Civil Unions rather than "Marriage"

I really believe lesbian and gay partners' rights should be protected.  I believe civil unions would do that...

So what do you think?

This blog has been on hiatus...

Hello to whomever readers I still might have!

I would love to be able to keep up this blog.  I have very little time though.  I could suggest subjects and hope they are interesting enough for folks to use the combox for.  Unfortunately, I can't write any long articles myself.

If anyone has articles to post, let me know...  I would be happy to place them here.

NY Archdiocese paying for Health Plan that covers Birth Control

So what do you think?  This was in today's New York Times:

Archdiocese Pays for Health Plan That Covers Birth Control 

By SHARON OTTERMAN

Interesting article...  

“In many ways things have reverted to the authoritarian, hierarchical, institutional model. Things are much more top-down,” he explained. “Everything seems to come from Rome. Bishops are appointed without much consultation with bishops of the region. There is a kind of emphasis on orthodoxy and fidelity and the magisterium and loyalty to the Holy Father that is the same as before the council.”

There has been a return to “rigidity” and an emphasis on “people measuring up to the church rather than the church ministering to people,” said Lombardi, who headed the Santa Rosa diocese’s clergy education office for 16 years. “At times I have seen good people suffer because of that rigidity.”


Take time to read this fine article in the March 12th edition of the National Catholic Reporter:

"Vatican II priests still embrace Council's model despite reversals" by Dan Morris-Young.

It troubles me a lot that Church is again returning to its authoritarian rigidity as seen in the 1940's-195o's...

Take a look and respond... 

“In many ways things have reverted to the authoritarian, hierarchical, institutional model. Things are much more top-down,” he explained. “Everything seems to come from Rome. Bishops are appointed without much consultation with bishops of the region. There is a kind of emphasis on orthodoxy and fidelity and the magisterium and loyalty to the Holy Father that is the same as before the council.”

There has been a return to “rigidity” and an emphasis on “people measuring up to the church rather than the church ministering to people,” said Lombardi, who headed the Santa Rosa diocese’s clergy education office for 16 years. “At times I have seen good people suffer because of that rigidity.”

This quote comes from a fine article in the March 12th issue of the National Catholic Reporter:

Vatican II priests still embrace council's model despite reversals by Dan Morris-Young.

Take a look... I find this new "rigidity" in the Church very sad...

Practical Reason and the Bishops

There's a very interesting article in the National Catholic Reporter that you might want to read and comment on: Bishops' Conscience Model Makes Light of Practical Reason by David DeCosse.

What happened in Suffolk?

Anonymous has asked: What happened in Suffolk?

The news hasn't hit the Catholic Virginian yet. Maybe the next issue. Channel 13 in Suffolk had this information:

http://www.wvec.com/my-city/suffolk/Priest-arrested-charged-with-domestic-assault-135076343.html

Another extremely sad situation...

Diocese Policy on the use of the Cup will not change...

I was looking through the 10/31 issue of the Catholic Virginian and saw the letter to the editor by Deacon Chris Moriah clarifying the diocesan policy of receiving Communion under both kinds. I was very happy to see this clarification after learning about Phoenix Bishop Olmsted's decision to limit the use of the Precious Blood.

Apparently the Bishop took another look and so the other day, I read that he had issued a new set of norms for his diocese which expanded what he had previously written. Some of this info can be found here.

What do you think?

A Catholic Mausoleum in Williamsburg! ~ Another Hot Button Issue!

In the Comments under the previous blog entry, there was a discussion about Catholic Mausoleums in Williamsburg. Anonymous asked:

Anonymous said...

So how much longer Bishop Di Lorenzo will you remain deaf to the pleas of the people of Williamsburg. It is time to make a change.The diocese is allowing our Pastor to make a mockery of the Catholic faith .Enough already!
http://www.vagazette.com/articles/2011/10/15/news/doc4e989014c2f04678801665.txt

or check out this editorial! they get it and you don't Please worry more about the souls of the people rather then money.

http://www.vagazette.com/articles/2011/10/15/news/doc4e988fd0eff38802060271.txt

October 15, 2011 7:55 PM

**************************************************

Does anyone have a picture of what this mausoleum(s) will look like?

A Hot Button Issue

Anonymous has asked that this video be given a separate blog article. I am willing to do that, even though I feel the video presents a very one-sided view from the far right of the Catholic spectrum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP085f8iG6k&feature=player_embedded#at=199

Excellent Commentary on the John Jay Report

If you want to read an excellent commentary on the John Jay Report, take a look at this National Catholic Reporter article:


The John Jay Study: What it is and what it isn't

by Mary Gail Frawley O'Dea

Priests, Home Ownership and Life in the Rectory

I noticed that some folks made comments about priests owning their own homes so I thought to open this subject for discussion. I had read a blog article recently where a priest discussed whether it was a good thing or not, that a priest/pastor would buy a home and live there rather than live in the rectory provided for him.

Any thoughts?

Fr. Corapi and the future of his ministry

Anonymous left the following comment:

I heard that Fr. Corapi has quit the priesthood. Didn't he come to speak in the Richmond Diocese years ago?

Is the John Jay study reliable?

Here are some thoughts about it from the National Catholic Reporter:

Critics point to John Jay study's limitations

Any comments?

Holy Week in Your Parish...

So how was the Triduum celebrated in your parish? Everything by the book? Creative? Did you even bother attending?

A positive celebration that left you with a sense of gratefulness for the sacrifice of Jesus and the joy of his Resurrection?

There were a few glitches in my parish but almost everything flowed as it was supposed to... and the reception afterward was wonderful...

So, what's the rush? Sainthood for John Paul II

John L. Allen, Jr. of the National Catholic Reporter has an interesting article about the upcoming beatification of John Paul II. You can find the article here.

Is sainthood too politicized?

Any comments?

Suppose our Bishop Retired...

I got to thinking about our Bishop's retirement and am wondering if any of our diocesan priests are "bishop-material". I realize that the decision comes from Rome and would probably not be one of our own priests but it is an interesting question nonetheless.

Who do you think would make a good bishop and why?

C. Porter Vaughan, Inc vs. Bishop DiLorenzo

Anonymous has given us a new topic:

"Does anyone know if the case of C.Porter Vaughn Inc. vs. Most Reverend Francis Xavier DiLorenzo has been resolved?"


Anonymous, I don't know what this issue refers to. Please enlighten us.

Collective Bargaining, Republicans and the American Bishops

Katie left an interesting question in the comment box of a different topic. I hope she doesn't mind that I open a new topic using her words.

"Not to change the topic; but what are U.S. Bishops doing regarding the assault on the working class by politicians? Should Republicans be given a free-pass to allow middle income workers to be stripped of collective bargaining in an economy that is already squeezing out the middle class? Just because the Republican Party pays lip service and throws an occasional bone to prolife causes, the U.S. bishops should still have enough zeal on economic justice and policy no matter how prolife the politicians assaulting the middle class are! "

Any comments?

No TLM at the Shrine?

So what's the real deal as to why the TLM scheduled for the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in April was cancelled? I have some traddie friends who are sorely disappointed.

Protocol for obtaining Shrine's permission not followed? Thumbs down by the Archdiocese of Washington? Celebrant bowed out... why?