There was some strange news during the past couple of weeks. Travis, the "tame" chimp, was shot by police in Ohio after he got out of the house of his owner and attacked the owner's best friend. The friend was severly injured, but will survive.
This past week, it was reported that former wrestling champion Verne Gagne attacked his roommate at a facility that cares for Alzhiemers patients. The attack may have led to the death of the 97 year old man. A couple of weeks ago, the 82-year old Gagne threw his roommate the the floor, causing a broken hip and other injuries. Police are investigating the incident. Even if Gagne is found to have cause the death of his roommate, it is unlikely that any charges will be filed. Even the victim's family states that Gagne did not know what he was doing. However, that does not rule out a civil lawsuit.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Powering Down
U.S. Secretary of State Clinton is on a mission to China. In the past, Chinese representatives came to the U.S. We now rely on China to purchase major portions of our national debt.
While listening to media reports about the mission to China, I could not help but think that Secretary Clinton's meeting with Chinese officials may represent a monumental change. Perhaps we have entered the era where it is becoming apparent that, within the next few years, the U.S. will no longer be THE world's superpower.
If that is the case, we have two choices as a nation. We can spend a ton of resources in an effort to maintain our current status as THE superpower. We could also embrace the fact the we may no longer need to live up to the responsibility of being THE world's superpower. So what if China takes on that role? More power to them (pun intended).
While listening to media reports about the mission to China, I could not help but think that Secretary Clinton's meeting with Chinese officials may represent a monumental change. Perhaps we have entered the era where it is becoming apparent that, within the next few years, the U.S. will no longer be THE world's superpower.
If that is the case, we have two choices as a nation. We can spend a ton of resources in an effort to maintain our current status as THE superpower. We could also embrace the fact the we may no longer need to live up to the responsibility of being THE world's superpower. So what if China takes on that role? More power to them (pun intended).
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Big Apple Awaits
I apologize for the break in posting. I was called to "emergency duty" at my parish. Our parish has three choirs- a folk choir, an informal choir and a full 4 voice choir. Last summer, our long time music director retired. The transition to a new music director was difficult. Things developed to the point where the music director and many members of the 4 voice choir refused to be in the same room together. In order to keep the music program going, I have been called in to accompany the 4 voice choir. This means a 90 minute practice on Wednesdays evening, playing at 10:30 Mass on Sundays and, since I am not a great sight reader of music, about 3 hours of practice each week. Given that I have a fairly demanding work schedule, the added responsibility with the music program leaves very little time for much of anything else. I agreed to serve on a temporary basis in order to give our pastor and parish council some time to figure out what direction the music program should go.
Onto the main issue for Catholic bloggers in the past week: Is Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan headed to the Archdiocese of New York? Speculation is that an announcement of this move is imminent. This will be a loss for Catholics in Milwaukee and the rest of Wisconsin. Archbishop Dolan has proven to be a very pastoral leader. I have only seen Archbishop Dolan twice. I first saw him when he presided at the Mass at Irish Fest in Milwaukee a couple of years ago. Last year, I saw him at a Milwaukee Brewers game. It was a refreshing sight to see him with no ecclesial entourage other than a beer in one hand and a brat in the other.
Several years ago, Dolan developed and announced implementation of a plan to monitor priests that were alleged to have abused people in any way. Unfortunately, he developed the plan with little input from priests. Several priests came to him privately and expressed their anger and concern about the plan. To Dolan's credit, he publicly apologized for his oversights and expressed that he felt badly that he angered so many good priests. He "deep sixed" the priest monitoring plan.
Perhaps Dolan's shining moment during his tenure as Archbishop of Milwaukee came in the Diocese of Green Bay. After Bishop David Zubik left Green Bay for Pittsburgh, Dolan was appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Green Bay until a successor to Zubik was appointed. During that time, St. John the Evangelist Church in Green Bay developed plans to start a homeless shelter to address a critical need in the community. While most community members were supportive of the shelter, a few community "leaders" really didn't want "those type of people" around. The zoning required to open and operate the shelter was denied. The city threatened that, if the shelter plans went forward, St. John's would likely face litigation and substantial daily fines. As diocesan administrator, Dolan sent an "upus yoursus" (is that correct Latin?) to Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. In the letter, Dolan mentioned that the mission of the Church includes providing shelter to the homeless. Pulling an "ace from his sleeve", Dolan made reference to a Supreme Court case in which the Court ruled that the actions of a municipality to thwart a church program were unconstitutional because those actions denied the Church the ability to fulfill its mission. The city had no choice but to approve the zoning. The shelter now serves several people each evening from November through April.
If the speculation is accurate, Milwaukee's loss will be New York's gain.
Onto the main issue for Catholic bloggers in the past week: Is Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan headed to the Archdiocese of New York? Speculation is that an announcement of this move is imminent. This will be a loss for Catholics in Milwaukee and the rest of Wisconsin. Archbishop Dolan has proven to be a very pastoral leader. I have only seen Archbishop Dolan twice. I first saw him when he presided at the Mass at Irish Fest in Milwaukee a couple of years ago. Last year, I saw him at a Milwaukee Brewers game. It was a refreshing sight to see him with no ecclesial entourage other than a beer in one hand and a brat in the other.
Several years ago, Dolan developed and announced implementation of a plan to monitor priests that were alleged to have abused people in any way. Unfortunately, he developed the plan with little input from priests. Several priests came to him privately and expressed their anger and concern about the plan. To Dolan's credit, he publicly apologized for his oversights and expressed that he felt badly that he angered so many good priests. He "deep sixed" the priest monitoring plan.
Perhaps Dolan's shining moment during his tenure as Archbishop of Milwaukee came in the Diocese of Green Bay. After Bishop David Zubik left Green Bay for Pittsburgh, Dolan was appointed apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Green Bay until a successor to Zubik was appointed. During that time, St. John the Evangelist Church in Green Bay developed plans to start a homeless shelter to address a critical need in the community. While most community members were supportive of the shelter, a few community "leaders" really didn't want "those type of people" around. The zoning required to open and operate the shelter was denied. The city threatened that, if the shelter plans went forward, St. John's would likely face litigation and substantial daily fines. As diocesan administrator, Dolan sent an "upus yoursus" (is that correct Latin?) to Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt. In the letter, Dolan mentioned that the mission of the Church includes providing shelter to the homeless. Pulling an "ace from his sleeve", Dolan made reference to a Supreme Court case in which the Court ruled that the actions of a municipality to thwart a church program were unconstitutional because those actions denied the Church the ability to fulfill its mission. The city had no choice but to approve the zoning. The shelter now serves several people each evening from November through April.
If the speculation is accurate, Milwaukee's loss will be New York's gain.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Herding Cats
The current superior of the Society of St. Pius X has taken action related to the public statements of Bishop Richard Williamson denying the Holocaust. Over the weekend, Williamson was removed as director of a traditionalist seminary near Buenos Aires, Argentina. Williams held that position since 2003. At the same time, SSPX leaders in Italy expelled Father Floriano Abrahamowic, a priest that denied that the Nazi's used gas chambers for purposes other than "disinfection".
Along with the SSPX, the Vatican is in full damage control mode. Even Vatican friends and insiders, including Cardinal Walter Kaspar - President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity - are openly questioning the crisis analysis and crisis management capabilities of the Curia.
When will it end?
Along with the SSPX, the Vatican is in full damage control mode. Even Vatican friends and insiders, including Cardinal Walter Kaspar - President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity - are openly questioning the crisis analysis and crisis management capabilities of the Curia.
When will it end?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A Tangled Web
What does one call this story - the saga of the Pope lifting the excommunication of the four Society of St. Pius X bishops, one of whom denies the Holocaust?
Well, here is yet another sub-plot to the story. As has been reported, one of the bishops, Richard Williamson, made recent comments denying the Holocaust. If one looks at the website of the Society of St. Pius X, it is filled with statements that reek of antisemitism. So, it is not too surprising that one of their bishops would deny the Holocaust. It is surprising that the bishop would do so publicly and then the Vatican would seemingly look the other way and remit his excommunication. Now the Vatican is backpedaling at a pace that would be the envy of any Tour de France champion.
Here is the sub-plot that has yet to be reported by the media - your read it here first, folks! The Society of St. Pius X was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. Lefebvre was the bishop that ordained the four bishops in 1988. By doing so, he was excommunicated with them. One could assume that much of what the SSPX believes in flows from teachings and beliefs of the late Lefebvre. It appears that some of those beliefs might have skipped over a portion of Lefebvre's personal life. Lefebvre's father, Rene, died in 1944 - in a Nazi concentration camp! Lefebvre's father was an active member of the French resistance and British intelligence. He was captured by the Gestapo in 1944 and immediately sent to the Sonnenburg concentration camp where he died soon after arriving at the camp. He helped many French and British soldiers and escaped prisoners find safety in unoccupied territories. There are yet to be substantiated reports that Rene Lefebvre provided similar assistance to many Jews.
Stay tuned to this one, folks!
Well, here is yet another sub-plot to the story. As has been reported, one of the bishops, Richard Williamson, made recent comments denying the Holocaust. If one looks at the website of the Society of St. Pius X, it is filled with statements that reek of antisemitism. So, it is not too surprising that one of their bishops would deny the Holocaust. It is surprising that the bishop would do so publicly and then the Vatican would seemingly look the other way and remit his excommunication. Now the Vatican is backpedaling at a pace that would be the envy of any Tour de France champion.
Here is the sub-plot that has yet to be reported by the media - your read it here first, folks! The Society of St. Pius X was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. Lefebvre was the bishop that ordained the four bishops in 1988. By doing so, he was excommunicated with them. One could assume that much of what the SSPX believes in flows from teachings and beliefs of the late Lefebvre. It appears that some of those beliefs might have skipped over a portion of Lefebvre's personal life. Lefebvre's father, Rene, died in 1944 - in a Nazi concentration camp! Lefebvre's father was an active member of the French resistance and British intelligence. He was captured by the Gestapo in 1944 and immediately sent to the Sonnenburg concentration camp where he died soon after arriving at the camp. He helped many French and British soldiers and escaped prisoners find safety in unoccupied territories. There are yet to be substantiated reports that Rene Lefebvre provided similar assistance to many Jews.
Stay tuned to this one, folks!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
A Legion of Questions
Well. at least Pope Benedict did something right. For years, negative rumors about the late Father Marciel Maciel, the founder of the Legionaries of Christ, have been circulating. The Legionaries are very influential with 800 priests in many countries and over 70,000 in its affilated lay organization, Regnum Christi. They run numerous schools, colleges and publishing companies. Along with Opus Dei, the Legionaries were one of the "darlings" of Pope John Paul II.
Then along came Pope Benedict. Things changed. After an internal investigation, Pope Benedict ordered Father Maciel to remove himself from active ministry and leadership and to lead a quiet life of prayer and penance. To his credit, the Pope did not reveal the reasons for his actions.
However, those reasons are now coming to light. Simply put, Father Maciel led a double life. He had a mistress and a daughter. He used Legionary funds to support his double life.
This is a huge blow to the entire Legionary network. The Legionaries have just begun the process of publicly recognizing that their founder led a double life. Many have mentioned that they feel betrayed. A senior staffer (a layman, not a priest) at one of the Legionary publications, has publicly apologized and feels he must repent for his past defence of Father Maciel.
As with anyone, the fact that Father Maciel sinned does not negate the positive things he accomplished. Father Maciel developed an organization that has provided significant benefits to many people. Perhaps Father Maciel had incredible foresight in making personal sacrifices to develop an organization that could survive and flourish in spite of his personal weaknesses.
Get rid of the bath water, but don't throw out the baby.
Then along came Pope Benedict. Things changed. After an internal investigation, Pope Benedict ordered Father Maciel to remove himself from active ministry and leadership and to lead a quiet life of prayer and penance. To his credit, the Pope did not reveal the reasons for his actions.
However, those reasons are now coming to light. Simply put, Father Maciel led a double life. He had a mistress and a daughter. He used Legionary funds to support his double life.
This is a huge blow to the entire Legionary network. The Legionaries have just begun the process of publicly recognizing that their founder led a double life. Many have mentioned that they feel betrayed. A senior staffer (a layman, not a priest) at one of the Legionary publications, has publicly apologized and feels he must repent for his past defence of Father Maciel.
As with anyone, the fact that Father Maciel sinned does not negate the positive things he accomplished. Father Maciel developed an organization that has provided significant benefits to many people. Perhaps Father Maciel had incredible foresight in making personal sacrifices to develop an organization that could survive and flourish in spite of his personal weaknesses.
Get rid of the bath water, but don't throw out the baby.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
As Clear As Mud
Well, the lifitng of the excommunication of the four Society of St. Pius X bishops has provided about 3 months worth of "fodder" for Catholic writers and bloggers. Kudos to the Catholic News Service, a division of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, for a recent report that clearly summarizes the history and many issues related to the situation. There seems to be the makings of a movie in this summary - it is an interesting read. To see the report, go to: http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0900430.htm.
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