The EF at the National Shrine in DC

You surely will not want to miss NCR's take on the Liturgy at the National Shrine! Along with loads of comments that will raise the hackles of both traditionalists and progressives! Here it is:

DC liturgy: cappa magna, glorious music, Latin glitches

The analysis is by Jerry Filteau.

Technology and the Vatican

The National Catholic Reporter had an interesting article that is worth checking out. The title is - Technology undermining Church structures and it is a blog article written by Tom C. Fox.

It tells me that the Vatican needs to become better at communication in the 21st Century. I think even our traditionalist readers can agree on that...

Sexual Abuse Allegations: CDF Procedures ~ Introductory Guide for Laypersons and Non-canonists

From the Vatican Website:

Guide to Understanding Basic CDF Procedures concerning Sexual Abuse Allegations

Might be helpful for my readers...

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...

A different perspective ~ sexual abuse and clerical celibacy

Another good NCR article on the recent abuse scandal in Germany and Ireland. This one by Hans Küng - Ratzinger's Responsibility. Whether you like the National Catholic Reporter or not, it contains many hard-hitting articles that will cause you to think out of the box... and hopefully broaden your understanding of the issues.

Excellent NCR Article about Pope Benedict and the Sexual Abuse Crisis in Germany

This National Catholic Reporter article by John L. Allen, Jr., "Will Ratzinger's past trump Benedict's present" is a very extensive analysis of the history of the sexual abuse scandal in the Church and how the Vatican has reacted to the scandal in the past and the present. I think it is a fair article and an important one. It begins:

"Gino Burresi may sound like the name of a shortstop from the '50s, but among Vatican insiders, it marks a watershed in the sexual abuse crisis. For those with eyes to see, the fall from grace of Burresi, a charismatic Italian priest and founder of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, shortly after the election of Pope Benedict XVI, was taken as a signal that the days of lethargy and cover-up were over.

Burresi, 73 at the time, was barred from public ministry in May 2005, just one month after the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to the church's top job. While the decree cited abuses of confession and spiritual direction, Vatican sources were clear that accusations of sexual abuse involving Burresi and seminarians, dating to the 1970s and '80s,were a principal motive for the action against him....."

I would like to have your comments on this article...