not in their leadership, what some of the implications of the recent election are. And the progressive press hasn't quite figured out that we aren't listening any more, because why should we listen to those who insult and disrespect us. If the two main parties are trying to erect a viable and aggressive third party, they seem to be finding an effective way to do so.
It's time to look at history. It's time in fact, to look at the Jacquerie, the peasant revolt of the 14th century. The one thing that was consistent, from region to region, in every list of grievance recorded, was the contempt in which the common man was held. Congress would do well to remember that fact, and the fact that the patience of the people is not infinite in the face of poor leadership and bad judgement. It would also be good for our leaders to remember the French Revolution, which was in part sparked by taxation to support a government that was rapidly bankrupting itself. The Tax Rate then was around--really, pay attention politicians--10%.
We are running out of patience. And when we finally decide that we can no longer obtain redress at the ballot box, it will indeed be ugly. I'm afraid of it, and what kind of government will result from it.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Things I haven't had much time to think about, but that attracted my attention.
Free Speech,but not for Catholics: In Holland, Mariska Orban de Hass has received hundreds of threats, including death threats for a letter she wrote to the Katholeik Nieuwsblad in which she asked a Dutch Parliamentarian to reconsider her stand on abortion. The letter was occasioned by the MPs characterization of a letter she received from Bishop Everard de Jong, (which contained a plastic model of a human foetus at the average age of abortion in the Netherlands) as disgusting. Ms. de Hass pointed out that both she and the MP had suffered miscarriages at about that point in prenatal development, and that those models looked substantially like the children they lost, and that the children killed by abortion are "exactly the same as the mysterious little lives we carried expectantly within us." Ms. de Hass has publicly apologized for her letter (why?) yet the deluge of hate hasn't stopped. A French journalist estimates that de Hass has generated 350K responses. At least ten of the responses have included threats of torture. Numerous images of de Hass have been posted to the Internet, distorting her face to make her appear to be a devil, or otherwise grotesque. Ms. de Hass said "I've previously pushed the boundaries as a journalist, in various subjects, but I've never had this kind of reaction... . I hear many liberals say that free speech is so important, but if you have Catholic views it's obviously different."
Younger British women are less comfortable with sleeping around than older: Interestingly enough, it's women in forties, in the UK, who are most comfortable with one night stands, with 3/4s of those reporting engaging in one or more not having any qualms about them. In the women in their fifties, 1/3 or those reporting having one night stands are fine with them. But interestingly, among women in their twenties, regret is the highest. Interesting study results. I'd like to see the study repeated in the US.
Government Vs Entrepreneurship, micro scale: In New Castle NY, a town councilman came across two boys, aged 13, trying to earn extra cash by selling cupcakes, brownies and rice crispie treats. The council man found it very troublesome, after all, the boys hadn't spent the hundreds of dollars necessary to get all the permits from the various city agencies. So he called the cops on the kids. No Shit, the cops. I wonder what lessons in government and commerce these kids will take away from this.
Gay Bullying in Public School: In Brighton, MI, teacher Jay McDowell wore a Rainbow Flag 'anitbullying T-Shirt to class. Then, in class, he told a student to remove his belt buckle, which depicted a Confederate Battle Flag, which the teacher found objectionable. The student, instead of meekly complying asked how it was different from the teachers T-Shirt, stating that he didn't like gays, and found the shirt objectionable. The teacher told him he couldn't say that in class and threw him out. Brough-Ha-Ha ensued. But the outcome was correct--the teachers superiors found that he had deliberately worn a controversial T-Shirt to class, and picked a political fight with a student.
HPV shot for boys: There is brewing yet another argument about the HPV vaccine. This time, it's whether or not to give it to 'gay' boys. I now that there are lots of people who don't like this vaccine, who feel it facilitates sexual immorality. I don't think it does. But I'm wondering how on earth anybody would justify giving it to 'gay' boys and not to 'straight' boys. Look at the simple fact that around 50% of adult males have this virus, and that it can be communicated to their partners without having visible warts--microscopic warts will do just fine to spread this disease. If we are really serious about slowing or stopping the spread, we will give it all boys, and all girls, unless medically contraindicated. To me, it's a question of public health and disease prevention. Especially when one considers that a bit of drinking in college and Billy just might give a gift that can kill his wife to her years later and be none the wiser. If we object to this vaccine on moral grounds, first lets remember some of our own indiscretions, and second, remember that sexual intercourse isn't necessary to spread this disease--skin to skin contact will do it. If that doesn't do it, then remember this--when penicillin was first developed, it made effective treatment of syphilis and gonorrhea possible. And there was argument over whether these diseases should be treated with the new drug. Fast forward a bit, and look at the outrage and guilt we feel at the VD studies conducted on black men in the US, where we did not treat them once it was possible.
Give the boys the shot. All the boys. Do it for the Girls.
Younger British women are less comfortable with sleeping around than older: Interestingly enough, it's women in forties, in the UK, who are most comfortable with one night stands, with 3/4s of those reporting engaging in one or more not having any qualms about them. In the women in their fifties, 1/3 or those reporting having one night stands are fine with them. But interestingly, among women in their twenties, regret is the highest. Interesting study results. I'd like to see the study repeated in the US.
Government Vs Entrepreneurship, micro scale: In New Castle NY, a town councilman came across two boys, aged 13, trying to earn extra cash by selling cupcakes, brownies and rice crispie treats. The council man found it very troublesome, after all, the boys hadn't spent the hundreds of dollars necessary to get all the permits from the various city agencies. So he called the cops on the kids. No Shit, the cops. I wonder what lessons in government and commerce these kids will take away from this.
Gay Bullying in Public School: In Brighton, MI, teacher Jay McDowell wore a Rainbow Flag 'anitbullying T-Shirt to class. Then, in class, he told a student to remove his belt buckle, which depicted a Confederate Battle Flag, which the teacher found objectionable. The student, instead of meekly complying asked how it was different from the teachers T-Shirt, stating that he didn't like gays, and found the shirt objectionable. The teacher told him he couldn't say that in class and threw him out. Brough-Ha-Ha ensued. But the outcome was correct--the teachers superiors found that he had deliberately worn a controversial T-Shirt to class, and picked a political fight with a student.
HPV shot for boys: There is brewing yet another argument about the HPV vaccine. This time, it's whether or not to give it to 'gay' boys. I now that there are lots of people who don't like this vaccine, who feel it facilitates sexual immorality. I don't think it does. But I'm wondering how on earth anybody would justify giving it to 'gay' boys and not to 'straight' boys. Look at the simple fact that around 50% of adult males have this virus, and that it can be communicated to their partners without having visible warts--microscopic warts will do just fine to spread this disease. If we are really serious about slowing or stopping the spread, we will give it all boys, and all girls, unless medically contraindicated. To me, it's a question of public health and disease prevention. Especially when one considers that a bit of drinking in college and Billy just might give a gift that can kill his wife to her years later and be none the wiser. If we object to this vaccine on moral grounds, first lets remember some of our own indiscretions, and second, remember that sexual intercourse isn't necessary to spread this disease--skin to skin contact will do it. If that doesn't do it, then remember this--when penicillin was first developed, it made effective treatment of syphilis and gonorrhea possible. And there was argument over whether these diseases should be treated with the new drug. Fast forward a bit, and look at the outrage and guilt we feel at the VD studies conducted on black men in the US, where we did not treat them once it was possible.
Give the boys the shot. All the boys. Do it for the Girls.
Twenty Years On
Ex Cord Ecclesia was issued in 1990. It's now toward the end of 2010. In twenty years, this documents main significance has been to point up that entrenched interests, the power of contributors, and the lackluster leadership of the American bishops can thwart the will of the Pope, and the healing of a running sore on the Mystical Body of Christ.
This document clearly states what it takes to be a Catholic Educational Institution, and directs bishops to be sure it is implemented. The intention was to put an end to the confusion of the Faithful, the distortion of Catholicism, and the outright teaching of heresy in Catholic Schools and Universities.
There have been a couple of small schools told that they are no longer Catholic Institutions, but by and large the enforcement of this document, and of the norms for Catholic Institutions has been marked by extreme neglect, to the point of negligence, or even collusion.
The signal that has been sent is that if you are a big enough institution, the Bishops are afraid of you.
Of course, the most visible instance has been that of Notre Dame giving an honorary degree to Barack Obama. It is a clearly stated norm that Catholic Schools will not grant honors to those who promote or further the cause of abortion, and Barack Obama is the most pro-abortion president we have ever had. This caused no little consternation, and Bishops all over the country denounced the action. Yet Notre Dame remains a "Catholic Institution in Good Standing".
Now Georgetown, our countries oldest "Catholic" university is considering "gender blind" housing, in an attempt to be more accommodating and lead to a "...more accepting atmosphere for LGBTQ students."
It's passed time for the Big Catholic Schools to get passes on this sort of thing.
Now one can argue that Notre Dame didn't get a pass on the Obama affair--the impact on it's fundraising was severe enough to result in a large budget shortfall, and the same may occur with Georgetown if they in fact do this. But that's not enough. Not nearly enough.
The fact that they are even open to considering this move is proof that they have abandoned anything but the merest minimum of words in support of Catholic Teaching. Actions speak so much louder than words that they may as well scream.
So twenty years on, it's time for the Archbishop of Washington to do his duty, and declare Georgetown a Non-Catholic Institution. That would do a lot. One, it would clear out a canker of heresy and moral relativism that masquerades as part of the church. Two, it would show that even the largest and most prestigious Universities are not above the Magisterium, or exempt from Magisterial Teaching. And three, it would show that the US Bishops are serious about Catholic Identity and Teaching, and that their loyalty to the Pope is more than mere words.
This document clearly states what it takes to be a Catholic Educational Institution, and directs bishops to be sure it is implemented. The intention was to put an end to the confusion of the Faithful, the distortion of Catholicism, and the outright teaching of heresy in Catholic Schools and Universities.
There have been a couple of small schools told that they are no longer Catholic Institutions, but by and large the enforcement of this document, and of the norms for Catholic Institutions has been marked by extreme neglect, to the point of negligence, or even collusion.
The signal that has been sent is that if you are a big enough institution, the Bishops are afraid of you.
Of course, the most visible instance has been that of Notre Dame giving an honorary degree to Barack Obama. It is a clearly stated norm that Catholic Schools will not grant honors to those who promote or further the cause of abortion, and Barack Obama is the most pro-abortion president we have ever had. This caused no little consternation, and Bishops all over the country denounced the action. Yet Notre Dame remains a "Catholic Institution in Good Standing".
Now Georgetown, our countries oldest "Catholic" university is considering "gender blind" housing, in an attempt to be more accommodating and lead to a "...more accepting atmosphere for LGBTQ students."
It's passed time for the Big Catholic Schools to get passes on this sort of thing.
Now one can argue that Notre Dame didn't get a pass on the Obama affair--the impact on it's fundraising was severe enough to result in a large budget shortfall, and the same may occur with Georgetown if they in fact do this. But that's not enough. Not nearly enough.
The fact that they are even open to considering this move is proof that they have abandoned anything but the merest minimum of words in support of Catholic Teaching. Actions speak so much louder than words that they may as well scream.
So twenty years on, it's time for the Archbishop of Washington to do his duty, and declare Georgetown a Non-Catholic Institution. That would do a lot. One, it would clear out a canker of heresy and moral relativism that masquerades as part of the church. Two, it would show that even the largest and most prestigious Universities are not above the Magisterium, or exempt from Magisterial Teaching. And three, it would show that the US Bishops are serious about Catholic Identity and Teaching, and that their loyalty to the Pope is more than mere words.
Do I Call This Post "A Remarkable Concatenation of Events" or 'Bishops, American and Generic"
If you are not aware by now that Bishop Kicanis, in a break with the practice of the last 50 years, has not been elected to the presidency of the USCCB, you are either not Catholic, or are trying very hard to avoid thinking about the USCCB. (The first position is between you and the Holy Spirit, the second is completely understandable.)
Since this is a break with practice and custom, the chattering classes* are all over it.
The AP has been in on the reporting, for that matter so has our local TV station, since Archbishop Kurtz is now the Vice President of the Conference. USA Today has chimed in. it's apparently a big deal, and I'll talk about that. But there are other Bishop Related things going on as well, and they reflect on this issue too.
The first thing that came to my mind when thinking about the election of the USCCB President and Vice President was the remarks his holiness made to the Brazilian Bishops making their Ad Limina visits last week.
He cautioned them about Bishops Conferences, saying that such conferences "...must avoid becoming a parallel reality or substituting for the ministry of each individual bishop." The stress, in Canon Law and Traditional Ecclesiology is on the ministry and authority of the individual bishop, in his own diocese. That's an important thing to stress these days, and has a direct bearing on the USCCB.
It wasn't very long ago-IIRC less than two years, that a lay functionary in the USCCB called for "fraternal correction" to be applied by the conference to the Bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska. That went over like a lead balloon. Bishop Bruskewitz came out and publicly pointed out a couple of items that the Lay Bureaucrats at the USCCB don't want to acknowledge, and want to circumvent. Namely, that the Conference has no canonical authority over individual bishops--that resides with the Holy See. Secondly, that the policy he was not implementing was one that could be shown to violate Catholic Teaching on the latency period of sexual development. Thirdly, that his was the only Diocese in the US that was unscathed by the cover up of sexual abuse, and had the lowest abuse rate in the country. Fourth, that the attempt was based, not in concern for the children, but in a desire to discredit his episcopal ministry, while he had the only diocese without a clergy shortage, that wasn't racked with division and heresy, and that had a religious education program completely in accordance with the teachings of the Church. A fine illustration of what can happen when a national conference forgets in real role.
It was, in effect, a national conference of bishops that voted themselves into the Anglican Schism, with the exception of St. John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr. It was national groups and and synods of bishops that voted themselves in schism and heresy when they rejected the Council of Chalcedon, resulting in the Oriental Orthodox Churches, as well as the earlier Nestorian Churches. The move over time to place authority over bishops in the exclusive hands of the Roman Pontiff was the care and action of the Holy Spirit, working to ensure the continuance of the Church that Christ Founded.
That was the thrust of the remarks made by Francis Cardinal George at the opening of the USCCBs general meeting this week. The outgoing President of the Conference pointed out that the people who speak for the Catholic Church are "The Bishops in Apostolic Communion and in union with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome, speak for the Church in matters of Faith and Moral issues, and the laws surrounding them."
This was a direct slap at Sr. Carol Keehan of the Catholic Health Association, and the sisters of Network, who worked very hard to undermine the Bishops teaching concerning Obamacare and Abortion. Cardinal George also addressed challenges to unity within the Church, referencing "..those who want to remake the Church according to their own designs, or discredit her as a voice n the public discussions that shape our society." Cardinal George pointed out that we should not fear being politically isolated, and reminded us of our Brothers and Sisters in Iraq, who are suffering martyrdom. He made very clear what our duty is, and the price we should be ready to pay in following out duty. (Just to be pedantic and snarky, I will point out that the word 'piety' is related to the word for 'duty'.)
These were powerful words, that have a direct bearing on the outcome of the Bishops vote for who would be the USCCB president for the next three years. It's a shame that more Catholics will not hear them. They should be read from the pulpits of all Churches in the Country--to include those Churches, Protestant and otherwise, not in communion with Rome. It would clear up a lot of misunderstanding where the teaching authority resides, and what the position of the Church actually is on a great many issues, for both Catholics and our Brothers and Sisters in Baptism. It would also put to rest the lie that many of these questions are under debate. They are not. Strong words for troubled times, and we should thank God for them.
Now the AP is presenting this election as a victory for 'Theological Conservatives". That is more an accurate indicator of the APs essential religious illiteracy than of the situation. Archbishop Dolan is not a conservative, either theologically, liturgically or politically. He is a moderate. His incoming Vice President, Archbishop Kurtz is also a moderate. I am not moderate. I am theologically, politically and liturgically conservative, and when I say they're not, they're not. Kicanis wasn't elected, but conservatives are not exactly dancing in the streets over Dolan. This hasn't been a triumph for conservatives. But what it has been is a defeat--a narrow defeat--for a particular view in the American Hierarchy. The majority of Bishops, a slim majority, have voted to discredit the notion of 'The Seamless Garment".
This notion was put forth by Cardinal Bernardin, a saint to Modernists, modernizers and the Social Justice faction that sees the Gospel as a political rather than a spiritual thing, and an outright disaster, amoral opportunist and hypocrite to the Traditionalist, the Ultramontane, and those who see the Gsopel first as a call to repentance and holiness. I will not pass judgement on Cardinal Bernardin, it would both be sinful and exceeding my station to do so.
Bishops Kicanis was a protege of Cdl. Bernardin, one of his last still active in the Episcopate. And he was a proponent of the seamless garment approach to social and moral teaching. This approach has one vital flaw--it disregards the idea of 'A hierarchy of Truth'. This hierarchy of truth does not imply that some things are more true than others. Rather, it points out that some things are more important than others; while all are of importance, and all are true, some need action more urgently and more vigorously.
The stock of the 'Seamless Garment' is falling, and has been falling for a while. Part of it's decline has been the application of the the scriptural test, 'By their Fruits you shall know them". The seamless garment hasn't born much good fruit, but has born confusion, moral uncertainty and division. Another part of it's decline has been the fall of it's most powerful proponents. Some of the most outspoken supporters of this approach have been gored by the Sexual Abuse Crisis. It's most outspoken proponent, Rembert Weakland, not only was severely compromised by his actions vis a vis priests preying on adolescent boys, but was himself compromised when it became public knowledge that he had spent nearly a half a million dollars of Church money on silencing his catamite. The seamless garment began to look less like a viable approach than like a way to excuse ignoring important facts. Another blow was the faithful laity finally looking at how the money they contributed to the CCHD (Come on! if you are a regular reader, you knew the CCHD would come into this at some point!) was being spent, and wondering why it was going to groups that either directly contradicted Catholic Teaching, or which by partnership or alliance facilitated the work of groups who did.
Archbishops Dolan and Kurtz have been outspoken, in two areas especially: The defense of Human life, and the Defense of Marriage. This is another thing that this election is about. Not "conservative versus liberal" but about clear, outspoken defense of the baiscs of Christian Culture. The Bishops of the United States have chosen to make it clear, that in the hierarchy of truth, two things stand out for a just society: you cannot recieve justice in any form if you have been murdered in your mother womb, and a society is an ediface erected of the bricks of the family. Without life and family, justice is impossible.
One of the secular media outlets was screaming that Dolan had "Bashed" Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden. That's another important aspect of this election. Abp. Dolan did not 'bash" either politician, rather, he pointed out--rightly--that waht they were touting as Catholic theology was not, and that neither of them was qualified in any way to try to teach these things. In short, The bishops elected not only Abp Dolan, but to have courageous and outspoken defense of life, marriage and Catholic Teaching.
As to who lost this election, I think I'll put in my two cents worth. Of course, this is my opnion. But I would say that the largest losers were the Catholic health Association (which is made up of administrators, not health care professionals) Network, (an organization of Nuns who really no longer believe in Catholicism, put have transfered their faith to politics) and NCAN (a group not unlike Network, but that is at this point moribund), Those who have been going along, "no longer in communion with the Church, but physically present", as one Vatican prelate said, are seeing that their protectors and status are fading. I expect, seriously, for the push to create an "American Catholic Church" will accelerate, as the dissenters look around and find themselves with less and less influence.
And that may be the real issue in this election.
A final observation: I do not see this as so much a result of politics, but of the work of the Holy Spirit. We Catholics sometimes place on the back burner a particular item of faith--that the Popes election is guided by the Holy Spirit. The Episcopal appointments in the US since 1988 have been shifting the American hierarchy, and we should remember that those appointments were wrested from the hands of a clique that opposed His Holiness John Paul II in 1988, and the trend has continues under Benedict XVI. I see this as evidence of the love and care for the Church that our Lord holds, and his protection through the actions of the Holy Spirit.
*Having a Blog may well make me apart of the "Chattering Class". but I'll never admit it. Not privately, not publicly, and certainly not on my Blog, not even in a foot note!
Since this is a break with practice and custom, the chattering classes* are all over it.
The AP has been in on the reporting, for that matter so has our local TV station, since Archbishop Kurtz is now the Vice President of the Conference. USA Today has chimed in. it's apparently a big deal, and I'll talk about that. But there are other Bishop Related things going on as well, and they reflect on this issue too.
The first thing that came to my mind when thinking about the election of the USCCB President and Vice President was the remarks his holiness made to the Brazilian Bishops making their Ad Limina visits last week.
He cautioned them about Bishops Conferences, saying that such conferences "...must avoid becoming a parallel reality or substituting for the ministry of each individual bishop." The stress, in Canon Law and Traditional Ecclesiology is on the ministry and authority of the individual bishop, in his own diocese. That's an important thing to stress these days, and has a direct bearing on the USCCB.
It wasn't very long ago-IIRC less than two years, that a lay functionary in the USCCB called for "fraternal correction" to be applied by the conference to the Bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska. That went over like a lead balloon. Bishop Bruskewitz came out and publicly pointed out a couple of items that the Lay Bureaucrats at the USCCB don't want to acknowledge, and want to circumvent. Namely, that the Conference has no canonical authority over individual bishops--that resides with the Holy See. Secondly, that the policy he was not implementing was one that could be shown to violate Catholic Teaching on the latency period of sexual development. Thirdly, that his was the only Diocese in the US that was unscathed by the cover up of sexual abuse, and had the lowest abuse rate in the country. Fourth, that the attempt was based, not in concern for the children, but in a desire to discredit his episcopal ministry, while he had the only diocese without a clergy shortage, that wasn't racked with division and heresy, and that had a religious education program completely in accordance with the teachings of the Church. A fine illustration of what can happen when a national conference forgets in real role.
It was, in effect, a national conference of bishops that voted themselves into the Anglican Schism, with the exception of St. John Fisher, Bishop and Martyr. It was national groups and and synods of bishops that voted themselves in schism and heresy when they rejected the Council of Chalcedon, resulting in the Oriental Orthodox Churches, as well as the earlier Nestorian Churches. The move over time to place authority over bishops in the exclusive hands of the Roman Pontiff was the care and action of the Holy Spirit, working to ensure the continuance of the Church that Christ Founded.
That was the thrust of the remarks made by Francis Cardinal George at the opening of the USCCBs general meeting this week. The outgoing President of the Conference pointed out that the people who speak for the Catholic Church are "The Bishops in Apostolic Communion and in union with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome, speak for the Church in matters of Faith and Moral issues, and the laws surrounding them."
This was a direct slap at Sr. Carol Keehan of the Catholic Health Association, and the sisters of Network, who worked very hard to undermine the Bishops teaching concerning Obamacare and Abortion. Cardinal George also addressed challenges to unity within the Church, referencing "..those who want to remake the Church according to their own designs, or discredit her as a voice n the public discussions that shape our society." Cardinal George pointed out that we should not fear being politically isolated, and reminded us of our Brothers and Sisters in Iraq, who are suffering martyrdom. He made very clear what our duty is, and the price we should be ready to pay in following out duty. (Just to be pedantic and snarky, I will point out that the word 'piety' is related to the word for 'duty'.)
These were powerful words, that have a direct bearing on the outcome of the Bishops vote for who would be the USCCB president for the next three years. It's a shame that more Catholics will not hear them. They should be read from the pulpits of all Churches in the Country--to include those Churches, Protestant and otherwise, not in communion with Rome. It would clear up a lot of misunderstanding where the teaching authority resides, and what the position of the Church actually is on a great many issues, for both Catholics and our Brothers and Sisters in Baptism. It would also put to rest the lie that many of these questions are under debate. They are not. Strong words for troubled times, and we should thank God for them.
Now the AP is presenting this election as a victory for 'Theological Conservatives". That is more an accurate indicator of the APs essential religious illiteracy than of the situation. Archbishop Dolan is not a conservative, either theologically, liturgically or politically. He is a moderate. His incoming Vice President, Archbishop Kurtz is also a moderate. I am not moderate. I am theologically, politically and liturgically conservative, and when I say they're not, they're not. Kicanis wasn't elected, but conservatives are not exactly dancing in the streets over Dolan. This hasn't been a triumph for conservatives. But what it has been is a defeat--a narrow defeat--for a particular view in the American Hierarchy. The majority of Bishops, a slim majority, have voted to discredit the notion of 'The Seamless Garment".
This notion was put forth by Cardinal Bernardin, a saint to Modernists, modernizers and the Social Justice faction that sees the Gospel as a political rather than a spiritual thing, and an outright disaster, amoral opportunist and hypocrite to the Traditionalist, the Ultramontane, and those who see the Gsopel first as a call to repentance and holiness. I will not pass judgement on Cardinal Bernardin, it would both be sinful and exceeding my station to do so.
Bishops Kicanis was a protege of Cdl. Bernardin, one of his last still active in the Episcopate. And he was a proponent of the seamless garment approach to social and moral teaching. This approach has one vital flaw--it disregards the idea of 'A hierarchy of Truth'. This hierarchy of truth does not imply that some things are more true than others. Rather, it points out that some things are more important than others; while all are of importance, and all are true, some need action more urgently and more vigorously.
The stock of the 'Seamless Garment' is falling, and has been falling for a while. Part of it's decline has been the application of the the scriptural test, 'By their Fruits you shall know them". The seamless garment hasn't born much good fruit, but has born confusion, moral uncertainty and division. Another part of it's decline has been the fall of it's most powerful proponents. Some of the most outspoken supporters of this approach have been gored by the Sexual Abuse Crisis. It's most outspoken proponent, Rembert Weakland, not only was severely compromised by his actions vis a vis priests preying on adolescent boys, but was himself compromised when it became public knowledge that he had spent nearly a half a million dollars of Church money on silencing his catamite. The seamless garment began to look less like a viable approach than like a way to excuse ignoring important facts. Another blow was the faithful laity finally looking at how the money they contributed to the CCHD (Come on! if you are a regular reader, you knew the CCHD would come into this at some point!) was being spent, and wondering why it was going to groups that either directly contradicted Catholic Teaching, or which by partnership or alliance facilitated the work of groups who did.
Archbishops Dolan and Kurtz have been outspoken, in two areas especially: The defense of Human life, and the Defense of Marriage. This is another thing that this election is about. Not "conservative versus liberal" but about clear, outspoken defense of the baiscs of Christian Culture. The Bishops of the United States have chosen to make it clear, that in the hierarchy of truth, two things stand out for a just society: you cannot recieve justice in any form if you have been murdered in your mother womb, and a society is an ediface erected of the bricks of the family. Without life and family, justice is impossible.
One of the secular media outlets was screaming that Dolan had "Bashed" Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden. That's another important aspect of this election. Abp. Dolan did not 'bash" either politician, rather, he pointed out--rightly--that waht they were touting as Catholic theology was not, and that neither of them was qualified in any way to try to teach these things. In short, The bishops elected not only Abp Dolan, but to have courageous and outspoken defense of life, marriage and Catholic Teaching.
As to who lost this election, I think I'll put in my two cents worth. Of course, this is my opnion. But I would say that the largest losers were the Catholic health Association (which is made up of administrators, not health care professionals) Network, (an organization of Nuns who really no longer believe in Catholicism, put have transfered their faith to politics) and NCAN (a group not unlike Network, but that is at this point moribund), Those who have been going along, "no longer in communion with the Church, but physically present", as one Vatican prelate said, are seeing that their protectors and status are fading. I expect, seriously, for the push to create an "American Catholic Church" will accelerate, as the dissenters look around and find themselves with less and less influence.
And that may be the real issue in this election.
A final observation: I do not see this as so much a result of politics, but of the work of the Holy Spirit. We Catholics sometimes place on the back burner a particular item of faith--that the Popes election is guided by the Holy Spirit. The Episcopal appointments in the US since 1988 have been shifting the American hierarchy, and we should remember that those appointments were wrested from the hands of a clique that opposed His Holiness John Paul II in 1988, and the trend has continues under Benedict XVI. I see this as evidence of the love and care for the Church that our Lord holds, and his protection through the actions of the Holy Spirit.
*Having a Blog may well make me apart of the "Chattering Class". but I'll never admit it. Not privately, not publicly, and certainly not on my Blog, not even in a foot note!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
It's Raining!
Finally! Real Rain. We've been in a severe drought--by technical classification, not by my own perceptions--and it has been edging towards the category of exceptional drought, the worst category that the weather service has. We've gotten some drizzle, that has barely dampened the sidewalks, and when that bizarre and massive storm came through it produced some heavy rains, but it moved so fast that the rain was gone before it could do much. (The rain might have fallen at a rate of two inches an hour, but the front was moving a 80 miles per hour, so it didn't do much good.)
But it's been raining all morning, a gentle soaking rain. The ground here is so dry that I haven't seen any run off yet. Not even on the streets. It's hitting the ground and soaking in, and we are so far away from soil saturation that there isn't much worry about puddles or run off. We're supposed to get at least an inch of it, too!
I am very grateful to God, who gives all good things, for this rain!
We are not an area with a "dry climate"--we are considered a wet and humid temperate climate. So this has been hard on everything from crops to squirrels--hunting won't be good next year, that's for sure. Now here abouts we get about 60% of our annual rainfall in the winter months, with November replenishing the soil reserves from the dryer months of September and October, with the autumn rains beginning in late October. I hope this rain is a harbinger of the autumn rains, and the following winter rains.
I grew up running in the woods of Indiana, and I really feel an attachment of place to our Oak-Hickory forests. My 'environmentalism' isn't the pseudo religious creed of the Eco-Freaks, but i am concerned. I am even concerned about things like drought and the propagation of fertile nuts and seeds among out trees, and the survival of plant life after a drought. This is my home, and I like it. i don't want to see it all sere and brown, with accelerated erosion, and all that goes with it. I have been very worried about wildfires. Most of the State has lost it's forest cover, the more so as you go north. But south central Indiana is wooded to a large degree. A wild fire could be really nasty! The more so as the controls and fire service that the Forest Service had in place in the first half of the twentieth century are gone.
I am very grateful for this rain, and I am grateful for the Divine Providence, what ever he shall send us.
But it's been raining all morning, a gentle soaking rain. The ground here is so dry that I haven't seen any run off yet. Not even on the streets. It's hitting the ground and soaking in, and we are so far away from soil saturation that there isn't much worry about puddles or run off. We're supposed to get at least an inch of it, too!
I am very grateful to God, who gives all good things, for this rain!
We are not an area with a "dry climate"--we are considered a wet and humid temperate climate. So this has been hard on everything from crops to squirrels--hunting won't be good next year, that's for sure. Now here abouts we get about 60% of our annual rainfall in the winter months, with November replenishing the soil reserves from the dryer months of September and October, with the autumn rains beginning in late October. I hope this rain is a harbinger of the autumn rains, and the following winter rains.
I grew up running in the woods of Indiana, and I really feel an attachment of place to our Oak-Hickory forests. My 'environmentalism' isn't the pseudo religious creed of the Eco-Freaks, but i am concerned. I am even concerned about things like drought and the propagation of fertile nuts and seeds among out trees, and the survival of plant life after a drought. This is my home, and I like it. i don't want to see it all sere and brown, with accelerated erosion, and all that goes with it. I have been very worried about wildfires. Most of the State has lost it's forest cover, the more so as you go north. But south central Indiana is wooded to a large degree. A wild fire could be really nasty! The more so as the controls and fire service that the Forest Service had in place in the first half of the twentieth century are gone.
I am very grateful for this rain, and I am grateful for the Divine Providence, what ever he shall send us.
Monday, November 15, 2010
A Churchy Thing
1--The Rainbow Sash Movement is campaigning for the election of Bishop Kicanas to be elected to the presidency of the USCCB. OK--I asked people to write to their bishops urging him not to be elected. So I can't complain that others are working for other ends.
- But their little declaration! They avow that the bishops who are standing up for human dignity and life are trying to turn the people from President Obama, that they are Fundamentalists, and that they are trying to support the "TEA Party", which isn't now, and may never be, a political party.
- They also say that Kicanas' actions concerning sexually abusive priests are a red herring. Yeah, Right. The guy has retracted his sworn statements, changed his story and recommended that a man who he had been told had sexual relations with a juvenile be ordained. (He didn't believe the juvenile.) Considering that the GLBT movement has for thirty years lobbied for "reform" of the Age on Consent (they ain't trying to get it raised!) of course they support him.
BastardsPoorly informed in the faith, they can't see that they are not in fact practicing Catholics. (I am a practicing Catholic--I haven't got it right yet!) - Notice that they try to link Church teaching on morality to the political right. These people do not see a difference between politics and the Gospel. If you don't support their moral view on religious grounds, then you must be a TEA Partier. (NSFC--Notice that the only group on the left who doesn't refer to the TEA party people as Tea Baggers are the GLBT groups?)
- It's another reason why I hope the Bishops break wit their usual practice and don't elect him.
Do they even know what they're doing?
We're all aware by now of the need to conserve resources. We all know that we shouldn't be waisting or despoiling the planet. Of course, we all know we're not supposed to do a lot of things, but we do them anyway. That's why there are laws and regulations.
But in the environmental arena, there are self appointed watch dogs, government appointed watch dogs, rules regulations, laws, practices and fads. And among the fads are some really stupid miscarriages of good ideas. Like plastic water bottles. First, the marketing gurus noticed that people would pay for bottled water from springs and sources of high repute for taste, purity, or other supposed characteristics. So they jumped on the band wagon, touting the benefits of bottled water. The thing is, much of it was simply tap water sold with a fancy name--not better than what you got at the nearest faucet. No matter, it sold like hotcakes.
Fast forward, and disposable plastic water bottles have become a problem--they are taking up lots of space in landfills, and not getting recycled. So there is a backlash. And the backlash got to be fashionable, so that even the reusable plastic water bottles--like the ones we carry hiking, fishing etc, are now considered to be bad. To the point that on some college campuses, they are banned. In at least two instances I know of, fines are imposed and students required to buy stainless steel water bottles.
In another, even more interesting development, we have The Great Grocery Bag War. There was concern about the ecological impact of paper grocery bags, mostly concerning the production of dioxins in the paper making process, and the use of wood pulp, and hence logging, as a base material. So the move was on--use plastic! Why if chose paper instead of plastic (some of us can remember being given a choice, "Paper? Or Plastic?") it was tantamount to killing Bambi! Fast forward again, to more recent times, and suddenly people realized that plastic grocery bags didn't rot. And, they had this nasty tendency, being light, to blow on the wind, into the sea and suffocate sea life. Not really a good thing, actually.
So now Eco conscious people use reusable grocery bags, which are actually a good idea. Especially if one is smart enough to use some inexpensive fibre like jute or sisal. But that's not working out to well either. It seems that many reusable grocery bags, when worn out, are Hazardous Waste. No kidding.
It seems that who ever makes the Reusable Grocery Bags for Winn-Dixie and Publix have made them out of materials that contain a high level of lead. So when they hit the trash, under current regulations, they are hazardous waste. Notice, though, that they are not considered hazardous to put you groceries in. Apparently, there are new regulations in the pipe to correct this. But i have to say, What were they thinking?
There are lots of good ideas out there to improve the environment, reduce pollution, and ease the demand of scarce materials and overstressed resources. But somehow, when it comes to environmental questions, emotion simply devours reason, and we go heading off into strange little solutions that later prove as undesirable as the problems they were meant to solve. It simply raises the question--are the mavens of environmental salvation simply incompetent to the degree that they cannot think things through?
But in the environmental arena, there are self appointed watch dogs, government appointed watch dogs, rules regulations, laws, practices and fads. And among the fads are some really stupid miscarriages of good ideas. Like plastic water bottles. First, the marketing gurus noticed that people would pay for bottled water from springs and sources of high repute for taste, purity, or other supposed characteristics. So they jumped on the band wagon, touting the benefits of bottled water. The thing is, much of it was simply tap water sold with a fancy name--not better than what you got at the nearest faucet. No matter, it sold like hotcakes.
Fast forward, and disposable plastic water bottles have become a problem--they are taking up lots of space in landfills, and not getting recycled. So there is a backlash. And the backlash got to be fashionable, so that even the reusable plastic water bottles--like the ones we carry hiking, fishing etc, are now considered to be bad. To the point that on some college campuses, they are banned. In at least two instances I know of, fines are imposed and students required to buy stainless steel water bottles.
In another, even more interesting development, we have The Great Grocery Bag War. There was concern about the ecological impact of paper grocery bags, mostly concerning the production of dioxins in the paper making process, and the use of wood pulp, and hence logging, as a base material. So the move was on--use plastic! Why if chose paper instead of plastic (some of us can remember being given a choice, "Paper? Or Plastic?") it was tantamount to killing Bambi! Fast forward again, to more recent times, and suddenly people realized that plastic grocery bags didn't rot. And, they had this nasty tendency, being light, to blow on the wind, into the sea and suffocate sea life. Not really a good thing, actually.
So now Eco conscious people use reusable grocery bags, which are actually a good idea. Especially if one is smart enough to use some inexpensive fibre like jute or sisal. But that's not working out to well either. It seems that many reusable grocery bags, when worn out, are Hazardous Waste. No kidding.
It seems that who ever makes the Reusable Grocery Bags for Winn-Dixie and Publix have made them out of materials that contain a high level of lead. So when they hit the trash, under current regulations, they are hazardous waste. Notice, though, that they are not considered hazardous to put you groceries in. Apparently, there are new regulations in the pipe to correct this. But i have to say, What were they thinking?
There are lots of good ideas out there to improve the environment, reduce pollution, and ease the demand of scarce materials and overstressed resources. But somehow, when it comes to environmental questions, emotion simply devours reason, and we go heading off into strange little solutions that later prove as undesirable as the problems they were meant to solve. It simply raises the question--are the mavens of environmental salvation simply incompetent to the degree that they cannot think things through?
The Stupid Economy, Stupid!
In 1992, HUD required Bernie Mac And Fannie May to extend a much larger number of "sub prime" mortgages, and the housing bubble was born. This didn't occur in a political vacuum. It was response to a 1992 law that directed "affordable housing mandates" on the two lenders. In 1990, a very small fraction of home loans were made with less than a 3% down payment, in 2006 around 30% of all home loans had no down payment. Essentially, congress mandated an artificial change in the landscape of the real estate market, an exercise in command economy. And we now see the result: a huge economic disruption.
I'm trying to think of examples of where "command economy" succeeded. I can think of instances--individual things that worked--but never a "diktat" on the nature of the market. (In case you're interested, the two things I can think of off the top of my head that worked were the Panama Canal, and the TVA. I don't know enough about the TVA to comment too much, but one thing I know about the Panama Canal--it was to operate at no expense to the tax payers, and did so the entire time it was under US administration. That seemed to make a difference.) But for years now, Congress has been attempting to legislate the economy.
It's not working so well.
Notice something: I did not say the "Democrats", nor did I say the "Republicans". Neither the New Deal inspired policies of the Dems, nor the Mercatilist policies of the GOP have worked for us. And the Chickens are coming home to roost.
Right now we are looking int the future, on the BBC! Or even on American network news, although the home grown reporting isn't nearly as comprehensive. It's strikes that are crippling civil life in European countries, occasioned by the cutting of benefits and entitlements from governments that are on the verge of insolvency. Hold on to your hats, because it's coming soon, to a street corner near you.
John Allison, who was the CEO of BB&T for two decades has said that the bankruptcy of the United States is a "mathematical certainty", and to support this, he has looked into earnings, and debt. Essentially, the national debt is becoming insupperable. Considering that since 2001--yeah, the GOP deserve a good part of the credit!--has been increasing. And, for the last three years, a deficit of more than a trillion dollars has been racked up, each year. Currently, the debt sits at 13 trillion plus. If we keep the entitlements passed, especially in the last two years, it will go up to almost 62 trillion. Consider this: our debt now sits at 90% of the GDP.
I don't pretend to know much about economics--except for a deep belief in TANSTAAFL--but I do know that you can't legislate away the math. Mr. Allison's comments have credit with me for the simple reason that he was a member of a Financial Services Round Table that tried, for nine year--NINE YEARS!--to avert the disaster that was Freddie mac and Fannie May. It's interesting that he isn't afraid to name names. particularly Barney Frank, Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, and Chris Dodd Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, to whom he and his colleagues presented their analysis indicating that unless changes were made, those two Federally supported lenders would go under, in a big way. He said "...they wouldn't see it...". That's important. Not couldn't, wouldn't. They refused to see the facts.
The problem isn't difficult to see: The problem is bread and circuses. Party politics in America has degenerated into it's own end. As long as Congress can court it's "constituencies", and parties their "base" by attempting to legislate economic fact, we're screwed.
The 'Quantitative Easing' strategy is just more of the same, and will add inflationary pressure. It amounts, in the end, to simply printing more money. It's another attempt to redefine reality by fiat.
And speaking of inflationary pressure, have you noticed yet? Here's an example, Walmart has discontinued it's "Rollback" of prices. The reason is simple--Walmart deals in large amounts of imported goods, and the value of the dollar is declining sharply. It's not so much that the good are worth more, it's that the dollar is worth less. And take your morning coffee--in the last month, the commodity price of sugar has risen by 51%. Corn, rice and wheat by over 40%. Get ready, her it comes. I remember the late 70s--under Carter--when we had annual inflation of 18%--it ain't pretty.
Right now, Our governments tinkering with the economy is like deciding that it would be good to pass laws or regulations that declared Pi to equal 3, so to improve math grades. It's a rash of stupidity.
Closing this out, I'll quote Bob Heinlein--who may have stolen this--"Democracy endures until the plebeians realize they can vote themselves funds from the public treasury". I've griped about both parties, and Congress, in this post. But this is America, where in the words of Lincoln, we have "...Government of the People, For the People, By the people". We did this to ourselves by voting like witless fools for which ever pied piper played the tune we liked.
Stupid is as Stupid Does.
I'm trying to think of examples of where "command economy" succeeded. I can think of instances--individual things that worked--but never a "diktat" on the nature of the market. (In case you're interested, the two things I can think of off the top of my head that worked were the Panama Canal, and the TVA. I don't know enough about the TVA to comment too much, but one thing I know about the Panama Canal--it was to operate at no expense to the tax payers, and did so the entire time it was under US administration. That seemed to make a difference.) But for years now, Congress has been attempting to legislate the economy.
It's not working so well.
Notice something: I did not say the "Democrats", nor did I say the "Republicans". Neither the New Deal inspired policies of the Dems, nor the Mercatilist policies of the GOP have worked for us. And the Chickens are coming home to roost.
Right now we are looking int the future, on the BBC! Or even on American network news, although the home grown reporting isn't nearly as comprehensive. It's strikes that are crippling civil life in European countries, occasioned by the cutting of benefits and entitlements from governments that are on the verge of insolvency. Hold on to your hats, because it's coming soon, to a street corner near you.
John Allison, who was the CEO of BB&T for two decades has said that the bankruptcy of the United States is a "mathematical certainty", and to support this, he has looked into earnings, and debt. Essentially, the national debt is becoming insupperable. Considering that since 2001--yeah, the GOP deserve a good part of the credit!--has been increasing. And, for the last three years, a deficit of more than a trillion dollars has been racked up, each year. Currently, the debt sits at 13 trillion plus. If we keep the entitlements passed, especially in the last two years, it will go up to almost 62 trillion. Consider this: our debt now sits at 90% of the GDP.
I don't pretend to know much about economics--except for a deep belief in TANSTAAFL--but I do know that you can't legislate away the math. Mr. Allison's comments have credit with me for the simple reason that he was a member of a Financial Services Round Table that tried, for nine year--NINE YEARS!--to avert the disaster that was Freddie mac and Fannie May. It's interesting that he isn't afraid to name names. particularly Barney Frank, Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, and Chris Dodd Chair of the Senate Banking Committee, to whom he and his colleagues presented their analysis indicating that unless changes were made, those two Federally supported lenders would go under, in a big way. He said "...they wouldn't see it...". That's important. Not couldn't, wouldn't. They refused to see the facts.
The problem isn't difficult to see: The problem is bread and circuses. Party politics in America has degenerated into it's own end. As long as Congress can court it's "constituencies", and parties their "base" by attempting to legislate economic fact, we're screwed.
The 'Quantitative Easing' strategy is just more of the same, and will add inflationary pressure. It amounts, in the end, to simply printing more money. It's another attempt to redefine reality by fiat.
And speaking of inflationary pressure, have you noticed yet? Here's an example, Walmart has discontinued it's "Rollback" of prices. The reason is simple--Walmart deals in large amounts of imported goods, and the value of the dollar is declining sharply. It's not so much that the good are worth more, it's that the dollar is worth less. And take your morning coffee--in the last month, the commodity price of sugar has risen by 51%. Corn, rice and wheat by over 40%. Get ready, her it comes. I remember the late 70s--under Carter--when we had annual inflation of 18%--it ain't pretty.
Right now, Our governments tinkering with the economy is like deciding that it would be good to pass laws or regulations that declared Pi to equal 3, so to improve math grades. It's a rash of stupidity.
Closing this out, I'll quote Bob Heinlein--who may have stolen this--"Democracy endures until the plebeians realize they can vote themselves funds from the public treasury". I've griped about both parties, and Congress, in this post. But this is America, where in the words of Lincoln, we have "...Government of the People, For the People, By the people". We did this to ourselves by voting like witless fools for which ever pied piper played the tune we liked.
Stupid is as Stupid Does.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
A Most Unusual Communion
I took communion in a most unusual way this morning. I received only the Body of Christ, and did not receive the Precious Blood. I Also received in the hand--something i have not done in years.
Related to this is the fact that I am wearing a sweater and a jacket, in a house with a perfectly fine central heating system.
My head hurts. My throat hurts from post nasal drip. I'm full of snot and fleghm. I ache.
I know that a good many of us believe that the Blessed Sacrament will not transmit disease. I believe that to. But I'm not sure about my slobber on the Chalice, or if any that happened to end up on the ministers fingers.
To set against this, I had all day with my Grand kids and my daughters, a fine family Sunday dinner, and The queen of the house smiled at me really nice.
Since the cold didn't get miserable until this evening, it's been a good day.
Besides, when your using Kleenex at a phenomenal rate, people aren't insistent about shaking your hand at the Pax. That alone almost makes it worth the evening misery.
Related to this is the fact that I am wearing a sweater and a jacket, in a house with a perfectly fine central heating system.
My head hurts. My throat hurts from post nasal drip. I'm full of snot and fleghm. I ache.
I know that a good many of us believe that the Blessed Sacrament will not transmit disease. I believe that to. But I'm not sure about my slobber on the Chalice, or if any that happened to end up on the ministers fingers.
To set against this, I had all day with my Grand kids and my daughters, a fine family Sunday dinner, and The queen of the house smiled at me really nice.
Since the cold didn't get miserable until this evening, it's been a good day.
Besides, when your using Kleenex at a phenomenal rate, people aren't insistent about shaking your hand at the Pax. That alone almost makes it worth the evening misery.
In order to be an effective Poppo...
...one must have proficiency in a certain skill set. Now this skill set is rather large, so I will only enumerate a few at this time. However, if you, in fact, aspire to Poppodom, these are basic skills, that will stand you good stead. I suggest you practice them now, so they will be finely honed when needed.
--The Ability to make up and sing catchy little nonsense songs about breakfast to keep hungry little ones distracted while their Moms put the pancakes and bacon on the table.
--One should be able to perform a creditable and entertaining impersonation of a chicken, at need.
--A certain sense of proportion that can be applied to social situations arising between cousins, so that the peace may be maintained with out the caterwauling that often accompanies intervention by less talented elders.
--A high degree of skill in slipping treats, undetected by more nutritionally minded caregivers.
--A nice sense of judgement of exactly when to pick up a restless, cranky child and rock them, so that you get the nickname "Baby Benedryl".
--One should be a dab hand at Lincoln Logs.
--A high tolerance for impact and torsion should be cultivated, for those inevitable wrestling matches on the floor.
Remember--the single most rewarding career, aside from Evil Overlord, is being a Poppo--so if you aren't already producing offspring to produce the required Grandchildren--get busy! It's so worth the effort.
--The Ability to make up and sing catchy little nonsense songs about breakfast to keep hungry little ones distracted while their Moms put the pancakes and bacon on the table.
--One should be able to perform a creditable and entertaining impersonation of a chicken, at need.
--A certain sense of proportion that can be applied to social situations arising between cousins, so that the peace may be maintained with out the caterwauling that often accompanies intervention by less talented elders.
--A high degree of skill in slipping treats, undetected by more nutritionally minded caregivers.
--A nice sense of judgement of exactly when to pick up a restless, cranky child and rock them, so that you get the nickname "Baby Benedryl".
--One should be a dab hand at Lincoln Logs.
--A high tolerance for impact and torsion should be cultivated, for those inevitable wrestling matches on the floor.
Remember--the single most rewarding career, aside from Evil Overlord, is being a Poppo--so if you aren't already producing offspring to produce the required Grandchildren--get busy! It's so worth the effort.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)