They Trusted Him

In an interview conducted by James Tarranto in the Wall Street Journal Cardinal Timothy Dolan decries his betrayal by the President of the United States:

At the end of their 45-minute discussion, the archbishop summed up what he understood as the president's message:

"I said, 'I've heard you say, first of all, that you have immense regard for the work of the Catholic Church in the United States in health care, education and charity. . . . I have heard you say that you are not going to let the administration do anything to impede that work and . . . that you take the protection of the rights of conscience with the utmost seriousness. . . . Does that accurately sum up our conversation?' [Mr. Obama] said, 'You bet it does.'"

The archbishop asked for permission to relay the message to the other bishops. "You don't have my permission, you've got my request," the president replied.

"So you can imagine the chagrin," Archbishop Dolan continues, "when he called me at the end of January to say that the mandates remain in place and that there would be no substantive change, and that the only thing that he could offer me was that we would have until August. . . .

I suppose it's a stretch and disrespectful to boot to liken His Eminence and his fellow bishops in the USCCB to the character of Flounder (less so the President to Otter) in the movie Animal House. Neverthless, this scene comes to mind.



To be fair, Dolan, though he evinces little or no concern for our present horrendous liturgy, is far brighter than most of the bishops in the USCCB, whose decades-long attempts at grafting leftist ideology to the moral teachings of Holy Church has, at last, yielded little else than their being shown for fools. The only charitable thing that might be said of the USCCB is they strike this former member of the Episcopal Church as not being quite as dumb as their counterparts in that institution. That would be a stretch indeed.

They Trusted Him

In an interview conducted by James Tarranto in the Wall Street Journal Cardinal Timothy Dolan decries his betrayal by the President of the United States:

At the end of their 45-minute discussion, the archbishop summed up what he understood as the president's message:

"I said, 'I've heard you say, first of all, that you have immense regard for the work of the Catholic Church in the United States in health care, education and charity. . . . I have heard you say that you are not going to let the administration do anything to impede that work and . . . that you take the protection of the rights of conscience with the utmost seriousness. . . . Does that accurately sum up our conversation?' [Mr. Obama] said, 'You bet it does.'"

The archbishop asked for permission to relay the message to the other bishops. "You don't have my permission, you've got my request," the president replied.

"So you can imagine the chagrin," Archbishop Dolan continues, "when he called me at the end of January to say that the mandates remain in place and that there would be no substantive change, and that the only thing that he could offer me was that we would have until August. . . .

I suppose it's a stretch and disrespectful to boot to liken His Eminence and his fellow bishops in the USCCB to the character of Flounder (less so the President to Otter) in the movie Animal House. Neverthless, this scene comes to mind.



To be fair, Dolan, though he evinces little or no concern for our present horrendous liturgy, is far brighter than most of the bishops in the USCCB, whose decades-long attempts at grafting leftist ideology to the moral teachings of Holy Church has, at last, yielded little else than their being shown for fools. The only charitable thing that might be said of the USCCB is they strike this former member of the Episcopal Church as not being quite as dumb as their counterparts in that institution. That would be a stretch indeed.

They Never Disappoint

Who but looniest of the loony left would question the veracity of these words, spoken by the Pope to the press on his way to Cuba: "Today it is evident that Marxist ideology in the way it was conceived no longer corresponds to reality." Who, I ask? Why the Jesuits, of course! From their America Magazine, referring to an article in Reuters (emphasis added): "Reuters reports on Pope Benedict's upcoming trip to Cuba, and says that the Pope is offering Cuba the church's assistance should it move away from communism, which he claims no longer works."

They Never Disappoint

Who but looniest of the loony left would question the veracity of these words, spoken by the Pope to the press on his way to Cuba: "Today it is evident that Marxist ideology in the way it was conceived no longer corresponds to reality." Who, I ask? Why the Jesuits, of course! From their America Magazine, referring to an article in Reuters (emphasis added): "Reuters reports on Pope Benedict's upcoming trip to Cuba, and says that the Pope is offering Cuba the church's assistance should it move away from communism, which he claims no longer works."

If Your're Free on the Evening of Monday the 26th...

You may wish to come to this (from the Church of Holy Innocents in New York City):

On Monday, March 26th, on the Solemnity of Annunciation, the retired bishop James C. Timlin of the Diocese of Scranton will celebrate the Solemn Pontifical Traditional Latin Mass at 6pm, and will also administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to several candidates. All are welcome!

I wonder the last time the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered in New York using the traditional Latin rite; decades ago, I should think. Please consider attending if you are in the area. Not only will you be witnessing an historic occasion, you will also be showing support of the good efforts of clergy and laymen of  Holy Innocents in restoring traditional worship to its proper place in Holy Church.

Incidentally, your Bloviator will be singing with the Holy Innocents Schola Cantorum that evening. You should consider attending regardless.

If Your're Free on the Evening of Monday the 26th...

You may wish to come to this (from the Church of Holy Innocents in New York City):

On Monday, March 26th, on the Solemnity of Annunciation, the retired bishop James C. Timlin of the Diocese of Scranton will celebrate the Solemn Pontifical Traditional Latin Mass at 6pm, and will also administer the Sacrament of Confirmation to several candidates. All are welcome!

I wonder the last time the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered in New York using the traditional Latin rite; decades ago, I should think. Please consider attending if you are in the area. Not only will you be witnessing an historic occasion, you will also be showing support of the good efforts of clergy and laymen of  Holy Innocents in restoring traditional worship to its proper place in Holy Church.

Incidentally, your Bloviator will be singing with the Holy Innocents Schola Cantorum that evening. You should consider attending regardless.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day (Part 2)

Your Bloviator lunched today with friends in midtown, just off Fifth Avenue, and so found himself plunged into the midst of the Saint Patrick's Day parade. After taking in countless idiots attired in big dopey green top hats or big dopey green spectacles etc. and later observing wearers of same shrieking vile obscenities to no one in particular, puking the vast quantities of green beer funneled down earlier, something unfortunate ocurred: the exquisite and finely-honed Episcopalian snobbery I thought I had rid myself forever upon reception into the Holy Catholic Church flooded my soul anew.

I love Ireland: the country, the people and the culture but for the life of me cannot understand how it came to be acceptable, in the United States anyway, the birthday in heaven of a great nation's patron saint be desecrated by myriad yahoos making such bloody asses of themselves.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day (Part 2)

Your Bloviator lunched today with friends in midtown, just off Fifth Avenue, and so found himself plunged into the midst of the Saint Patrick's Day parade. After taking in countless idiots attired in big dopey green top hats or big dopey green spectacles etc. and later observing wearers of same shrieking vile obscenities to no one in particular, puking the vast quantities of green beer funneled down earlier, something unfortunate ocurred: the exquisite and finely-honed Episcopalian snobbery I thought I had rid myself forever upon reception into the Holy Catholic Church flooded my soul anew.

I love Ireland: the country, the people and the culture but for the life of me cannot understand how it came to be acceptable, in the United States anyway, the birthday in heaven of a great nation's patron saint be desecrated by myriad yahoos making such bloody asses of themselves.

Guinness is Good for You

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Your Bloviator's mother told him when she lived in Ireland in the early 1950s the pubs were closed on March 17th. It was, after all, a solemn religious holiday. Not anymore, of course, but it wouldn't hurt to say a prayer to that good Englishman on your way to the pub or parade tomorrow.

Meanwhile, have some fun with this.

Guinness is Good for You

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Your Bloviator's mother told him when she lived in Ireland in the early 1950s the pubs were closed on March 17th. It was, after all, a solemn religious holiday. Not anymore, of course, but it wouldn't hurt to say a prayer to that good Englishman on your way to the pub or parade tomorrow.

Meanwhile, have some fun with this.

Archbishop of Canterbury to Resign.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will be resigning his office to become Master of Magdalene College at Cambridge, January 2013. I cannot say I blame him.

I know several people who have had dealings with His Grace the Archbishop and to a one they report him as a warm, engaging and erudite personage, in other words ideally suited for the academy. But oh in what sorry he state he leaves the Church of England and the Anglican Communion! How much of the blame can actually be laid at his feet is not easy to determine but Canterbury's tale is cautionary one: do not look to academics to lead you out of your woes; consult with them by all means but think twice before putting them in charge.

Archbishop of Canterbury to Resign.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will be resigning his office to become Master of Magdalene College at Cambridge, January 2013. I cannot say I blame him.

I know several people who have had dealings with His Grace the Archbishop and to a one they report him as a warm, engaging and erudite personage, in other words ideally suited for the academy. But oh in what sorry he state he leaves the Church of England and the Anglican Communion! How much of the blame can actually be laid at his feet is not easy to determine but Canterbury's tale is cautionary one: do not look to academics to lead you out of your woes; consult with them by all means but think twice before putting them in charge.

Another "Reform" Biting the Dust?

Inch by inch (and much too slowly for this ageing boomer) the reform of the reform plods along:

Rome, Italy, Mar 8, 2012 / 03:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo said he is delighted to have first-hand papal approval for changing the order by which children in his diocese receive the sacraments.

“I was very surprised in what the Pope said to me, in terms of how happy he was that the sacraments of initiation have been restored to their proper order of baptism, confirmation then first Eucharist,” said Bishop Aquila, after meeting Pope Benedict on March 8.

[snip]

Bishop Aquila said he made the changes because “it really puts the emphasis on the Eucharist as being what completes the sacraments of initiation” and on confirmation as “sealing and completing baptism.”

When the sacraments are conferred in this order, he said, it becomes more obvious that “both baptism and confirmation lead to the Eucharist.” This sacramental assistance helps Catholics live “that intimate relationship of being the beloved sons and daughters of the Father in our daily lives,” he added.

The Bishop of Fargo said the changes have also distanced the Sacrament of Confirmation from “some false theologies that see it as being a sacrament of maturity or as a sacrament for ‘me choosing God."

Well huzzah, huzzah! I often wonder whether many of the post-Vatican II reforms were perpetrated for sheerly contrarian reasons: being antithetical to the old ways sufficed. That some of the most radical reforms were rammed through so quickly (astonishingly so when you consider how slowly Holy Church usually moves in such circumstances) would suggest it and that putative reformers also knew the ol' window of opportunity would soon be slamming shut.

When I was a young Episcopalian the order was similar to the Catholic Church's at the time: baptism, confirmation and, finally, Holy Communion (as we called it). It made sense: one should not receive until capable of understanding what it is occurring. I have never read or heard an explanation of the present order (baptism, communion, confirmation) that did not soon devolve into touchy-feely mush. Let us hope the rest of the Church follows the good Bishop Aquila's example. All should benefit, save, perhaps, for photographers peddling mawkish "First Communion" portraits.

Thanks to Justin Martyr.


UPDATE: I was wrong to blame the Vatican II reforms for the change in the order children receive the sacraments; it goes back much earlier. See the comments.

Another "Reform" Biting the Dust?

Inch by inch (and much too slowly for this ageing boomer) the reform of the reform plods along:

Rome, Italy, Mar 8, 2012 / 03:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo said he is delighted to have first-hand papal approval for changing the order by which children in his diocese receive the sacraments.

“I was very surprised in what the Pope said to me, in terms of how happy he was that the sacraments of initiation have been restored to their proper order of baptism, confirmation then first Eucharist,” said Bishop Aquila, after meeting Pope Benedict on March 8.

[snip]

Bishop Aquila said he made the changes because “it really puts the emphasis on the Eucharist as being what completes the sacraments of initiation” and on confirmation as “sealing and completing baptism.”

When the sacraments are conferred in this order, he said, it becomes more obvious that “both baptism and confirmation lead to the Eucharist.” This sacramental assistance helps Catholics live “that intimate relationship of being the beloved sons and daughters of the Father in our daily lives,” he added.

The Bishop of Fargo said the changes have also distanced the Sacrament of Confirmation from “some false theologies that see it as being a sacrament of maturity or as a sacrament for ‘me choosing God."

Well huzzah, huzzah! I often wonder whether many of the post-Vatican II reforms were perpetrated for sheerly contrarian reasons: being antithetical to the old ways sufficed. That some of the most radical reforms were rammed through so quickly (astonishingly so when you consider how slowly Holy Church usually moves in such circumstances) would suggest it and that putative reformers also knew the ol' window of opportunity would soon be slamming shut.

When I was a young Episcopalian the order was similar to the Catholic Church's at the time: baptism, confirmation and, finally, Holy Communion (as we called it). It made sense: one should not receive until capable of understanding what it is occurring. I have never read or heard an explanation of the present order (baptism, communion, confirmation) that did not soon devolve into touchy-feely mush. Let us hope the rest of the Church follows the good Bishop Aquila's example. All should benefit, save, perhaps, for photographers peddling mawkish "First Communion" portraits.

Thanks to Justin Martyr.


UPDATE: I was wrong to blame the Vatican II reforms for the change in the order children receive the sacraments; it goes back much earlier. See the comments.

"Nice Little Church You Got Here...

...Shame if something happened to it. By the way, we got a friend we want you to pray for."

That, at any rate, is the possible explanation for this: Church in Havana celebrates mass for health of Venezuelan dictator.

h/t Instapundit.

"Nice Little Church You Got Here...

...Shame if something happened to it. By the way, we got a friend we want you to pray for."

That, at any rate, is the possible explanation for this: Church in Havana celebrates mass for health of Venezuelan dictator.

h/t Instapundit.

Thus Begins Feminism's Age of the Baroque

A stunning scholarly breakthrough from the Midlands of England:

In her paper “Intersex and Ontology, A Response to The Church, Women Bishops and Provision”, Dr Susannah Cornwall of Manchester University argues that it is not possible to know “with any certainty” that Jesus did not suffer from an intersex condition, with both male and female organs.

“There is no way of knowing for sure that Jesus did not have one of the intersex conditions which would give him a body which appeared externally to be unremarkably male, but which might nonetheless have had some “hidden” female physical features.”

Seriously, in all honesty, this can't go on much longer, can it? "Things fall apart; the center cannot hold," and all that?

With thanks to Let Nothing You Dismay.

Thus Begins Feminism's Age of the Baroque

A stunning scholarly breakthrough from the Midlands of England:

In her paper “Intersex and Ontology, A Response to The Church, Women Bishops and Provision”, Dr Susannah Cornwall of Manchester University argues that it is not possible to know “with any certainty” that Jesus did not suffer from an intersex condition, with both male and female organs.

“There is no way of knowing for sure that Jesus did not have one of the intersex conditions which would give him a body which appeared externally to be unremarkably male, but which might nonetheless have had some “hidden” female physical features.”

Seriously, in all honesty, this can't go on much longer, can it? "Things fall apart; the center cannot hold," and all that?

With thanks to Let Nothing You Dismay.

They Have Only Themselves to Blame

Paul A. Rahe tells it straight:

The Blunt-Nelson amendment failed to pass the Senate today for one reason and one reason only. The supporters of abortion-on-demand are serious about the matter. They will do what it takes to punish at the polls any Democrat who crosses them. The bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States have spent almost four decades intimating with a wink and a nod that they are not really serious about this question. In the process, they have made themselves politically irrelevant

On a more hopeful note, Rahe suggests the current head of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Dolan, "appears to have a backbone." We shall see. Dolan is a likable man but I've never been a huge fan because he seems to take zero interest in the state of the liturgy. As the Pope has said, bad liturgy, more than anything else, is responsible for the morass in today's Catholic Church. If, however, Cardinal Dolan sees to it the likes of Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, who claim to be Catholic while at the same time promoting contraception and abortion, are actually ex-communicated, he will have done a wonderful thing for Holy Church.

Thanks to Professor Tighe.

They Have Only Themselves to Blame

Paul A. Rahe tells it straight:

The Blunt-Nelson amendment failed to pass the Senate today for one reason and one reason only. The supporters of abortion-on-demand are serious about the matter. They will do what it takes to punish at the polls any Democrat who crosses them. The bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States have spent almost four decades intimating with a wink and a nod that they are not really serious about this question. In the process, they have made themselves politically irrelevant

On a more hopeful note, Rahe suggests the current head of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Cardinal Dolan, "appears to have a backbone." We shall see. Dolan is a likable man but I've never been a huge fan because he seems to take zero interest in the state of the liturgy. As the Pope has said, bad liturgy, more than anything else, is responsible for the morass in today's Catholic Church. If, however, Cardinal Dolan sees to it the likes of Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, who claim to be Catholic while at the same time promoting contraception and abortion, are actually ex-communicated, he will have done a wonderful thing for Holy Church.

Thanks to Professor Tighe.

Clarity at Last

From the Telegraph:

Killing babies no different from abortion, experts say

Parents should be allowed to have their newborn babies killed because they are “morally irrelevant” and ending their lives is no different to abortion, a group of medical ethicists linked to Oxford University has argued.

The article, published in the Journal of Medical Ethics, says newborn babies are not “actual persons” and do not have a “moral right to life”. The academics also argue that parents should be able to have their baby killed if it turns out to be disabled when it is born.

Of course this is utterly appalling (although methinks the "medical ethicists" are being deliberately provocative so to gin up debate and draw attention to themselves; they will certainly succeed). Still, in a perverse way, a great service for abortion foes has been rendered by the medical ethicists by their brutally giving the lie to abortion proponents' assertion the issue is a matter of a "woman's right to choose" or "control over her body." The report strips away such euphemistic twaddle and lays out the argument bare: Resolved: it is morally acceptable to kill unwanted children, in or out of the womb.

Perhaps we will now see more clarity in the abortion debates.

Thanks to Justin Martyr.

Clarity at Last

From the Telegraph:

Killing babies no different from abortion, experts say

Parents should be allowed to have their newborn babies killed because they are “morally irrelevant” and ending their lives is no different to abortion, a group of medical ethicists linked to Oxford University has argued.

The article, published in the Journal of Medical Ethics, says newborn babies are not “actual persons” and do not have a “moral right to life”. The academics also argue that parents should be able to have their baby killed if it turns out to be disabled when it is born.

Of course this is utterly appalling (although methinks the "medical ethicists" are being deliberately provocative so to gin up debate and draw attention to themselves; they will certainly succeed). Still, in a perverse way, a great service for abortion foes has been rendered by the medical ethicists by their brutally giving the lie to abortion proponents' assertion the issue is a matter of a "woman's right to choose" or "control over her body." The report strips away such euphemistic twaddle and lays out the argument bare: Resolved: it is morally acceptable to kill unwanted children, in or out of the womb.

Perhaps we will now see more clarity in the abortion debates.

Thanks to Justin Martyr.