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?

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...  

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

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?

Abortion Mill

Anonymous has asked this question:

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

Has anybody else read this article in the Virginian Pilot?

January 19, 2011 11:13 PM

Must Married Permanent Deacons abstain from having sex?

I came across this article on CatholicVote.org. An important issue. What do you think?

Church Law says Permanent Deacons, all clerics, are obliged to abstain from sex, notes Canonist Edward Peters

Condom use among (male) prostitutes... and others

The lesser of two evils? What about couples where one has HIV/AIDS and the other not? Can condom use be "responsible sex"? Will the Pope's remarks eventually open the door for contraceptive use in "other limited cases"?

Sunday Obligation - Re Msgr. Muench's article

Anonymous has requested the following:

How about a discussion of Msgr. Muench's article on Sunday Obligation?

I know there is not universal agreement on whether SSPX masses fulfill the obligation. Although he seemed to indicate that there was.

It is a sad day when the only way the diocese can keep people in it's parishes is by telling them its "obligatory".

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

Could you provide a link to this article?

Snooz fest!

That's what a disgruntled reader/poster just called this blog! Absolutely! It HAS been a snooze fest this last month or so. Been way off my stride with several other blogs to caretake...

How about some suggestions for topics from you guys and gals... Maybe we can get a conversation going...

I'd love to see the blog more active but as I peruse the Catholic Virginian, I don't see very much to comment on. I could use some help here...

"Fraternity of the disgraced keeps growing"

John Allen, senior correspondent of the National Catholic Reporter has written an interesting article about the Catholic prelates who have become members of the "fraternity of the disgraced." Please don't miss his analysis of this issue. Read here: "Fraternity of the disgraced keeps growing."

The paragraph that stopped me in my tracks was this one:

"Perhaps the most explosive question is whether that fraternity will eventually include the two popes whose reigns coincide with the sexual abuse crisis, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Probably neither pontiff's reputation will be helped, though defenders of both men also have cases to make."

No matter what you think about either of these popes, including them on the list would be as surprising to me as the accusations against Pius XII regarding his lack of action against the Nazis during WWII.

A Catholic Virginian Blog? Why not?

Anonymous asked that question in the comment box of one of our blog articles. Soooo, why doesn't the Catholic Virginian create a Blog for its readers? Why wouldn't the CV set up a Blog? Do we have to sign a petition? Letters to the Editor?

Maybe Steve Neill simply needs to be asked.

Hmmmm, maybe the topics would soon get out of control...

A Provocative Article about Priestly Celibacy

National Catholic Reporter's James Carroll, has written a comprehensive but provocative article in the June 9th issue which describes why progressives in the Church believe that priestly celibacy is a major reason why the Church is experiencing its present problems.

Please take the time to read this interesting article:

Mandatory Celibacy at the Heart of What's Wrong

I hope you will also take time to comment.

Finally!

I think he got it...!


"In terms of what we today can discover in this message, attacks against the pope or the church don’t come just from outside the church. The suffering of the church also comes from within the church, because sin exists in the church. This too has always been known, but today we see it in a really terrifying way.

The greatest persecution of the church doesn’t come from enemies on the outside, but is born in sin within the church. The church thus has a deep need to re-learn penance, to accept purification, to learn on one hand forgiveness but also the necessity of justice. Forgiveness does not exclude justice.

We have to re-learn the essentials: conversion, prayer, penance, and the theological virtues."

~ Pope Benedict XVI (On the plane to Portugal, 5/11/10) ~

Clericalism and the Liturgy

The National Catholic Reporter has an excellent article in its April 5th issue about the new clericalism that is rising in the Church. I agree with this article. It really expresses where I stand in the Church. I feel certain most of you do not stand with me... So, you might wish to comment.

Here is the article: Clericalism and the Liturgy by Fr. Paul Philibert, a Dominican friar, lecturer and writer from Raleigh, NC.

Lots of Questions; No More Answers from the Office of Worship

Katie posed a question today, asking whether Catherine Combier-Donovan, Director of the Office of Worship, is ever going to respond to the questions about the Liturgy we asked months ago. At that time Ms Combier-Donovan seemed very open to corresponding with us through this blog. However, we have heard nothing more from her.

First of all, let me say that I realize that there are time constraints involved. There is a lot going on concerning the New Roman Missal translations and conferences to set up involving it or to attend. But beyond those issues, it would have been nice to hear from her simply to let us know that at the present time, she has no time to engage us at a blog level.

If anyone has any further information, please comment...