Shooting the Moon

A while back the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church sent the Rt. Reverend Jack Iker of the Diocese of Fort Worth, an Anglo-Catholic stronghold, a snippy letter suggesting she would larn him good, via ecclesiastical discipline, if he didn't toe the line. The good bishop replied to that threat over the weekend in a letter that is a masterpiece of clarity, so unlike the usual unctuous goo which oozes from the new religionists running the Episcopal Church. It is worth quoting in its entirety.

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
815 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017

Dear Katharine,

I have received your letter of November 8th and am rather surprised by your suggestion that I have somehow abandoned the communion of the church and may be subject to ecclesiastical discipline. Such a charge is baseless. I have abandoned nothing, and I have violated no canons. Every year at our Chrism Mass, I very happily reaffirm my ordination vows, along with all our clergy, that I will be “loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as this Church has received them.” (BCP, pages 526 and 538)

It is highly inappropriate for you to attempt to interfere in the internal life of this diocese as we prayerfully prepare to gather in Convention. The threatening tone of your open letter makes no attempt to promote reconciliation, mediation, or even dialogue about our profound theological differences. Instead, it appears designed to intimidate our delegates and me, in an attempt to deter us from taking any action that opposes the direction in which you are leading our Church. It is deeply troubling that you would have me prevent the clergy and laity of this diocese from openly discussing our future place in the life of the wider Anglican Communion, as we debate a variety of proposals. As you well know, the polity of this Church requires the full participation of the clergy and lay orders, not just bishops, in the decision making process. It grieves me that as the Presiding Bishop you would misuse your office in an attempt to intimidate and manipulate this diocese.

While I do not wish to meet antagonism with antagonism, I must remind you that 25 years ago this month, the newly formed Diocese of Fort Worth voluntarily voted to enter into union with the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. If circumstances warrant it, we can likewise, by voluntary vote, terminate that relationship. Your aggressive, dictatorial posturing has no place in that decision. Sadly, however, your missive will now be one of the factors that our Convention will consider as we determine the future course of this diocese for the next 25 years and beyond, under God’s grace and guidance.

In closing, let me be very clear. While your threats deeply sadden us, they do not frighten us. We will continue to stand firm for the unchanging truth of the Holy Scriptures and the redeeming Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whatever the costs. I shall continue to pray for you, as I trust you will pray for me, in the difficult days ahead.

Faithfully in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker
Bishop of Fort Worth

Isn't that just fine? It always warms my heart seeing someone stand up to a bully.

Bishop Iker will likely pull his diocese from the rapidly failing Episcopal Church and align it with the Most Reverend Gregory J. Venables and his Province of the Southern Cone, which by the way is not an exotic ice cream treat but refers to the lower part of South America. The Southern Cone is probably a safe harbor for Bishop Iker and his diocese but I wonder, since Iker and virtually all of the Diocese of Fort Worth are Anglo-Catholics and ardently opposed to the "ordination" of women (and other innovations), whether he shouldn't yank his flock entirely from the Anglican Communion, which is getting increasingly soft world-wide on women's ordination, and consider a different tack. The Pope has just announced he will be visiting New York next spring. His Grace just might want to consider making a trip to NYC at that time and petition his Holiness to receive his entire diocese into the Holy Catholic Church: a slightly audacious suggestion, to be sure, but it would make a splendid fit.

Nipping it in the Bud (What Took So Long?)

Excommunication looms for would-be women priests

St. Louis, Nov. 8, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis has warned two local women that they face excommunication if they go through with plans for a Sunday ceremony at which they will claim to be ordained as priests.

The archbishop sent personal letters by courier to Rose Marie Dunn Hudson and Elsie Hainz McGrath, reminding them that they would incur the "censure of excommunication" if they participated in the ceremony, which is being held at a Jewish synagogue under the auspices of the "Womenpriests" organization.

Archbishop Burke noted that the fraudulent "ordination" ceremony, held in direct violation of Church teaching and authority, would constitute an "act of schism." He warned the women that additional penalties could be used against them, along with the excommunication that would be automatically imposed.

Well, of course and bravo! It's nice to see a bishop showing spine: no "listening process," just plain clear (but respectful) English laying down the law. We need to see more of this. If we don't, before long we will hear from men demanding they should be nuns.

Nipping it in the Bud (What Took So Long?)

Excommunication looms for would-be women priests

St. Louis, Nov. 8, 2007 (CWNews.com) - Archbishop Raymond Burke of St. Louis has warned two local women that they face excommunication if they go through with plans for a Sunday ceremony at which they will claim to be ordained as priests.

The archbishop sent personal letters by courier to Rose Marie Dunn Hudson and Elsie Hainz McGrath, reminding them that they would incur the "censure of excommunication" if they participated in the ceremony, which is being held at a Jewish synagogue under the auspices of the "Womenpriests" organization.

Archbishop Burke noted that the fraudulent "ordination" ceremony, held in direct violation of Church teaching and authority, would constitute an "act of schism." He warned the women that additional penalties could be used against them, along with the excommunication that would be automatically imposed.

Well, of course and bravo! It's nice to see a bishop showing spine: no "listening process," just plain clear (but respectful) English laying down the law. We need to see more of this. If we don't, before long we will hear from men demanding they should be nuns.

Who Says Germans Don't Have a Sense of Humor?

He's making a list
And checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice.

(h/t Creative Minority Report)

Who Says Germans Don't Have a Sense of Humor?

He's making a list
And checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty or nice.

(h/t Creative Minority Report)

Urgent Prayer Request...

For the parents of these morons (from the New York Sun):

Five students at Columbia University are staging a hunger strike to protest what they say is a Eurocentric core curriculum and a growing climate of racism on campus. They are also protesting the university's Harlem expansion plan, calling it disruptive.

Two sophomores at Barnard College and three Columbia students last ate Tuesday evening and said they would not break their fast until the school committed to a core curriculum that includes a seminar addressing issues of "racialization and colonialism," among their other demands.

I'm already hungry," a senior at Columbia, Bryan Mercer, 22, said yesterday, less than 24 hours into the strike. Mr. Mercer, who is majoring in anthropology and comparative ethnic studies, said he has been scaling back his diet for weeks in preparation for the strike. His said his last meal was a sparse helping of fruit and bread...The strikers said they would stop attending classes when they felt too weak to concentrate.

I wonder the outrage the progenitors of these cub Marxists feel after shelling out $45,095 (tuition and fees for this year alone) to learn their precious ones have stopped eating, stopped going to class and ditched their expensive dorms to encamp al fresco on the steps of Low Library; especially when they read their inchoate babblings to the press. On the other hand, these parents are boomers (like me), quite possibly of the socialist millionaire class (assuredly not like me) and perhaps feel nostalgia and a vicarious thrill as their little ones form ad-hoc coalitions and compose their very own "hey, hey, ho, ho" chants; the same jejune behavior Mommy and Daddy sported in when they were undergraduates.

Meanwhile, the reaction from the Columbia administration is depressingly familiar:

"Columbia encourages students to express their points of view and supports their right of public protest," a spokeswoman for Columbia, LaVerna Fountain, said in a statement. Administrators are planning to meet with striking students this week, and the health center will be monitoring students' vital signs.

We need to face up to the fact America's leading colleges and universities, public and private, are lost to the Marxists. While football is still played, beer is still slogged and the halls still ivy-covered, it is all a facade; they are utterly transformed within. Poll after poll reveals the overwhelming leftist slant of most college faculties and administrations. Opinions even slightly contrary to the leftist canon are ruthlessly suppressed while at the same time dreary noisome protests for every leftist cause, no matter how inane, are openly or tacitly encouraged.

One fine day, maybe, many more parents in this country not embarrassed to call themselves Americans (in other words the vast majority of them) will realize superb educations can be had at the numerous small, often religiously affiliated, non-name brand liberal (in the true sense of the word) arts colleges throughout our land: institutions they can confidently send their kids to knowing they will not come home Christmas break as brainwashed Marxist automatons. Let us pray that day comes and the oligopolistic Marxist factories like Yale, Harvard, Columbia et al. will be driven out of business; by forces of the market, no less.

Oh well, it's fun to imagine.

Urgent Prayer Request...

For the parents of these morons (from the New York Sun):

Five students at Columbia University are staging a hunger strike to protest what they say is a Eurocentric core curriculum and a growing climate of racism on campus. They are also protesting the university's Harlem expansion plan, calling it disruptive.

Two sophomores at Barnard College and three Columbia students last ate Tuesday evening and said they would not break their fast until the school committed to a core curriculum that includes a seminar addressing issues of "racialization and colonialism," among their other demands.

I'm already hungry," a senior at Columbia, Bryan Mercer, 22, said yesterday, less than 24 hours into the strike. Mr. Mercer, who is majoring in anthropology and comparative ethnic studies, said he has been scaling back his diet for weeks in preparation for the strike. His said his last meal was a sparse helping of fruit and bread...The strikers said they would stop attending classes when they felt too weak to concentrate.

I wonder the outrage the progenitors of these cub Marxists feel after shelling out $45,095 (tuition and fees for this year alone) to learn their precious ones have stopped eating, stopped going to class and ditched their expensive dorms to encamp al fresco on the steps of Low Library; especially when they read their inchoate babblings to the press. On the other hand, these parents are boomers (like me), quite possibly of the socialist millionaire class (assuredly not like me) and perhaps feel nostalgia and a vicarious thrill as their little ones form ad-hoc coalitions and compose their very own "hey, hey, ho, ho" chants; the same jejune behavior Mommy and Daddy sported in when they were undergraduates.

Meanwhile, the reaction from the Columbia administration is depressingly familiar:

"Columbia encourages students to express their points of view and supports their right of public protest," a spokeswoman for Columbia, LaVerna Fountain, said in a statement. Administrators are planning to meet with striking students this week, and the health center will be monitoring students' vital signs.

We need to face up to the fact America's leading colleges and universities, public and private, are lost to the Marxists. While football is still played, beer is still slogged and the halls still ivy-covered, it is all a facade; they are utterly transformed within. Poll after poll reveals the overwhelming leftist slant of most college faculties and administrations. Opinions even slightly contrary to the leftist canon are ruthlessly suppressed while at the same time dreary noisome protests for every leftist cause, no matter how inane, are openly or tacitly encouraged.

One fine day, maybe, many more parents in this country not embarrassed to call themselves Americans (in other words the vast majority of them) will realize superb educations can be had at the numerous small, often religiously affiliated, non-name brand liberal (in the true sense of the word) arts colleges throughout our land: institutions they can confidently send their kids to knowing they will not come home Christmas break as brainwashed Marxist automatons. Let us pray that day comes and the oligopolistic Marxist factories like Yale, Harvard, Columbia et al. will be driven out of business; by forces of the market, no less.

Oh well, it's fun to imagine.

Telling it Like it is

Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee has created a stir over a speech he gave a few weeks ago to the Family Research Council, at which he addressed the abortion issue. From the Jewish Daily Forward:

Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee emerged from the recent Values Voter Summit with a new wave of support from Christian conservatives, but he also garnered some unwanted attention from Jewish leaders incensed over his use of the word “holocaust.”

...“Sometimes we talk about why we’re importing so many people in our work force,” Huckabee said. “It might be for the last 35 years, we have aborted more than a million people who would have been in our work force had we not had the holocaust of liberalized abortion under a flawed Supreme Court ruling in 1973.”

Some Jewish leaders have taken exception to Huckabee's use of "holocaust," Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League in particular. He fired off a letter of protest to Huckabee claiming use of the word “only trivialize[s] and diminish[es] the horror." I am sympathetic with Mr. Foxman. There are cranks and nut jobs out there who complain, "the Jews think they own the Holocaust" but they do, really; we must remember in six years the Germans wiped a third of them off the earth. Huckabee would be wise to find other words to describe the horror of abortion: "wholesale slaughter" or "genocide" would do just fine. That said, however, Huckabee also earns my huge respect for at least calling abortion for what it is, not dancing around it and mincing words as do many of the Republican presidential candidates; not to mention all the Democratic candidates for every office from president to county clerk.

(h/t Creative Minority Report.)

Telling it Like it is

Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee has created a stir over a speech he gave a few weeks ago to the Family Research Council, at which he addressed the abortion issue. From the Jewish Daily Forward:

Republican presidential contender Mike Huckabee emerged from the recent Values Voter Summit with a new wave of support from Christian conservatives, but he also garnered some unwanted attention from Jewish leaders incensed over his use of the word “holocaust.”

...“Sometimes we talk about why we’re importing so many people in our work force,” Huckabee said. “It might be for the last 35 years, we have aborted more than a million people who would have been in our work force had we not had the holocaust of liberalized abortion under a flawed Supreme Court ruling in 1973.”

Some Jewish leaders have taken exception to Huckabee's use of "holocaust," Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League in particular. He fired off a letter of protest to Huckabee claiming use of the word “only trivialize[s] and diminish[es] the horror." I am sympathetic with Mr. Foxman. There are cranks and nut jobs out there who complain, "the Jews think they own the Holocaust" but they do, really; we must remember in six years the Germans wiped a third of them off the earth. Huckabee would be wise to find other words to describe the horror of abortion: "wholesale slaughter" or "genocide" would do just fine. That said, however, Huckabee also earns my huge respect for at least calling abortion for what it is, not dancing around it and mincing words as do many of the Republican presidential candidates; not to mention all the Democratic candidates for every office from president to county clerk.

(h/t Creative Minority Report.)

Exodus 20:3

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

On the other hand, they're facing the other way so it must be OK.

(Pic from here but brought to the world's attention and winging its way 'round the blogosphere thanks to the singular and entertaining Anglican Beach Party--unlike any other Anglican website!)

Exodus 20:3

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

On the other hand, they're facing the other way so it must be OK.

(Pic from here but brought to the world's attention and winging its way 'round the blogosphere thanks to the singular and entertaining Anglican Beach Party--unlike any other Anglican website!)

Another Encouraging Development from Rome

The new English translation of the Mass is complete.

Nov. 2, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) has completed a draft of its English translation of the Roman Missal.

The ICEL draft, which was unveiled on November 1, will now be submitted to the bishops' conferences of the English-speaking world. Bishop Arthur Roche of Leeds, England, explained that ICEL will solicit comments on the draft, make appropriate changes, and hopes to complete the English translation by the end of 2008...

Among the most notable changes proposed in the new translation are:

The Creed begins with "I believe," rather than "We believe"-- in a simple and accurate translation of the Latin " Credo ."

When the priest says to the congregation, "The Lord be with you," the response is now: "And with your spirit"-- again, a faithful translation of the Latin " Et cum spiritu tuo. "

The use of "inclusive language" is generally avoided, so that masculine pronouns are more broadly used-- especially in cases where the pronoun might refer to Jesus or to God.

One can only imagine how this will go over with certain clergy of a certain age in the United States (especially the jettisoning of "inclusive language"). Some have complained pre-emptively the new translation is far too literate for the average Catholic to comprehend. I guess we should feel for the critics and their distress at seeing years-long efforts dumbing down worship going up in smoke but I think also of Fr. George Rutler, who when asked what he missed most about Anglican worship after crossing the Tiber replied succinctly, "The Mass in English." Suffice it thus to say howling, bemoaning and gnashing of teeth over the new English translation of the Mass will be directly proportionate to its efficacy and quality.

Another Encouraging Development from Rome

The new English translation of the Mass is complete.

Nov. 2, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) has completed a draft of its English translation of the Roman Missal.

The ICEL draft, which was unveiled on November 1, will now be submitted to the bishops' conferences of the English-speaking world. Bishop Arthur Roche of Leeds, England, explained that ICEL will solicit comments on the draft, make appropriate changes, and hopes to complete the English translation by the end of 2008...

Among the most notable changes proposed in the new translation are:

The Creed begins with "I believe," rather than "We believe"-- in a simple and accurate translation of the Latin " Credo ."

When the priest says to the congregation, "The Lord be with you," the response is now: "And with your spirit"-- again, a faithful translation of the Latin " Et cum spiritu tuo. "

The use of "inclusive language" is generally avoided, so that masculine pronouns are more broadly used-- especially in cases where the pronoun might refer to Jesus or to God.

One can only imagine how this will go over with certain clergy of a certain age in the United States (especially the jettisoning of "inclusive language"). Some have complained pre-emptively the new translation is far too literate for the average Catholic to comprehend. I guess we should feel for the critics and their distress at seeing years-long efforts dumbing down worship going up in smoke but I think also of Fr. George Rutler, who when asked what he missed most about Anglican worship after crossing the Tiber replied succinctly, "The Mass in English." Suffice it thus to say howling, bemoaning and gnashing of teeth over the new English translation of the Mass will be directly proportionate to its efficacy and quality.

An Encouraging Development from Rome

Alas, it will take a bit longer than that but this item from a couple of weeks ago (which I managed to miss) contains some most encouraging news. From www.chiesa:

ROMA, October 18, 2007 – In the span of just a few days, a series of events have unfolded at the Vatican which, taken all together, foretell new provisions – at the pope's behest – to foster the rebirth of great sacred music...

In effect, since just over a year ago, Gregorian chant has been restored as the primary form of singing for Mass and solemn Vespers in Saint Peter's basilica.

The rebirth of Gregorian chant at St. Peter's coincided with the appointment of a new choir director, who was chosen by the basilica chapter in February of 2006.

The new director, Pierre Paul, a Canadian and an Oblate of the Virgin Mary, has made a clean break with the practice established during the pontificate of John Paul II – and reaffirmed by the previous director, Pablo Colino – of bringing to sing at the Masses in St. Peter's the most disparate choirs, drawn from all over the world, very uneven in quality and often inadequate (emphasis added).

Fr. Paul put the gradual and the antiphonal back into the hands of his singers, and taught them to sing Mass and Vespers in pure Gregorian chant. The faithful are also provided with booklets with the Gregorian notation for Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and the translation of the texts in Italian, English, and Spanish. The results are liturgically exemplary celebrations, with increasing participation from a growing number of faithful from many nations. There's still much to do to bring back to life in St. Peter's what was, in ancient times, the Cappella Giulia – the choir specifically founded for the basilica – and to revive the splendors of the Roman musical style, a style in which the sacred polyphony pioneered by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Gregorian chant, also sung in the Roman manner (virile and strong, not like the monastic models inspired by Solesmes), alternate and enrich each other.

"There's still much to do..." Indeed there is but this a splendid first step. There is no more effective way for Holy Mother Church to promote high-quality liturgical music than by insisting on it in her own home (the Anglican Church's world-wide reputation for musical excellence no doubt results from the glorious sounds heard in her English cathedrals and the chapels of Oxford and Cambridge). Obviously most Catholic churches do not have the resources of St. Peter's but the Church, by demanding the best music in that most prominent locale, sends a powerful and encouraging message to churches everywhere they should strive for the same; that one cantor properly intoning the minor propers is infinitely preferable to trotting out the wobbly biddies to croak out (again) "Canticle of the Sun" or "On Eagles' Wings".

An Encouraging Development from Rome

Alas, it will take a bit longer than that but this item from a couple of weeks ago (which I managed to miss) contains some most encouraging news. From www.chiesa:

ROMA, October 18, 2007 – In the span of just a few days, a series of events have unfolded at the Vatican which, taken all together, foretell new provisions – at the pope's behest – to foster the rebirth of great sacred music...

In effect, since just over a year ago, Gregorian chant has been restored as the primary form of singing for Mass and solemn Vespers in Saint Peter's basilica.

The rebirth of Gregorian chant at St. Peter's coincided with the appointment of a new choir director, who was chosen by the basilica chapter in February of 2006.

The new director, Pierre Paul, a Canadian and an Oblate of the Virgin Mary, has made a clean break with the practice established during the pontificate of John Paul II – and reaffirmed by the previous director, Pablo Colino – of bringing to sing at the Masses in St. Peter's the most disparate choirs, drawn from all over the world, very uneven in quality and often inadequate (emphasis added).

Fr. Paul put the gradual and the antiphonal back into the hands of his singers, and taught them to sing Mass and Vespers in pure Gregorian chant. The faithful are also provided with booklets with the Gregorian notation for Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, and the translation of the texts in Italian, English, and Spanish. The results are liturgically exemplary celebrations, with increasing participation from a growing number of faithful from many nations. There's still much to do to bring back to life in St. Peter's what was, in ancient times, the Cappella Giulia – the choir specifically founded for the basilica – and to revive the splendors of the Roman musical style, a style in which the sacred polyphony pioneered by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Gregorian chant, also sung in the Roman manner (virile and strong, not like the monastic models inspired by Solesmes), alternate and enrich each other.

"There's still much to do..." Indeed there is but this a splendid first step. There is no more effective way for Holy Mother Church to promote high-quality liturgical music than by insisting on it in her own home (the Anglican Church's world-wide reputation for musical excellence no doubt results from the glorious sounds heard in her English cathedrals and the chapels of Oxford and Cambridge). Obviously most Catholic churches do not have the resources of St. Peter's but the Church, by demanding the best music in that most prominent locale, sends a powerful and encouraging message to churches everywhere they should strive for the same; that one cantor properly intoning the minor propers is infinitely preferable to trotting out the wobbly biddies to croak out (again) "Canticle of the Sun" or "On Eagles' Wings".

A Tale of Two Churches

From the Living Church:

The decline among youth involved in [the Episcopal] church is particularly sharp. Episcopalians tend to be disproportionately older than the general population, Mr. Hadaway said. “That means a higher death rate and a lower birth rate. We are not replacing those members who are dying,” he said. During the past five years, membership has declined 7 percent. The five-year decline in average Sunday attendance is 11 percent.

From the Washington Times:

Roman Catholic churches nationwide are rushing to accommodate a surge in demand for the traditional Latin Mass, which is drawing a surprising new crowd: young people.

Since July, when a decree from Pope Benedict XVI lifted decades-old restrictions on celebrating the Tridentine Mass, seven churches in the Washington metropolitan area have added the liturgy to their weekly Sunday schedules.

"I love the Latin Mass," said Audrey Kunkel, 20, of Cincinnati. "It's amazing to think that I"m attending the same Mass that has formed saints throughout the centuries."

[snip]

The Tridentine Mass helps people in their 20s and 30s who have grown up in a culture that lacks stability and orthodoxy see something larger than themselves: the glory of God, said Geoffrey Coleman of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter"s Our Lady of Guadalupe seminary in Denton, Neb.

I don't wish to be accused of triumphalism when I juxtapose these quotes. As I have written before, I get no joy seeing the Episcopal Church spiraling into oblivion but at the same time it's hard to muster up sympathy for those blinkered fools running it who claim their 'sixties agenda, their clown and Hip-Hop Masses, their U2charists etc. are all aimed at drawing young people into the emptying churches. All they have to do is attend a Traditional Latin Mass at a Catholic Church and make a rough calculation the percentage of those attending who are under forty. If they did, they might reconsider their hideous innovations but only if they are truly interested in getting all young people into their churches, not just those who think exactly as they do.

A Tale of Two Churches

From the Living Church:

The decline among youth involved in [the Episcopal] church is particularly sharp. Episcopalians tend to be disproportionately older than the general population, Mr. Hadaway said. “That means a higher death rate and a lower birth rate. We are not replacing those members who are dying,” he said. During the past five years, membership has declined 7 percent. The five-year decline in average Sunday attendance is 11 percent.

From the Washington Times:

Roman Catholic churches nationwide are rushing to accommodate a surge in demand for the traditional Latin Mass, which is drawing a surprising new crowd: young people.

Since July, when a decree from Pope Benedict XVI lifted decades-old restrictions on celebrating the Tridentine Mass, seven churches in the Washington metropolitan area have added the liturgy to their weekly Sunday schedules.

"I love the Latin Mass," said Audrey Kunkel, 20, of Cincinnati. "It's amazing to think that I"m attending the same Mass that has formed saints throughout the centuries."

[snip]

The Tridentine Mass helps people in their 20s and 30s who have grown up in a culture that lacks stability and orthodoxy see something larger than themselves: the glory of God, said Geoffrey Coleman of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter"s Our Lady of Guadalupe seminary in Denton, Neb.

I don't wish to be accused of triumphalism when I juxtapose these quotes. As I have written before, I get no joy seeing the Episcopal Church spiraling into oblivion but at the same time it's hard to muster up sympathy for those blinkered fools running it who claim their 'sixties agenda, their clown and Hip-Hop Masses, their U2charists etc. are all aimed at drawing young people into the emptying churches. All they have to do is attend a Traditional Latin Mass at a Catholic Church and make a rough calculation the percentage of those attending who are under forty. If they did, they might reconsider their hideous innovations but only if they are truly interested in getting all young people into their churches, not just those who think exactly as they do.

Brain Drained

As institutions and nations decline it is typical for individuals of ability and intelligence in them to decamp for more favorable climes, thus further hastening the decline; recall the infamous "brain drain" of 'fifties England as socialism worked it magic spell throughout the economy and the academy. Stateside, we see something similar in the Episcopal Church, an institution where most people with half a brain or more have left or will do so, sooner or later. A most unfortunate example of the intellectual atrophy affecting that once grand institution took place this weekend at the annual convention of the Diocese of Maine, where delegates passed a resolution that calls for

the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Queen of England to disavow and rescind the 1496 Royal Charter issued to John Cabot and his sons. The charter authorized the Cabots "to find, discover, and investigate whatsoever islands, countries, regions, provinces of heathens and infidels...which before this time were unknown to all Christians." The Charter also reads in part, "John and his sons or their heirs may conquer, occupy and possess, as our vassals and governors lieutenants and deputies therein, acquiring for us the dominion, title and jurisdiction of the same towns, castles, cities, islands, and mainlands so discovered."

This "doctrine of discovery" set forth by King Henry VII was relied upon as justification for the dispossession of lands and the subjugation of non-Christian people. The resolutions further requires that Bishop Knudsen officially convey the expression of the resolution to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England (Queen Elizabeth II), presumably when she is in England in the summer of 2008 at the Lambeth Conference. The resolution also requires that a similar resolution is submitted to the General Convention in 2009 for its consideration.

That splendid bit of blather was (big surprise) a sop offered by the guilt-laden white Episcopalians to the Indians as partial atonement for the unpleasantries committed by their forebears two hundred years ago (and three three hundred years after Cabot's peregrinations). To those of normal intelligence, of course, it is hardly necessary to point out had Cabot and his progeny not received the odious royal charter and gone exploring there would be no guilt-laden liberal white Episcopalians today calling for its revocation but we are dealing with seriously challenged folk here. I await to see how this resolution fares in the General Convention next year: if it passes, and there's a fair chance it might--there's nothing foolish liberals love more than the empty gesture, than I would say the Episcopal Church is, without question, flat-lining and no extraordinary procedures should be employed to revive her.

Brain Drained

As institutions and nations decline it is typical for individuals of ability and intelligence in them to decamp for more favorable climes, thus further hastening the decline; recall the infamous "brain drain" of 'fifties England as socialism worked it magic spell throughout the economy and the academy. Stateside, we see something similar in the Episcopal Church, an institution where most people with half a brain or more have left or will do so, sooner or later. A most unfortunate example of the intellectual atrophy affecting that once grand institution took place this weekend at the annual convention of the Diocese of Maine, where delegates passed a resolution that calls for

the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Queen of England to disavow and rescind the 1496 Royal Charter issued to John Cabot and his sons. The charter authorized the Cabots "to find, discover, and investigate whatsoever islands, countries, regions, provinces of heathens and infidels...which before this time were unknown to all Christians." The Charter also reads in part, "John and his sons or their heirs may conquer, occupy and possess, as our vassals and governors lieutenants and deputies therein, acquiring for us the dominion, title and jurisdiction of the same towns, castles, cities, islands, and mainlands so discovered."

This "doctrine of discovery" set forth by King Henry VII was relied upon as justification for the dispossession of lands and the subjugation of non-Christian people. The resolutions further requires that Bishop Knudsen officially convey the expression of the resolution to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England (Queen Elizabeth II), presumably when she is in England in the summer of 2008 at the Lambeth Conference. The resolution also requires that a similar resolution is submitted to the General Convention in 2009 for its consideration.

That splendid bit of blather was (big surprise) a sop offered by the guilt-laden white Episcopalians to the Indians as partial atonement for the unpleasantries committed by their forebears two hundred years ago (and three three hundred years after Cabot's peregrinations). To those of normal intelligence, of course, it is hardly necessary to point out had Cabot and his progeny not received the odious royal charter and gone exploring there would be no guilt-laden liberal white Episcopalians today calling for its revocation but we are dealing with seriously challenged folk here. I await to see how this resolution fares in the General Convention next year: if it passes, and there's a fair chance it might--there's nothing foolish liberals love more than the empty gesture, than I would say the Episcopal Church is, without question, flat-lining and no extraordinary procedures should be employed to revive her.

Finally Dealing with a Colossal Nuisance

The Holy Father speaks: Through prayerful reading of the Scriptures, St. Ambrose sought union with God, and urged his flock to do the same. Pope Benedict strongly recommended that example to his audience. "Whoever educates people in the faith," he said, "cannot risk playing the role of the clown," trying to entertain his listeners.

That takes care of that.

Finally Dealing with a Colossal Nuisance

The Holy Father speaks: Through prayerful reading of the Scriptures, St. Ambrose sought union with God, and urged his flock to do the same. Pope Benedict strongly recommended that example to his audience. "Whoever educates people in the faith," he said, "cannot risk playing the role of the clown," trying to entertain his listeners.

That takes care of that.

A Big Stretch

Diogenes takes on another iteration of a favorite accusation of left-wing organizations, by the United Nations in this instance, that owing to her proscription on the use of condoms the Catholic Church is culpable for the spread of AIDS. That, of course, is absolute bunk and just a clumsy attempt by advocates for the promiscuous to absolve their charges of the hideous consequences of their foolish and risky behavior. After all, as Uncle Di points out, the Church also insists on chastity and fidelity and while many of the more strident AIDS activists will condemn that as "moralizing" (which is only acceptable when coming from the left) even they will have difficulty making the point that not sleeping around helps to spread AIDS (but patience, in time they'll come up with something: the left already wears comfortably the notion of "repressive tolerance").

There is, however, an even greater absurdity to the UN charge. Supposing, arguendo, the Church changed her teachings and OK'd the use of condoms. It would be quite a stretch indeed, even for the ideological contortionists at the UN, ACT-UP and in the editorial room of Playboy Magazine, to then believe roués headed out on the town to bag a moose will henceforth think to themselves: "Uh, oh! the Holy Catholic Church insists I use rubbers when I go shagging; better lay in a supply of Trojans on my way to the bars." Especially if the roué is a Protestant.

A Big Stretch

Diogenes takes on another iteration of a favorite accusation of left-wing organizations, by the United Nations in this instance, that owing to her proscription on the use of condoms the Catholic Church is culpable for the spread of AIDS. That, of course, is absolute bunk and just a clumsy attempt by advocates for the promiscuous to absolve their charges of the hideous consequences of their foolish and risky behavior. After all, as Uncle Di points out, the Church also insists on chastity and fidelity and while many of the more strident AIDS activists will condemn that as "moralizing" (which is only acceptable when coming from the left) even they will have difficulty making the point that not sleeping around helps to spread AIDS (but patience, in time they'll come up with something: the left already wears comfortably the notion of "repressive tolerance").

There is, however, an even greater absurdity to the UN charge. Supposing, arguendo, the Church changed her teachings and OK'd the use of condoms. It would be quite a stretch indeed, even for the ideological contortionists at the UN, ACT-UP and in the editorial room of Playboy Magazine, to then believe roués headed out on the town to bag a moose will henceforth think to themselves: "Uh, oh! the Holy Catholic Church insists I use rubbers when I go shagging; better lay in a supply of Trojans on my way to the bars." Especially if the roué is a Protestant.

Just Who Was Being Served?

A sad tale of an aging boomer who just can't let go of the past. From a comment on Fr. Zuhlsdorf's blog:

One of my friends went to Mass recently where the parish is being renovated back to a more traditional expression of Catholicism...Well, they were making some more ornamental changes last week, restoring the use of votive candles, etc. One of the habitless nuns who ran the liturgy for years...came into the Church all aflutter seeing what was being added (the votive candle racks). She thought that the candle racks on either side of the sanctuary and the new golden candlesticks on the high altar detracted from the portable altar, standing in the center in all its Vatican II bareness.

“This is all too distracting, it takes away from the altar table,” she said. (She used the term “altar table” like the Protestants do, not just “altar.”) She walked about the sanctuary very agitated, snapping at parish volunteers and griping about the new traditional decor of the Church. She walked over to the portable altar and, practically hugging it, cried "And what are you going to do with this?"

“We’d like to wheel it out to the trash bin, but we don’t have Father’s okay yet” came a sarcastic reply. Several of the parish volunteers laughed at this nun, who is about 67 and with her 2 nun assistants devoted years and years to turning the parish into something just like the neighboring Methodist Church instead of Catholic.

The nun turned on her heel, stomped across the sanctuary showing no respect for the blessed sacrament, and slammed the door so hard it broke the stained glass in it.

Actually, I feel nothing but sadness for that nun. No doubt she made life miserable for the traditional Catholics in her parish for many years but at 67, the post-Vatican II reforms having defined her whole career, she now nears retirement and watches the disavowal of her life's work by the very people she imagined she was serving, especially the young--the most galling, I should think. We must pray for her, it serves no purpose to laugh her to scorn; that she will find peace as the traditional worship she so abhors slowly makes its way back into Holy Mother Church and she will accommodate herself to it. At the same time she should also ask herself, who was being served by the innovations of the past thirty-five years, God or the egos of His creatures? It seems to this writer every reform foisted upon the people (in the Episcopal Church as well as the Catholic Church) was about making the people the object of worship and reducing God to the adjunct, the celestial Ed McMahon, guffawing in agreement.

Every folk Mass, every felt banner, every Sister Corita silk-screen Scotch-taped to the walls in the youth center and, especially, every card table altar with the priest's body and visage turned the wrong way from Jerusalem, seems to proclaim the same erroneous message: aren't we all just fabulous and God you'd better agree. Mercifully, this nonsense seems to be coming to an end in the Catholic Church (sadly, the Episcopal Church has irreversibly devolved into a gnostic death cult and will be extinct within a generation or two). There will be many casualties resulting from the mending of the severe damage done to the Holy Catholic Church in the name of reform, the poor nun above being an unfortunate example, but we must not lose sight of the fact the people shrieking the loudest over the corrective measures now being taken are often the ones who necessitated them.

(Thanks to Bro. James).

Just Who Was Being Served?

A sad tale of an aging boomer who just can't let go of the past. From a comment on Fr. Zuhlsdorf's blog:

One of my friends went to Mass recently where the parish is being renovated back to a more traditional expression of Catholicism...Well, they were making some more ornamental changes last week, restoring the use of votive candles, etc. One of the habitless nuns who ran the liturgy for years...came into the Church all aflutter seeing what was being added (the votive candle racks). She thought that the candle racks on either side of the sanctuary and the new golden candlesticks on the high altar detracted from the portable altar, standing in the center in all its Vatican II bareness.

“This is all too distracting, it takes away from the altar table,” she said. (She used the term “altar table” like the Protestants do, not just “altar.”) She walked about the sanctuary very agitated, snapping at parish volunteers and griping about the new traditional decor of the Church. She walked over to the portable altar and, practically hugging it, cried "And what are you going to do with this?"

“We’d like to wheel it out to the trash bin, but we don’t have Father’s okay yet” came a sarcastic reply. Several of the parish volunteers laughed at this nun, who is about 67 and with her 2 nun assistants devoted years and years to turning the parish into something just like the neighboring Methodist Church instead of Catholic.

The nun turned on her heel, stomped across the sanctuary showing no respect for the blessed sacrament, and slammed the door so hard it broke the stained glass in it.

Actually, I feel nothing but sadness for that nun. No doubt she made life miserable for the traditional Catholics in her parish for many years but at 67, the post-Vatican II reforms having defined her whole career, she now nears retirement and watches the disavowal of her life's work by the very people she imagined she was serving, especially the young--the most galling, I should think. We must pray for her, it serves no purpose to laugh her to scorn; that she will find peace as the traditional worship she so abhors slowly makes its way back into Holy Mother Church and she will accommodate herself to it. At the same time she should also ask herself, who was being served by the innovations of the past thirty-five years, God or the egos of His creatures? It seems to this writer every reform foisted upon the people (in the Episcopal Church as well as the Catholic Church) was about making the people the object of worship and reducing God to the adjunct, the celestial Ed McMahon, guffawing in agreement.

Every folk Mass, every felt banner, every Sister Corita silk-screen Scotch-taped to the walls in the youth center and, especially, every card table altar with the priest's body and visage turned the wrong way from Jerusalem, seems to proclaim the same erroneous message: aren't we all just fabulous and God you'd better agree. Mercifully, this nonsense seems to be coming to an end in the Catholic Church (sadly, the Episcopal Church has irreversibly devolved into a gnostic death cult and will be extinct within a generation or two). There will be many casualties resulting from the mending of the severe damage done to the Holy Catholic Church in the name of reform, the poor nun above being an unfortunate example, but we must not lose sight of the fact the people shrieking the loudest over the corrective measures now being taken are often the ones who necessitated them.

(Thanks to Bro. James).

Healing the Breech

At the Shrine of the Holy Whapping there is an extended and ongoing thread debating the Traditional Anglican Communion's announcement their desire to be reunited with the Holy Catholic Church. It is fascinating to read and gratifying as well: the depth and knowledge of those commenting is nothing short of remarkable and for this former Episcopalian, weary of plumbing the shallows of that church's leadership, to find such richness and depth of thought is an added and welcome bonus to embracing the full Catholic Faith.

Much of the debate in the thread concerns the logistics, technicalities and politics over how, when or if the Traditional Anglican Communion should be admitted to Rome. Some are objecting, saying the admission of that particular branch of the continuing Anglican Church may roil the waters and make it more difficult for other dissenting Anglicans to be brought back into the See of Peter. To this admitted newbie, I think those worries are misplaced. The Holy Father seems to share the eagerness, even passion, of his predecessor Blessed John XXIII of reuniting his separated brethren. Thus it should come down to this: whether Holy Mother Church will seeks ways to make it possible for Anglicans, continuing or not, to return to the Holy See or seek ways to thwart them. Naturally, I opt and expect the former: Anglicans returning to Rome will bring with them not only a rich heritage of liturgy and music but also a heightened appreciation of Magisterium (we know all too well what happens in its absence) and it can only be to the benefit of the Holy Catholic Church. Returning Anglicans, in exchange, will enjoy the glorious benefit of undisputed sacraments; a good deal, I say.

Healing the Breech

At the Shrine of the Holy Whapping there is an extended and ongoing thread debating the Traditional Anglican Communion's announcement their desire to be reunited with the Holy Catholic Church. It is fascinating to read and gratifying as well: the depth and knowledge of those commenting is nothing short of remarkable and for this former Episcopalian, weary of plumbing the shallows of that church's leadership, to find such richness and depth of thought is an added and welcome bonus to embracing the full Catholic Faith.

Much of the debate in the thread concerns the logistics, technicalities and politics over how, when or if the Traditional Anglican Communion should be admitted to Rome. Some are objecting, saying the admission of that particular branch of the continuing Anglican Church may roil the waters and make it more difficult for other dissenting Anglicans to be brought back into the See of Peter. To this admitted newbie, I think those worries are misplaced. The Holy Father seems to share the eagerness, even passion, of his predecessor Blessed John XXIII of reuniting his separated brethren. Thus it should come down to this: whether Holy Mother Church will seeks ways to make it possible for Anglicans, continuing or not, to return to the Holy See or seek ways to thwart them. Naturally, I opt and expect the former: Anglicans returning to Rome will bring with them not only a rich heritage of liturgy and music but also a heightened appreciation of Magisterium (we know all too well what happens in its absence) and it can only be to the benefit of the Holy Catholic Church. Returning Anglicans, in exchange, will enjoy the glorious benefit of undisputed sacraments; a good deal, I say.

A Visit with Mother Cabrini

Since it's just a few minute's walk from where I live, I elected to fulfill my Sunday obligation this week at the St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Shrine in Northern Manhattan, built to honor the first
American citizen to be canonized and a truly remarkable woman. Since I have been attending Mass at Catholic churches for some five months now, you might wonder why I've waited so long to attend one in my own neighborhood. Here's why.

Yep, I was scared off. Yesterday, however, I steeled myself and made my way to the shrine for the nine o'clock Mass. The shrine is a sight to behold, built in the mid-fifties during Cardinal Spellman's tenure (hard to believe the striking Church of Our Saviour in midtown and this oddity--also striking but in a disparate way--are contemporary). I arrived a few minutes before nine to find mostly empty pews so I had a gander at the altar and found myself taking in Cabrini Under Glass, lit with bare fluorescent tubes, giving our saint a ghastly pallor. The Mass began about nine and from there until halfway through the Creed the rest of congregation drifted in, nearly filling the pews I'm happy to say. A wobbly alto, using an over-amplified microphone, and I were the only ones who sang the hymns. People kept turning and staring at me even though I wasn't singing very loudly. The first hymn was of eighteenth-century Protestant origin, St. Anne (Oh God Our Help in Ages Past), the rest of nineteenth-century Protestant origin. How weird to hear "How Great Thou Art" in a Catholic church. I kept looking around to see if Elvis were making an appearance but alas, not today; if he had I would have begged him to nudge aside the wobbly alto, taking over her charge. Besides, the architecture would have suited him.

The homily was quite good. Well-wishers have warned me Catholic preaching leaves much to be desired but that hasn't been my experience. In all the Catholic churches I have attended, the sermons have at least been adequate and some excellent. There is something else I found at the Cabrini Shrine (and other Catholic churches) which was most heartening: Catholics. As a life-long Episcopalian, it is marvellous and instructional to see people of every color, race, nationality and economic status together on bended knee worshipping our Lord and Creator. Even if they come to Mass late, don't dress properly and don't seem much interested in singing, they are there just the same, making their communion (no matter how imperfectly) with our God. That is beautiful and I'll be back, Mom (but let's try to rummage up some quartz halogen bulbs for you, you deserve better).

A Visit with Mother Cabrini

Since it's just a few minute's walk from where I live, I elected to fulfill my Sunday obligation this week at the St. Francis Xavier Cabrini Shrine in Northern Manhattan, built to honor the first
American citizen to be canonized and a truly remarkable woman. Since I have been attending Mass at Catholic churches for some five months now, you might wonder why I've waited so long to attend one in my own neighborhood. Here's why.

Yep, I was scared off. Yesterday, however, I steeled myself and made my way to the shrine for the nine o'clock Mass. The shrine is a sight to behold, built in the mid-fifties during Cardinal Spellman's tenure (hard to believe the striking Church of Our Saviour in midtown and this oddity--also striking but in a disparate way--are contemporary). I arrived a few minutes before nine to find mostly empty pews so I had a gander at the altar and found myself taking in Cabrini Under Glass, lit with bare fluorescent tubes, giving our saint a ghastly pallor. The Mass began about nine and from there until halfway through the Creed the rest of congregation drifted in, nearly filling the pews I'm happy to say. A wobbly alto, using an over-amplified microphone, and I were the only ones who sang the hymns. People kept turning and staring at me even though I wasn't singing very loudly. The first hymn was of eighteenth-century Protestant origin, St. Anne (Oh God Our Help in Ages Past), the rest of nineteenth-century Protestant origin. How weird to hear "How Great Thou Art" in a Catholic church. I kept looking around to see if Elvis were making an appearance but alas, not today; if he had I would have begged him to nudge aside the wobbly alto, taking over her charge. Besides, the architecture would have suited him.

The homily was quite good. Well-wishers have warned me Catholic preaching leaves much to be desired but that hasn't been my experience. In all the Catholic churches I have attended, the sermons have at least been adequate and some excellent. There is something else I found at the Cabrini Shrine (and other Catholic churches) which was most heartening: Catholics. As a life-long Episcopalian, it is marvellous and instructional to see people of every color, race, nationality and economic status together on bended knee worshipping our Lord and Creator. Even if they come to Mass late, don't dress properly and don't seem much interested in singing, they are there just the same, making their communion (no matter how imperfectly) with our God. That is beautiful and I'll be back, Mom (but let's try to rummage up some quartz halogen bulbs for you, you deserve better).

What Price Glory?

The exhausting lives of America's ruling class take their toll on the participants. Let us begin with His Grace the Bishop of New Hampshire, V Gene Robinson.

As you read this, I will be beginning a three month sabbatical leave, as prescribed for clergy in this diocese every five years. To say the least, the last five years have been busy for me – at times busy and exhilarating, at other times difficult and challenging. I am ready for a rest.

[snip]

Now it is time for me to rest a while. I intend to do so. I also will be doing some things that I have wanted to do, and which this time will permit me. For a month, I will be traveling in the Pacific...These “stops” include Hong Kong, a remote diocese in the Solomon Islands (Province of Melanesia), Australia and New Zealand.

[snip]

My promise to you is that I will not fill it up with activity, but use it to get the rest and refreshment I need and crave.

We are relieved and have no doubt you will keep that promise, your Grace. You will surely take comfort to learn you are not the only cultural icon staggering under the weight of his office.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Ellen DeGeneres' talk show was put on hold for a day because of her emotionally wrenching dog-adoption drama.

"It's been a long week and a tough week and we decided to take a long weekend and be back on Tuesday," said Laura Mandel, a spokeswoman for Telepictures Productions, which produces "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

[snip]

The battle over Iggy, a Brussels Griffon terrier mix, pitted DeGeneres against an animal rescue agency and, at one point, had her in tears on her show. The agency's owners complained of receiving death threats over the dispute.

DeGeneres adopted the dog, then gave it to her hairstylist's family after the dog, despite training, couldn't get along with the comedian's cats, her publicist has said.

Oh, the price of fame. A moment of prayer please, joined in no doubt by our country's shift workers, for the speedy recovery of these two national treasures from their arduous and burdensome responsibilities.

What Price Glory?

The exhausting lives of America's ruling class take their toll on the participants. Let us begin with His Grace the Bishop of New Hampshire, V Gene Robinson.

As you read this, I will be beginning a three month sabbatical leave, as prescribed for clergy in this diocese every five years. To say the least, the last five years have been busy for me – at times busy and exhilarating, at other times difficult and challenging. I am ready for a rest.

[snip]

Now it is time for me to rest a while. I intend to do so. I also will be doing some things that I have wanted to do, and which this time will permit me. For a month, I will be traveling in the Pacific...These “stops” include Hong Kong, a remote diocese in the Solomon Islands (Province of Melanesia), Australia and New Zealand.

[snip]

My promise to you is that I will not fill it up with activity, but use it to get the rest and refreshment I need and crave.

We are relieved and have no doubt you will keep that promise, your Grace. You will surely take comfort to learn you are not the only cultural icon staggering under the weight of his office.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Ellen DeGeneres' talk show was put on hold for a day because of her emotionally wrenching dog-adoption drama.

"It's been a long week and a tough week and we decided to take a long weekend and be back on Tuesday," said Laura Mandel, a spokeswoman for Telepictures Productions, which produces "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

[snip]

The battle over Iggy, a Brussels Griffon terrier mix, pitted DeGeneres against an animal rescue agency and, at one point, had her in tears on her show. The agency's owners complained of receiving death threats over the dispute.

DeGeneres adopted the dog, then gave it to her hairstylist's family after the dog, despite training, couldn't get along with the comedian's cats, her publicist has said.

Oh, the price of fame. A moment of prayer please, joined in no doubt by our country's shift workers, for the speedy recovery of these two national treasures from their arduous and burdensome responsibilities.

Godwin's Law and the Roman Catholic Church

Go over to the Creative Minority Report and read the unhinged ranting of an ageing Catholic Priest, embittered his beloved 'sixties seem finally to be coming to an end. A tasting:

The gospel is meant to enlighten and challenge us! It is my opinion that the use of Latin should have been done away with hundreds of years ago. This is one of the things that Martin Luther was right about. After WWII Christians worldwide shook their heads in sober sadness and declared that Christianity had failed in Europe because it had let Hitler and his hateful and mad ways to succeed. Some very holy people said: "No, Christianity was just never tried." I fault the use of Latin as partly responsible for the rise and success of Hitler and his neo-pagan mythology which was obviously the religion he was supporting and that actually managed to capture the German imagination. I say the people, because of Latin never were confronted by the gospel. The Mass and the sacraments never really reached down deep into the soul. There are some notable exceptions of priests and laity and some very heroic ones as well as Protestant theologians who confronted the lies of Hitler - of course, they were gotten rid of.

That is but a mere sampling of the savory collation the Rev'd Delirious serves up (God have mercy on his poor parishioners). I offer it to allay concern expressed to me I have my eyes open as I cross the Tiber. Not too worry, thanks. We have the very same kind in the Episcopal Church, the only difference being they run the joint.

Godwin's Law and the Roman Catholic Church

Go over to the Creative Minority Report and read the unhinged ranting of an ageing Catholic Priest, embittered his beloved 'sixties seem finally to be coming to an end. A tasting:

The gospel is meant to enlighten and challenge us! It is my opinion that the use of Latin should have been done away with hundreds of years ago. This is one of the things that Martin Luther was right about. After WWII Christians worldwide shook their heads in sober sadness and declared that Christianity had failed in Europe because it had let Hitler and his hateful and mad ways to succeed. Some very holy people said: "No, Christianity was just never tried." I fault the use of Latin as partly responsible for the rise and success of Hitler and his neo-pagan mythology which was obviously the religion he was supporting and that actually managed to capture the German imagination. I say the people, because of Latin never were confronted by the gospel. The Mass and the sacraments never really reached down deep into the soul. There are some notable exceptions of priests and laity and some very heroic ones as well as Protestant theologians who confronted the lies of Hitler - of course, they were gotten rid of.

That is but a mere sampling of the savory collation the Rev'd Delirious serves up (God have mercy on his poor parishioners). I offer it to allay concern expressed to me I have my eyes open as I cross the Tiber. Not too worry, thanks. We have the very same kind in the Episcopal Church, the only difference being they run the joint.

Finally, Something We Can All Agree On...

No more clowns in church. We'll discuss the other venues later.

Christian Clown In Perv Bust
Illinois man had porn cache from trip to Philippines orphanage

OCTOBER 10--An Illinois man who worked as a "Christian clown" named Klutzo was arrested yesterday on child pornography charges for allegedly taking naked photographs of young boys at a Philippines orphanage. According to a federal criminal complaint, Amon Paul Carlock took the illicit photos during a "clowning" trip to the House of Joy orphanage earlier this year.

[ ]

Regarding the naked photos of young boys, Carlock explained, "That's how they live." Three of the boys seen in the photos told investigators they woke up to find Carlock fondling and caressing them.

Enough. No more clowns. Let's just stop it right now.

(h/t The WebElf)

Finally, Something We Can All Agree On...

No more clowns in church. We'll discuss the other venues later.

Christian Clown In Perv Bust
Illinois man had porn cache from trip to Philippines orphanage

OCTOBER 10--An Illinois man who worked as a "Christian clown" named Klutzo was arrested yesterday on child pornography charges for allegedly taking naked photographs of young boys at a Philippines orphanage. According to a federal criminal complaint, Amon Paul Carlock took the illicit photos during a "clowning" trip to the House of Joy orphanage earlier this year.

[ ]

Regarding the naked photos of young boys, Carlock explained, "That's how they live." Three of the boys seen in the photos told investigators they woke up to find Carlock fondling and caressing them.

Enough. No more clowns. Let's just stop it right now.

(h/t The WebElf)

Full, Corporate, Sacramental Union

Here's an interesting item. The Traditional Anglican Communion, one of many "continuing" churches made up of former Anglicans distressed over modern trends in the Anglican Church and claiming half a million members worldwide, held a meeting last week in of its College of Bishops. Today a statement from TAC's Archbishop John Hepworth was released and reads as follows (posted on the excellent blog The Continuum):

The College of Bishops of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC) met in Plenary Session in Portsmouth, England, in the first week of October 2007. The Bishops and Vicars-General unanimously agreed to the text of a letter to the See of Rome seeking full, corporate, sacramental union. The letter was signed solemnly by all the College and entrusted to the Primate and two bishops chosen by the College to be presented to the Holy See. The letter was cordially received at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Primate of the TAC has agreed that no member of the College will give interviews until the Holy See has considered the letter and responded.
+ John

Should the Holy Father respond favorably to the request, and I hope he does, it seems possible and desirable we could see an expansion of Anglican Use, in the U.S. and elsewhere. The Holy Father seems determined to bring separated brethren back onto Barque of Peter and since Anglican Use is already in place, it could be the vessel back to Rome for many more Episcopalians and other Anglicans. There is no doubt many issues that will have to be dealt with (Anglican orders and the bugaboo of women's ordination, for example) but even reaching the talking stages would be a most encouraging development. Let us pray.

(h/t William Tighe)

Full, Corporate, Sacramental Union

Here's an interesting item. The Traditional Anglican Communion, one of many "continuing" churches made up of former Anglicans distressed over modern trends in the Anglican Church and claiming half a million members worldwide, held a meeting last week in of its College of Bishops. Today a statement from TAC's Archbishop John Hepworth was released and reads as follows (posted on the excellent blog The Continuum):

The College of Bishops of the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC) met in Plenary Session in Portsmouth, England, in the first week of October 2007. The Bishops and Vicars-General unanimously agreed to the text of a letter to the See of Rome seeking full, corporate, sacramental union. The letter was signed solemnly by all the College and entrusted to the Primate and two bishops chosen by the College to be presented to the Holy See. The letter was cordially received at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The Primate of the TAC has agreed that no member of the College will give interviews until the Holy See has considered the letter and responded.
+ John

Should the Holy Father respond favorably to the request, and I hope he does, it seems possible and desirable we could see an expansion of Anglican Use, in the U.S. and elsewhere. The Holy Father seems determined to bring separated brethren back onto Barque of Peter and since Anglican Use is already in place, it could be the vessel back to Rome for many more Episcopalians and other Anglicans. There is no doubt many issues that will have to be dealt with (Anglican orders and the bugaboo of women's ordination, for example) but even reaching the talking stages would be a most encouraging development. Let us pray.

(h/t William Tighe)

A Rare Display of Spine in Europe...

By Denmark, of course.

Brian Mikkelsen, the Danish culture minister, has indicated the government would be willing to allow outspoken Dutch-Somali author Ayaan Hirsi Ali to live in Denmark under its protection from fanatical Muslims seeking to kill her.

Over the weekend Mikkelsen sent out a request to the country’s municipalities to invite the threatened author and filmmaker to live here. The move is supported by a recent parliament proposal to establish several ‘free cities’ for persecuted writers, a programme to be created with the support of the International City of Refuge Network.

‘Ayaan Hirsi Ali will be number one on the list of authors we should invite to Denmark,’ Mikkelsen announced on Sunday. ‘She has fought for the freedom of expression and has personally received threats on her life.’

(Snip)

Mikkelsen said the government would be willing to pay all the expenses relating to Ali’s residence in Denmark.

‘It’s obvious the protection of Hirsi Ali would be a substantial expense,’ he said. ‘But we have to view that from a positive standpoint.’

(Also read this from the Jawa Report). How that small nation remains immune to the toxic and cowardly expediency of political correctness surrounding her is a mystery but may God bless Denmark and her people.

(h/t LGF)

A Rare Display of Spine in Europe...

By Denmark, of course.

Brian Mikkelsen, the Danish culture minister, has indicated the government would be willing to allow outspoken Dutch-Somali author Ayaan Hirsi Ali to live in Denmark under its protection from fanatical Muslims seeking to kill her.

Over the weekend Mikkelsen sent out a request to the country’s municipalities to invite the threatened author and filmmaker to live here. The move is supported by a recent parliament proposal to establish several ‘free cities’ for persecuted writers, a programme to be created with the support of the International City of Refuge Network.

‘Ayaan Hirsi Ali will be number one on the list of authors we should invite to Denmark,’ Mikkelsen announced on Sunday. ‘She has fought for the freedom of expression and has personally received threats on her life.’

(Snip)

Mikkelsen said the government would be willing to pay all the expenses relating to Ali’s residence in Denmark.

‘It’s obvious the protection of Hirsi Ali would be a substantial expense,’ he said. ‘But we have to view that from a positive standpoint.’

(Also read this from the Jawa Report). How that small nation remains immune to the toxic and cowardly expediency of political correctness surrounding her is a mystery but may God bless Denmark and her people.

(h/t LGF)

The Writing on the Wall

The latest kerfuffle among traditional Episcopalians results from a free-spirit 'sixties-style priest, a Fr. Kerbel, who posted on his blog last week twenty proposed "reforms" of the Anglican Mass to make it more "welcoming;" expunging vast chunks of it and transforming it into a "rap session," "encounter group" or whatever the addled, brain-dead hippies called them back then. I'll copy just one of his suggestions to give you a taste.

9. Cut the fat. Here are some suggestions - THE GLORIA - The COLLECT FOR PURITY - Doxology and Prayers at the presentation - the concluding collect at the end of the prayers of the people. Cut down the number of PSALM verses used. Psalms are incredibly deep, a little bit goes along way. Use 6 verse max at a time. Let me sit and contemplate.

The reaction, not surprisingly, has been intense but the fact is this nonsense has been going on for years, decades even; it is nothing new. If Fr. Kerbel were transported back to the mid-seventies and stepped into, say, Emmanuel Church in Boston he would feel right at home. When I was a parishioner at the nearby Church of the Advent those days, mention of wacko establishments like Emmanuel simply elicited head shaking and comments like, "Oh, pay them no mind, they're just a bunch of eccentrics" (check out Emmanuel's website: the wackiness continues).

Well, we paid them no mind and that proved to be a fatal error. The lunatics are in charge of the asylum now and it's churches like Advent that are now regarded as the eccentrics. You can be damn sure those in charge will pay them plenty of mind as they continue the purge of non-PC heresies in their Episcopal Church.

Outrage over matters like Fr. Kerbel's reforms is a waste of time, other than to vent one's spleen. Kerbel is a country parson and he can hardly be faulted for holding and parroting the beliefs of virtually every man and woman in an executive position in the Episcopal Church. The sad truth is, over the past thirty years we have had plenty of warning of what was to come. For me the shot across the bow was the General Convention vote in 1976 that purported women could be ordained. I actually remember a sinking feeling at the time, thinking that decision could lead to the break up of the Church. But other than that I, like the majority of Episcopalians, did nothing. Après cela, le déluge.

I had a friend at that time who was a nun (sadly, we lost touch) with whom I sung in the university chapel choir. We often engaged in good-natured debate over the merits of the Anglican vs. the the Catholic faiths. Occasionally I scored points against her (I realize now that she let me, good soul that she was) but when when I did, she would always respond: "Oh, someday we're gonna get you, we're gonna get you." Dear Sister, how right you were!

The Writing on the Wall

The latest kerfuffle among traditional Episcopalians results from a free-spirit 'sixties-style priest, a Fr. Kerbel, who posted on his blog last week twenty proposed "reforms" of the Anglican Mass to make it more "welcoming;" expunging vast chunks of it and transforming it into a "rap session," "encounter group" or whatever the addled, brain-dead hippies called them back then. I'll copy just one of his suggestions to give you a taste.

9. Cut the fat. Here are some suggestions - THE GLORIA - The COLLECT FOR PURITY - Doxology and Prayers at the presentation - the concluding collect at the end of the prayers of the people. Cut down the number of PSALM verses used. Psalms are incredibly deep, a little bit goes along way. Use 6 verse max at a time. Let me sit and contemplate.

The reaction, not surprisingly, has been intense but the fact is this nonsense has been going on for years, decades even; it is nothing new. If Fr. Kerbel were transported back to the mid-seventies and stepped into, say, Emmanuel Church in Boston he would feel right at home. When I was a parishioner at the nearby Church of the Advent those days, mention of wacko establishments like Emmanuel simply elicited head shaking and comments like, "Oh, pay them no mind, they're just a bunch of eccentrics" (check out Emmanuel's website: the wackiness continues).

Well, we paid them no mind and that proved to be a fatal error. The lunatics are in charge of the asylum now and it's churches like Advent that are now regarded as the eccentrics. You can be damn sure those in charge will pay them plenty of mind as they continue the purge of non-PC heresies in their Episcopal Church.

Outrage over matters like Fr. Kerbel's reforms is a waste of time, other than to vent one's spleen. Kerbel is a country parson and he can hardly be faulted for holding and parroting the beliefs of virtually every man and woman in an executive position in the Episcopal Church. The sad truth is, over the past thirty years we have had plenty of warning of what was to come. For me the shot across the bow was the General Convention vote in 1976 that purported women could be ordained. I actually remember a sinking feeling at the time, thinking that decision could lead to the break up of the Church. But other than that I, like the majority of Episcopalians, did nothing. Après cela, le déluge.

I had a friend at that time who was a nun (sadly, we lost touch) with whom I sung in the university chapel choir. We often engaged in good-natured debate over the merits of the Anglican vs. the the Catholic faiths. Occasionally I scored points against her (I realize now that she let me, good soul that she was) but when when I did, she would always respond: "Oh, someday we're gonna get you, we're gonna get you." Dear Sister, how right you were!