Bishop DiLorenzo: 5th Anniversary in Richmond

In the recent issue of The Catholic Virginian, you will find an article, Bishop's vision: to teach, govern and sanctify that compliments Bishop DiLorenzo on his 5th Anniversary as Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond. This issue also includes a Chronology of the first five years of his administration. Needless to say, there is nothing but positive accomplishments listed in the articles.

Even though these positive accomplishments are impressive, I feel certain that there were some rumbles from readers who felt that those five years also contained experiences that caused hurt and disappointment to persons in this diocese, especially since the styles of Bishops Sullivan and DiLorenzo are so different.

However, I would like to congratulate Bishop DiLorenzo on his 5th anniversary as our bishop and to wish for the future that his vision of teaching, governing and sanctifying our Catholic people will reach its fulfillment.

Vatican's Moderate Line on Obama Has Deep Roots ~ Excellent NCR article by John L Allen

In the May 4, 2009 edition of the National Catholic Reporter, John Allen analyzes an essay found the semi-official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, contributed by Giuseppe Fiorentino, a foreign affairs writer at that newspaper.

Fiorentino writes that the Vatican has taken "a moderate and conciliatory line on the Obama administration, while several U.S. bishops, buoyed by a network of pro-life activists, have been more pugnacious."

John Allen notes that there is a "glaring difference in tone between the Vatican and the most ardently pro-life circles in the American Catholic church, including a growing number of American bishops."

Why is this? Mr. Allen provides an interesting and thought provoking analysis. You can read the entire article here.