Bidding Bye-Bye to the European Union

And not mincing words:

Bidding Bye-Bye to the European Union

And not mincing words:

Going Out (or Coming In) In Style

From Damian Thompson:

Anglican bishop lays his mitre and crozier at the feet of Our Lady as he leaves for Rome

A detail from Bishop Andrew Burnham's final sermon as an Anglican:

But I love the Church of England – the mainstream bit – and shall miss her. She taught me the psalms and the Revised Standard Version. She taught me about music in the service of God. She taught me about the beauty of holiness. Oh yes, the naughty excitement of the Folies Bergère may be available in Anglo-catholic worship but the dull dignity of cathedral worship, the seemliness and the decency, is something I shall also miss. I have tried to gather some of that up in today’s service. There is nothing more Anglican than Herbert Howells’ Collegium Regale, ‘Let all mortal flesh keep silence’ by Edward Bairstow, one-time organist of York Minster, and the psalm chant by George Thalben-Ball, long-time organist of the Temple Church. There is little more beautiful in literature than the Cranmerian cadences of the traditional language of the Prayer Book, which, rather unusually, we are using today. I shall even miss some of those in the mainstream whom I have known and with whom I have worked.

It is fairly touching His Grace's sentiments mirror almost exactly mine when I decamped for Rome nearly three years ago.

Going Out (or Coming In) In Style

From Damian Thompson:

Anglican bishop lays his mitre and crozier at the feet of Our Lady as he leaves for Rome

A detail from Bishop Andrew Burnham's final sermon as an Anglican:

But I love the Church of England – the mainstream bit – and shall miss her. She taught me the psalms and the Revised Standard Version. She taught me about music in the service of God. She taught me about the beauty of holiness. Oh yes, the naughty excitement of the Folies Bergère may be available in Anglo-catholic worship but the dull dignity of cathedral worship, the seemliness and the decency, is something I shall also miss. I have tried to gather some of that up in today’s service. There is nothing more Anglican than Herbert Howells’ Collegium Regale, ‘Let all mortal flesh keep silence’ by Edward Bairstow, one-time organist of York Minster, and the psalm chant by George Thalben-Ball, long-time organist of the Temple Church. There is little more beautiful in literature than the Cranmerian cadences of the traditional language of the Prayer Book, which, rather unusually, we are using today. I shall even miss some of those in the mainstream whom I have known and with whom I have worked.

It is fairly touching His Grace's sentiments mirror almost exactly mine when I decamped for Rome nearly three years ago.

Eschewing Sugarcoating

(Of the Irish government's bailout response)

Thanks to John J. O'Sullivan™

Eschewing Sugarcoating

(Of the Irish government's bailout response)

Thanks to John J. O'Sullivan™

If you want to get anything done in the English Catholic Church...

Don't have anything to do with her bishops. William Odie, writing in the Catholic Herald (UK) on Anglicanorum coetibus, reports fifteen years were lost owing to politically correct squishiness.

Why we waited 15 years for an Ordinariate: the inside story
In the words of Cardinal Ratzinger then, ‘what are the English bishops afraid of?’

(excerpt)

One day, I received a phone call from Rome. It was from a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, whose former prefect was now Pope. I was asked for an undertaking to mention to nobody either the name of my interlocutor or, at that time, even the fact that the conversation had taken place. Things were at an early and delicate stage, he said: but there was a real possibility of movement along the lines of the former negotiations. They had read my book. Could we talk?

I told them that I wasn’t as closely in contact with the Anglican side as I had been, for obvious reasons. But there was one thing I was sure of: that the whole thing would be sunk unless the English bishops were kept firmly out of the loop: they should be told nothing. There was a silence. “Your remarks are noted,” he said. But it was clear to me that if the English bishops hadn’t been told yet, that was a decision that had already been made.

If you want to get anything done in the English Catholic Church...

Don't have anything to do with her bishops. William Odie, writing in the Catholic Herald (UK) on Anglicanorum coetibus, reports fifteen years were lost owing to politically correct squishiness.

Why we waited 15 years for an Ordinariate: the inside story
In the words of Cardinal Ratzinger then, ‘what are the English bishops afraid of?’

(excerpt)

One day, I received a phone call from Rome. It was from a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, whose former prefect was now Pope. I was asked for an undertaking to mention to nobody either the name of my interlocutor or, at that time, even the fact that the conversation had taken place. Things were at an early and delicate stage, he said: but there was a real possibility of movement along the lines of the former negotiations. They had read my book. Could we talk?

I told them that I wasn’t as closely in contact with the Anglican side as I had been, for obvious reasons. But there was one thing I was sure of: that the whole thing would be sunk unless the English bishops were kept firmly out of the loop: they should be told nothing. There was a silence. “Your remarks are noted,” he said. But it was clear to me that if the English bishops hadn’t been told yet, that was a decision that had already been made.

Cognitive Dissonance

From Washington Whispers in U.S. News & World Report:

Jesse Jackson isn't the only activist that can use corporate boycotts for political purposes. Starting next year, the huge Tea Party organizer FreedomWorks will urge supporters to punish huge corporations like General Electric and Johnson and Johnson for backing President Obama's progressive agenda.

In an exclusive review for Whispers of their plan, FreedomWorks president Matt Kibbe says: "Tea Party activists are willing to tackle progressive CEOs just as they tackled progressive politicians. Judging by the results of the midterm elections, progressive CEOs should buckle up, because Tea Party activists are going to give them a very bumpy ride."

This is all to the good. Corporate welfare, whatever its form, is more damaging to the national fisc than that for individuals (it is telling the most heinous villains in Ayn Rand's novels are rent-seeking corporate chieftains). It is high time captains of industry, the putative champions of free markets, are called out for sticking their hypocritical snouts in the public trough.

An additional benefit in calling for corporate boycotts is it further flummoxes the left which, in its unceasing creation of cardboard cutout villains in order to tear them down, has yet to get a full grasp on Tea Party libertarianism. What will the Kos Kidz or moveon.organizers do when there is nationwide call to boycott General Electric or Johnson and Johnson? They can hardly opposed such an action but they can hardly defend those evil corporations either without placing themselves on the same side of those they accuse of being corporate tools and stooges. The internal conflict will surely be excruciating; what fun!

Cognitive Dissonance

From Washington Whispers in U.S. News & World Report:

Jesse Jackson isn't the only activist that can use corporate boycotts for political purposes. Starting next year, the huge Tea Party organizer FreedomWorks will urge supporters to punish huge corporations like General Electric and Johnson and Johnson for backing President Obama's progressive agenda.

In an exclusive review for Whispers of their plan, FreedomWorks president Matt Kibbe says: "Tea Party activists are willing to tackle progressive CEOs just as they tackled progressive politicians. Judging by the results of the midterm elections, progressive CEOs should buckle up, because Tea Party activists are going to give them a very bumpy ride."

This is all to the good. Corporate welfare, whatever its form, is more damaging to the national fisc than that for individuals (it is telling the most heinous villains in Ayn Rand's novels are rent-seeking corporate chieftains). It is high time captains of industry, the putative champions of free markets, are called out for sticking their hypocritical snouts in the public trough.

An additional benefit in calling for corporate boycotts is it further flummoxes the left which, in its unceasing creation of cardboard cutout villains in order to tear them down, has yet to get a full grasp on Tea Party libertarianism. What will the Kos Kidz or moveon.organizers do when there is nationwide call to boycott General Electric or Johnson and Johnson? They can hardly opposed such an action but they can hardly defend those evil corporations either without placing themselves on the same side of those they accuse of being corporate tools and stooges. The internal conflict will surely be excruciating; what fun!

Maybe it's my contrarian nature...

...but this does not seem to me the big deal the media will surely make it out to be:

Pope Benedict says condom use may be justified in some specific cases, such as when a male prostitute is trying to prevent HIV infection, in a new interview that has the pontiff deviating from the Catholic Church's line on contraception.

The Pope's comments are published in a new book, scheduled to be published next week, entitled "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times." The Vatican's newspaper published excerpts from the book on Saturday.

While the Catholic Church is staunchly against artificial contraception, Benedict said condoms for male prostitutes may be justifiable "in the intention of reducing the risk of infection."

He also pointed out that condom use among prostitutes is "a first step toward moralization," and said condoms are "not really the way to deal with the evil of HIV infection."

Since I am reasonably certain male (as well female) prostitution falls outside Church teachings and since I am also reasonably certain prostitutes generally do not look to the Holy Father or the Holy Catholic Church for moral guidance, the undoubted clamorous reaction to this statement of the Pope by media and birth control advocates will be wildly out of proportion to its significance.

It seem to me all the Holy Father is saying is: "Don't compound your already egregious sin by passing along disease to someone else as you commit it." If liberals somehow construe that to mean the Church's eventually blessing of the use of condoms by Catholics, they are bound to be disappointed.

Maybe it's my contrarian nature...

...but this does not seem to me the big deal the media will surely make it out to be:

Pope Benedict says condom use may be justified in some specific cases, such as when a male prostitute is trying to prevent HIV infection, in a new interview that has the pontiff deviating from the Catholic Church's line on contraception.

The Pope's comments are published in a new book, scheduled to be published next week, entitled "Light of the World: The Pope, the Church and the Signs of the Times." The Vatican's newspaper published excerpts from the book on Saturday.

While the Catholic Church is staunchly against artificial contraception, Benedict said condoms for male prostitutes may be justifiable "in the intention of reducing the risk of infection."

He also pointed out that condom use among prostitutes is "a first step toward moralization," and said condoms are "not really the way to deal with the evil of HIV infection."

Since I am reasonably certain male (as well female) prostitution falls outside Church teachings and since I am also reasonably certain prostitutes generally do not look to the Holy Father or the Holy Catholic Church for moral guidance, the undoubted clamorous reaction to this statement of the Pope by media and birth control advocates will be wildly out of proportion to its significance.

It seem to me all the Holy Father is saying is: "Don't compound your already egregious sin by passing along disease to someone else as you commit it." If liberals somehow construe that to mean the Church's eventually blessing of the use of condoms by Catholics, they are bound to be disappointed.

Granny does some Needlework before Boarding the Airplane

(From the good folks at Steotch)

Granny does some Needlework before Boarding the Airplane

(From the good folks at Steotch)

And So it Begins

The Establishment of a Personal Ordinariate in England and Wales

Press release issued by the Catholic Communications Network

Implementation of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus
The Establishment of a Personal Ordinariate in England and Wales

Much has been achieved over many years as a result of the dialogue and the fruitful ecumenical relations which have developed between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. Obedient to the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ to His Heavenly Father, the unity of the Church remains a constant desire in the vision and life of Anglicans and Catholics. The prayer for Christian Unity is the prayer for the gift of full communion with each other. We must never tire of praying and working for this goal.

During his visit to the United Kingdom in September, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was therefore keen to stress that the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus: "…should be seen as a prophetic gesture that can contribute positively to the developing relations between Anglicans and Catholics. It helps us to set our sights on the ultimate goal of all ecumenical activity: the restoration of full ecclesial communion in the context of which the mutual exchange of gifts from our respective spiritual patrimonies serves as an enrichment to us all."i

It is now just over one year since the Apostolic Constitution was published. The Pope’s initiative provided for the establishment of personal Ordinariates as one of the ways in which members of the Anglican tradition may seek to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. As the Holy Father stated at that time, he was responding to petitions received "repeatedly and insistently"ii by him from groups of Anglicans wishing "to be received into full communion individually as well as corporately."iii Since then, it has become clear that a number of Anglican clergy and their faithful do indeed wish to bring their desire for full ecclesial communion with the Catholic Church to realisation within an Ordinariate structure.

In collaboration with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in Rome, the Bishops of England and Wales have been preparing for the establishment of an Ordinariate early in January 2011. Although there may be practical difficulties in the months ahead, the Bishops are working to address these at a national and local level.

Five Anglican Bishops who currently intend to enter the Ordinariate have already announced their decision to resign from pastoral ministry in the Church of England with effect from 31 December 2010. They will enter into full communion with the Catholic Church early in January 2011. During the same month, it is expected that the Decree establishing the Ordinariate will be issued and the name of the Ordinary to be appointed announced. Soon afterwards, those non-retired former Anglican Bishops whose petitions to be ordained are accepted by the CDF, will be ordained to the Catholic Diaconate and Priesthood for service in the Ordinariate.

It is expected that the retired former Anglican Bishops whose petitions to be ordained are accepted by the CDF, will be ordained to the Catholic Diaconate and Priesthood prior to Lent. This will enable them, together with the Ordinary and the other former Anglican Bishops, to assist with the preparation and reception of former Anglican clergy and their faithful into full communion with the Catholic Church during Holy Week.

Before the beginning of Lent, those Anglican clergy with groups of faithful who have decided to enter the Ordinariate will then begin a period of intense formation for ordination as Catholic priests.

At the beginning of Lent, the groups of faithful together with their pastors will be enrolled as candidates for the Ordinariate. Then, at a date to be agreed between the Ordinary and the local diocesan Bishop, they will be received into the Catholic Church and confirmed. This will probably take place either during Holy Week, at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday or during the Easter Vigil. The period of formation for the faithful and their pastors will continue to Pentecost. Until then, these communities will be cared for sacramentally by local clergy as arranged by the diocesan Bishop and the Ordinary.

Around Pentecost, those former Anglican priests whose petitions for ordination have been accepted by the CDF will be ordained to the Catholic Priesthood. Ordination to the Diaconate will precede this at some point during Eastertide. Formation in Catholic theology and pastoral practice will continue for an appropriate amount of time after ordination.

In responding generously and offering a warm welcome to those seeking full ecclesial communion with the Catholic Church within the Ordinariate, the Bishops know that the clergy and faithful who are on that journey of faith will bring their own spiritual treasures which will further enrich the spiritual life of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The Bishops will do all they can to ensure that there is effective and close collaboration with the Ordinariate both at diocesan and parish levels.

Finally, with the blessings and encouragement they have received from Pope Benedict’s recent Visit, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales are resolved to continue their dialogue with other Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities on that journey towards the communion in faith and the fullness of unity for which Christ prayed.

Footnotes

i Oscott College, 19 September 2010
ii Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum Coetibus', 4 November 2009
iii ibid

Apparently Anglican clergy requesting it will be on the fast track to ordination, "around Pentecost," with "formation in Catholic theology and pastoral practice" to continue after ordination. That seems significant to me. Will we see something similar in the United States?

(Thanks to William Tighe)

And So it Begins

The Establishment of a Personal Ordinariate in England and Wales

Press release issued by the Catholic Communications Network

Implementation of the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus
The Establishment of a Personal Ordinariate in England and Wales

Much has been achieved over many years as a result of the dialogue and the fruitful ecumenical relations which have developed between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. Obedient to the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ to His Heavenly Father, the unity of the Church remains a constant desire in the vision and life of Anglicans and Catholics. The prayer for Christian Unity is the prayer for the gift of full communion with each other. We must never tire of praying and working for this goal.

During his visit to the United Kingdom in September, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was therefore keen to stress that the Apostolic Constitution Anglicanorum Coetibus: "…should be seen as a prophetic gesture that can contribute positively to the developing relations between Anglicans and Catholics. It helps us to set our sights on the ultimate goal of all ecumenical activity: the restoration of full ecclesial communion in the context of which the mutual exchange of gifts from our respective spiritual patrimonies serves as an enrichment to us all."i

It is now just over one year since the Apostolic Constitution was published. The Pope’s initiative provided for the establishment of personal Ordinariates as one of the ways in which members of the Anglican tradition may seek to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. As the Holy Father stated at that time, he was responding to petitions received "repeatedly and insistently"ii by him from groups of Anglicans wishing "to be received into full communion individually as well as corporately."iii Since then, it has become clear that a number of Anglican clergy and their faithful do indeed wish to bring their desire for full ecclesial communion with the Catholic Church to realisation within an Ordinariate structure.

In collaboration with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in Rome, the Bishops of England and Wales have been preparing for the establishment of an Ordinariate early in January 2011. Although there may be practical difficulties in the months ahead, the Bishops are working to address these at a national and local level.

Five Anglican Bishops who currently intend to enter the Ordinariate have already announced their decision to resign from pastoral ministry in the Church of England with effect from 31 December 2010. They will enter into full communion with the Catholic Church early in January 2011. During the same month, it is expected that the Decree establishing the Ordinariate will be issued and the name of the Ordinary to be appointed announced. Soon afterwards, those non-retired former Anglican Bishops whose petitions to be ordained are accepted by the CDF, will be ordained to the Catholic Diaconate and Priesthood for service in the Ordinariate.

It is expected that the retired former Anglican Bishops whose petitions to be ordained are accepted by the CDF, will be ordained to the Catholic Diaconate and Priesthood prior to Lent. This will enable them, together with the Ordinary and the other former Anglican Bishops, to assist with the preparation and reception of former Anglican clergy and their faithful into full communion with the Catholic Church during Holy Week.

Before the beginning of Lent, those Anglican clergy with groups of faithful who have decided to enter the Ordinariate will then begin a period of intense formation for ordination as Catholic priests.

At the beginning of Lent, the groups of faithful together with their pastors will be enrolled as candidates for the Ordinariate. Then, at a date to be agreed between the Ordinary and the local diocesan Bishop, they will be received into the Catholic Church and confirmed. This will probably take place either during Holy Week, at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday or during the Easter Vigil. The period of formation for the faithful and their pastors will continue to Pentecost. Until then, these communities will be cared for sacramentally by local clergy as arranged by the diocesan Bishop and the Ordinary.

Around Pentecost, those former Anglican priests whose petitions for ordination have been accepted by the CDF will be ordained to the Catholic Priesthood. Ordination to the Diaconate will precede this at some point during Eastertide. Formation in Catholic theology and pastoral practice will continue for an appropriate amount of time after ordination.

In responding generously and offering a warm welcome to those seeking full ecclesial communion with the Catholic Church within the Ordinariate, the Bishops know that the clergy and faithful who are on that journey of faith will bring their own spiritual treasures which will further enrich the spiritual life of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. The Bishops will do all they can to ensure that there is effective and close collaboration with the Ordinariate both at diocesan and parish levels.

Finally, with the blessings and encouragement they have received from Pope Benedict’s recent Visit, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales are resolved to continue their dialogue with other Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities on that journey towards the communion in faith and the fullness of unity for which Christ prayed.

Footnotes

i Oscott College, 19 September 2010
ii Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum Coetibus', 4 November 2009
iii ibid

Apparently Anglican clergy requesting it will be on the fast track to ordination, "around Pentecost," with "formation in Catholic theology and pastoral practice" to continue after ordination. That seems significant to me. Will we see something similar in the United States?

(Thanks to William Tighe)

A Gift that Should be Under Every Family's Christmas Tree This Year

"From I Support John Tyner" on Facebook

A Gift that Should be Under Every Family's Christmas Tree This Year

"From I Support John Tyner" on Facebook

A Seismic Shift in the USCCB?

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has a well-deserved reputation of being a colloquy of tiresome old post-Vatican II reformers, many of whom seem just plain embarrassed by Catholic teachings and traditions. So at at their annual meeting this year the following was not expected:

BALTIMORE, Maryland, November 16, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a surprise vote, the strongly pro-life Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York has been elected the next president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at the bishops’ annual general meeting in Baltimore.

Archbishop Dolan’s election departs from the U.S. Bishops’ tradition of elevating the sitting vice president of the conference. Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona had been expected to take the role, but was the subject of controversy in the lead-up to the election over his connection to a Chicago priest convicted of child molestation.

Additionally, numerous Catholic commentators had warned that Bishop Kicanas follows in the path of his mentor Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, who is known for his support of liberal movements in the Church. 

There ought not be controversy over Archbishop Dolan and the way he has dealt with priestly rapists of young men (which is what they really are and more accurately described thus). As Archbishop of Milwaukee Dolan, charged with cleaning up the mess left behind by retired and unmissed church vandal Archbishop Weakland, took swift action against offending parties, even going so far as to post the names of priests of whom charges against were substantiated, on the diocesan website.

Not only is Archbishop Dolan more conservative he is relatively young, which is encouraging; that Commonweal and its readers are not happy about this election is more encouraging still.

A Seismic Shift in the USCCB?

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has a well-deserved reputation of being a colloquy of tiresome old post-Vatican II reformers, many of whom seem just plain embarrassed by Catholic teachings and traditions. So at at their annual meeting this year the following was not expected:

BALTIMORE, Maryland, November 16, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a surprise vote, the strongly pro-life Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York has been elected the next president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops at the bishops’ annual general meeting in Baltimore.

Archbishop Dolan’s election departs from the U.S. Bishops’ tradition of elevating the sitting vice president of the conference. Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Arizona had been expected to take the role, but was the subject of controversy in the lead-up to the election over his connection to a Chicago priest convicted of child molestation.

Additionally, numerous Catholic commentators had warned that Bishop Kicanas follows in the path of his mentor Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, who is known for his support of liberal movements in the Church. 

There ought not be controversy over Archbishop Dolan and the way he has dealt with priestly rapists of young men (which is what they really are and more accurately described thus). As Archbishop of Milwaukee Dolan, charged with cleaning up the mess left behind by retired and unmissed church vandal Archbishop Weakland, took swift action against offending parties, even going so far as to post the names of priests of whom charges against were substantiated, on the diocesan website.

Not only is Archbishop Dolan more conservative he is relatively young, which is encouraging; that Commonweal and its readers are not happy about this election is more encouraging still.

Hallelujah!

It was a tad early, even by today's ridiculous standards--before Hallowe'en, even!--but nevertheless, what a nice way to get the shopping season off to a good start, and with a choir of 630! Although it takes place in a Macy's, the store was originally Wanamaker's, a grand old Philadelphia institution. Mr. Wanamaker had an organ installed, one of many that is claimed to be the largest in the world (any organ experts please chime in here with your thoughts), and directed that daily recitals be given for the entertainment of his customers. Macy's, bless their hearts, after absorbing Wanamakers, continues that tradition and judging by the sound on this video, keeps the instrument in superb repair. Enjoy!



(Thanks to Susie)

Hallelujah!

It was a tad early, even by today's ridiculous standards--before Hallowe'en, even!--but nevertheless, what a nice way to get the shopping season off to a good start, and with a choir of 630! Although it takes place in a Macy's, the store was originally Wanamaker's, a grand old Philadelphia institution. Mr. Wanamaker had an organ installed, one of many that is claimed to be the largest in the world (any organ experts please chime in here with your thoughts), and directed that daily recitals be given for the entertainment of his customers. Macy's, bless their hearts, after absorbing Wanamakers, continues that tradition and judging by the sound on this video, keeps the instrument in superb repair. Enjoy!



(Thanks to Susie)

So Which is It?

Is Marco Rubio, the newly elected Senator from Florida, a Catholic or a Baptist? Damian Thompson of the Telegraph notes that while Rubio claims he is a Catholic, he attends services at a Southern Baptist church. Your Bloviator was an early admirer of Rubio's and it makes no difference to him where Rubio worships. One cannot, however, be a Catholic and a protestant at the same time.

Rubio should declare what he is and explain and apologize for this seeming duplicity. He has a bright future; it would be a shame if he blew it over a relatively minor matter.

So Which is It?

Is Marco Rubio, the newly elected Senator from Florida, a Catholic or a Baptist? Damian Thompson of the Telegraph notes that while Rubio claims he is a Catholic, he attends services at a Southern Baptist church. Your Bloviator was an early admirer of Rubio's and it makes no difference to him where Rubio worships. One cannot, however, be a Catholic and a protestant at the same time.

Rubio should declare what he is and explain and apologize for this seeming duplicity. He has a bright future; it would be a shame if he blew it over a relatively minor matter.

To the Next 50 Years?

From the Catholic News Agency:

Vatican Radio reported Nov. 10 that the head of the English Anglicans, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, will travel to the Vatican next week. He is to take part in celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Nov. 17.

After mutual assurances of their good health and a discussion of the weather in Rome, what else will they talk about?

To the Next 50 Years?

From the Catholic News Agency:

Vatican Radio reported Nov. 10 that the head of the English Anglicans, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, will travel to the Vatican next week. He is to take part in celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Nov. 17.

After mutual assurances of their good health and a discussion of the weather in Rome, what else will they talk about?

To call this a sea change...

...would be an understatement. Watch out, Bernanke.

The Fed’s worst nightmare... Ron Paul to chair Monetary Policy Subcommittee

For years, the Federal Reserve had a good friend in their pockets when Congressmen Barney Frank was chairman of the Monetary Policy subcommittee. That is about to change, and taking Barney's place is the one man who would see the Federal Reserve dissolved.

That man is Congressman Ron Paul...

Among the things the Federal Reserve System is charged with is to "maintain the stability of the financial system and contain systemic risk in financial markets." What cost a dollar 1913, the year of the Fed's creation, cost $21.57 in 2008; there have also been some undeniable unpleasantnesses in the financial markets since then. Res ipsa loquitur; it's time for a fresh approach.

To call this a sea change...

...would be an understatement. Watch out, Bernanke.

The Fed’s worst nightmare... Ron Paul to chair Monetary Policy Subcommittee

For years, the Federal Reserve had a good friend in their pockets when Congressmen Barney Frank was chairman of the Monetary Policy subcommittee. That is about to change, and taking Barney's place is the one man who would see the Federal Reserve dissolved.

That man is Congressman Ron Paul...

Among the things the Federal Reserve System is charged with is to "maintain the stability of the financial system and contain systemic risk in financial markets." What cost a dollar 1913, the year of the Fed's creation, cost $21.57 in 2008; there have also been some undeniable unpleasantnesses in the financial markets since then. Res ipsa loquitur; it's time for a fresh approach.

Program Note

A pal of your Bloviator, the Rev'd Jason Catania, Rector of Mount Calvary Church in Charm City, will be a guest on the Mr. Raymond Arroyo's program, The World Over, on the Eternal Word Television Network, Thursday, November 11 at 8 p.m., where, presumably, the whys, wherefores and possible shoals to be circumnavigated as he and his parishioners prepare for their upcoming crossing of the Tiber will be discussed. Ought to be interesting.

Program Note

A pal of your Bloviator, the Rev'd Jason Catania, Rector of Mount Calvary Church in Charm City, will be a guest on the Mr. Raymond Arroyo's program, The World Over, on the Eternal Word Television Network, Thursday, November 11 at 8 p.m., where, presumably, the whys, wherefores and possible shoals to be circumnavigated as he and his parishioners prepare for their upcoming crossing of the Tiber will be discussed. Ought to be interesting.

The Exodus Begins Picks Up Steam

Five Bishops Fly to the Ordinariate for England and Wales

The Exodus Begins Picks Up Steam

Five Bishops Fly to the Ordinariate for England and Wales

I guess it beats going to church

More religion-product from the Episcopalians, the "Seusscharist:"

(Thanks to Augustine)

I guess it beats going to church

More religion-product from the Episcopalians, the "Seusscharist:"

(Thanks to Augustine)

The President and His Lapdogs

From the Associated Press: Obama acknowledges his message didn't get through

No possibility, apparently, that the message did get through, loud and clear. Replied to, even.

UPDATE: I guess what's most irritating about that headline is the use of the word "acknowledges." "Acknoweldges" to whom, I wonder.

There is still the assumption by the President, his base and MSM that the transformation of this country into a social democracy will be embraced by the people when it is expained to them in simple enough English, accompanied by pictograms if necessary, that it finally dawns on the benighted idiots what a wonderful world is planned for them.

The President and His Lapdogs

From the Associated Press: Obama acknowledges his message didn't get through

No possibility, apparently, that the message did get through, loud and clear. Replied to, even.

UPDATE: I guess what's most irritating about that headline is the use of the word "acknowledges." "Acknoweldges" to whom, I wonder.

There is still the assumption by the President, his base and MSM that the transformation of this country into a social democracy will be embraced by the people when it is expained to them in simple enough English, accompanied by pictograms if necessary, that it finally dawns on the benighted idiots what a wonderful world is planned for them.

Joined at the Hip?

The New York Times: National Parks Reach Out to Blacks Who Aren't Visiting

The Onion: African-American Boycott of L. L. Bean Enters 80th Year

(Thanks to Justin Martyr)

Joined at the Hip?

The New York Times: National Parks Reach Out to Blacks Who Aren't Visiting

The Onion: African-American Boycott of L. L. Bean Enters 80th Year

(Thanks to Justin Martyr)

Election Day Sermon

I am not particularly excited about the expected Republican blowout in today's elections. The Republicans have disappointed far too many times for me to hold out hope this time they will get it right. I fully expect within days or even hours after the election to hear some Republican party leader talking about "reaching across the aisle." Then we will know, yet again, we have been had. Back to work.

What I am hopeful about this election, however, is for something much bigger than any Republican landslide: the mortal wounding of the so-called New Left, which got going in earnest in this country in 1964-65 with the Free Speech Movement at U.C. Berkeley, spread like the plague and has been with us ever since, doing staggering damage to our culture, education, industry, cities and the public fisc. It is the pernicious New Left in all its manifestations, not just small people like Obama, Pelosi and Reid, that the people are voting against in this election.

If the Republicans actually do get the message, obviating a third party, what they might do in the wake of their victory is to continually pass legislation shutting down or defunding the most egregious examples of abusive government (ObamaCare would be a fine place to start). The legislation will be vetoed, of course, and there likely will not be enough votes to override but it hardly matters; they should just keep doing it, over and over. If the people see their elected officials battling corrupt left-wing power-mad elites every single day, their hopes will be raised and they will rally round their representatives. Then, perhaps, we may see the long-overdue crushing of the 1960s radical left.

Election Day Sermon

I am not particularly excited about the expected Republican blowout in today's elections. The Republicans have disappointed far too many times for me to hold out hope this time they will get it right. I fully expect within days or even hours after the election to hear some Republican party leader talking about "reaching across the aisle." Then we will know, yet again, we have been had. Back to work.

What I am hopeful about this election, however, is for something much bigger than any Republican landslide: the mortal wounding of the so-called New Left, which got going in earnest in this country in 1964-65 with the Free Speech Movement at U.C. Berkeley, spread like the plague and has been with us ever since, doing staggering damage to our culture, education, industry, cities and the public fisc. It is the pernicious New Left in all its manifestations, not just small people like Obama, Pelosi and Reid, that the people are voting against in this election.

If the Republicans actually do get the message, obviating a third party, what they might do in the wake of their victory is to continually pass legislation shutting down or defunding the most egregious examples of abusive government (ObamaCare would be a fine place to start). The legislation will be vetoed, of course, and there likely will not be enough votes to override but it hardly matters; they should just keep doing it, over and over. If the people see their elected officials battling corrupt left-wing power-mad elites every single day, their hopes will be raised and they will rally round their representatives. Then, perhaps, we may see the long-overdue crushing of the 1960s radical left.

I've heard he abused dihydrogen monoxide when in college

Participants at the Rally for Sanity were asked if "Obama is a Keynesian?"



Thanks to John J. O'Sullivan™

I've heard he abused dihydrogen monoxide when in college

Participants at the Rally for Sanity were asked if "Obama is a Keynesian?"



Thanks to John J. O'Sullivan™

The State of the Church in Austria

From the Eponymous Flower:

Linz Bishop "Concelebrates" with Women in Priestly Robes

The relationship of ludicrous vestments to ghastly innovation must surely be a direct proportion (further examples here).

(h/t Augustine)

The State of the Church in Austria

From the Eponymous Flower:

Linz Bishop "Concelebrates" with Women in Priestly Robes

The relationship of ludicrous vestments to ghastly innovation must surely be a direct proportion (further examples here).

(h/t Augustine)