Thursday, July 13, 2006
Archbishop of the Loonie Moonies...
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So, Zambian Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo decided to run away from home and show up in the United States to champion the idea of married priests.
Now, to be wholly honest, I am not completely against the idea of married priests. It has its ups and downs, but I fully trust in the wisdom of the Holy See to decide whether or not this discipline is wise to continue.
However, this guy is just a lunatic.
He married a Korean woman in a mass ceremony by Sun Myung Moon, but was later persuaded by the Vatican (actually, by Cardinal Betrone, the number two man at the CDF at that time and now the newly named Secretary of State) to renounce his marriage and return to full communion, thus having the Holy See drop the excommunication threat.
He's back with his wife now. So I guess that didn't hold.
Really, I don't mind people talking about the pros and cons of mandatory celibacy, but couldn't the pros find a spokesman that has a few less screws loose?
So, Zambian Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo decided to run away from home and show up in the United States to champion the idea of married priests.
Now, to be wholly honest, I am not completely against the idea of married priests. It has its ups and downs, but I fully trust in the wisdom of the Holy See to decide whether or not this discipline is wise to continue.
However, this guy is just a lunatic.
He married a Korean woman in a mass ceremony by Sun Myung Moon, but was later persuaded by the Vatican (actually, by Cardinal Betrone, the number two man at the CDF at that time and now the newly named Secretary of State) to renounce his marriage and return to full communion, thus having the Holy See drop the excommunication threat.
He's back with his wife now. So I guess that didn't hold.
Really, I don't mind people talking about the pros and cons of mandatory celibacy, but couldn't the pros find a spokesman that has a few less screws loose?
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Another shake up...
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Joaquin Navarro-Valls has stepped down as the Vatican Flack. He's really been great at his job. Benedict has named a Jesuit priest as his replacement.
Forgive me if I'm just a little concerned that a Jesuit ordained in 1972 is named to anything. The Jesuits have a wonderful history, but their recent past is quite disturbing. However, Benedict is a wise man who I don't believe would name someone of questionable opinions to such an important, visable post. So, I trust in the Holy Father's decision.
Joaquin Navarro-Valls has stepped down as the Vatican Flack. He's really been great at his job. Benedict has named a Jesuit priest as his replacement.
Forgive me if I'm just a little concerned that a Jesuit ordained in 1972 is named to anything. The Jesuits have a wonderful history, but their recent past is quite disturbing. However, Benedict is a wise man who I don't believe would name someone of questionable opinions to such an important, visable post. So, I trust in the Holy Father's decision.
Monday, July 10, 2006
Aaaaaaaaaaand....we're back!
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Back from Astoria and Montana. Astoria was a pain in the ass. The apprentice artists were amazingly dumb...and not very good.
Montana was great. It's tough doing the long distance thing, but she'll be back before too long and I'll make one more trip over there in a week and a half. Besides, she's worth it. I think this just might be the one...but that's for a more personal story.
Back to the Anglican Church. Seems they've decided to allow women bishops, causing some a couple strokes, no doubt. No official response from the more conservative branches...yet.
Back from Astoria and Montana. Astoria was a pain in the ass. The apprentice artists were amazingly dumb...and not very good.
Montana was great. It's tough doing the long distance thing, but she'll be back before too long and I'll make one more trip over there in a week and a half. Besides, she's worth it. I think this just might be the one...but that's for a more personal story.
Back to the Anglican Church. Seems they've decided to allow women bishops, causing some a couple strokes, no doubt. No official response from the more conservative branches...yet.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Cantate Domino Canticum Antiquum!
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I'm in Astoria this week and Montana next week, but I needed to post this article on the Pope's comments about sacred music. A great read and I hope the Holy Father does more than just make a few comments.
I'm in Astoria this week and Montana next week, but I needed to post this article on the Pope's comments about sacred music. A great read and I hope the Holy Father does more than just make a few comments.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
It's Too Darn Hot!
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OK...the Portland/Metro area topped out at 99 degrees F. today. Supposed to reach 102 tomorrow. Needless to say, I am quite glad that I'll be heading to the Astoria Music Festival to perform. After that, I might be headed to see my girlfriend in Montana for a few days. So, I'll be on radio silence until after the 4th of July. I might send in an update when I get a chance, but that'll be a happy surprise for everyone if it happens.
Check out this interview with the Secretary for the Congregation for Divine Worship about the "recovery of the sacred." I think he makes a lot of great points and I hope something is done soon!
OK...the Portland/Metro area topped out at 99 degrees F. today. Supposed to reach 102 tomorrow. Needless to say, I am quite glad that I'll be heading to the Astoria Music Festival to perform. After that, I might be headed to see my girlfriend in Montana for a few days. So, I'll be on radio silence until after the 4th of July. I might send in an update when I get a chance, but that'll be a happy surprise for everyone if it happens.
Check out this interview with the Secretary for the Congregation for Divine Worship about the "recovery of the sacred." I think he makes a lot of great points and I hope something is done soon!
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Who the hell is running things?!?!?
Now, all political concerns aside, this story is absolutely ridiculous.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles won't be conducting background checks any more. They don't want to scare off illegal aliens by requiring background checks of volunteers and employees.
So that's where our priorities lie now? "Oh it's ok...let the children be abused...that's just fine. Just don't make the illegals feel like they're not being included. That would be a sin of the highest rank!"
Does Cardinal Mahoney really know about this?? I mean, I haven't ever had an immense of respect for His Emminence, but I can't believe he would really allow this. I really, really hope they get beat to hell over this and they change their policy. Not because I'm mad, but because they are just asking for more lawsuits and, more importantly, more innocent children to be abused.
It's no longer safe to be a child in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles won't be conducting background checks any more. They don't want to scare off illegal aliens by requiring background checks of volunteers and employees.
So that's where our priorities lie now? "Oh it's ok...let the children be abused...that's just fine. Just don't make the illegals feel like they're not being included. That would be a sin of the highest rank!"
Does Cardinal Mahoney really know about this?? I mean, I haven't ever had an immense of respect for His Emminence, but I can't believe he would really allow this. I really, really hope they get beat to hell over this and they change their policy. Not because I'm mad, but because they are just asking for more lawsuits and, more importantly, more innocent children to be abused.
It's no longer safe to be a child in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Let's do the Curia Shuffle...
Benedict's first major Curia shake-up happened today. Angelo Sodano today resigned as Secretary of State. He was replaced by Tarcisio Betrone, Archbishop of Genoa. An interesting fact is that Cardinal Betrone has no diplomatic experience. He's been Archbishop of Genoa since 2002 and was Secretary for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith before that, which is no doubt where Benedict got to know him.
Another change is American Cardinal Edmund Szoka has resigned as the head of the Vatican City governate. He will be replaced by Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, who will most likely receive the red hat in next year's consistory.
These are two really big positions; The secretary of state effectively acting as "Prime Minister" and the head of the governate as "Foreign Minister". It will be interesting to watch and see if any major policy shifts become obvious.
Another change is American Cardinal Edmund Szoka has resigned as the head of the Vatican City governate. He will be replaced by Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, who will most likely receive the red hat in next year's consistory.
These are two really big positions; The secretary of state effectively acting as "Prime Minister" and the head of the governate as "Foreign Minister". It will be interesting to watch and see if any major policy shifts become obvious.
Another issue on the Episcopalian front. Seems the Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas has just had enough. They've voted to withdraw from the Episcopal Church. And so it begins...
Two other dioceses are not happy about the way things have gone. They've been told time and again "just six more months...then someone will do something." Seems like they're sick of hearing that....Someone did something alright...but it was them.
Can't say I blame them. The Traditional Anglican Communion is looking at joining Rome under the provisional Anglican Usage, which would allow the certain former Anglican parishes to retain the Book of Common Prayer with very slight alterations (prayer for the pope). They've already rejected Cantabury all together. If I were Cardinal Kaspar, I'd put Cantabury on the back burner and try to court this group. They have no firm central leadership and could lure conservative Episcopalians who have just about had it with their current denomination into the Roman fold. Not only that, but it could provide a more traditional, conservative alternative to those Latin Rite Catholics who don't like the way the Mass of Paul VI is being treated, but aren't quite ready to or comfortable with the idea of making a total switch to the Tridentine Mass. Or if a Tridentine isn't available.
Right now there is no "Anglican Rite". There is an Anglican USAGE, under the auspices of the Latin Rite. However, if the usage gets popular enough, who knows? I must say, if the Traditional Anglican Communion Parish we have here in Portland came into union with Rome and, for some reason, I wasn't a church choir director at the time, I would seriously consider going there quite a bit.
Two other dioceses are not happy about the way things have gone. They've been told time and again "just six more months...then someone will do something." Seems like they're sick of hearing that....Someone did something alright...but it was them.
Can't say I blame them. The Traditional Anglican Communion is looking at joining Rome under the provisional Anglican Usage, which would allow the certain former Anglican parishes to retain the Book of Common Prayer with very slight alterations (prayer for the pope). They've already rejected Cantabury all together. If I were Cardinal Kaspar, I'd put Cantabury on the back burner and try to court this group. They have no firm central leadership and could lure conservative Episcopalians who have just about had it with their current denomination into the Roman fold. Not only that, but it could provide a more traditional, conservative alternative to those Latin Rite Catholics who don't like the way the Mass of Paul VI is being treated, but aren't quite ready to or comfortable with the idea of making a total switch to the Tridentine Mass. Or if a Tridentine isn't available.
Right now there is no "Anglican Rite". There is an Anglican USAGE, under the auspices of the Latin Rite. However, if the usage gets popular enough, who knows? I must say, if the Traditional Anglican Communion Parish we have here in Portland came into union with Rome and, for some reason, I wasn't a church choir director at the time, I would seriously consider going there quite a bit.
