Year End Review: Washington | National Catholic Reporter

Year End Review: Washington | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: You can't have it both ways.  Kerry can't be having a great year while the boss he serves is having a bad one.  As far as the ACA - he essentially got the bishops to shut up on birth control for the most part and while the officer about 4 levels below him (the CMS CTO) made a mess of the web site roll out and has been fired - keep in mind that the site is up and running and people are signing up for insurance - including in states that have no connection to the US site.  (note that there would be no US website if states had not been given a choice on doing their own).  Obama did not actually have one grand bargain with Congress - he had two. The first and most significant was enactment of the ATRA - which exactly enacted the tax provisions he ran on in 2008.  The second was a budget deal that Boehner and Ryan supported - much to the chagrin of Tea Party Republicans.  One can argue that no deal should ever be made with such people who represent a constituency that is very open about the fact that they consider Obama illegimate because of his race.  I care not what such yahoos think.

Same-Sex Marriage & Religious Liberty | National Catholic Reporter

Same-Sex Marriage & Religious Liberty | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The problem in Uganda are clergy who are figting modernity and who identify gay rights with that movement - and the fact that the clergy and politicians in Uganda are in cahoots with C Street - aka The Family.  Sometimes freedom of religion really is best served when Church and State are kept separate.  That can truly be said about C Street in the US, Uganda and the anti-modernists in the Anglican Communion and the USCCB on their Fortnight for Freedom.

Year End Review: The Church | National Catholic Reporter

Year End Review: The Church | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The big discontinuity is that this Pope is not using such opaque language as continuities and discontinuities.  He is more in your face - from how he lives to what he says about economics - as well as his very overt plan to reform the Curia with his "Gang of Eight - including Cardinal O'Mally.  As far as Wuerl, I had not heard that Cardinal McCarrick had said anything about Evangelii Gaudium.  (are you talking about Dolan?)

A Blessed, Eucharistic, Merry Christmas | National Catholic Reporter

A Blessed, Eucharistic, Merry Christmas | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I remember when the new Mass came in and that they moved Jesus (I was 4 or 5) - now the same Tabernacle is in a different room altogether (so much for the GIRM).  Finding Jesus in the Eucharist is wonderful, but finding him in the face of the poor is essential - as his throne was a manger and later a cross.  This is why "True Pressence" Churches celebrate the Eucharist on Christmas - and woe to those who don't.  In many cases, they are unlikely to want to see Christ in the poor - or at all. (Love the comment on it not being relavent that Jesus might not have been born in December - glad MSW is paying attention).  At 5pm I turned on EWTN for Papa Francisco's first Christmas Mass.  Sadly, it was almost over and they were putting Christ in the manger scene.  What was wonderful is that he did not need a cart to get around!  God has truly blessed the Church this year.  Merry Christmas!

A Priest Answers the Synod Questionnaire | National Catholic Reporter

A Priest Answers the Synod Questionnaire | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I suspect they will only be blunt if it does not keep them of a tierna - which is why the laity - and gasp - the Sisters - must be asked.

Cardinal Sean To The Rescue | National Catholic Reporter

Cardinal Sean To The Rescue | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The reason to disenfranchise these people without arranging for them to have a home it to facilitate their use as slaves in the cane fields, along with more recently procured Hatians.  There is quite the similiarity to the Anchor baby issue  in the United States and attempts to disenfranchise them - sometimes going back more than a generation.  Of course, in the United States, Anchor babies came up in 2010 - just when Lindsey Graham was about to make a deal with the Democrats and get immigration reform passed.  The new initiative did what it was designed to do - stop reform so that workers for Food, Inc. would be kept in the shadows, where they can't unionize, report bad conditions or demand fair wages.  Its about Capitalism more than it is about Racism.

A Trip Down Memory Lane | National Catholic Reporter

A Trip Down Memory Lane | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: After my wife and I got married, my mother would usually visit my sister's place in Gaithersburg, although she would sometimes visit my brother and his husband in Dallas or before my other brother got married, his family at a gathering in Oregon.  After she passed we gathered with my sister, but this year we are scattered - many to someplace warm.  My other brother, the cook, is staying home, as I am to work at the Theater XMAS day.

On the Enclyclopedia question, I am not sure Brittanica of the 1970 edition would have been as devout as Comptons and I am quite sure no one is listing the fact that Christ was likely born in either March  or April of 6 BC, depending on the astrological theory used to duplicate what the Magi would have calculated in making their pilgrimage.  I prefer the April.  Of course, its possible use so near to Easter has too many implications for reincarnation - which is why we celebrate now - having Christ displace the Sun as the light that ends the winter darkness.

Defending the ERDs | National Catholic Reporter

Defending the ERDs | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The problem would be not if the hospital acted according to the ERD, but if they perceived that they could not contrary to the one on abortion without the local bishop coming down on them.  These should be a document of CHA, not the USCCB.  The bishops need to stay out of it because they do not have medical degrees nor are they that well versed in the ERDs themselves.  The participation of the ACLU is regrettable.  This should be settled quietly in negotiations between the insurerer and the patient's malpractice attorney.

Morning's Minion Tackles Samuel Gregg | National Catholic Reporter

Morning's Minion Tackles Samuel Gregg | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Quite simply, Gregg and Acton defend the current economic order because those behind it are on their team, which is also pro-life, despite the fact that they have no earthly clue as to how to really end abortion without bringing out terrible consequences.  Indeed, if they really respected life in the womb, they would support the economic and spiritual world Pope Francis is trying to lead the way toward.

Defending Cardinal Wuerl | National Catholic Reporter

Defending Cardinal Wuerl | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Technically, now that the split between east and west has been healed, we are Ecumenical Patriarch Barthalomew Catholics - it just has not been made official.  This identification with a particular pope does point to the mindset, however, of why the right wing, the American Spectator, the pro-life movement and espeecially Mr. Neumayr want a more muscular conformity on Communion vis-a-vis abortion.  They consider it a group issue, not an issue of individual morality.  They think if they get enough people in their group - they will win (regardless of the fact that abortion was not enacted by a vote - with the exception of New York and California - where Reagan signed the law).  They would have Communion be a right of group membership (which is why Protestants - even real pressence believers - are excluded).  Francis scares them to death - because under their logic if Francis uses the Eucharist to enforce social and economic justice they would be denied Communion.  They meditate about that for a while and think about distancing themselves and the pro-life movement from Republican political operations.

Benedict Defends Francis | National Catholic Reporter

Benedict Defends Francis | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Francis has always been clear that he makes no departure from Benedict.  This seems to truly be the case on economics (not sure yet on how he will develop on gay marriage when it appears universal).  The Marxism discussion is funny considering how many seem to find Marxist tendencies in both Benedict's writings and the beliefs of those who helped him with Caritas in Veritate - probably the same who helped Francis with Evangelii Gaudium.

C. J. Reid on Paprocki | National Catholic Reporter

C. J. Reid on Paprocki | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Let us hope he finds a nice college to ruin - and soon.  One hopes that the local Episocpal diocese is experiencing an explosion in conversions and sacraments, rather than simply having Catholics who react to this bishop's political agenda remain unchurched.  That would be tragic and a sin I would lay on the head of the bishop. As for the excommunication - it was a failure.  The bishop is still there.

Gov. O'Malley on the Environment | National Catholic Reporter

Gov. O'Malley on the Environment | National Catholic Reporter by MSW/  MGB: The Bay is much clearner than the Severn, which is downright dangerous - although the plentiful days of crab and oyseter fishing will never, ever return - even if we could somehow contain the waste from chicken and pork factory farms.  Overfishing the Bay was both an individual and a group endeavor which held the seeds of its own destruction.  Water harvesting regulations can only help a bit - if they were at all successful there would be another fishing frenzy.  As far as the political future of the Governor, I'm really not interested.

Cardinal Francis George | National Catholic Reporter

Cardinal Francis George | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Happy Anniversary to his Emminence.  Hopefully someone will get him a copy of Mary Douglas tome Purity and Danger and Elaine Pagels book on Revelation - which demonstrates that this successor won't be imprisoned any time soon, nor will another be killed.  As for personal liberty as an element of freedom, civic virtue (not evangelization) is its counter balance.  It is not up to the culture to spread the faith - although it would be nice if the Church showed a little civic virtue and set up hospitals for non-violent drug offenders (as opposed to cooperating with Corrections Corporation of America) and a system of non-college prep high schools, rather than leaving this to public education and Head Start.

The Dismal Science | National Catholic Reporter

The Dismal Science | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Something is scientific or not depending on the abitity to measure and test it - which is why, quite regrettably - political science has become more about mathematics than poltics - although the cultural theory movement seems to be making inroads in both areas.  It also has some interesting things to say about religion (and undoubedly the sadly named Acton Institute).  Elaine Pagels book about Revelation is an example of using cultural theory to interpet scripture (according to Elaine, John of Patmos lost the debate in the end and the Pauline Christians whom he was writing against, won it).  If I ever go back to finish my PhD, it will be about Culture, not Economics - although I will likely be bringing math to it.

Here We Go Again: The Debt Ceiling | National Catholic Reporter

Here We Go Again: The Debt Ceiling | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I agree - the debt ceiling should be declared as unconstitutional and ignored for the remainder of time.  The only other option is to raise taxes on the rich to top borrowing.  Stopping spending has simply made things worse, while increased taxes in 2012 have lead to begining of housing starts and hiring.

A Tale of Two Interviews | National Catholic Reporter

A Tale of Two Interviews | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I am sure the Pope knows quite a few Marxists, some of whom work in the Curia. One can be a Marxist and not be an atheist.  Indeed, if one reads the Introduction of Marx's Capital, it is hard not to notice the similarities to the current economy.

It is good news that he is planning action in February.  My bet is a general council - possibly one that invites the Orthodox.  I am hard pressed to see how he acts radically without one.

The Curia is not about getting Red, it is about getting White.  Like the Ward 3 Democratic Committee, the Curia does stuff between Conclaves - but its real purpose is electing a pope (and running for election - though without appearing to run).

As far as Burke, he would not know good natural law if it bit him.  His version is unconnected to human experience and relies on his skewed view of human nature and the first principle that Rome and the bishops have some higher understanding than anyone, clergy or not, who uses right reason.  His brand of natural law, like Benedict's, is the height of relativism - and neither of them knows it. Sad.

George Will vs. Pope Francis | National Catholic Reporter

George Will vs. Pope Francis | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: My father would likely agree with Will and not the Pope.   This is more about Will v. Obma than Will v. Francis.  The dismal science actually both theorizes and confirms that minimum wage increases do not lead to job loss because such workers mostly toil under monopsonistic working conditinos - meaning that they are paid under their productivity - often by a lot.  Experience mostly proves that out, as does the contention that non-minimum wage workers feel the increase because employers mostly raise the entire scale of salaries when the bottom is increased.  A famous quote I once saw on Facebook was the if you work the minimum wage your employer is paying you as little as possible without breaking the law.

As for discouraged workers - many simply retired or were able to qualify for disabilitty.  While I do blame Obama for not doing something about underwater mortgages, the fact that conditions continued to get worse after his inaugural still says loads about George W. Bush and less about Obama, who did a stimulus bill that was anemic because it had to convince 3 Republican Senators to vote for it.

A living wage is a good idea.  The GOP actually has made progress in this area by putting in the EITC and the Child Tax Credit (and then increasing it - Obama confirmed the larger sum).  Still, the CTC is about 12 times too low to be a living wage - with each family getting twelve thousand for each child as an addition to payroll.  The Church should do that too.  If they did, they would not care about the contraceptive coverage of their employees.

The Burke-Wuerl Difference | National Catholic Reporter

The Burke-Wuerl Difference | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Perhaps the hearts that needed to be changed were those of the Canons.  The NCR reditiorial on Dolan and gay marriage it very well.  Let us also not discount the influence of Archibishop Emeritus, Theodore Cardinal McCarrick - who headed up the commission that examined this issue.  On the Catholic politician side, it is sad that in an effort to not alienate Catholic voters, Catholic politicians do not make a stronger case on the difference between promoting abortion and refusing to use criminal penalties to discourage it - as well was explaining why overturning Roe and sending the matter to the states is a really bad idea (we tried such nonsense with slavery) and would possibly overturn much in the way of equal protection law - although considering that equal protection and privacy also legalized   consensual activity by gays and will eventually lead to gay marriage being nationalized - I can see why the culture warriors are not big fans.

The Shake-up In Rome | National Catholic Reporter

The Shake-up In Rome | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I suspect that Leveda had a hand in getting Wuerl on the Congregation, given his invovlement in doctrinal issues in the USCCB.  I don't agree with everything he has done, especially in regards to the Religious Freedom publicity stunt, but his stand on Communion for politicians is the polar opposite of Burke, who he appears to be replacing.  As far as Rigali, it is good to see John Paul II's American enforcer hitting the road.  Putting Wuerl on this Congregation has another benefit - the proximity to the Nuncio.  They can literally have lunch and discuss things on a regular basis.  I expect with this change that heads are about to roll - chilling the blood of the culture warriors (although Dolan appears to be safe as a cardinal - although having his patron, Rigali, tossed out is not good for him.)

Editorial: The church was not 'out-marketed' on gay marriage | National Catholic Reporter

Editorial: The church was not 'out-marketed' on gay marriage | National Catholic Reporter Dolan is certainly one who lives in fear that Catholic families, especially the ones on his donor list, will demand the Church bless the unions of their gay children, siblings and parents.  Now that would be a dilemna.

Wuerl named to bishops' panel; Burke not confirmed | National Catholic Reporter

Wuerl named to bishops' panel; Burke not confirmed | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Getting rid of Burke and passing up Rigali are a good temperature check on where this pope is going.  Nice.  As for Wuerl, he has backed up the CDF and Leveda - so it is no surprise that they go together into the conference, even though Wuerl may be a bit too conservative (although that could be because he was being watched).

"Unstable, inconsistent, and incoherent" | National Catholic Reporter

"Unstable, inconsistent, and incoherent" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Yes AND because employers are using tax subsidies to provide insurance their refusal to do so is a defacto reversal of Griswold v. Connecticut.  The state cannot do that or any of its agents.  Period.  Also, the ACA only designated that the Institute of Medicine say WHAT comrehensive preventative items are to be free of co-payments.  THAT they be provided was decided by the EEOC in December 2000 for ALL policies that cover preventative services - including those contracted by the Church.

Kudos to Indiana Bishops | National Catholic Reporter

Kudos to Indiana Bishops | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I want them to allow their priests to celebrate gay weddings as they see fit according to the needs of the family involved.  The can even have some kind of dispensaion couples can sign.  Marriages are made by the COUPLE before GOD.  The Priest is merely a witness for the Church and community - and he is optional for the validity (though not the licitness) of the sacrament.  What the bishops fear is that bishops may start doing these weddings secretly without episcopal sanction.  I am simply waiting for the first story to be reported.

One more thing.  If they feel the need to Act in Indiana, of all places, the Organization for Marriage has indeed lost.

More Trouble for ACA | National Catholic Reporter

More Trouble for ACA | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The ethical answer is that abortion is such a small part of coverage cost for any one business owner or employee that the amount is TOO TRIVIAL for their own moral concern.  Whether they wish to make a symbolic point is on them.  As for those who would pressure Sebelius - some of us have a sour taste in our mouth on how the bishops behaved before and after the ACA was passed.  I am not really willing to lift a finger on an issue that has minimal financial impact.  Most abortins - the vast majority - are funded with CASH.  Nothing Sebelius has done will change that.  Quit demonizing her.  It is untoward and unjust.  I am not sure who MSW is trying to curry favor with, but its not me.  Individual state compliance is way below her paygrade.

Forgetting the Long-Term Unemployed | National Catholic Reporter

Forgetting the Long-Term Unemployed | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Long term unemployment is necessary when there are no jobs.  I should know, I have two of them and the one that is permanent is minimum wage - which pays less than the extended unemployment I did have - but which expired after week 77 (now 73).  No one is saying anything about what to do with the people formerly called the 99ers.  Nothing has ever been done for us, although those who are old enough retire and some seek either disability or SSI and SNAP.  At least that did not get cut, which is a triumph. Anyone who lost his or her job in 2008 or 2009 has long since moved beyond extended unemployment.   Obama knows this.  He knew that if he made it an issue, Congress would be shamed into acting on extended unemployment.  He did not know because there is not much he can do.  As far as the Great Recession itself, it will linger until those pockets who were supposed to be helped by TARP, where people owe more than their home value, need the most relief.  We are finding it today in bankruptcy court - at least for second and third mortgages (aka housing grants).  It is accurate to say that on the first mortgage, most are no longer under water.  It is also accurate to say that with the end of the sequester and a budget deal - many of us will find real jobs again, either as contractors or federal employees.  Boehner and Ryan do deserve some credit - for gettng out of the way.

Tom Roberts at CACG | National Catholic Reporter

Tom Roberts at CACG | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB.  I have several immigrant stories, with only the last one with my great grandmother arriving as a Norweigian girl knowing limited English (Yes, No, Help Poiice!) not involving the killing of natives or the benefit of someone else killing them to make room for them (including Plymouth and Jamestown) - although my great grandfather and his wife did grow food for the Union Army as well. These latter never learned English for probably 30 years.  I suspect my Jamestown and Plymouth ancestors probably disapproved of my Chezch, Norse and Beligan (Romani) ancestors.

MSW & Bp Cupich Win An "Oscar" | National Catholic Reporter

MSW & Bp Cupich Win An "Oscar" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Congratulations on your "Oscar" - please send them a link to my stuff - especially to their patron, Cardinal Burke.  I'm not only looking for their condemnation - I want them to try to publically excommunicate me!  (which I will ignore and glory in).

Is Capitalism "Intrinsically Disordered"? | National Catholic Reporter

Is Capitalism "Intrinsically Disordered"? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Like with homosexualty and finding pleasure in sex - there is NO NATURAL ORDER.  There is simply the world as it is.  The curial abstractions may or may not be a useful tool - but they are not deified as something that God's justice must enforce.  What Fr. Sirico and Mr. Gregg don't realize is that Capitalism is not the same thing as a free market.  At does have winners - the capitalists and losers - workers and consumers.  Capitalist markets have few employers and many employees without power - which is why the Church, in her wisdom, encourages unions (aside from teachers unions and unions at Catholic hospitals - OOPS!)  A free market means buyers and sellers for both labor and products have equal power.  That is certainly not the case with capitalism.  Libertarian socialism, which makes the workers the owners and consumers, is the closest thing aside from total anarchy to achieving a free market in practice - because it maintains EQUALITY in its membership.  No one gets rich in an LS system - and THAT is the point!  It is also why no one gives much money toward adopting it.

Robert Christian on Income Inequality, POTUS & the Pope | National Catholic Reporter

Robert Christian on Income Inequality, POTUS & the Pope | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: It is not the Free Market that is the problem - it is Capitalism.  Of course, if the Pope condemned capitalism that cultists of John Paul II would have a hissy fit - although Benedict did as much as well.  Even the popes since Leo XIII (who should be a saint if any pope is) are but newbees compared to the prophets from the Northern and Southern kingdoms - who predicted the exile of each kingdom.  Know how bad inequality will leave a nation?  The Northern Kingdom never returned - and is still wandering in Europe as the Romani people.  While the US cannot be similarly exiled, it is still similarly guilty.  As the parable of Lazarus says, not even if one should come back from the dead will they be helped if they ignore Moses and the Prophets.  Those who claim Christ as their personal savior should think of that one long and hard.

That Charmer Cong. Steve King | National Catholic Reporter

That Charmer Cong. Steve King | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: King reflects the Xenophobia of many of my cousins in that part of Iowa - who forget that 150 years ago their ancestors were immigrants. If King wants to help doom the GOP to an ignominious end, who am I to argue with him?

The Tiny, Tiny Budget Deal | National Catholic Reporter

The Tiny, Tiny Budget Deal | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The leadership wants the deal, so it will get done - period.  As you stated, getting rid of the sequester helps Republican interests more than Democratic interests, so having a bipartisan committee do this is not shock.  Extended UI will get done under another bill, as will the debt limit extension.

This budget "crisis" - or more accurately circus - came about due to the unchallenged bravado by Republicans who stated that the Senate had not passed a budget in X number of months.  This is entirely untrue, as the Budget Control Act functions as a budget for 302 allocation purposes, although the price was the sequester.  Now that we have precident for undoing the sequester it likely will never come again.

As for the history of bipartisanship leading to balanced budgets in the 90s, that only occurred because Gingrich allowed himself to be outvoted by the Democrats and moderate Republicans - which basically ignored his fiscal priorities for his entire speakership.  THAT is why we have the Hastert rule.  It was a natural evolution of parties which became ideologically homogenous.  Of course, that homogeneity may be the doom of the GOP - especially if Pope Francis pulls the bishops out of their pro-life Amen corner.

Cloutier on Bernardin | National Catholic Reporter

Cloutier on Bernardin | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The Church cannot get this together because the bishops and the Vatican don't understand how abortion was legalized in the United States and does not seem to see that the National Right to Life Committee is an organ of the Republican Party - who will never do seemless garment things like increasing the minimum wage and radically increasing the child tax credit.  If they understood the difference between allowing abortion and promoting abortion they might be able to remove itself from the NRLC con game and work with those who really do want social justice.  They need to look long and hard on who they are supporting for Congress next year.  Putting Pelosi back in as Speaker and tutoring her on the ethics of abortion - PRIVATELY - is a good first step.

Sr. Carol vs. NYTimes | National Catholic Reporter

Sr. Carol vs. NYTimes | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Sister Carol is truly a saint.  The bishops don't deserve her actions after the way she and her members were pilloried by certain bishops and USCCB staff when she supported Obama on health care reform.  I have no intention to act as quickly unless Sr. Carol takes the lead.  She is an example of why we need female priests and bishops.

Rescuing the Pro-Life Cause | National Catholic Reporter

Rescuing the Pro-Life Cause | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Bishop Tobin seems to be in line with the right wingnut movement to bash Mandela one last time. THAT is the problem with the pro-life movement.  His criticism is over the top as well.  Have the law decriminalize abortion IS NOT the same thing as promoting it.  Whether he ever made statements saying abortion is to be recommended or not is the question of whether he promoted abortion.  Tobin needs to realize that Desmond Tutu is his archbishop - not some Catholic prelate.  I suspect the Anglican view is a bit different on this matter - which is the difference between moral evil (and again, removing state sanctions is not evil) and sin.

What the Left needs to do, especially the elected Left like Biden and Pelosi, is to point out what a sham the pro-life movement really is - and will continue to be until it gets on the living wage bandwagon.  While the Bushes made progress in this area - by instituting a Child Tax Credit - they did not go far enough.  It needs to be increased by six to twelve fold (depending on whether states match it) so that each child gets $12,000 a year for the family.

Evangelii Gaudium Still Making Waves | National Catholic Reporter

Evangelii Gaudium Still Making Waves | National Catholic Reporter by MSW on KP of WaPo.  MGB: KP does capture the right wing reaction quite well.  For my part, anyone who Rush calls a Marxist immediately makes me a fan.  The right wing spin machine is deathly afraid that Catholic pro-lifers will leave the GOP coalition (that includes Latinos), making them a permanent minority party - or worse - destroy them everywhere.  In truth, the left is scared of such things, as the Democratic coalition cannot hold together after absorbing ex-Republicans.

Catholic Conversation Project | National Catholic Reporter

Catholic Conversation Project | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The CDF and the bishops need to realize that academic theologians come in two groups.  One group is dedicated to the training of priests and improving cathecisis.  The other lives in academia and is dedicated to deepening the academic understanding of Christology, ethics and theology in general.  They are the salt or yeast that keeps doctrine relevant to successive generations.  Nowadays the latter is able to use what we learn from archeology and biology.  The bishops need to cut the latter group some slack - provided that they are clear about the nature of their writings as exploration rather than the teaching of doctrine.  The Holy Office needs to get that the condemnation of modernism was itself erroneous.

The Geenie is long out of the bottle. it cannot ever be put back in.  Evolution and biblical scholarship have shown that Adam and Eve are allegorial figures.  The first humans were much older and they did not have a golden age of sinlessness.  Farming in the Middle East began because that place known as Eden, which is in Turkey, had a climate change incident.  The myth is a desire to explain why this happened - as the authors had no knowledge of global climate change.

Illiberal Lefties | National Catholic Reporter

Illiberal Lefties | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The kind of Lockean liberalism you describe is inadequate to deal with our economic mess.  What we need instead is principled (and non-violent) radicalism.  Being nice to people who are stealing from the poor is not what either I nor the Lord would recommend.  As for the Warren affair with the Third Way, this outfit is purely Clintonian, just like the DLC.  The reason for the hit peace is likely a sophomoric attempt to try to keep Warren out of a race against Hillary.  The same can be said for the Times peace on abortion - the conscience exemption for religious hospitals to not perform abortions is both time honored and in law.  A Times editorial will not change that - even in the Senate.  Sadly, the USCCB has muted the usual coalition who would stand up to them, largely because how they reacted to their loss on the Affordable Care Act.

"Hills of the North, Rejoice" | National Catholic Reporter

"Hills of the North, Rejoice" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Sadly, the people of the Northern KIngdom have not yet been allowed to return to Israel - although we did convert as a group before anyone else did.  The Samaritans converted en masse, while the Romani in India were converted by St. Thomas.  The Romani and Samaritans are the same nation.

American Life League Attacks Sheehan | National Catholic Reporter

American Life League Attacks Sheehan | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: ALL is an example of the right wing's devotion to coaltion politics.  There is no place in their coalition for social programs - because they think it keeps people poor - which is bogus.  People are kept poor because Republicans are obstructing spending more, forgiving mortgage debt and giving the poor (indeed - all families) more income assistance for children.  Indeed, abortion would be severely cut back if we had a decent living wage - something ALL is totally against.  As far as going after a bishop who supported an organization that cut the founder's largesse - I am not at all surprised.  What many on the left understand well is the capacity of right wingers to use the cause of life as their meal ticket (which means they are not interested in real solutions).

"The Danger of Pope Francis" | National Catholic Reporter

"The Danger of Pope Francis" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: While the Papacy is a poltical office, it is also spiritual.  This is what scares the approach of Francis, who highlights the fact that taking care of the poor - both on the individual and governmental levels - is an essential part of discipleship (not to be confused with salvation - which is about getting your soul saved - with discipleship being about treasure in Heaven).  Integrating charity into the faith makes some people uncomfortable - especially if they are against raising taxes.  People ridicule Francis because they can't ignore him.  Next they will actively fight him and then he will win.

What Is RFRA? | National Catholic Reporter

What Is RFRA? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I suspect that Hosanna Tabor will be the controlling law in this case - which also seems address who gets to deliniate who is a minister and who is not - the Church itself.  This won't, however, do anything about the fact that the EEOC has long ruled that contraception is an essential part of preventative care.  Of course, I am sure that the St. Thomas More Law Center will file an Amicus asking the Court to overturn both Roe and Grisswold.  Indeed, I suspect that this round of law suits is all about giving the Court that opportunity.  Given the fact that there are no different Republicans on the Court than when they passed on doing the same thing in Gonzales v. Carhart (with Kennedy, Alito and Chief Roberts taking a pass on overturning Roe), I suspect that this is a fools errand.

Just How Bad Is Income Inequality? | National Catholic Reporter

Just How Bad Is Income Inequality? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: This has nothing to do with support for women's health issues and everything to do with Republican obstructionism - although Obama probably should have let taxes go up for the upper middle class as well as the wealthy.  What is really hurting is Republican obstruction to putting in Obama appointments that will let action go forth in the area of union rights - a problem recently solved by the exercising of the nuclear option.  A lot of the continuation of the Great Recession came about because Obama was scared out of doing something for underwater mortgage borrowers.  Had he not taken the advice of Larry Summers and done something when it would have made a differece, inequality would have moved just a bit in the other direction.  He still has time.

Mandela | National Catholic Reporter

Mandela | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I did not know President Mandela personally, but friends, chief among them Rev. Walter Faunteroy (who started the Free South Africa protests in the US by chaining himself to the South African embassador's desk on Black Friday) and I are part of what Dr. King called the Beloved Community.  I feel this loss personally.  Come next week I can celebrate his resurrection - which is assured due to his taking on the mantle of peace.  First, some grief and tears are in order.  Of course, some of that may be an awareness of my own mortality and those of my friends (such as Lawrence Guyot and my young South African friend Shuta Myoli, who came here fleeing persecution).  It is an interesting twist of fate that our first black president will attend the funeral - and sad that South Africa, the land of Apartheid, elected a black president before the United States - the home of Jesse Helms and Mitch (block all actions Obama supports) McConnell.  Maybe that is why I am sad.

Garnett on Hobby Lobby | National Catholic Reporter

Garnett on Hobby Lobby | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The slippery slope happened when the Church was given exemptions at all in the proposed rules.  Too much accommodation is a bad thing.  The truth is that for insurance that covers preventative care (and it all must) - contraception has been required since DECEMBER 2000!  Note that fact if you want to cover the whole story.  Because of the public nature of the new health care, someone should note that allowing employers to get federal money to deny the privacy right to contraception is in violation of Griswold v. Connecticut.  If employers are acting in the government's stead, they cannot violate the constitutional privacy rights of employees - including the Church.

Kudos to Conley | National Catholic Reporter

Kudos to Conley | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: As stated earlier, the right is afraid that Francis will drag the Catholic bishops out of the Republican coalition over economic issues.  They have reason to fear - and yes, some of what Catholic social teaching from Benedict to Francis has been more than a bit Marxian.  If you read just the introduction to Das Kapital and what it says about trade and workers welfare you would think he wrote it in the past few years.  Pravda is pravda, Comrades.

Good News from Rome | National Catholic Reporter

Good News from Rome | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Putting a whistle blower in change will cause them to try to circle the wagons.  Hopefully she and her group will have the power to compel compliance - including by using episcopal appointment and removal to make things happen.  This is an old problem - one of the oldest in the Church.  When Jesus talked about leading young ones astray, he was not talking about teaching false doctrine but instead corrupting them sexually. That this passage made it in is telling - whether it is an attribtion or a verfied quotation.

The Domestication of Indifference | National Catholic Reporter

The Domestication of Indifference | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The answer to abortion is not to pander to the masses for electoral and coalition politics reasons - it is the adoption of the economic agenda of Francis and Obama. Of course, this is what the right wing is afraid of - from Donohue to Limbaugh to Shaw and FoxNews.  They are deathly afraid that this pope will shake the pro-life bishops lose from the Republican coalition - which would literally have the GOP fall apart.  It is no wonder they speak with both lies and vitriol.

WPFMTS Award: Life Site News | National Catholic Reporter

WPFMTS Award: Life Site News | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The right wing seems to be more about believing the right things than doing them.  It is almost Protestant.  Sadly, they are really about group loyalty - so it is embarrassing for Catholic right wing groups to find themselves on the other side than the Pope, who does not fit into any coaltion but is more liberal than not.  At some point it will become more well known that the majority of the pro-life movement and its supporters (like the Bishops) are more about Republican coalition politics (note the Affordable Care Act) than they are about truth, justice and mercy.

RC Schools & Common Core | National Catholic Reporter

RC Schools & Common Core | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: When Catholic Schools are also Charter Schools (increasingly the reality) or if they ever get public funds - say in exchange for letting in the unions, the Common Core will not be optional - fad or not.

Douthat Challenges RC Left | National Catholic Reporter

Douthat Challenges RC Left | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Douthat does not mention abortion - and as a liberal Catholic I would state that the best way to fight abortion is to make the economic reforms that both Pope Francis and BARACK OBAMA seem to be suggesting (capitalization meant to inflame).  As for Gay Marriage and the Ordination of Women - we don't advocate discussing these issues - we demand change and we will see it as the demand becomes large enough.  Let the philosophical defense involving the marital model of the priesthood (which is God is male suggests females only as priests) end.  It is sophistry and everyone below 50 pretty much gets it unless they are true defenders of the faith (or at least the status quo).  As for Church governance - it is time to adopt the Orthodox mode of autocephalic national patriarchs.  Let the local American patriarch rule on gay weddings, the election of bishops, the ownership of Church property (an issue made acute by the sex abuse scandal) and the ordination of women.  Hopefully that Patriarch is not Dolan.

Terror in Democratic Republic of the Congo | National Catholic Reporter

Terror in Democratic Republic of the Congo | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Sadly, there is no American appetite for intervention.  Not sure that would be true if there were unrest in Portugal or Belgium.

The "War on Christmas" | National Catholic Reporter

The "War on Christmas" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Jesus not only brought God, but brought God to the world of human suffering - and not just the physical kind but the spiritual kind of well - and that is worth celebrating!

As for the manger scene in the pubic square, let us remember there were no manger scenes until Francis of Assisi staged one.  It is a sacramental, not a sacrament.  Indeed, iconoclasts would say it is a sin against the second commandment (although Catholics locate it in the first).

In truth, the entire Christian season is a hijacking of the far more ancient season of Yule - the celebration of the solstice.  Christianizing this feast is an attempt to make Christ the Light of the world who banishes the darkness, rather than the Sun.  Of course, the Church is thereby buying into astrology rather than leaving it be.

Giving gifts to children is a very new thing (rather than using St. Nick's day for candy and Three Kings Day for bigger presents.  Doing so in America came about due to increasing material prosperity and the end of child labor.

AA members, who are often badly affected by the shortening of the day, hold extra meetings, called Alcathons, during both the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Holidays (and some of them are "spiritual not religious" - yet they still call the holidays by their names).  If you want to see the height of Christmas spirituality, go to an open AA meeting on Christmas (most of them are nowadays).

Another Gem from Evangelii Gaudium | National Catholic Reporter

Another Gem from Evangelii Gaudium | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: No one argues about the need for mercy when a sin is committed.  The argument is why something is sinful and whether it is.  Only the old school, hard core Catholics think there is anything wrong with masturbation as long it is not taken to extremes in terms of frequency or stimulus.  There is an emerging consensus that monogamous gay sex is not sinful, nor is birth control (birth control is a symptom of the sin of inequality - as is natural family planning).

Supporting "Fast For Families" | National Catholic Reporter

Supporting "Fast For Families" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: This is more a hunger strike than a fast.  It is poltical, not spiritual - but that is not to say it is not valid - especially since it is getting ink, airtime and bandwidth.

Notre Dame refiles suit against HHS mandate | National Catholic Reporter

Notre Dame refiles suit against HHS mandate | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Sebelius was thrust into this by the White House, through Senior Adisor Valerie Jarrett.  To continue to blame her for this flap when the truth is out there is Calumny.  Further, birth control itself is part of the mandatory coverage in any preventative plan and has been for 13 years - way before Obama took office.  The only thing different is the copayment.  They legal question of whether the government can treat different ministries differently is an interesting one.  The answer is yes, especially in labor law.  Would Notre Dame or MSW prefer instead requiring that individual parishes cover contraception?  (I suspect more do than you think - Catholic Charities USA certainly does - or at least did - as do many hospitals and probably many universities - the Catholic ones - most likely because they did not ask or were told that the Civil Rights Act required them to - which it does).

The War on Advent | National Catholic Reporter

The War on Advent | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The focus on sin in Advent is a time to encourage Confession - however we should be focusing on sin all the time - not because of a fear of damnation but rather because it makes our lives or those of others miserable (and if it does not, it is not a sin).

My favorite Advent Hymn is O Come, O Come Emmanuel.  While Israel (the real one, not the Zionist state - also known as the Northern Kingdom) is no longer captive, we are exiled.  Most of us have assimilated and become Catholic - however some Romani are still in their camps, trying to do what they must to survive and meeting persecution for it rather than being welcomed in Christ.  Now that is sinful.

The Christmas story did not actually happen in December.  It took place in Spring, when the flocks would be in the field at night.  In December, it is too cold, even in Palestine, to be out at night with sheep. The reason it is not celebrated in April is that it would be on the heels of Easter and the reincarnation metaphors are a bit too close for comfort.

The most significant part is not the Parousia (which may be personal rather than a historical event), but what it says about the Lord and how he saw His Mother as the first proclaimer of the Gospel to Him.  "She kept all these things and treasured them in her heart" is code for she told Jesus that he was the Son of God.  That would later prove fateful when Jesus was meeting His end and told her that he was dead and that John should take care of her.  She could likely not look at him in her grief.  Even if she did, it shattered his idea of who he is - as did telling John to take care of his grandmother (which the Prostants did get right - Mary Salome was Zebedee's wife and Mary's daughter) rather than baptize all nations.  This led him to call out to God in anquish, thus securing our salvation for us (with God experiencing what sinners feel - apartness).  Without the Christmas narrative, this does not make sense.

Evangelii Gaudium: Additional Impressions | National Catholic Reporter

Evangelii Gaudium: Additional Impressions | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I am an economist and Francis is right.  I also am familiar with cultural theory and that brand of economics known as libertarian socialism - which is an anarchic way to replace both capitalism (but not the free market) and government (with communal self government).  Capitalism, of course, is a product of Calvinism, particularly that version found in the United States.  While they believe in global Christianity - it is a muscal version which as capitalism as one of its components - at least until they are raptured.  In truth, primitive Christianity also believed in an imminent return ant the salvation of all the people, not just individuals.  It still does - although the return is personal.  The salvation of society, however, has never left the divine agenda.  Yes that salvation includes ending abortion - however accomplishing the economic goals the Pope sets out are the best way to protect the unborn - not somehow criminalizing their mothers or their doctors.

Samuel Gregg on Evangelii Gaudium | National Catholic Reporter

Samuel Gregg on Evangelii Gaudium | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: It is what we expected - it did not disappoint.  Radical libertarians such as Gregg do not understand that Capitalism is the method by which the powerful restrict both product markets and the labor market.  It is the antithesis of the free market.  Indeed, the only real way to get a free market for labor is to shift to a libertarian socialist solution, which I have described in the past in great detail - including today.  While Lord Acton would agree with critcizing the papacy, I doubt if he would criticise this particular pope.  This is as shameful as the Susan B. Anthony Committee lying about whether the Affordable Care Act mandates the public funding of abortion (any more than the tax code already does) while eliminating moderate, pro-life, Democrats from Congress.  Susan would be spinning in her crave over such use of her name.

"Those who practice mercy do not fear death" | National Catholic Reporter

"Those who practice mercy do not fear death" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: His line on practical atheistm is interesting in light of his new Encyclical - athough one must not dismiss atheists to cavelierly - as they hold up a mirror that the Church needs to look at in their criticism of how it behaves.

Evangelii Gaudium: Second Impressions | National Catholic Reporter

Evangelii Gaudium: Second Impressions | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: We must not only reach out to the poor in the streets and those who are chronically poor - we must also encounter the working poor in our midst.  They and their children have as much right to a decent standard of living as we do.  There are three ways we can pursue this.  The first is to simply excommunicate Catholic business owners and shareholders who don't provide a living wage.  The second is for the Church to provide an example and pay a living wage to its employees - giving them $12,000 for every child and every additional child.  Because the free market cannot provide such a wage, we need to seek a refundable tax credit divided between the state and federal governments to provide $1000 per month per child against either the employee's taxes or the taxes of the employer if we shift from income to consumption taxes.  Such taxes are no burden to the poor with the $12,000 a year tax cut.

The real cause of homelessness is the libertarian judicial and legislative decisions in the 1970s that emptield the asylums, giving people the right to refuse much needed treatment and cutting the number of available beds.  A way out of this is to enact a consumption tax on business and either adequately fund governmental services or provide a tax credit for either providing these services to employees and their families or allowing workers to choose who provides those services in society.  The same approach can be undergone to expand Catholic education - but with adequate fudning tht does not decrease the public education system.    It can also be used to get the Church into the business of adult education and vocational education - ending the biaas in Catholic education toward sending peole to college - although if poor peoplse are found who can pursue such studies that should, of course be encouraged.  Part of encountering the poor is moving the Church to take over for the state - but with adequate funding.  This is another form of libertarianism - libertarian socialism.

As for abortion, the libertarian conviction that the Church would regulate it badly is still true - just as it could never successfully ban smoking or re-enact the prohibition of alcohol - or stand in the way of efforts to finally medicalize the drug war and end the fixation with marijuana.  The golden calf symbolism is correct, however.  In ancient times, children were sacrificed to Baal for the well being of the community.  Abortion is such a sacrifice - although the way to stop it is to fight poverty among the working poor and makde teenage parenthood something to bcelebrated rather than a danger to the future of a young woman.

A final topic is the problem of worker empowerment in capitalism itself.  The solution is not to tame capitalism, it is to abolish it.  We need to shift to mutalism, aka libertarian socialism (like we have in American farm cooperatives and the Basque have in Mondragon and the Italians in Emelio Romanga.  There are a few ways to get there.  One is to increase the taxes on capital gains when selling shares to anyone but an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.  Two is to reform Social Security so that employee contributions are funded by a Net Business Receipts Tax (a subtraction VAT), with contributions being equal to each worker, regardless of wage and with the ability to divert these contributions to purchasing employer voting stock.  The third is to allow union pension funds to reduce diversification and invest 67% in the employing company, rather than the 10% currently allowed - while considering franchisees as arms of the base company so that they can be unionized more easily with retirement savings added to the union pension fund, which would be voted for the benefit of workers as workers (becoming a form of employee democrachy), rather than investing for simply the financial interest of the employees (which may lead to lay offs to maximize short term profit).

HHS Mandate Heads to Supremes | National Catholic Reporter

HHS Mandate Heads to Supremes | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB:  This was expected - given that there is federal precident supporting exactly the same law as passed in New York.  Indeed, it is hoped that the arguments will include the fact that contraceptive coverage has been included in all preventative health insurance policies since December 2000.  This case is really much ado about nothing at all - it was an entirely political fight.  I hope that the Court does not glorify that fight nor use it as an opening to relitigate Roe v. Wade or even Griswold v. Connecticut.  I still maintain that because health insurance is a mandatory program, that employers attempting to interfere with contraception use by their employees is equivalent to having the state do it - which is forbidden. An individual employee right of privacy is more important than the group rights of Churches.  Any other conclusion sets equal protection jursidprudence, especially regarding sex, on its head.

Wassup at Congregation for Bishops? | National Catholic Reporter

Wassup at Congregation for Bishops? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I agree with getting rid of Burke - although local election would be a good replacement for the Conference's current functions - although having them follow bishops for orthodoxy regarding the new focus of the papacy might be expanded greatly if the election of bishops was local.

A Beautiful Prayer to Mary | National Catholic Reporter

A Beautiful Prayer to Mary | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: This is very well done - both because it is bilingual and because of who it entrusts to Mary's care (including the undocumented).  Every really good Marian prayer includes the prophetic mention of the need for justice.

Berkowitz: "Saudis & Israelis Know Best" | National Catholic Reporter

Berkowitz: "Saudis & Israelis Know Best" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Berkowitz is an unreformed Zionist whose unable to see that Iran never was going to produce weapons (but might appear to as a negotiating chip) because using a bomb against Israel would kill more Arabs then Jews.

Evangelii Gaudium: First Impressions | National Catholic Reporter

Evangelii Gaudium: First Impressions | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Thanks for providing the information that goes above and beyond the takeaway most people are reporting condemning libertarianism in economics (although I suspect he has not studied mutualism, or libertarian socialist anarchism).  While there is ground between neo-gnosticism and the authoritarian sourpusses - we must always remember that natural law is about man and how he (or she) lives in the world.  Morality must be human-centric because it concerns human behavior and happiness - and not just the eternal kind. Indeed, if only eternal happiness is important, morality is like a weight around one's neck.  Only the sourpusses believe in that kind of morality.

Romero Statue Unveiled in LA | National Catholic Reporter

Romero Statue Unveiled in LA | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Sadly, the statue is likely more welcome in L.A. than in San Salvador - where U.S. financed supporters martryed Romero in the first place.  No one likes to think that the blood is on our hands and those of our president at the time - but it is still true.

The O'Malley Family Plumber | National Catholic Reporter

The O'Malley Family Plumber | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Actually, the family plumber story reflects how in the days of the Cardinal's childhood, Catholics were insular.  Indeed, you can still look in the back of most bulletins if you want a Catholic plumber, mortician or florist.  It is probably better now, when people don't rely on affiliation to include some or exclude others - this is now considered bigotry.  It is definitely a plus that the laity is being consulted in the latest outreach.  We have a lot to say about what they are asking - which hopefully will result in more than a report sent to Vatican City to gather dust in the archives (like the one commissioned to examine contraception before the fiat of Humanae Vitae.

Conservative Critique of Libertarianism | National Catholic Reporter

Conservative Critique of Libertarianism | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The libertarian world view is ultimately a belief that each individual makes up his or her own mind on how their life is to be lived - not his king, president, bishop or pope.  Further, the libertarian socialist view is that alternative providers - rather than the government - are better at providing services from education to the eradication of poverty.  There is nothing wrong with either sentiment - even from a Catholic point of view.

Dealing With the Devil in Geneva | National Catholic Reporter

Dealing With the Devil in Geneva | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The agreement was inevitable because the Iranians have always insisted that they did not desire weaponization and would consider the use of such weapons to be immoral.  Only the US has ever used these weapons in anger.  The work was in how to make what was already known to be obvious to a skeptical world community.

Francis: "Solidarity Like a Swear Word" | National Catholic Reporter

Francis: "Solidarity Like a Swear Word" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Actually, it is what Catholic business owners and shareholders need to ponder.  This is not an academic question.  To draw an even more precise question, will such owners and stockholders guaranteed that each employee is paid a wage commensurate with their family size (and is the Church doing likewise) - and if small businesses can't afford it - will these business owners and shareholders call for tax subsidies to make up the gap?  Solidarity is not some political structure - it is making all responsible for all - in essence it is the Communist ideal.

Pittsburg Diocese Wins Injunction (and More!) | National Catholic Reporter

Pittsburg Diocese Wins Injunction (and More!) | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: This is a disappointment for truth and embryology and the rights of workers.  It also violates the precidents under which Catholic Charities of NY lost when challenging the NY state law.  This makdes things less certain, no more certain, and will lead to a SCOTUS case.  This wold be an unlikely vehicle indeed to try to reopen Roe, although given the chance the right wing will try (and fail again as the number of Justices who support Roe is still seven.

The Death of the Filibuster | National Catholic Reporter

The Death of the Filibuster | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: If the Senate were Republican now, people would not consider this good news.  Indeed, the House is now considered the center of obstruction BECAUSE its majority is sticking together.  As for Scalia, if Ted Kennedy had better information when he was nominated, he would have been fillibustered.  I am shocked that Thomas was not.  Still, the GOP has little chance of winning a majority in 2014 in the Senate and a big chance of losing it in the House.

Hypocrisy of the Stinkiest Kind | National Catholic Reporter

Hypocrisy of the Stinkiest Kind | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: He should give back his salary.

Gehring on CCHD | National Catholic Reporter

Gehring on CCHD | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I would rather give to this appeal than the annual Bishop's Appeal, which often funds political positions I do not agree with.

RI Health Exchange Lacks Plan W/Out Abortion Coverage | National Catholic Reporter

RI Health Exchange Lacks Plan W/Out Abortion Coverage | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The reality is that in the private sector, it is almost impossible to find a comprehensive plan without abortion services - especially in a small state.  Given the obtuseness of the USCCB on health care reform, I am not feeling any particular urgency in rewarding their ill will with action on this issue.  They needed to think of this when they opposed reform for the purposes of Republican coalition politics.

Bp Paprocki's Exorcism | National Catholic Reporter

Bp Paprocki's Exorcism | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The bishop is acting out of fear - not fear that Catholics will get civil same sex unions, but that they and their families will demand such unions in the Church.  He also fears that a largely gay clergy will quietly comply - and might even request such a right for themselves - or else that they might leave the clergy to get married (or not join in the first place).  He is right to be afraid.  This issue came about because Catholic hospitals were notoriously badly behaved in denying familial access to long time companions rather than recognizing them as next of kin - often enlisting the families in working for a death bed renunciation of the relationship when no such renunciation is required for the sick or dying person to be fine with God.  It is never a sin to love.  Of course, if the Church recognized this, it would be admitting error - and every bishop greatly fears doing that.

Vatican embassy move draws fire from former US envoys | National Catholic Reporter

Vatican embassy move draws fire from former US envoys | National Catholic Reporter If they wanted to send a stinging message they would require the Nuncio to move to the Italian Embassy in Washington.

The Working Poor at Wal-Mart | National Catholic Reporter

The Working Poor at Wal-Mart | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Wal-Mart already helps its associates apply for Medicaid, although the Medicaid expansion would allow them to increase hours and still not have their workers lose their benefits.  The ACA itself is here for the working poor of higher wage.  I work an even lower paid job in a cinema - but most of my fellow associates are teenagers in their parents homes or in college and have insurance that way.  I also have to work on Thanksgiving - and unlike retail employees - no one is complaining about my plight - mostly because they want to see The Hunger Games.

Berkowitz on Shavit | National Catholic Reporter

Berkowitz on Shavit | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Israel must  be secular, deeply religious (practicing Torah prohibitions against molesting the alien) or divided - with the Arab and Palestianian portions leaving its orbit and entering the orbit of Jordan - or even a larger, post-Syria, pan-Arab kingdom (meaning from the Lebanon to Iraq). Israel will never regain the Holy of Holies until one of the latter two options.  Granting a right of return to the Romany, who descend from The Northern Kingdom, is probably also part of the deal.

"Getting" Pope Francis, or Not | National Catholic Reporter

"Getting" Pope Francis, or Not | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Monsignor Pope does not understand that the moral law is to be soothing to human suffering (a sinful lifestyle, like promiscuity or addiction, is rarely a happy one).  If moral laws are promulgated that increase suffering, like calling homosexuality disordered in order to find a justification not to accept gay marriage, then this teaching does not come from God.  Ethics, by the way, is an essential element of religion - the scriptures are full of it, from Leviticus, to Sirach to the Pauline letters.  What we must not, do, however, is to deify such teachings - which are all based on the natural law teaching of the time.

It is time to democratize natural law teaching. The curial monopoly on it amounts to Relativism because it tries to Catholicize reason - even when what the Church teaches is against reason and evidence (such as the beleif that life begins or must be protected at conception - when gastrulation is the better choice).  While you and Gomez may disagree with adding materialistic evidence to the discussion, if calling evidence you simply can't accept materialism is the gist of the argument then your argument is lost.  Morality is all about what is best for Man, not some theological abstraction of what God demands - since God has no interest in human morality (or salvation for that matter) except for love for man in a way that makes us happy - even in this world.

In the old theological debates heretics were condemned, executed and attacked by mobs.  While the CDF (aka the Inquisition) still can condemn what it can't accept - which may lead to loss of ministry and pay, at least they no longer have the power to execute anyone (and not for lack of trying by the Church to keep the Papal States alive).

OUCH! Peppard Spanks Russell Moore | National Catholic Reporter

OUCH! Peppard Spanks Russell Moore | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: It is sad that the Church has taken the role of the oppressor, like the Pharasees before them.  Indeed, the tools of the state have been in their tool box since Emperor Constantine, even though it often uses the language of the persecuted rather than that of the oppressor (except when suppressing dissent).

Pope Francis: Church Must Not Be Insular | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis: Church Must Not Be Insular | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I disagree.  The Good News of both divine mercy and justice for the poor should be proclaimed boldly, as Christ proclaimed it.

Pope Francis on "Adolescent Progressivism" | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis on "Adolescent Progressivism" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The Holy Father misunderstands Paganism.  There are not actually pagan gods - rather they are archetypes for better understanding human nature and society.  Given yesterday's comments on whether homosexuality is disordered, pagans seem to do a better job of this than some in the Church.

Fasting For Families | National Catholic Reporter

Fasting For Families | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Fasting is about deepening one's personal search for truth by seeking humility before the Throne of God.  It should not be an attempt to change God's mind - which it cannot do, even if sincerely tried.

Good News for Fort Worth | National Catholic Reporter

Good News for Fort Worth | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: For many, Theological College is considered a liberal outpost, so this is good news indeed for the Church.

How the Morally Pristine Can Cripple the Church | National Catholic Reporter

How the Morally Pristine Can Cripple the Church | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Olmsted is doing whatever he can to put party over truth.  He is also wrong on birth control being evil, since life begins at gastrulation, not conception.  Such an admission would help the cause of life, because it would definitvely show when life really does begin, not just where it might begin.  Catholic doctrine has also long excepted that if hormonal birth control is used for health reasons, not the intent to prevent pregnancy, it is morally licit.  You can't judge that at the sign up stage.  Indeed, the cost of such care is trivial compared with the benefit of health care - which might actually prevent limitations on family size because it makes the next child more affordable than would otherwise be the case.

WaPo on Gay Catholics | National Catholic Reporter

WaPo on Gay Catholics | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: What must really be said is that the Church's conception of a natural order outside of human experience is a sham.  Ratzinger/Benedict was using natural law reasoning - and badly I might add - to escape from the logical cunundrum of a Church accepting sexuality as a gift from God, with unitive sexuality as valid as conception.  Indeed, since conception is rare, most sex is unitive - and when the female is is of a certain age - entirely divorced from conception.  He had to strike to avoid the sentiment that if people were created gay and were good, and sexuality is God given and therefore good, that homesexual sex - at least the monogamous variety - also must be good.  This is another case where slippery hierarchical reasoning and culture have led to a loss of credibility by the Church - who should be performing gay unions rather than fighting them (which is a losing battle given the number of gay priests who will quietly bless them anyway - and may secretly form them as well).

Obamacare Working Just Fine in WA, KY & CT | National Catholic Reporter

Obamacare Working Just Fine in WA, KY & CT | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Or, as Rachel Maddow reports, the have not been bought by the Koch Brothers and their State Policy Network. We are likely to see Blue State and Red State health care, although this may backfire on the Tea Party as the poor begin to demand care anyway.  We may indeed see a true test of Marxian theory in our midsts.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show

MSW Praises Chaput: Hell to Freeze Over Soon! | National Catholic Reporter

MSW Praises Chaput: Hell to Freeze Over Soon! | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Actually, the poor have a powerful lobby in Washington - the Church.  That is what was so troubling on Valerie Jarrett's gambit on contraception.  It damaged the working relationship between the Church and the White House - although I suspect Fr. Larry, Sr. Simone and Sr. Carol still take the White House's calls - and vice versa.  Only the bishops seem slow to come around - as well as USCCB staff - who also seem to have retaliated against the sisters for their support of the Affordable Care Act and their inability to be bullied on this issue - or any other.  As for "peculiar sexuality" - that is a consequence of self honesty, not the consumer culture or poverty.

As for Chaput - I think he is finally realizing he needs to get with the program Pope Francis is advancing.  Like any hierarchist, one never knows what he really thinks.

WA State Bishops on Coal | National Catholic Reporter

WA State Bishops on Coal | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The poor are impacted, but so are the limosine liberals who have beach houses or rent them annually (although not in Washington state).  Their flood concern is more undersea earthquakes and vulcanism right there in Seattle.  The sea levels may rise due to coal - or coal use may counteract what is going on naturally, which is environmental cooling.  When Baffin Island is able to support the growth of crops, like it did when my Viking ancestors settled there, I will worry about warming.  The reason to care about warming affecting the poor is the problem of poverty itself, not the problem of warming.

Faith & Immigration | National Catholic Reporter

Faith & Immigration | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I think the Rabbi means emigration from Germany - and how difficult it was to get into any nation to escape Hitler, especially the U.S.  Sadly, their brothers the Romany are still left to wander Europe rather than being allowed to return to Zion. This issue is why the convert the Jews movement by Jews for Jesus and the Evangelicals is so tragicomic.  The remnant of Israel was converted - both the Sumarians and the Israelite exiles in India - soon after the time of Jesus.  Most of us have even transitioned from Romany Christianity to Catholicism.  The prophetic feature is not Jewish conversion, but our return to Zion.

Obama's Mea Culpa | National Catholic Reporter

Obama's Mea Culpa | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: There are good trash policies and bad trash policies.  I have had one of the latter and I cancelled it.  I wish they would go away - of course, the step to save them requires that the Republican compromise with the Democrats over how this will happen.  The Republicans are not capable of this, so I suspect this is yet another trap to show GOP ineptitude.  Besides that, while Obama promised that people who liked their policies could keep them, he never implied that this included the kind of insurance temporary employees are forced to receive.  The December 2009 reporting on this was quite clear.  While the POTUS could apologize for giving the wrong impression by not being clear, the Republican meme that he is a liar is gratuitous and he only reinforces it by caving on this issue.

"Pro-Life, Anti-Maternity-Care? I Don't Think So" | National Catholic Reporter

"Pro-Life, Anti-Maternity-Care? I Don't Think So" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: A very valid point, missed by many Catholic conservatives.

Helping a Young Man in Need | National Catholic Reporter

Helping a Young Man in Need | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: If we were not struggling, I might have sent a check - which would give me the right to note that in the future he would be covered by the Affordable Care Act.  Still, I pray for his recovery and note that his hospital bills, while steep, can likely go unpaid without consequence if he has no coverage.

Chaput Claims He Did Not Criticize Pope Francis | National Catholic Reporter

Chaput Claims He Did Not Criticize Pope Francis | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Not being direct is a hallmark of hierarchists, which this Pope is definitely not.  Francis is a committed egalitarian.  What is heartbreaking is not the disloyalty, but the fact that the other bishops are not also egalitarians first and foremost.  It turns the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday in their diocese into a sham.

Koch Brothers Give $1 Mil to CUA | National Catholic Reporter

Koch Brothers Give $1 Mil to CUA | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I hope there is at least one libertarian socialist on the facutly (like there is at University of Maryland) so that the money can make real progress - not just be a source for seminars the sugar coat the evils of capitalism.

The "Sanity Caucus" Wins | National Catholic Reporter

The "Sanity Caucus" Wins | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Some type of definition of what is and is not a religious organization is necessary or Taco Bell could claim to be a religious group to not cover contraception.  Second, contraception is not evil - as life really does begin at gastrulation and stopping potential human life is not evil.  The evil in contraception is that it is used as a way to dodge the economic justice issue of a living wage linked to family size.  Natural family planning is no better on this score.  If the Church wants to "do good" on this, it should pay a living wage to all its employees - giving a $1000 a month raise when a new child is born.  Not to do so is not only cooperating with evil, it is evil. (and that includes schools, colleges and hospitals that the bishops would quickly try to say are not their problem given such a mandate).

Cardinal DiNardo, the new kingmaker? | National Catholic Reporter

Cardinal DiNardo, the new kingmaker? | National Catholic Reporter by Reese.  MB: Sadly, he cannot have a a say on retirements as well - or maybe he can!   He can likely keep Chaput from getting a red hat - and that would be a very good thing.

The Goofy Left at USCCB Meeting | National Catholic Reporter

The Goofy Left at USCCB Meeting | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Baby lamb chops?  Is that what they serve in stretch HumVees?  These guys are looney.  The way to get to bishops is through their donors, not by accosting them at USCCB meetings.  Protests with a few dozen people who can be thrown out of a lobby are easily ignored and probably a source of amusement.  Rallies of thousands or tens of thousands at an alternate venue will attract its own press coverage.  Civil disobedience works at the grass roots level, not at the top - and only if the grass roots are the problem - like at lunch counters.  No one will notice anything short of a March on Baltimore and the submission of protest letters in lieu of cash during the annual Bishops' Lenten Appeal.

Just War v. Pacifism | National Catholic Reporter

Just War v. Pacifism | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: And then, of course, there was Operation Iraqi Liberation, as it was originally called.  We all know what that was about.  Of course, the objective was not really reached.

"Vulture Funds" | National Catholic Reporter

"Vulture Funds" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The answer is more robust international law and reform in the civil law that simply does not allow vulture funds to do this.  Of course, such reform is hard to pass because the vultures usually have their hooks into Congress and other national legislatures.  Getting rid of capitalism is still the best idea here.

Baltimore: Homecoming | National Catholic Reporter

Baltimore: Homecoming | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The USCCB, like the Church, is a human organization. Indeed, it is a hierarchist organization so that it is fraught with the pathologies of hierarchism, which can be extreme as the examples from the past point out.  Of course, this can be a good thing under the regime of this pope, as in such organizations the young turks eventually figure out they must conform.  Others will simply age out.  The question is, what will all this progress mean for how they deal with the Lay Caste and the issues that are important to us - from equality in economics to equality in sexuality?

What do the USCCB elections mean? | National Catholic Reporter

What do the USCCB elections mean? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I love the ending and I fear that you are right about them.  Luckily, there is a mandatory retirement age.

Committee Chairmen Elections | National Catholic Reporter

Committee Chairmen Elections | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Amazing that they gave Child Protection to someone who must literally travel across the country to run it.  Thank goodness for Skype!

New Vice President: Cardinal DiNardo | National Catholic Reporter

New Vice President: Cardinal DiNardo | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Keeping the ego of Chaput out of the vice presidency is a very good thing for the Church in America.  Pity it took a run-off.  This shows how entrenched the right wing is in the Church.

Kurtz Elected President | National Catholic Reporter

Kurtz Elected President | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: This is kind of a repudiation of Dolan, who jumped out of line when he became President.

Ignoring & Attacking the Pope | National Catholic Reporter

Ignoring & Attacking the Pope | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The deliniation of the secular makes religion stronger.  As for young people, Sal is dreaming if he thinks they are suddenly going to change their minds on marriage equality - or once they become sexually active not change their parochial school views on abortion.  As for the bishops election, I write after they have occurred, so I will not comment further on them.

Cordileone Still at Barricades | National Catholic Reporter

Cordileone Still at Barricades | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The Archbishop is, as usual, badly advised. He needs to fire his lawyers and pay someone to explain to him the meaning of public accommodations law under the Civil Rights Act.  He is afraid that someone will try to force him to perform gay weddings.  He is right, someone will.  The faithful who have gay children (and his own priests, some of whom - probably half, are gay themselves).

Mass Attendance Up in Italy and UK | National Catholic Reporter

Mass Attendance Up in Italy and UK | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Its nice news and proves the point by the new atheists - although they did not directly make it - that the leadership is responsible for driving people away - not the free society or the sexual revolution.

BIG Religious Liberty Threat | National Catholic Reporter

BIG Religious Liberty Threat | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I agree, Supreme Court precident does not permit civil courts to order the defrocking of a priest - however that action can certainly be part of a consent decree once Rome approves.  The bishop has already been replaced, if memory serves, so the only thing left is to fire the lawyers who were culpable in the cover up.  They should also be sanctioned by the bar.  By the way, this is the big issue the bishops are going after on the religious liberty cases.  They want a right of organizational liberty established so that they can avoid prosectuion - not just not buy birth control.

More Francis Breeze Wafts Thru B'More | National Catholic Reporter

More Francis Breeze Wafts Thru B'More | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: How they get our opinions is not nearly as important as what they will do with them.  We've been burned before.  Also, what needs to be said may not be what a random survey will turn up.  The could save themselves cost and buy copies of Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens, Harris and Ali - or of anyone else the Inquisition has chosen to censure among the theologians.  As for understanding Natural Law - they need to ask non-Catholic philosophers and get ready for an earful.  They might realize that their interpretation is the height of relativism - because it depends on authority and group dynamics rather than reason, argument and, yes, evidence.

Dolan Re-Directs the USCCB | National Catholic Reporter

Dolan Re-Directs the USCCB | National Catholic Reporter MSW.  MGB: I think this is called redirection.  Considering that he responded to  Valerie Jarrett's invitiation to embarrass himself in the War on Women, it is good that he is trying to save face and move on.  Still, the rest of us won't forget what an ass he made of himself.

A Nuncio Divided Against Himself | National Catholic Reporter

A Nuncio Divided Against Himself | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: We are honoring and also repudiating soon  to be St. John Paul II.  This is one of those things about the Church that never changes.  That our Nuncio is a friend of the current Holy Father is a good thing for the spirit of reform - not so much for certain bishops who want to take a red pen to his writings and those of his predecessor.

German Tug-of-War | National Catholic Reporter

German Tug-of-War | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Delightful.  It is time to not only reign in, but END the Inquisition.  The assume the other bishops and all the faithful are heretics.  No more!

First Breeze of Francis | National Catholic Reporter

First Breeze of Francis | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Good news for immigration reform.  Hoepfully we will hear more from McCarrick.

Our Soldiers & Vets: MSW Bites The Hand That Feeds | National Catholic Reporter

Our Soldiers & Vets: MSW Bites The Hand That Feeds | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Our veterans and active duty personnel signed up to serve in an all volunteer military because the nation had been attacked.  The prior generation went to Viet Nam because it was drafted.  Either way, they did not vote on where to go to fight and why or on how the war is conducted.  War is part of a larger American foreign policy that, sadly, is as beholden to our economic interests as it is to our security interests. (It was originally called Operation Iraqi Liberation (OIL) for a reason - although that did not work out so well.  We are at least less blatant then we were 100 years ago in the banana wars, where we sent troops to protect our interest in central American fruit.  The problem with militarism is not really militarism, it is Capitalism (and for my libertarian friends, I mean crony capitalism, not the free market - which does not need military protection).  The Church DOES have an opinion on that - especially under this Pope.  In this country, I believe the solution is to demilitarize but also redirect the defense industry toward space exploration.  Until you thow it a bone, militarism will continue to haunt us.

RC Leaders Urge Bishops to Defend Anti-Poverty Programs | National Catholic Reporter

RC Leaders Urge Bishops to Defend Anti-Poverty Programs | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: If the Bishops think Francis is looking, they will not do the stupid thing and listen to the right wingers.  Of course, some of them are as stupid as other Tea Party Republicans.  We will see how the election of the USCCB President goes - which is a good temperature check on this issue (the reverse is also true).

Capehart Has a Point | National Catholic Reporter

Capehart Has a Point | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Rudy had a lousy campaign strategy, as did Hillary when she ignored the caucus states and assumed she would get those delegates.  Christie is more comparable to Romney and McCain.  Did not win but did get the nomination.  As I posted other places, the establishment will get Christie nominated but won't make him a winner nationally unless his likely opponent (Hillary) messes up really badly at or after the convention.

Blomberg on Town of Greece v. Galloway | National Catholic Reporter

Blomberg on Town of Greece v. Galloway | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The most interesting point is that if the government got into the "which prayer is appropriate?" business the free exercise on anyone leading a prayer would be damaged.  Indeed, one of the results of the suit is that non-Christians have come forth to lead prayers in Greece.  The Court could have ruled the question moot due to that fact, but did not.  Still, I wonder what they would do if a Wiccan volunteered to lead a prayer to the Mother Goddess - or if a Satanist came forward (of course, Satanists are mostly atheists who are protesting what they see as persection BY the Church).

Fr. Dwight vs. Cardinal Oscar | National Catholic Reporter

Fr. Dwight vs. Cardinal Oscar | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Longenecker has every reason to be upset - in the emerging Pope Francis run Church, his ilk will never make bishop.  He is simply showing his envy.

With 'ACE,' Catholic ed has a good thing going | National Catholic Reporter

With 'ACE,' Catholic ed has a good thing going | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The educational reform movement has now hit Catholic schools!  Probably a good thing, as many of them are declining due to the loss of cheap labor from the Sisters and Nuns.  While some schools become elite private schools, others do turn into charter schools - like the inner-city schools in Washington, DC.  Of course, if this goes from more donations to public money, we need to consider unionizing Catholic charter schools - and instead of continuing to push for vouchers or tuition tax credits, we must increase total educational revenue in the public sector - offsetting what would have been spent on tuition with a tax increase on the income classes that send their kids to private schools (either property or income).

Garnett on Town of Greece v. Galloway | National Catholic Reporter

Garnett on Town of Greece v. Galloway | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: While the practices in Greece have been around for over 200 years, Greece itself has changed.  It may be time for its practices to change too - sadly, there are those who wish to pray loudly on street corners where everyone can hear instead of behind locked doors where only the Father can hear and will respond.

"Our Lampedusas of the Heart" | National Catholic Reporter

"Our Lampedusas of the Heart" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: They are not only held at the border.  Immigrant detainees are held everywhere, including Lewisburg FCI in Pennsylvania.  They can all probabl find some form of immigrant detention in or near their own diocese.  That is how big the problem is.  Of course, it is correct that the desserts of the southwest are as deadly as the Mediteranian Sea (or the waters around Florida or Australia).