Free Speech to the Highest Bidders | National Catholic Reporter

Free Speech to the Highest Bidders | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Father Nate is correct - however it is also true that the cost of building an organization is pretty well set - and a strong one can always beat out a well funded opponent with no grass roots.  Obama has proved that and the GOP 2012 flavors of the week showed exactly what big money and no people will buy you and how long it will last.  Just ask President's Gingrich and Thompson.

Please Join Our Webathon | National Catholic Reporter

Please Join Our Webathon | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: If you like the free information and you are able, please write a check.

Moral Implications of Partisanship | National Catholic Reporter

Moral Implications of Partisanship | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: At the dawn of the Republic, Congress met and was confounded by many even votes with nothing getting done.  This gridlock gave rise to the parties - especially regarding financial issues.  That seems to be the dividing line today as well, no matter how much people confess to believe that abortion is the chief issue.  It is not.  Indeed, those who claim it is when it is not are participating in a Republican Party fraud which is more long-term than voter-ID laws.



The use of the FEC as a blind trust is an interesting one - but I would use parties instead during the primary process and give each candidate who can get 15% of a pre-primary attendence an equal share of the money.  The FEC could do the same thing with general election loot - but the problem is not rich people in politics - that is just a reflection of the problems of capitalism - where rich people control the workplace - including basketball teams.



Going back to morals, those should be the guide to electoral choice - of course a truly Catholic position would be libertarian socialism, and there is no such party - although the Democrats are closer.



The bishop missed the main driver that politicians must adhere to - as well as voters - the Constitution.  That is why he is a bishop and not a political scientist (some of which should have been invited to this). This is why it was perfectly justified for Kathleen Sebelius to veto an unconstitutional abortion bill and seditious for her local bishop to ban her from Communion.  One can only conclude that in doing so he put Republican coaltion politics about the truth - because the only reason for such a bill was to send the matter to the Court for reconsideration of Roe - which is a dead end.



What is actually incumbent on the Pro-life movement is to not go after pro-life Democrats and to listen to its critics who will tell them exactly why their position will never fly.  Until Catholic politicians deal with this issue and inform both the movement and the Church of those things that won't work to lessen abortion (and what will), they deserve to let the GOP dominate this issue.  Courage, it seems, is the missing virtue for both sides.

Parker on GOP & Racism | National Catholic Reporter

Parker on GOP & Racism | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The big tent has become a big sheet for the GOP.  The nature of political parties is that they are voter selected, not application processes (like the Communists). Sadly, because leadership is democratically selected, you can have cranks at all levels.  The GOP focuses on race, anti-abortion and taxes while the Dems reflect on procting abortion and taxes.  There are no accidents and little hope of a new party until one of the existing parties dies off (thinking of the GOP here).

Sarah Palin, Baptism & Waterboarding | National Catholic Reporter

Sarah Palin, Baptism & Waterboarding | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Normally, baptism is concensual and no minister who goes baptism that I know would ever participate in waterboarding, even the right wing nuts.  Palin is just showing her deliberate stupidity again.

Is Boehner Ready to Flip on Immigration? | National Catholic Reporter

Is Boehner Ready to Flip on Immigration? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: This could be a trial baloon, however I bet it also means that his people in leadership have decided to follow him.  This could be very interesting indeed - still, I would rather see something a bit less punitive than the Senate bill.  Even a passed law is not the end of this - especially when the Democrats take back the House.

Montini | National Catholic Reporter

Montini | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Montini made the choice to work with the curial system, as the papacy is almost a creature of it.  The current pope is more likely to change the Curia - a job long in coming.  He has been at it too long to meet the faith of the other pope who would change the Curia, the tragic John Paul I.  It is rumored that JPI would have overturned Humanae Vitae, but we will really never know.



As for Humanae Vitae itself, just as MSW has written how good it gets, I have written how much worse it is with time.  The new Saint JPII even doubled down on it with Evangelicum Vitae, which added nothing by reinforcing the Aristotelian/Thomistic truism that if you are unsure someone is alive you must treat them as so.  However, on birth control, plenty of us are sure that life begins at conception.  H.V. does speak to marital love, but it is an idealized version that offers no help to couples in trouble, including on sexuality.



As for Montini's personal sanctity - he aged but did not seem to struggle with any chronic diseases in the way John Paul II did, or are there stories of personal devotion that are reported about John.  They don't make you a saint for being a good Vatican bureaucrat.  He was neither a martyr or a confessor.  Of course, the virtual martyrdom of lingering disease is overly sought in brining saints to the Canon.  They are a wrong headed challenge to palliate care and part of the reason that assisted suicide is condemned so harshly - as if God loves our pain.  We need to quit canonizing people for enduring bad medicine.

Catholic First, Politics Second | National Catholic Reporter

Catholic First, Politics Second | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: To put partisanship second to religious would, in effect, require a Catholic caucus or lobby to deal with certain issues.  That might be problematic, especially given the misunderstanding most on the pro-life side have on the constitutional nature of the abortion issue - as a right rather than a policy.  Pro-life politicians would have to end efforts to construe it as something that can be fixed by overturning Roe in the Courts in the way the Federalist Society justices would favor.  That would set equal protection on its ear and won't happen.  There are also many problems with listening to religion on the marriage equality issue - especially as the evolving consensus on this differs from the Church.  Finally, the Republican members would really find it hard to break ranks on the economic side, particularly on tax issues.  Grover Norquist is the Pope there, not Francis.  Unorthodoxy on economics, not life, is the litmus test for both party leaders and donors - and without leaders getting together, followers will stay where they are (and nothing gets done - which is good for fundraising on both sides).  Not cynical, realistic.

Catholic Case for a Minimum Wage | National Catholic Reporter

Catholic Case for a Minimum Wage | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: A well grounded defense of a minimum wage using Catholic Doctrine.  Unless Acton simply puts their head in the sand, I suspect that they would simply go after Richard for not being sufficiently pro-life in his coalition dealings with the Democrats.  Of course, it is much less likely for someone to get an abortion if they are not poor - so it is more incumbent to call Acton and the pro-life movement onto the carpet for NOT supporting a higher minimum wage - and while we are at it a higher child tax credit too (refundable of course).

Remembering John Paul II | National Catholic Reporter

Remembering John Paul II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I went to school the day John Paul II was elected, but was home by the time the smoke went up. I've had the good fortune to be watching the smoke go up for both popes after him, although I doubt I will wake up to watch the canonization Mass - unless I stay up after getting home from work. On the question of whether the Catholic Left noticed the condmenation of Capitalism, of course I did - although I was not much of a leftist back then.



What dissappointed me more than anything - and more so with age - is the stubbornness John Paul displayed on sexual issues - both personal and public. It also seemed he was turning back the clock on a few things and as much as Benedict was is Inquistor, Rigali was his American Episcopal enforcer. The left was noting that progress was afoot on gay issues, since sex was a gift from God and gays were children of God. It took the invention from whole cloth of "intrinsic disorder" to stop the Church from going down a road to acceptance. This was a pity.



On end of life issues, the use of a brief remark to a Pro-Life priest's conference had the effect of changing doctrine without really doing it officially. This played out in how some dealt with Terry Schaivo. A lot of this happened because the Pope was so sick - although his public decline caused Benedict to not inflict the same thing on the Church and resign as he aged.



The most irritating thing was how heavy handed the English translation of the Mass was changed. Those who have an old Missal will recognize much of the language - save all the references to St. Michael, et al in many prayers. While this happened under Benedict, I suspect it started under John Paul. It can be traced back to how Karol Wojtyla led those who were against progress at Vatican II. By the time he was elected, there was a very different College of Cardinals than the one that elected Paul VI.



Still, his personal sanctity cannot be doubted - both for the way he sufferred and the way he relied on God to deal with his sufferings. It is not so much the pain as turning his pain to prayer that makes him a saint (since it was good luck that had Communism fall on his watch - although concentrating Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary might have also had something to do with it). Maybe living in interesting times is important after all.

Liberalism Resurgent in Cities | National Catholic Reporter

Liberalism Resurgent in Cities | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Liberals, especially Clintonians like diBlassio, will not take us where we need to go.  We need the threat of socialism to get conservatives into the frame of mind that will let liberals extract concessions.  Of course, those of us who are more socially democratic, like former Ohio congressman Dennis Kucinich, would like more socialistic policies to be the goal - and not just at the urban level.

Catholics vs. Evangelicals | National Catholic Reporter

Catholics vs. Evangelicals | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: This was inevitable when Catholics in the south bowed to cultural pressure (or maybe just were part of it) and instituted segregated Communion rails.  They reacted in the same way to pornography, the destigmatization in medicine of homosexuality and masturbation and of course abortion.  The only meaninful differences are there are still those who call the Pope the anti-christ while the Catholics love their Obamacare.  Sad that an examination was not also made with the Black Evagelcial Church in the mix.  There is still the problem of unity - which I suspect will not be the reconversion of the Protestants as much as the reconversion of Rome to Orthodoxy and the abandonment of the claim that the pope is first among equals.  Given recent public involvement of His All-Holliness in Catholic events, such as the cornonation of Francis, such a reunion is not far.  With that should come the multiplication of western patriarchies - some of which do use democracy to elect their bishops.  I suspect the conservatives will be disappointed by this development.

Remembering Roncalli | National Catholic Reporter

Remembering Roncalli | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Roncalli certainly did have a perilous task after the war.  Of course, John Paul II had to deal with the specter of Rawandan bishops who urged genocide and who, rather justly, were executed rather than retired.  As far as dealing with anti-modernism and the cult of suspicion, I would have used that as devil's advocate for keeping Pius X out of canonization - especially since on matters of the historical aspects of the scriptures, the Modernists were right - something the CDF is yet to admit.  Finally, as far as pesonal saintliness, one need only look at Roncalli as a child spending hours in his parish church spending time doing nothing but prayer to the Blessed Sacrament.  This is a practice follwed in his own papacy by John Paul II.  That is why it is most fitting that they be canonized together, even if John Paul spent a bit too much time listening to informants who were disatisfied with some of the bishops he inherited.  Of course, that would not be a problem if there werer MORE democracy in the Church, especially around the appointment and removal of bishops.  It is time to end that bit of medievalism in the life of the Church.

Berkowitz on SSM and Dissent | National Catholic Reporter

Berkowitz on SSM and Dissent | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Berkowitz is as wrong on this issue as he is on Palestine.  The kind of debate MSW and Berkowitz call for would be applicable if this were a legislative issue.  It is not nor should it be.  It is a rights issue.  Indeed, it is a right to marry issue.  Subsitute interraction marriage for gay marriage and you will understand why people are tired of debating and willing to demonize the other side.  This is especially the case if you read the weak case put on by the Organization for Marriage in the gay marriage case in the Northern District of California. The arguments were insulting to gays who had families.  The real sad thing was that they parrotted what bishops say about it.  Should lawyers who don't see this as an equal protection be ridiculed?  Yes, it is pretty basic stuff.  It is as basic as being an embryologist - or for that matter a pharmacist - and not knowing that life begins at gastrulation.  Some things are obvious.  The constitutional rightness of gay marriage is one of those things.  What about Eich?  As long as we worship CEOs in our capitalist system, any who embarrass the firm are out.  It may be regretable, but it is understandable.  Again, what if he had contributed to a fund to stop race mixing in marriage?  Yes, its like that.

Nat'l Cath Register Attacks Sr. Carol Keehan | National Catholic Reporter

Nat'l Cath Register Attacks Sr. Carol Keehan | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Michael hits it right on the head, the other NCR and EWTN are essentially the GOP in Catholic drag.  I would go beyond tht and say the entire pro-life movement is just that as well.  The reason they are going after Sister Carol is because she challenged the bishops and the pro-life establishment and won.  indeed, after all these years, no one has unseated her - or will they.  Sebelius retired - being a cabinet secretary for five years is enough self-torture, as much as Michael would like to think she was forced out.  No chance.



The real argument is this - the bishops said that as long as the status quo is maintained, they would not object.  They lied and never admitted that they moved the goal line.  In fact, most insurance comes through employers and is subsidized, in part, be not counting this as income and giving a tax break to corporate and other large employers for hiring insurance.  This insurance usually covers contraception and abortion as standard services.  Many argue that with the new market places in the ACA, employers will likely drop insurance and have their workers participate.  If that is the case, covering abortion with subsidized money is still the status quo the bishops vowed to accept.



This whole issue could have been handled differently.  If the Republicans had promised to vote for the bill in exchange for having certain amendments agreed to - something that used to happen with most legislation - then we may have had a better bill, there would have been no "war on women" last year and there would not have been more than fifty votes to overturn Obamacare.  Here's the thing - this all comes out of the Senate Minority Leader's plan to oppose all Obama bills - and that comes because his base has a visceral hatred of Obama - one that can only be linked to his youth and his color.  The sad thing is that EWTN and the National Catholic Register are in bed with these evils.

Abortion & Free but Flawed Speech | National Catholic Reporter

Abortion & Free but Flawed Speech | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: As sad as it is, the Susan B. Anthony fund has the right to lie.  The question is, does lying in politics rise to the level of libel.  I am not sure we should be drawing these lines, instead making the first amendment a bit more absolute.  If the suit goes forward, it certainly will make litigation a big part of political campaigns - much more so than voting counting in a close election.  The question is, could such a precident overturn an election?  I doubt it - as each house of Congress is the only and absolute judge of elections.  That last part decides it all.  This is a political question.  Of course, we on the left are all free to call out the badly named SBA Fund for lying and the pro-life movement with it.  If only we had that kind of freedom of speech in the Church, where Catholic politicians could call out the Bishops for allying with such organizations.

Moral Dilemmas of Partisanship | National Catholic Reporter

Moral Dilemmas of Partisanship | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: If you are in DC next Monday, this may be due a visit.  Of course, I doubt anyone will take on the proposition that the pro-life movement is an extension of the Republican Party, especially with John Carr organizing the panel.  What MSW sees as an excellent panel is not likely to damage his illusions.

RCP on Pro-Life Dems | National Catholic Reporter

RCP on Pro-Life Dems | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: This is a very interesting question.  The interesting thing, however, is not that the Stupak Democrats found a way to vote for the bill by essentially getting what they wanted regulatorily, but that the rest of the movement attacked them for not upending Obama's bill.  This says more about the pro-life movement than the pro-life Democrats - especially after the sadly named Susan B. Anthony Fund went after them and largely succeeded in giving the House to the Republicans on this issue.  Anyone who does not accept that the Pro Life movement is not a Republican front group and that involvement in it by the bishops is scandalous is not paying attention.

Whither News? Welcome Propaganda | National Catholic Reporter

Whither News? Welcome Propaganda | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The dueling cultures in the news are due to the dueling cultures in society, which are the object of coverage.  While MSNBC is going after Bush a bit, they are more going after Christie.  The thing is, someone needs to because it looks like he really is a crook.  As for Jeb and Hillary and the parties they represent, I think everyone is fed up, however the media will not cover any alternative views - even those that have some bodies behind them.

Silk: Who wants to muzzle Bill Donohue? | National Catholic Reporter

Silk: Who wants to muzzle Bill Donohue? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I was under the impression that the League was the Bill Show (Oh No!).  Leave Bill where he is, as he is the perfect foil for those of us who want change and will support those who provide it - like Pope Francis. If the Catholic League got a new spokesman, it would probably be Bill O'Reilly or someone equally as caustic.  The fault is not the person but the cause.

Dionne on deBlasio | National Catholic Reporter

Dionne on deBlasio | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: deBlasio is certainly a sharp contrast with Chris Christie.  It is amazing that while he seeks more equality as a way to attract workers, the red states fight minimum wage increases as a way to attract businesses.  Someone has to be full of it - and I don't think its deBlaziio.

Christos Aneste! | National Catholic Reporter

Christos Aneste! | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Sadly, stoics not only embraced Christianity - they have been trying to take it over for 1700 years, if not longer. In the so called modern age (all ages think they are modern, and are at the time), we are escaping from this - with Victorianism being the latest incarnation.  That should not be the way for Christians, however.  Christians have a savior who promises a yoke which is easy and a burden which is light (a verse which undoubtedly kept caused the Church to ban the venacular scriptures until the enlightenment and the reformation made it impractical).  Indeed, a morality based on that verse is much more humane and natural law based then recent popes would like - and by natural law, I mean what any person can conclude, not what the Curia mandates in a new Talmud).



The Ressurection confirms that the Jesus who drank of the fruit of the vine on the cross after he calls out to Elijah was not condemned nor was he a sacrifice to a God demanding justice.  Rather, he was a God martyring his ego so that he could feel what we feel, offering his blood in Eucharist so that we may be complete in our forgiveness.  Thus can all people join with them in their abandonment, from the penitent practicing self-mortification to the alcoholic who is mortified enough and seeks a higher power to relieve his insanity.  We no longer seek a scape goat to sacrifice, we join the sacrifice of Christ who suffered as we suffer when God seems far away.  The resurrection shows he is right here.

Vigano Faints at Close of Holy Thursday Mass | National Catholic Reporter

Vigano Faints at Close of Holy Thursday Mass | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: If he is diabetic, I hope he takes care of himself - including ignoring fasting.  Mortification need not be fatal.

Fr. Kiley at St. Matthew's Tomorrow | National Catholic Reporter

Fr. Kiley at St. Matthew's Tomorrow | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: For the more athletic, the Franciscan Monestary has outdoor Stations of the Cross, a Good Friday service and a burial ceremony of the Lord which must be experienced at least once.  As for the seven words, they are key - especially as they are linked together and in relation to the Eucharist from the night before and the promise not to drink of the fruit of the vine until He does so in the Father's kingdom.

"Pange Lingua" | National Catholic Reporter

"Pange Lingua" | National Catholic Reporter  by MSW.  MGB:  While Francis Aquinas never saw a Monstrace (these were stolen from the central Americans - either the Aztec or Maya), he did have the greatest understanding of Jesus for anyone in his era (and a love to match, which is why he is a saint). Click the link to NCR to get the video

Our Sacred Triduum | National Catholic Reporter

Our Sacred Triduum | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The Triduum is what defines our Catholic and Christian faith. The pity is that we do not see its lessons year round.  Sadly, the washing of the feet by the Pastor or Bishop is essentially an empty gesture that happens once a year only.  The real meaning of Golgatha is lost in a vision of Divine vengence that is in no way appealing and not really true.  Easter is lost in eggs and bunnies (which were part of the pagan celebration coopted by the Church) rather than the miracle the our Savior lives and so do we upon death. One last thing.  One of the most important parts of Holy Thursday is the promise that Jesus will not drink of the fruit of the vine until he does so in the Father's kingdom.  However, the Gospel of John has him doing just that.  Understanding why is the key to understanding our salvation.

Wittes on Pulitzers | National Catholic Reporter

Wittes on Pulitzers | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: If New Republic says it, I am immediately suspicious.  In this case I suspect that the Pulitzer is for both getting access to the information (although this may have come for free) and publishing it in the face of official pressure not to do so.  This seems worthy to me.  Of course, many of us who have been following this story since the Patriot Act was reauthorized think it is not really news.  Indeed, the objectionable activity is about the same as going to a judge for a search warrant.  There is never an opposing side in such hearings.  The recent change in policy is as much about PR as anything else.

The shootings in Kansas | National Catholic Reporter

The shootings in Kansas | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The key feature of both hate speech and hate crimes that flow from it are that they are an attempt, often an organized attempt (and formerly with the assistance of local law enforcement and citizens) to intimidate the targeted group to either behave or leave.  The battle over using police or military force to stop such intimidation and terror goes back to reconstruction (and should have gone back further against the slave power had Madison had his way).  Sadly, such enforcement is more honored in the breach than in actual enforcement.  Voter ID laws are an attempt to go after Hate Politics, which is not protected and which is why the right wing kooks so hate Eric Holder for enforcing what is left of voting rights law.  I suspect some feminists would call Trap Laws designed to close abortion clinics as Hate Politics.  Can't say I disagree.

Very Big News for ACA | National Catholic Reporter

Very Big News for ACA | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: This is good news, but I am still unconvinced that some people will not wait until they are sick to sign up - causing a downward spiral and leading to single payer, which is preferable anyway.  Of course, if we put in a public option financed by some kind of payrol or consumer tax to fund people who cannot be covered cheaply elsewhere, such a spiral may not occur.  Still, let us hope the CBO is correct as this will have an impact on all health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid.  If health costs are no longer the whipping boy, high interest costs and too low taxes on those who get the interest will become the locus of deficit reduction.  And yes, I mean the rich.

Review: Rekindling the Christic Imagination, Part II | National Catholic Reporter

Review: Rekindling the Christic Imagination, Part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: This passage part of the review is more interesting than yesterday and on the surface jibes with my own, although not out of triumphalism but because of how the Crucifixion was an act of communion with the sinner.  As I wrote in 1990 and published in 2004, in the Last Supper, Jesus said he would not drink of the fruit of the vine until he did so in the Father's kingdom.  Attempts to get him to sip it are all found in the 3 synoptic Gospels.  John adds a bit more.  Even without the infancy narrative, which clearly sites Mary as its source (she reflected on all these things and kept them in her heart) - at least for Jesus, when he gave his mother unto the care of his nephew, John,  he abandoned his mission to save the world by trusting John to simply care for his aunt.  My imagination has Mary look away at this, unable to bear the grief of Jesus immediate death and in the mind of Jesus severing his connection with this infancy narrative - his first experience of his own divinity.  This is what causes him to call out to the Father in despair - joining us in communion where we are - not where he is.  He then calls for wine and John says he drank some (which is the source of the debate on the nature of slavation - it is either the moment of despair or there is none (with either John or Jesus lying).  The Ressurrection confirms that neither was lying - that the bloody sacrifice of the Cross was more about killing Jesus psyche than his body.  In retrospect, it is impossible to envisage an angry God or accept the Church adopting a morality that assumes such anger (especially over sex).

Xenophobes in Europe | National Catholic Reporter

Xenophobes in Europe | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: One would think this would be alarming - and it is if they win.  I don't think they can, however they may spur a pan European liberal or democratic socialist party (even better) that will win and will do for Europe what Hamilton did for the United States (common debt, common taxation, stronger continental government).

Holy Week review: 'Rekindling the Christic Imagination' | National Catholic Reporter

Holy Week review: 'Rekindling the Christic Imagination' | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Yes, the we is quite necessary in getting to salvation and going into community.  No alcoholic acting alone ever got sober, however neither alcoloholics or Catholics can confess the other person's sins, noly their own.  The we is both an end and a means - however it is also true that we are usually born and usually die alone, although the latter can be in Christ as well.  On the distinctly political side of this column, economics should function the same way.  We need the we to become educated and get what we need in the world, but the purpose of adulthood is a certain level of self-sufficiency - which used to include self-gardening and may one day mean this again.

Sen. Gillibrand's Common Ground for Pro-life & Pro-choice groups | National Catholic Reporter

Sen. Gillibrand's Common Ground for Pro-life & Pro-choice groups | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Common ground is touchy to find, since the more you do for young parents, the more likely to right wingers in the right to life movement will call you a socialist, especially if you help these young women actually raise the child to adulthood with a large tax subidy and higher minimum wage (for both parents) and education to enable even more productive work.  There are far too many in the movement, and in the Church, whose goal is to prop up these girls until they can adopt out their kids (preferably to a Catholic family who can't have their own).  I consider this to be kidnapping and it is no wonder these girls get an abortion instead of cooperating with such a scheme.

What Diocesan Renewal Looks Like | National Catholic Reporter

What Diocesan Renewal Looks Like | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: How one of the best bishops in the national does things.  Of course, there is a tradition of good bishops in this area, at least one of whom I know personally.  Even back in the 1970s the bishop drove an old care and lived simply, not in the palace.  Indeed, I am not sure when the last time that residence was used.

Sayonara Sebelius | National Catholic Reporter

Sayonara Sebelius | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Michael Sean Winters continues to operate under the delusion that Secretary Sebelius was out to offend the bishops.  In truth, it was Valerie Jarrett who called for her to gode the GOP and the bishops (who sadly seemed joined at the hip before Francis) into their war on women.  Very sadly, they took the bait as predicted.  Secretary Sebelius engineered the drafting, the passage and implementation of the biggest new federal program in decades.  She should get the medal of freedom, not the scorn of MSW.  Indeed, she deserves a medal for opposing the Bishop (I think it was A/B Burke) who told her not to go to Communion because she obeyed her constitutional oath and vetoed an clearly unconstitutional abortion ban as Governor of Kansas.  Again, medal of freedom.  For Burke and any bishop who pulls such nonsense should come a Sedition Trial - although I've got to hand it to the Vatican for getting Burke out of Dodge.  I hope he likes is Vatican Passport, his U.S. Passport should be withdrawn.  Hopefully the former Governor can go home and go to Communion - and Burke does his civic duty and avoids going to any polling place or requesting an absentee ballot (what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander).

Divorce and Remarriage, Part II | National Catholic Reporter

Divorce and Remarriage, Part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Firs, read MSW then the comments, which follow:



This is where it is useful to remember that the Gospels were written decades after the Ascension of our Lord to Heaven and may have been addressed to first century Church problems as much as universal Truth.  I suspect that the Jesus who berated the Pharasees (of which he was one) and the Scribes for what we would now call their obsession with Ruberics would want a solution that serves the people, not the words attributed to Him.



As for the first case mentioned, remarriage should be an easy matter because of the violence in the first marriage.  Such violence is worse than adultery. It is sad the Lord did not mention this or it was not put in his mouth - but in that day women were almost like livestock in the eyes of the world.  It is time to correct this ommission.  As for the second case, the better option is not to dispense the priest from his vows but to allow him to marry.  While we will spend much more for married priests, we probably should anyway and the investment in making a priest is substantial.  Of course, I can guess that some who are in favor of letting priests go easily probably looked at pension fund trends and were relieved.  Such bean counters in the clergy should be treated as Our Lord treated the moneychangers in the Temple.



In the case of the former Mrs. Kennedy, she has a point. There is really no reason for an annulment but his adultery.  She should be free to remarry without procedures, but as I said yesterday, he should have been forever banned from remarrying (as a Catholic).  Since converting would ruin him politically, such a practice might have forced him to honor his wife and not seek greener pastures.



Jesus does tell us to carry our crosses (which is a double entendre considering he was a house builder) but he also says his yoke is easy and his burden is light.  I think this is what Francis gets in his core and hopefully he can transmit it to the rest of the Church (or get rid of those bishops who won't).

Study indicates wide rejection of new translations by US clergy | National Catholic Reporter

Study indicates wide rejection of new translations by US clergy | National Catholic Reporter   When the Congregation started switching to "And with your Spirit" rather than "and also with you" the new (pseudo-Tridentine) translation had taken hold.

"Dictatorship of narrow-mindedness" | National Catholic Reporter

"Dictatorship of narrow-mindedness" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: So much for Benedict's fears of a Dictatorship of Relatvism.  If the heart of responding to God's grace, love and morality is the human heart itself, there is less room for the Magisterium to replace the Old Law and the Curia to replace the Pharasees, however they many attempt to.  Francis has the right perspective.

LBJ's "Comeback" | National Catholic Reporter

LBJ's "Comeback" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: This article, as well as some TV retrospectives on cable news (specifically MSNBC) come as we commemorate the 50th Anniversary of LBJ signing the Civil Rights Act (which some libertarians still disagree with on public accommodations - not realizing that state violence is necessary to enforce denials of service by private entitites).  Of note is the fact that he knew this would cost the Democrats the South.  Our current politics is an echo of this most necessary action - including the immigration debate which the GOP obstructs to keep alive on its own terms.  This is also about race and civil rights.

Divorce & Remarriage | National Catholic Reporter

Divorce & Remarriage | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Experience does have a lot to say.  While some pastors have experience counseling, experience staying married or going through divorce is probably more valuable.  As for Communion, the Episcopal Church awaits for those Catholics who need it if the Catholics don't get it right.  I found out first hand that children of divorce are more likely to do the same (and married one).  That should be grounds for annulment right away and a matter investigated more fully pre-marriage.



On the sacramental marriage of nature - the clergy needs to remember that the priest does NOT perform the marriage - the couple does.  The pastor is not the stand-in for parents making a property transaction in acquiring a wife for their son.  That should also cover the Church on the marriage equality debate.



The Orthodox approach is not the solution, but it does indicate that a solution can be devised.  Marriage existed as a sacrament before the Church and would survive its destruction.  That is where the humility on Marriage should come from.



God's mercy is important in this debate - and that does not just mean not withholding Communion.  I would suggest that Adultery be a cause for a kind of sacramental divorce - with the offending party never allowed to marry again unless forgiven by the offended party - whose freedom to remarry should be unobstructed regardless of whether he or she holds the other party bound.  The same structure should also govern cases of abuse, alcoholism and mental illness (although sometimes both parties may have a mental diagnosis - so severity must come into play as well). A diangosis should not bar either party from marrying again - but should be a concern on remarriage.



Will the Church get down to brass tacks on these issues?  I hope so, but I do not hold my breath.

Kansas Pipes | National Catholic Reporter

Kansas Pipes | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  Your organ fix of the week.

Hate One Another | National Catholic Reporter

Hate One Another | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: He does not seem to like toleration as a societal value and is afraid the gays will take over the Catholic Church.  Does he know many seminarians or priests?  That ship sailed long ago.  When Francis said "Who am I to judge" he was talking about a gay member of the Curia.  He would think there is a gay mafia.  There is not.  They can look out for themselves just fine.  It is us who are family members of gay Catholics who want the Church to treat them with more charity -whether in Catholic hospitals when their partners want their role as decisionmakers or when there is a marriage to be celebrated.

In Praise of Women's Basketball | National Catholic Reporter

In Praise of Women's Basketball | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Now that there is a women's pro league, some of these young ladies have something to play for.  Of course, I would split high school into two groups and merge the older two with junior college and leave the locus of competitive student athletics there - but on a state by state basis.  I would also pay these young athletes - especially in football - but in all sports.  The last two years of college and masters courses would not have organized sport, so at 20 its turn pro or play intermurals.  Sadly, women's pro hoops does not yet get near the support it deserves except among a select few.  It will take some city having consistent championships to make it a spectacle - and then a drive to beat them.

How Libertarians View US Politics Today | National Catholic Reporter

How Libertarians View US Politics Today | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: On some issues, he is probably right.  He also has the benefit of funding from such people as the Koch brothers.  The rise of his view will also mean the rupture of the Republican Party alliance between libertarians and cultural and military conservatives.  This leaves the culutural types to go back to the wilderness (unless they join with the Black Church - and I don't see a group marked by racism doing that - or the Trads in the Catholic Church - who were regarded as the anti-christ a generation ago).  Economically liberal Catholics won't keep the cultural cons out of the woods - although the defense conservatives and defense Democrats could like up.  The economiic libertarians could link with the Democratic Leadership Concil (Clintonian) types - it depends what the Greens and social liberals (like me) do.  A libertarian and economic/social liberal union could become the majority party.  Now that would be interesting.

Boehner & Immigration Reform | National Catholic Reporter

Boehner & Immigration Reform | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: If Boehner wishes to continue to preside over the destruction of the Republican Party's future for political gains (and to satisfy the donors from the food idustry who like slave labor - no softer way to put it), no one will stop him except the voters in November.

Mozilla, World Vision & The Culture Wars | National Catholic Reporter

Mozilla, World Vision & The Culture Wars | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: These are interesting cases and they illustrate exactly how much public relations and propoganda has come to rule modern society.  The CEO is the symbol of the company, so firing him for unpopular positions is understandable, depending on who your clients are.  Mozilla is assumed to have a more socially liberal base - although it is still a strange call.  World Vision's call is simply regrettable and it is why the Employment Non-Distrimination Act is needed as soon as we can get it done - providing impetus to throw the GOP out of control of the House in November.  Sexual orientation is a demographic characteristic, not a choice, and should be protected in employment law.  CEOs should not be so well paid or so much a symbol that anyone cares what they think - but that is another conversation.

WaPo Profiles Samantha Power | National Catholic Reporter

WaPo Profiles Samantha Power | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: It is always worth underlying that she serves at the pleasure of the President.  Of course, this is why the UN is not sovereign.  If she were independently elected she would still represent the national interest, but would have more latitude in doing so.  Still, I suspect that the President has been relying on her counsel for quite some time and likely continues to do so.  A really good essay on the role of Counselors is in the first part of More's Utopia.  This is ironic given More's fate.

Gomez Leads Interfaith Service for Immigration Reform | National Catholic Reporter

Gomez Leads Interfaith Service for Immigration Reform | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Not only prayer, but interfaith prayer.  The Trads must be going nuts! (Although I think they expect it in this archdiocese).

Weigel criticizes O'Malley, bishops over border Mass | National Catholic Reporter

Weigel criticizes O'Malley, bishops over border Mass | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Most Catholics have not difficulty in identifying Weigel's point of view.  It is loudly proclaimed in many diocesan weekly newspapers - although less so when he brought out red and gold pens to attack Caritas in Veritate.  You just know when Weigel goes on EWTN on any issue, it will be a disaster for truth.  I save myself the moral embarrassment of such things.  While the right is correct that how we deal with immigration is a matter for prudential judgement - that should mean we need to push the Democratic version to the left - as it is way too punitive to not offend the Christian tradition.  Indeed, if we wish to really stop undocumented immigration, we would end immigration restrictions on employment entirely while repealing right to work laws - taking the incentive away to hire workers in the shadows - although some foreign labor may still be required it should be safe and well paid.  Of course, forcing Weigel and his ilk to face such a choice would likely have him (them) foaming at the mouth about property rights and capitalism (like good Calvinists) - when such things are not found in the Catholic tradition at all as sacred cows.



Finally, Weigel does not agree with any act of solidarity.  He wants subsidiarity alone (which on immigration and its regulation by states the Surpeme Court has disallowed).  Again, a total misreading of Catholic doctrine by someone who should know better.  As MSW says, he is more a Republican than a Catholic.

Weigel, Popes, Presidents and the Desk | National Catholic Reporter

Weigel, Popes, Presidents and the Desk | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Weigel is a self rightous ass, although I am sure that the Popes Benedict and John Paul were not pleased with the Bush war policy (as well as the whole issue of war crimes) - although I would place that on Cheney, not Bush.  As for Obama, Benedict was the culture warrior where the President was concerned on abortion.  No indication that Francis was - although if so it is largely because the Popes (and Weigel) do not understand the mechanics of legal abortion in the U.S.  It is a constitutional one, not a legislative one (although any legislative action would have to leave out first trimester embryos - which would exclude 90% of cases).

Good, Not Great, Jobs Report | National Catholic Reporter

Good, Not Great, Jobs Report | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I don't usually share Forbes stories, but this is good news - as the headline suggests.  Of course, the big challenge is still not jobs - its housing.  People with underwater mortgages are not big spenders.  While housing values are certainly going up - they are not up high enough - and probably will not be until wages start growing - which takes a much lower number and a tax policy that does not reward CEOs for cutting jobs.

Sr. Carol's Talk at IPR Dinner | National Catholic Reporter

Sr. Carol's Talk at IPR Dinner | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Good choices. Cardinal McCarrick is one of my favorites (having cut the legs out from under Burke's desire to use the Communion Rail as the chief battle ground of the culture war) as is Sr. Carol for speaking the truth when the USCCB staff were spreading lies.  Click the link to read the talk.

Facts, Propaganda and Libertarianism | National Catholic Reporter

Facts, Propaganda and Libertarianism | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I am a libertarian socialist, which means I believe in free will (as defined by Thomas Aquinas - so I don't get the heresy angle) and in collectivism - not by governments but by workers.  The Koch brothers are not libertarians, they are capitalists who use their political cash to further their own business interests - not liberty (if liberty did not serve their interests, they would disavow it - O bet thier factories are not even close to being run in a libertarian fashion - probably more hierarchist).  It is why they are funding major global warming deniers - recall the Kochs are in coal in a big way - and not the clean kind.  While not necessarily racists, they do fund tea party groups linked to the racist militia movement.  Now THAT is a form of collectivism - but the kind I find odious.  As for the cable news channels, they feed what their audiences want to see, not what is really news - because they too are run by capitalists.

Silk on Lustiger and Jewish Identity | National Catholic Reporter

Silk on Lustiger and Jewish Identity | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB:  First, if interested, watch the clip.  Second, many thought that Lustiger would be the last pope because he was Jewish and might convert the Jews.  (It is not only the Evangelicals who believe in End Times prophesy).  Instead, the Glory of the Olive was Benedict, primarily for the name he would take.  Whether we are in the era of the Glory of the Olive still (because Benedict lives) or Francis is Peter the Roman is not yet obvious - especially as the reign of Peter is marked by calamaty for the city of Rome and the martyrdom of Peter (according to the Third Secret of Fatima).

A "One-State" Solution? No | National Catholic Reporter

A "One-State" Solution? No | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Berkowitz does not really believe in a two state solution - where both states are absolutely sovereign - or its logical extension that the Palestinian portion include parts of Northern Israel that are ethnically Arab.  I am sure his Palestinian state would still be under the domination of the IDF.   I would support a strong unified Arab state (of both the west and north)  - or one where the Arab portion was part of a larger Arab superkingdom under Hashemite rule in a constitutional monarchy.  Still, that is a third choice. The perferable choice is a single state organized on secular lines rather than religious ones - where the Zionists follow what Torah says about treating the Alien with respect rather than as chattel.  I doubt such would even be practiced in the Jewish side of a two state solution - yet the Holy of Holies will not be returned to Jerusalem until just that kind of humanity is practiced in Zion.

Bishop Morlino & the Mandatum | National Catholic Reporter

Bishop Morlino & the Mandatum | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Francis could wash the feet of young girls precisely because he pays his own hotel bill and forgoes staying in the Papal Apartments (funny name for a palace).  For him,  it is not a publicity stunt, it is who he is.  As for Wilton, he is trying and that is good. No word on whose feet get washed in Atlanta.  As for Morlino, it is probably good for the ritual not to take place in his diocese at all, especially at any Mass at which he presides.  An act of humiliation would be inauthentic from someone who wants to tell us all how to think - and is in support of the culture of wealth when he does so.  Washing the feet of women is a symbol - as potent a symbol of female Altar servers.  Many conservative pastors disallow the practice because it might lead the girls to think they may one day be priests.  I respond that this is exactly the point - which is beyond anything even Francis would do.

Clark on Poverty, Entitlement & Personal Responsibility | National Catholic Reporter

Clark on Poverty, Entitlement & Personal Responsibility | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The article is well done, but could use a bit more good old fashioned Leftism, of the Socialist or Liberation Theology variety - or maybe a good Christian Socialist or even Christian Libertarian Socialist hybrid.  The truth is that the Oligarchy won't conceed anything without a threat to its existence.  Of course, I would not stop at making threats or allowing capitalism to continue to exist.

Culture Wars Still On at Napa | National Catholic Reporter

Culture Wars Still On at Napa | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: He could look out at the congregation and not see the segregated Communion rail or the non-whites consigned to the balcony.  By homogenous it sounds like he is saying all white - which is also how he likely prefers the White House.  Shame on his institute and the CNA for giving him ink.



I can see how he would think that mandatory school prayer secularized the culture - but atheist and Jewish students have a great right to not say a Christian prayer (with Catholic students having a right to not have public anti-Catholicism remain a big part of the public space, although in some parts of the South, it still is - and they also have black and white Baptist churches.

Hobby Lobby's Conscience | National Catholic Reporter

Hobby Lobby's Conscience | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Embarrassing to Hobby Lobby - although it misses the point that the rights of employees to chose or not chose their health care trump the religious bigotry of their employers.  That kind of employer right is no different than the right to yell fire in a Multiplex.  It does not exist.  Sadly, many do this to revoke privacy rights.  Hopefully the majority of the Court will not let that happen.

Dear Speaker Boehner | National Catholic Reporter

Dear Speaker Boehner | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: I will assume Boehner is really well briefed on this issue - including the impact of not having workers in the shadows on the price of food (and the profits of food producing companies who like cheap labor).  He also has Tea Party nativism to deal with and the fear that they may yet try to remove him as Speaker.  In reality, he should go with the Senate bill - its the best he will get.  I long for the day when an immigration bill can be passed without punitive measures.  Indeed, the best way to stop any flood of undocumented workers is to repeal right-to-work laws and immigration restrictions.  Do that and companies won't hire unionlized legalized immigrant labor (unless no one else really will take the job for a fair wage).

Kudos to Carlson et al. | National Catholic Reporter

Kudos to Carlson et al. | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Nowadays, right-to-work is really right-to-hire undocumented workers and treat them as slaves.  All such laws should be repealed - federally if necessary.  I am glad the eastern part of the state has it together.  Hopefully the western part - Kansas City-St. Jospeh will as well - but given their prior Archbishop (Burke) and their current Archbishop who will not leave post-conviction, I have my doubts.

Should GOP Follow Francis? | National Catholic Reporter

Should GOP Follow Francis? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Francis' rebranding of the Church is authentic for him.  While Catholics John Kasich and Jeb Bush can publically embrace their Catholicism, I do not believe for a second that the Tea Party infused Republican base can do the same thing - nor can its donors.  Ask Francis about Palestine sometime and see how Shelly Adelson reacts if you have any doubts - or ask Paul Ryan about how Francis wants the government to help the poor.  He won't bite (and he is Catholic and a potential nominee).

Sheldon Adelson & The Corruption of Politics | National Catholic Reporter

Sheldon Adelson & The Corruption of Politics | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Shelly Adelson at least gives his money openly.  I wish the Koch Bros. were so transparent.  I am surprised that Jeb went out there for a different reason - it looks like he is running.  As for Israel, probably the best thing for her would be a President who will make it face reality - both demographically and spiritually.  It can be Zion or it can be western.  It cannot be both.  Speaking of demographics, the GOP candidate has no shot in 2016 anyway.  What you see here are the sacraficial victims who want their footnote in the history books.  Hillary will win, or maybe Joe.



As for the money thing, I have long written that candidates for presidential nomination should be selected by candidates for Congress - with each candidate for congressional nomination declaring who they support.  Each candidate would receive an equal amount of campaign funds provided either from the public or a blind trust of donors (no one can take credit) provided that candidate gets a 15% share of supporters at a district-wide or state-wide caucus.  If there are two candidates supporting the same presidential candidate there will also be a caucus vote among supporters of that presidential candidate.



Will this be perfect?  No.  Personal loyalties within the party may make the result a fairly sure thing - but not necessesarily.  Indeed, an insurgent presidential candidate may very well shake up his or her party's congressional delegation.  Not sure that is a bad idea.

Douthat on "Christian penumbra" | National Catholic Reporter

Douthat on "Christian penumbra" | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The whole Catholic identity thing has always been more about group dynamics than the Gospel.  We but be good to be rid of it - along with the Infallible Magisterium that goes along.  Many in the Christian penumbra have harder lifes, working on weekends - day or night.  Some nice blue laws would do the trick - not for identity but to let the people people who need it most rest.  Of course, many others stay home to watch Sunday TV - which had been quite good when Brinkley and Russert were alive.  Of course there are those who are in the penumbra because they go with family to Church on Easter and Christmas.  Without the family connection, they stay home then too.  It is the hypocracy of the Church that keeps them away - at least until they have children - when some go back.  Getting married is a trigger too, as are funerals and baptisms.  If we can restrain Trads from the denial of Communion to gay couples, perhaps we can get them to come more often.

Worthen on Pope Francis and His Predecessors | National Catholic Reporter

Worthen on Pope Francis and His Predecessors | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: An interesting article and though Francis has not and probably will not make major concessions on pelvic issues (including what type of pelvis can say Mass) he has emphasized Matthew 25 more than these issues or protestations Benedict made over relativism, when the doctrine of the infallible Magisterium (for Catholics) actually is the height of such tyranny - and not in a good way.  The absolutes belong to everyone with reason, not just the Curia - and the Curia will be reformed by Francis. (Oh, like his predecessors, Francis will continue moving to the Eastern Church - perhaps a bit more than the Curia would like).

Abortion and the Poor | National Catholic Reporter

Abortion and the Poor | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The poor are less likely to believe in abortion but are forced into it anyway - even as they abhor what they are doing.  This is why the answer, which the pro-life movement resists, is to increase the child tax credit to $12,000 per year to be distributed with payroll or other benefits (that is per child, by the way).  Sometimes group responsibility is necessary and this is one of those times - rather than denying women the ability to afford their children and then insisting they be punished when the seek the only opton open to them - in some states at great risk.  If you have ever wondered what is wrong with the pro-life movement, this is it.

Bishops at the Border: Livestream Link | National Catholic Reporter

Bishops at the Border: Livestream Link | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: You can watch the Immigration Mass.  You can fast and pray (I only eat one meal a day, which is essentially fasting - athough you could eat Mexican food - and I mean beans and rice, not Shrimp Fajitas).  As for whether this will move the hearts of the GOP, I would think only if it moved the hearts of its donors and its fairly racist base.  We can pray for miracles, however.

Pope Francis In the Confessional | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis In the Confessional | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Popes, like all medieval royalty, do usually have a private confessor and I am sure this Pope does as well.   What the Pope did here is significant for two ways.  One is the message that before hearing confessions he will go himself to show he is no more perfect than any sinner and the second is the example of going to confession at all.



Will this start a stampede to the confessional?  I doubt it  Does that mean no one is confessing somewhere?  Not at all. People in 12th step programs confess to the group (like in the early Church) or to their sponsors in a 5th step and many people confess to a shrink or a life coach.  God gets through in many of these cases anyway - especially in the recovery setting.  Bringing God into individual lives is the point of such programs, even without a priest.  Even my confessor recognizes this.



Confession is down, however, because the self-centered obsession with mortal sin has pretty much gone away for most Catholics.  The really bad sins are harder to confess (murder, major theft, sexual abuse in some way or another - including someone drunk) becasue they are, well, terrible.  The faux mortal sins, like masturbation, eating meat on Friday, contraception and skipping Sunday Mass have fallen off the radar screens of most Catholics.  Indeed, I once heard a story that the African priests argued against not banning birth control because birth control use was what kept women going to confession.  Else they would have nothing to confess.  That is not a bad thing.



Going back to Francis, hopefully he will underline that it is the lapses of charity - both momentary and systemic, that we really need to confess - although people are afraid of these sins too because the likely penance cuts into their comforatable lifestyles - especially if they are underpaying their employees and pocketing the difference.