Pearls in the Mud

Last week, Heath Ledger died of an apparent accidental overdose of prescription drugs (perhaps mixed with over-the-counter drugs). Ledger was a very accomplished actor that, at 28, still had huge potential in front of him. He didn't seem to be obsessed with being in the spotlight. He lived in a "non-swanky" section of New York. Whenever he was spotted in the neighborhood, he was usually walking or playing with his young daughter.

In thinking about Ledger's death, I recalled a time several years ago when Richard Rood passed away. For fans of professional wrestling, he was better known as "Ravishing" Rick Rude. He was the ultimate villian. He had a very well-chiseled physique and the ability to portray the perfect narcissist. I remember seeing him on television and at live wrestling events many times. I even noticed that he always seemed to have a broken finger that was wrapped in tape.

Like Ledger, Rood died of an overdose at a young age. Rood was one of the first of many professional wrestlers to die at a young age due to an overdose of drugs (and often connected to years of using steroids). When Rood died, several other wrestlers were interviewed about him. One of the wrestlers provided clarification on Rood's ever-present broken finger. The wrestler said that it was well-known that Rood abused drugs. It was also well-known that Rood was devoted to his wife. In fact, he refused to remove his wedding ring when he wrestled. Since several wrestlers complained about being nicked by Rood's ring and the presence of the ring did not fit in with the persona Rood's bosses wanted to portray for "Ravishing" Rick Rood, Rood suggested that he tape over the ring. When the bosses balked at that suggestion, Rood said he would give up wrestling rather than wearing the ring. Since he was making a significant amount of money for the promoters, he was allowed to wear the tape-covered ring.

The moral of the story: Whenever reading a report that emphasizes the personal demons of a recently deceased famous person, know that that person also had many redeeming qualities.

Benedict XVI: Stumping for Whom?

The campaign for U.S. presidential will be nearing "white hot" status when Pope Benedict XVI visits New York and Washington, DC, in mid-April. At that time, there could be three candidates with strong ties to New York - Hillary Clinton, Rudy Guliani and Michael Bloomberg. However, all of the candidates will undoubtedly try to figure out ways to get into the spotlight that will be aimed at His Holiness.

It would be foolish to think that the Vatican officials responsible for coordinating the Papal visit do not realize the threat of the visit being used to try to push forth a candidate. I have no doubt that all of the individual stops and events will be scheduled and coordinated in a manner to minimize the chances of hijacking for campaign purposes. The White House will have to be sensitive to this, as well.

So, pay close attention to the visit. See which public officials try to clamor for those front row seats at Papal events. With the election battles (even at the primary levels) likely to be close and bloody, each campaign will do everything possible to link their candidate with the biggest positive news story of the time. In mid-April, that story will be the Papal visit.

Pope Benedict XVI will look forward to returning to Vatican City where election concerns have to do with ambiguous smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel. No need to worry about hanging chads back in Roma.

That Other Pope

The Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits, recently elected Father Adolfo Nicolas, SJ, as their superior general. Prior to his election, Father General Nicolas served in numerous leadership positions for the Jesuits in Asia.

This election is a big deal. While the Jesuits are not the largest religious order in terms of numbers, they are and have been one of the most influential. In the past, the leader of the Jesuits was called "The Black Pope" - indicating the influence of the order and the fact that the order has had many battles with the Vatican (the Vatican even suppressed the order). It is interesting to note that the battles took place in spite of the the fact that the Society of Jesus was founded by St. Ignatius to protect the Pope. The Jesuits are one of the very few religious orders whose members specifically vow obedience to the Pope.

It will be interesting to see how the background of Father Feneral Nicolas plays into the future direction of the Jesuits and the Vatican. Although he is a Spaniard, Father General Nicolas was trained in Rome and China. Much of his ministry has taken place in Asian countries - an area where the Roman Catholic Church is experiencing a significant increase in members and influence.

Let us wish the Jesuits and their new leader well.

Diplomacy School

I have always been amazed at the expertise of the Vatican when it comes to world diplomacy. There is no entity that is better than the Roman Catholic Church when it comes to "politicking" on the world stage.

Here is an example: Late last year, the United Nations approved a non-binding resolution calling for the world-wide abolishment of the death penalty. Although non-binding, approval of the resolution would add a significant measure of clout to the anti-death penalty movement. When it appeared that the measure was going to be approved (fairly easily), Egypt proposed adding an anti-abortion amendment to the proposal. They argued that the proposal should be seamlessly pro-life. In reality, they were trying to kill the resolution - knowing that an anti-abortion amendment would force many spporting nations to withdraw support for the anti-death penalty proposal. To the surprise of a fair amount of U.N. member nations, the Vatican stated that it would fully support a separate resolution on abortion and did not want the amendment to cause a solidly pro-life proposal to be derailed. As a result, the amendment failed and the anti-death penalty resolution was soundly approved. Of course, Egypt assumed that the Vatican would have to support the amendment. Vatican representatives skillfully developed a counter-strategy and used amazing levels of communication to ensure passage of the original resolution without the amendment.

For more details, go to:

http://ncronline.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2008a/011108/011108p.htm

Border Patrols

Tammy is a "thirty-something" woman for whom I serve as legal guardian. She has developmental disabilities and mental illness. She has an obsession with vampires. She feels that she is a man. How can a geeky middle-aged married guy have a good time with Tammy?

Several months ago, Tammy told me that she had never left the state in which we live. She lives less than 30 miles from a neighboring state. Unfortunately, nobody could pick up on the fact that she might think it would be pretty cool to visit another state. At that time, I told Tammy that we would drive to the neighboring state sometime.

Yesterday, Tammy had a staffing at the sheltered workshop where she works. Her case manager, her job coach, her group home supervisor and I all participated. Unbeknownst to Tammy, I told the others that, after the staffing, I planned to take Tammy for a drive to the neighboring state. I asked that they not tell Tammy so that she would be surprised. Near the end of the meeting, I asked Tammy if she remembered that I told her we would drive to the neighboring state sometime. I then told her that sometime is now.

While a drive to a neighboring state is not a big deal for most of us, I still put some thought into it to make sure it would be extra special. So, we drove down to the state border. We parked the car in our state and walked across the road to the neighboring state where I took a picture of Tammy at the state welcome sign. We then walked back to the car. I made sure that we drove across the border. Tammy was shaking with glee. She said she would tell her friends that she walked all the way from our state to the neighboring state and back again!

Advice for Supporters of Female Priests

I have extensive experience and knowledge related to running local, regional state and national associations, including those that work to influence public policy. After reading another article on women priests, two thoughts struck me.

First, I hope groups like Roman Catholic Womenpriests have extensive liability coverage for all of the individuals that have been ordained under the auspices of the organization. These people are human. Like all humans, some of them will do things like steal, cheat, lie and take advantage of vulnerable people. At some point, one of these people will be the respondent in a civil lawsuit that could result in millions of dollars of damages. Attorneys are very shrewd and finding many sets of deep pockets. Roman Catholic Womanpriests will be seen as a deep pocket. Trust me, directors and officers coverage won't cut it. One settlement will be the end of the organization.

Second, take a lesson from the Republican Revolution started by the likes of Jerry Falwell and continued by the likes of Ralph Reed. Start local! Work on convincing parishoners. Build a groundswell that includes priests. Some of these priest will become bishops. When that happens, things will begin to move. It will take time. Patience is necessary. I fully understand that many members wanted to be ordained within the Roman Catholic Church years ago. However, spending much time targeting the current group of bishops around the world only takes away resources that could be spent on building up the groundswell. It worked for the Moral Majority - they started with pushing for candidates for city councils and school boards. Evenutally, they took over national government.

Don't be naive. Don't be foolish. Attorneys and many current church leaders will suck your organization dry - if you let them.

Oh, To Be a Kid Again

President Bush just completed a two-day tour of The Holy Land. I read a report that one of his escorts during part of the tour, a Melkite bishop, planned to discuss Jesus' Sermon on the Mount with President Bush. The bishop is very upset about the negative impact U.S. foreign policy has had an all people of the Middle East.

I wonder if President Bush know about The Beatitudes. He may think they are the attitudes that come right after the A-atitudes. Everything Bush stands for as a political figure goes against The Beatitudes. Lest you think I am Bush-bashing, the same can be said for nearly every national political figure.

Hopefully, Bush will come to a personal reckoning with The Beatitudes during his Holy Land trip. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.