"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.

Current Liturgical Art and Illustrations

Katie Beaumont left this comment on a previous blog message. I thought it deserved its own article.

"A little off the topic but....I noticed that current liturgical illustrations tend to look like a bunch of distorted caricatures with oversized heads and huge hands. Does anyone know from where this hand fetish comes? Why the obsession with hands regarding current liturgical illustrations. What is the reason proponents of this caricature-like art form seem to dogmatically connect it to liturgy. It seems to be a complete rupture from traditional Catholic art pertaining to liturgy. Has traditional expressions of art been banned from current liturgical publications? It just seems a little wierd."

First Sunday of Advent 2011 - The New Roman Missal

Well, the word has come down that the use of the New Roman Missal translation will begin on that date. Whether you like it or not, we will soon have to begin to catechize our people. At least by the first of the year, 2011...

New Sacramentaries, new music, new prayerbooks, etc., etc.... A huge undertaking... And added expense for our smaller parishes...

Here's the link to the longer version of the story. Check the USCCB website.

Any comments?

Combier-Donovan to head Office of Worship ~ Catholic Review

And WHY hasn't this news been given to us through the Catholic Virginian??? I am amazed! Or maybe I shouldn't be... Nothing was even hinted at that she was leaving.

You can read of Catherine Combier-Donovan's new position here.

It begins:

Combier-Donovan to head Office of Worship

From the Catholic Review Staff
Archdiocese of Baltimore

Paulist Father John E. Hurley, executive director of the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Department of Evangelization, announced the appointment of Catherine Combier-Donovan as the new director of the Office for Worship.

Combier-Donovan has held the same position in the Diocese of Richmond since 2006 and has over 10 years of liturgical experience, including parish positions in North and South Carolina and Virginia

Continued -

An Unexpected Development in the Office of Worship!

Anonymous has written HERE:

"Catherine Combier-Donovan, Coordinator of the Office of Worship, has resigned from her role effective August 13, 2010.".

July 30, 2010 9:51 PM

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Has anyone heard whether this is accurate? It hasn't hit the Catholic Virginian yet!

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.