Judging and firing bishops and due process in the church | National Catholic Reporter

Judging and firing bishops and due process in the church | National Catholic Reporter by Fr. Reese.  MGB: While traditionally, Bishops were an independent entity because of their local election by priests - and originally by the people of God, that began to erode when provinces were set up over diocese and the office of Archbishop was created.  One could offer that in the ancient Church, the office of overseer was not a bishop, but a pastor - a pastor who grew into a bishop in large city churches and metropolitan areas (hence the title, metropolitan).  Saint Paul could be seen as the prototype of the Archbishop or Patriarch, with his see being the entire area to the West of the Lebanon.  Once the clergy took over for the people, clericalism began.



The end of civil government in Italy and the feudal era turned the Pope into an absolute monarch - with the benefits that came with selling indulgences and having vassals.  This ended when the Pope lost his land and he replaced his civil power base with an ecclesiastic one - when ambassadors to the various nations became branch managers - so very much like the bureaucracy found in modern capitalism.  Even while popes condemn this method of organization, they practice it.  Indeed, the Vatican is a headquarters under the guise of a sovereign state (you wonder what St. Paul and Jesus would think of that one).



Indeed, because of the way bishops are hired, fired and rotated, it is only the Vatican Treaty that protects the Holy See's assets from seizure by avaricious lawyers in sexual abuse cases.  Christ would simply volunteer most of the paintings - which don't look like Him or His Mother anyway, in abuse settlements.  He certainly would not hide behind a treaty with Benito Mussolini.  Indeed, at the Last Supper, the cautioned against the kind of worldly power that the papacy and the bishops have gathered.  He would sell it all and give it to the victims (and the poor) - and believe Francis would as well if he though he could get away with it.  Of course, Christ also mandated capital punishment for those who would lead children astray.  I believe Bernard Law would be in the Tiber - and any priest who simply covered up abuse to protect diocesan assets - which are literally in the name of the bishop.

Russell Moore: Evangelical or Republican? | National Catholic Reporter

Russell Moore: Evangelical or Republican? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This is not at all a shock.  I would say that my Massachusetts Anabaptist ancestors would be saddened, but I really don't think they would be, although at the time they were religious insurgents defying the Puritans.  As I said, however, this is not a shock - any more that divergence from the GOP line is acceptable in the Pro Life movement (which says loads about that movement as well).  The GOP and all its associates are bad to the core and need to be disbanded, not by man, but by God.

How Deep is the Racism? | National Catholic Reporter

How Deep is the Racism? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Sadly, this is not a shock.  I doubt the Officer who shot Michael Brown had parents who were civil rights workers.  This is why reparations are so important and should be an event - to make such people understand the origins of their racism and feel some shame.  That also goes to both sides of the abortion rights movement (yes, including the pro-lifers).

On Gratitude | National Catholic Reporter

On Gratitude | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Gratitude is the means to the end of finding God.  It is not what is needed when things are good, but instead when things are bad.  Penance and mortification are the Catholic way of trying to achieve that, but the effort cannot really get to that broken place that makes the need for gratitude real.  The atheist, Russell, has obviously been comfortable - however if he gives charity, whether or not he believes in eternal life does not matter - and he is correct that we cannot know - but that is the reason we have faith.  When others die we actually get to the place where gratitude can become Grace, as MSW experienced with David.



As for the author of Pro, it is interesting that she mixes a defense of abortion rights with a description of the joy of pregnancy - but I suspect she does so to reflect that most women who procure abortions do so out of a perceived need for their health and even that of her child.  Not having a Downs child is a bit selfish, since Downs children are the most grateful of all.  Still, even the pro-choice movement is a teachable moment for those who abhor abortion.  Going back to the bad old days where abortion was a semi-criminal act (doctors got fined - the same penalty as shooting your neighbor's dog) that lead to back alley and self-induced abortion is not an option - that still kills the child but also makes the mother ill.  Instead, gratitude requires that we actually take action to stop the economic danger of abortion - which means an adequate state supported family income at middle class levels (about a thousand per month per child - twelve times what we now give) and supportive care for Downs Syndrome children AND their parents.  Do that and abortion will likely only occur for medical necessity - when the mother is in grave danger or the child would never survive to birth - which is always a difficult choice and one that rarely is done from malice to the child. Indeed, even there, we can find God - not God the Ogre who is jealous of decisions of life and death, but the Spirit of Consolation, when mothers hope their child is in Heaven, not some state called Limbo. Limbo cannot exist, because it runs counter to the mercy of God.

Latino & Anglo RCs in Climate Change | National Catholic Reporter

Latino & Anglo RCs in Climate Change | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I suspect Latinos are more in touch with global warming because they are in regions experiencing drought, for the most part.  Control for location and the answers are probably not at all different. Also, don't blame different thought patterns on some Protestant v. Catholic mindset.  Elites from both sides of the border are Masonic (the US is less so).  Visit Texas and see the dry fields, and California and you will know that Climate Change has become more than theoretical (and I am practically a Protestant in my ancestry - my ancestors being involved in founding the Baptists, the Presbyterians, the Disciples of Christ and the Friends in America - we were all mostly Masons).

More Older Son Nonsense About Pope Francis | National Catholic Reporter

More Older Son Nonsense About Pope Francis | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The prodigal son analogy breaks down because wanting reform is not a sin.  Being divorced is not a sin.  Finding love again is not a sin (unless your reason for doing so is economic advancement - read closely what Jesus says about divorce). Being gay is not a sin or is having a gay spouse.  These are the distinctions that make the analogy of the older son break down and what Cardinal Kaspar and the Pope are missing - even though they are trying to use a language they understand.  Lets not understand it that way.  Demanding that Cardinal George be answered is probably going too far, but maybe the Cardinal could get a phone call.  Giving him or Oddie (who is as much a Chestertonian as a Wardian) a public answer would be giving them more than they deserve - unless doing so is profitable for teaching others.

Wassup at EWTN? | National Catholic Reporter

Wassup at EWTN? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Actually, I think not watching them (except when they carry the Papal News Feed, is the best solution. Don't rebut them, don't comment on them - realize that there are a lot of right wing idiots in both the Church and society who should go ahead and talk to each other.  Their numbers are shrinking anyone.  Talk about the fresh voices in the Church - and I don't mean just the young ones.  Take that as a hint.

Injustice in Ferguson | National Catholic Reporter

Injustice in Ferguson | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Hopefully, Officer Wilson's department will fire him - indictment or not.  The feds certainly will and this will taint him forever.  He could only become a Tea Party member of Congress.  As for black men being in the justice system - that was intentional to keep them from voting -  it has nothing to do with public safety and health. Missouri is still part of the deep south, even though it is next to southern Illinois (which is southern in mind as well).  My relatives live in that part of the world - the ones who were in the Daniel Boone Party and kept moving - not an unracist bunch.  One hopes we will grow out of racism, but Officer Wilson is not old and there are a lot of people like him in his age cohort.  They may usually act respectfully, but their hearts and not pure.  Sadly, neither is religion.  Dr. King called Sunday the most segregated day of the week.  Indeed, while Fr. Kelly is seen as making gains, when one mentions another priest, Fr. Michael Plueger is seen as somehow disreputable.  We need more like Fr. Mike in the Church.

Tea Leaves in the Windy City | National Catholic Reporter

Tea Leaves in the Windy City | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The right wing have their group of leader, who go without mention.  There are those others who are backing away from the right wing, like Dolan and Weurl and now we have a decisive leader from the left, who not coincidentally comes from Spokane and its tradition of personal episcopal humility. It takes the latter to bring out the former - which also is a peek at Pope Francis as well. He is certainly stepping into the shoes of some and not others, and it will help him if Francis finishes Benedict's work on becoming more like the Orthodox. I would hope that this will put a stake in the heart of the curial system, but I expect someone like Burke to follow Francis and become an anti-pope pushing Roman primacy. The bumpy ride is just beginning.

Pat Archbold's Alternate Universe | National Catholic Reporter

Pat Archbold's Alternate Universe | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Sadly, I don't thing Patrick speaks for himself alone.  I am sure his readership and colleagues, and even a few bishops, agree with him.  Their shrillness comes from the fact that they are really getting the sense that they are out of step with the majority of bishops and the Pope.  Unless they are willing to make confession for this, they will stew in their juices, which are not fireproof if they take them to the grave.

5 Myths about Pope Francis | National Catholic Reporter

5 Myths about Pope Francis | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Its a good piece, which the right wingers will studiously ignore, because hey already know they are playing to their bases and funders, not to the truth.  I plan to ignore that the door is closed to women priests, since I have taken Eucharist from some of them. That ship sailed with England and no one can really give a logical counter-argument without maintaining the farce that the Anglican Orders and subsequent Sacraments are false.  The question is not whether, its when, and pressure can help that one. Indeed, the Gospel of Life falls flat if only from a male voice.

Benghazi or Bust | National Catholic Reporter

Benghazi or Bust | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I would rather Fox demure and never mention this again - since not doing so and defending itself means full on war against Secretary, now Candidate Clinton. I am not sure the GOP could handle not having the attack machine in full operation.  What would happen to their fundraising??!!!

Gomez Reacts to Obama Speech | National Catholic Reporter

Gomez Reacts to Obama Speech | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: It is good the Archbishop is publicly on board and wants more. Sadly, there will not be more while the Republicans are in town.  As for the Senate bill, not only will it die, it should.  It was a mistake, both moral and political, to not start with something less punitive and make the GOP reject in the Senate.

Ratzinger, circa 1972, on Divorced & Remarried | National Catholic Reporter

Ratzinger, circa 1972, on Divorced & Remarried | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Its amazing to me that none of our discussions of divorce compare modern divorce to the divorces Jesus mentioned in the Bible - which seem to have more familial involvement than today.  As for Ratzinger and those who argue now against change, it seems that their main motive for not changing is the belief that it would offend God and the Church.  Since God is not an Ogre who has a stake in this and its none of the Church's business either (and I doubt most parishioners care if the person in the communion line with them is divorced and remarried, the concern should be on the families left behind and how they feel.  This concern should start as soon as a couple stops going to Mass together. Its time to quit worrying about the rules and worry about the people.

Camosy on NJ euthanasia bill in Star-Ledger | National Catholic Reporter

Camosy on NJ euthanasia bill in Star-Ledger | National Catholic Reporter by MSW,  MGB: I can see this debate forcing the alternatives of medical cannabis for cancer patients and more generous benefits for the elderly poor. That is a good thing - especially if suicide does not pass - and frankly, even if it does, most doctors will not participate just like most will not perform and abortion.  What Camosy avoids, and I guarantee that the Church does not, is the argument that when you die is God's choice, not your doctor's or your own.  Of course, that argument devolves into God the Ogre who will damn you if you do this. Let us forever keep such arguments off the table, even in sermons.  Actually, put them on the table, because if they are in the background, it will poison the whole debate. If its the only real argument against it, then there is no argument worth making.

Obama's Immigration Speech | National Catholic Reporter

Obama's Immigration Speech | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I think the President's defense tone had to do with the fact that he had to demonstrate legal justification for what he was doing.  The sad thing is that this is not the opening act, it is the closer. The GOP will do nothing, which is likely a good idea, because what they would do is veto bait.  The Senate bill was sent over not to pass but because it never would. It would have been better to have a Senate bill without the punitive measures included - letting McConnell block it and getting credit with the Latino community for proposing progress rather than compromising with the Tea Party Nationalists who roam the border even now.  I am glad that the Bishops got on the right side of this, but its sad who they rolled it out in a way that had their most conservative members able to distance themselves from it and maintain their contacts with the GOP sponsored National Right to Life Committee (which is compromised morally for not issuing their own statement of support).

Curran: Papacy should admit some of its teachings are wrong | National Catholic Reporter

Curran: Papacy should admit some of its teachings are wrong | National Catholic Reporter by TF.  MGB: Fr. Curran speaking clearly on the truth - no hedging hear.  Still, I go farther - when the matter is regarding natural law, we have an obligation to listen to the Church - but reason cannot admit tradition without becoming formalism.  Indeed, if the Church had to actually use reason rather than tradition on sexual issues, its arguments would undoubtedly improve.  You always do better without the guaranteed win.

Review: Walking God's Earth, Part III | National Catholic Reporter

Review: Walking God's Earth, Part III | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I would have been interested in the scriptural picture Cloutier weaves together, whether it is applicable to the carbon crisis or not.  As lovely is as the poetry is in the Bible about God, the Earth and the people of God, the more important parts of the Bible have to do with how we deal with the poor, the widow and the orphan.  The problem of our ecology is a problem of uneven impacts - with the poor getting the short end.



Big systems changes are required to deal with this issue - but they go beyond national change or the current global system to an expanding nation consisting of all those countries that share our belief in freedom and equality, excluding all others from the polity, and possibly from our commerce - although that may make their poverty even worse so maybe not.  A larger government can fix these issues, both financially and authoritatively, where the current regimes can only be overrun by global capitalism.



As for consumerism, it is the necessary outgrowth of global capitalism.  It keeps us in a gilded cage - without it would simply be a cage and we might do something - like demand shares in our workplaces to eventually kick the capitalists to the curb.  Such a system is also necessary to afford the kind of closed system habitats that will take care of our pollution crisis having to do with growing our food.  Will that reduce our obesity problem?  Only if the habitat contains no systems for producing sweetened carbonated soft drinks.  That is what has made us fat, not the availability of food.  If we eat less well, it won't create an economy that allows the poor of the world to eat better - we must raise them up, not bring ourselves down (just don't sell them Coke).



On fuel, necessity is the mother of invention.  Until whale oil ran out, no one was looking for something else until gasoline showed itself the miracle fuel of the twentieth century.  When it becomes scarce, the oil and coal companies will stop pushing the Department of Energy to slow down Helium3 Fusion research - although the necessity may be the carbon crisis.



These, of course, are not religious issues.  Indeed, on one world government, Dante was very specific in his tome on the subject to insist the Catholic Church have not role.  None.  Zilch.  Nada.  Dante was right.  While the Church and Cloutier certainly have a place in rallying the troops and focusing on the poor - as the Holy Father already does relentlessly, as did his predecessors, the solution must be governmental and probably a bit socialistic as well.  It is a good argument, however, for those who think the free market will solve our environmental issues on its own.

Cupich on Immigration Proposals | National Catholic Reporter

Cupich on Immigration Proposals | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I suspect the Conference is trying to have it both ways - they want to do what is right but they don's want their Republican allies to know about it - it would be bad coalition politics for the right to life movement. Also, certain members could not stand to publicly associate themselves with anything Obama does, like many other old white guys.

The Atrocity in Jerusalem | National Catholic Reporter

The Atrocity in Jerusalem | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: As a member of the Catholic Left, I tell you that I and everyone else abhor the violence in Jerusalem.  We also abhor the almost certain over reaction by the IDF - hitting everyone rather than finding out who sponsored this action.  Using terror to justify the land grab which is the Wall is over the top - and Israel is hurting itself more when it does these things than it hurts the Arabs,both Israeli and Palestinian.  The Wall is false security to a demographic crisis in Israel and apartheid on the West Bank and Gaza - something that only the staunchest neo-conservative - can ignore (That would be MSW)

Pope Francis on the Poor at UN Conference on Nutrition | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis on the Poor at UN Conference on Nutrition | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I don't believe in dogma by conference speech or press release, however this is a good one - attacking both what is missing in capitalism and the contention that private charity is more important than government efforts to affirm human dignity.We have not castes here - no one is made poor so that they can learn humility.

Review: Walking God's Earth, Part II | National Catholic Reporter

Review: Walking God's Earth, Part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: First, there is no man vs. the environment.  Man is a creature of the environment - what Genesis says is simply a sentiment - not the recording of an actual grant of authority.  Unless that is the opening thesis, all Catholic or any other treatment on the environment is wrong headed and apt to lead to mischief.  As Catholics and Christians, what we are responsible for is not this great big swirling pool of hot liquid with its very thin crust and very shallow oceans called the Earth.  That part of the Earth can do splendidly with or without us.  Instead, we are responsible for providing a livable environment for ourselves and for other people.  With apologies to the animal rights activists, we long ago subdued the other animals - and if they want to remain in this Darwinian world, they must adapt or they will die.  Cloutier and Shumpeter may have their own preferences on the scale of the human use of Earth, but they are mostly overcome by reality.



As for the pace of the Spirit, she works in our hearts about our relations with each other.  We can use Cultural Theory or economics to do so, or Magisterial ethics (which seems great on the oughts but no so great on dealing with complexity - and that is what the environment is, complex.  Of course, there are places we can start where everyone agrees, like environmental racism (from brownfields in occupied Latino and African American areas to areas in China where highly toxic computer waste is just dumped.  In the end, of course, this becomes an argument about Capitalism - where the Acton Institute is almost assured to come in on the wrong side of the argument.  The key is, poor and economically powerless people get dumps in their back yards and bad air.  More prosperous people do not.  The key, then, is make everyone so prosperous that no one can be exploited.  With apologies to St. John Paul, sounds like socialism to me.

Gerson on Pope Francis | National Catholic Reporter

Gerson on Pope Francis | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This is a nice piece and I agree with most all of it.  Will this silence Francis' critics? Probably not - but I do wonder whether Francis will take the locus of thought on Natural Law out of the Curia and back to the minds and hearts of the faithful? Now that would be radical.

Restorative Justice Conference at CUA | National Catholic Reporter

Restorative Justice Conference at CUA | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: If you are in DC, this may be worth a trip to CUA.  Sadly, you can't give the wrongly imprisoned the years that they lost, but you can at least restore their professional skills and reputation by both money and public apology.  You cannot fix death once you execute.  Executions are not appropriate for punishment.  They should be handled like a form of Euthanasia, where all psychological methods have been tried and the person remains a danger to inmates and staff.  We lock people in cages to kill them slowly now - and that is hardly more humane than a needle - but such events should not be a public event. Of course, medical staff may not cooperate, so the search for a cure will likely continue.

Pope Francis: Christians with pockets? | National Catholic Reporter

Pope Francis: Christians with pockets? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW,  MGB: his is the kind of view we would expect from a Pope from the global south, where poverty is acute and people with what we call deep pockets are entrenched.  Remember, however, that this is from a homily and reflects the Gospel of the day, not some announcement of policy.  I would hope that most priests would offer the same instruction at that day's Mass.

Review: 'Walking God's Earth' | National Catholic Reporter

Review: 'Walking God's Earth' | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Silent Spring was the quintessential environmental tome, and Risk and Culture by Douglas and Wildavsky was a response showing how the environmental movement is a product of Douglas' cultural theory - which was further developed by Wildavksy, et al in the book Cultural theory.  For example, egalitarians think nature is fragile, while hierarchs do not, under bounded circumstances, while the libertarians think that all risk can be managed.  The question of obvious direct pollution and theoretical warming is probably what most people will engage in.  As for what is more planetary, the Christian issue is how we respond to the disaster, since we really have no hope of actually stopping some of these assisted cyclic changes.  For example, during this cold snap, how do we help those living in the street or those of us with no good heating system (as I shiver while I type)?  That is what Catholic enviros must focus on.

Our Pro-Life Pope | National Catholic Reporter

Our Pro-Life Pope | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Pope Francis was talking to doctors affirming the Gospel of Life and opposing methods of conception that might result in disposal embryos and blastocysts - and embryos include the entire first trimester as well.  Sadly, no one seems to want to acknowledge that there are dangerous pregnancies that need to be terminated for the life and health of the mother - because if the Fetus is doomed due to some flaw that will cause stillbirth - it is best to end the pregnancy quickly - which is euthanasia for the sake of the mother.  Abortion is very entangled with politics and the GOP likes it that way.  Legally, nothing really can be done about these issues, save baptize the current status quo in law. The pro life side would never do that because this would signal the end of the issue, which would be nice for anyone but the GOP



The real goal is to keep working on making finances even better for the kids so no one would have an incentive to abort them, not even for Downs Syndrome (which needs a lot more direct and free help  from the Church. The Democrats err by playing small on the funding and not relating it to abortion, while not trying to have their cake and eat it through with Catholic voters.  They say they are personally pro life but cannot change the law due to the rights of non-catholic voters they represent.  What they should do is call out the bishops and the pro-life movement on their lack of understanding of the legal issues involved - especially on the impossibility of overturning Roe v Wade and turning the issue back to the states (which is not a good policy. We don't need pro-life and pro-choice states - that is simply bringing beck ante bellum politics.



As for Euthanasia, I would not be so fearful.  There is a big difference from case mangers sending people home as soon as they can walk (not a good idea) to killing them.  Of course, too many go the other way with a ventilator bound person in the ICU who has not prospect of survival (even if that is because hypothermia was unable to be used).  Then there are conditions that hit the mind, from a debilitating stroke to brain cancer to lithium toxicity.  All rob the individual of who they knew themselves to be.  I become a dottering fool because of too my psych drugs - and there is no hope of restoration, I would hope that death can be administered - not for the sake of the medical system, but for me.

WWI & Catholics in the U.S. | National Catholic Reporter

WWI & Catholics in the U.S. | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This history, what preceded it and what follows and still occurs in the deep south always gives me pause when the Church tries to baptize America's founding when talking about religious freedom, when the truth is it as always sought Catholic power, sometimes over others.  Its embarrassingly debasing.

RIP: Immigration Reform | National Catholic Reporter

RIP: Immigration Reform | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Immigration Reform bill that passed the Senate was designed to embarrass the Speaker.  It did that among Democrats, the Speaker was not harmed and the Latino voters were not impressed.  It was a bad bill - way too punitive.  If you want to appeal to Latino voters, take out the punitive measures and let Mitch McConnell filibuster it.  Now, I am quite sure that both Republican chambers will pass something onerous and would force Obama to veto it, save that Harry Reid will stop a final vote from being taken. None of this has anything to do with Obama's political skills (which he does have if you look at the first term accomplishments), it is all on the Tea Party - who believes that all 11 million undocumented immigrants should simply come home (and take their anchor baby kids with them) and who would not support Obama, even if he mandated deportations (which he mostly has).

Gov. O'Malley at Cath Univ Today | National Catholic Reporter

Gov. O'Malley at Cath Univ Today | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Sorry, but this has already happened.  These announcements need to come at least a few days in advance, even though I have no intention of ever voting for a former Maryland Governor for President.  We tried that with Vice President Agnew.  Did not go well.  Still, I hope that the panel was good and had at least one Clintonite to throw hard ball questions around.  I also hope that the food was good (and pity O'Malley if there was no buffet).

Recapping the USCCB meeting | National Catholic Reporter

Recapping the USCCB meeting | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I am fairly sure that the majority of bishops want the cheat cheat.  The humility of Pope Francis is off-putting to them because, sadly, they don't understand it.  Their God is an awesome God who is worthy of both worship and obedience, not because this obedience makes life easier on earth or because we are designed t desire God, but because it is the right thing to do.  I got a B in ethics in minor seminary because I could not really get that in such a way as to internalize it.  I still can't because I don't think it is correct.  God is so awesome, he has no need for us to get his awesomeness (I know, sounds like the theology of Barney Stinson).  He is happiness itself and the love He wants from us is for our benefit, not His.  That is how you define a humble God.  Francis is humble, so I am sure he gets it (I love Ignatian Spirituality).  The bishops don't get it - especially the Raymond Burke crowd - and that is truly a shame - not for us, but for them.



As for neoconservative bishops, there are none in the strictest sense. A neoconservative is a born again socialist who now favors a muscular foreign policy - especially with regard to Israel.  MSW is a neoconservative and if he wants to see what one looks like, he should shave.

The Economy & Family Life | National Catholic Reporter

The Economy & Family Life | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The bishops comments are along the lines of the Prosperity Gospel - if you give first to the Church, God will always give first to you.  My wife's cousin believes that - of course, he is a Republican with an engineering degree and formerly a company man at GM - so of course he would feel that way.  The truth is that most families at risk start missing Mass, especially together.  That, more than not putting enough in the plate to keep the heat on at the Archbishop's Palace, is what hurts.



The article, however, is well researched and spot on.  When things are tight, not having that good job as a husband has the wife think of leaving (mine did), even if there is some kind of illness involved - or anything that hurts the prospects of getting back to work.  Even when working, supporting a family, especially a large one, is hard.  While the Child Tax Credit does put more money in our pockets, it is not enough.  It needs to be multiplied by six to twelve times and given with pay to take the pressure off (and that means more spending, more jobs, less divorce).  An underwater mortgage is another stress factor - especially in our case.  Our home went from $257,000 to less than $120,000 at bottom, but the mortgage does not adjust.  That can mess up a marriage, because you both feel trapped.  What kills it, though, is when someone has the belief that the problems will never get better.  If someone thinks that way, God has no room to work and someone is leaving.  Oddly, things get better.



I wonder what the data on the 1930s says on that (of course, it was likely the war that got taxes high enough (as well as bond borrowing) to stoke the economy - although that era had its share of problems as husbands went to war, things were rationed at home and men had plenty of women to chose from - but that is another story.

Day 3 at USCCB Mtg | National Catholic Reporter

Day 3 at USCCB Mtg | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The day actually sounds interesting - its where the real work is done - by knowing who your brothers are (sadly, there are still no sisters on the team, even though we have a surplus of Abbesses  who would make wonderful apostles, as did St. Junia (not an abbess, she was married).  It will be interesting to see who is going to the Synod this year.  If Burke is not on the list, anything is an improvement, but the anti-gay marriage chair would be unfortunate, unless he has a change of heart.  Even then, having someone in Rome argue that side from conviction is valuable - but I hope he can still see the other side, not just on civil gay marriage but sacramental gay marriage (which is coming).  What is more important than the representative is the representation of the people in the pews.  This is not an exercise for Chancery staff (save that they compile and submit the results).  This is seeing what we have to say.  I would have sacramental marriage happen next week, in a Mass in the Extraordinary Form (the priest and the couple could each do the Magna Cappa).  I suspect most others want something more gradual, at least until their daughter and her future wife simply must be married in the parish in which they were both baptized.  Ironically, that is the sad thing, that people like Cardinal Burke find it inconceivable that someone can be both devout and gay and that this is fine.

Wenski Hits Home Run | National Catholic Reporter

Wenski Hits Home Run | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: His Grace did not invent these data or the conclusions, but he has bought into their reality.  This is good.  I am sure there are now conservatives who want his career with the conference to end quickly, just as there are liberals who are probably now thinking about him for the future.  Of course, I would hope a subsequent survey asks about the acceptability of blessing or performing gay weddings in Catholic Churches.  The straight talk on the fact that hating the sin and loving the sinner is just as aggressive seems to indicate how that would go - as well has how many would rather treat the issue of gay teens - to echo the Nuncio's point.

Denier-in-Chief: Sen. Inhofe | National Catholic Reporter

Denier-in-Chief: Sen. Inhofe | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: His stupidity and cupidity come from either the kind of inflexible religious fundamentalism that simply rejects anything not found in the Gospel (which infected both the Inquisition and the entire Church just 100 years ago - whether or not in infect some parts of the current Inquisition or not is up for debate - I still have theologian friends who won't talk to me because I tell them that the first parents myth (a PC version of Adam and Eve) could not exist outside the story - but who am I to judge? - at least Francis does not seem to be in that faction).  Given the number of oil wells in Oklahoma, I suspect his motives have some economics behind them (even absent contributions, which I am sure are not absent). The impact is only important if a compromise bill on warming is even possible.  Its not - at least until we get more storms like Sandy, but in the Gulf.

More USCCB Election News | National Catholic Reporter

More USCCB Election News | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: CLINIC is a wonderful organization that uses volunteers to help legal residents make the transition to citizenship.  I am sure the GOP hates them, but won't say so publicly.  As for the members of the board of CRS, they are the ones who are concerned about crucifixions by ISIS, but more so about getting aid to the people fleeing them and living in Jordan, Turkey and the Lebanon.  Their major job is to make sure the trains run on time (they give aid to everyone, not just Catholics), which means raising lots of money. I am sure all of these gentlemen will have or inherit staff to help them with their duties.

Elections at the USCCB | National Catholic Reporter

Elections at the USCCB | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: (read the link first). The Communications vote is interesting and the Secretary's vote is vital.  I wonder how Francis will react to the margin.  We did dodge a bullet.  The cultural committee vote is predictable - although a vote the other way would say more about migrants and electing the Archbishop of my home diocese of San Antonio, which has a large multi-cultural - just say Mexican - flock.  Putting Dolan in pro-life merely continues the unholy alliance between the Church and the Republican Party - of course, the Cardinal is an interesting fence dancer.  I wonder how he would react to a Catholic politician telling the truth about the impossibility of the current pro-life agenda (even the trap laws will soon fall) and the hierarchy's seditious participation in an entirely partisan enterprise?

Day two at the USCCB meeting | National Catholic Reporter

Day two at the USCCB meeting | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: That the bishops continue to publicly use the term same sex attraction, which in their official view, is a temporarily disordered state rather than gay or homosexual, which is a permanent epigenetic condition deserving of deference and respect, is not news.  News would be the bishops inviting George and Brad Takei to Baltimore and solemnizing their marriage.  Maybe next year.  The sad thing is that the Supreme Court has made it very clear that George and Brad really do have a marriage and the Bishops cannot really cope.  As for immigration, there was never any chance that the bill at the Speaker's desk was ever going to pass. Ever.  When the real bill happens, it will be a lot less punitive - indeed, it should have been so friendly to migrants that it invited a filibuster by McConnell.  That it did not says something and it is why the Latino vote did not save the Democrat's bacon - which is of no concern at all to the Conference - especially the more conservative elements of it.  The Nuncio's talk used veiled language.  If he had equated teen suicide and the way the Church and parents treat gay teens coming out, that would have been just too direct and really would have made news - almost as much as George and Brad would have.

Cardinal Wuerl Declines to Dump on Media | National Catholic Reporter

Cardinal Wuerl Declines to Dump on Media | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: As the saying goes, all news is good news if they spell your name right.  More specifically, it is not the press whose face he saved, it is Cardinal Burke and the remaining dissident bishops.  Sounds bizarre to call Cardinal Ray a dissident, but there you go.

What is Said; What is Not Said | National Catholic Reporter

What is Said; What is Not Said | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Two things about mentioning immigration reform. First, he is speaking to the choir - all but the most partisan Republican bishop are on board. Second, sadly there is not much chance of anything passing, given the current line-up of the next Congress.  The issue is dead and was never really alive.  Getting a bill passed in the Senate cost to much.  I would rather have the right bill, something less punitive, be filibustered and die in the Senate.  If that happened, the Latino vote would have turned out last week and we would not be talking about how immigration reform is not mentioned (because it is dead).

Kurtz's Opening Address | National Catholic Reporter

Kurtz's Opening Address | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Our friend Archbishop Kurtz is where he is today because he probably thought whomever would be elected instead of him would be awful - and he is probably right. He is likely in that part of the job where he is wondering what he got into and was speaking to what his audience wanted to hear.  Giving a shout out to the dying Cardinal George is effective, but cheap.  I remember the Cardinal at two CCUSA events and it is sad to see him decline so.  I am sure colleagues and staff told him the Fortnight was a good thing.  That is a very, very cruel thing to do to a colleague.

Vigano's Opening Address | National Catholic Reporter

Vigano's Opening Address | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: It is interesting that the Nuncio did not offer any instructions on the feedback process for the Synod, but that is a workshop topic, not an opener. It is interesting that he goes first, because it would indicate to any lawyer with a sexual abuse case who is clever enough to see it that the Nuncio is in charge, so the world-wide institution is liable, not just the diocese.  There is a lot of culturally inappropriate art in Vatican City which makes the Holy Family appear northern Italian.  Sell it and settle the suits.  Of course, it is mostly the lawyers who want the big payoff.



On youth, I am surprised that the theme was not inclusion because they will eventually bear the torch of carrying the Gospel (which I am sure scares these old men, given how different they are culturally on the topics of gays marrying and women serving in their jobs). Instead, it was teen drug abuse and suicide.  Oddly, teen suicide is very much attributable to finding one is gay and wants sex and being told that this is disordered behavior. Other suicides are due to alcoholism and mental illness (often triggered by the wrong meds) - which is a health matter as much as a pastoral one - and very much related to adequate funding for mental health care - which is supposed to be at parity under the law, but hardly is if you look at resource deployment in society.  Catholic Charities should probably work harder at this, but finding the money is not easy - although the US spends more than anyone else now, so it may not be just the money.

USCCB meeting: The curtain rises | National Catholic Reporter

USCCB meeting: The curtain rises | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: If the bishops are not monolithic, that is probably a good thing - and no one expects the entire USCCB to present some statement of disloyalty, although if no one vents it will be a boring conference, by comparison. Will they discuss how to cope with the Synod feedback?  I hope so - although at some point the direction should come from the Nuncio in writing - I am not sure this is the place for a public airing of dissent or a dog and pony show indicating submission.  As for poverty, their support would be great - although some of them are probably a bit closer to Ayn Rand then Pope Francis in their heart of hearts - but I expect not in their pubic statements.  In the end, it is Father Larry Snyder's job to lobby on poverty issues, not the USCCB.  Their job is to find a way to lobby the faithful.  Might I suggest again excommunicating any Catholic business owner or shareholder who does not provide a family sensitive wage to his or her employees?  Now that would be news, especially because the Church itself would be among those needing Confession for such a sin.

Lucky Us: Another Fortnight for Freedom | National Catholic Reporter

Lucky Us: Another Fortnight for Freedom | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Unless the bishops as a group disband his committee, he has every right to do something with it.  Of course, the Freedom to Bear Witness is something we always have - but what about that freedom if an employee wants contraception and does not believe it to be immoral (it is not by the way, unless it is eugenic).  Regardless, the mandate has been settled for the most part - largely by Catholic Health and Catholic Charities simply ignoring the bishops and negotiating with the Administration.  I suspect that this Fortnight is simply a way to keep the other players in line - yet another way to go after the Sisters.  Sorry, the Sisters are right.



Same sex marriage laws are done, its a civil right in more and more states and will be nationalized soon.  The sooner we take it off the table and realize that if we treat non-canonical civil hetero marriages and non-canonical gay marriages differently as employers, even though such marriages are not recognized as sacramental - then the reason is not moral, its simple bigotry.  Actually, its nasty bigotry from a church where the clergy is largely gay and should be celebrating stable unions as an antidote to promiscuity.



On mandatory abortion funding as part of the ACA, it is time to actually do something and tell Republican members who are anti-abortion that they need to allow a corrects bill to go through so that this item might be addressed too.  Its time for the faux grass roots of the Tea Party to stop wagging the dog.  I still have no sympathy for the Church on this issue, because it lost my support and that of others for the way they lied about the ACA itself - the abortion funding problem was not in the Act but the issue was ambiguous. Abortion funding, by the way, is entirely covered in most non-governmental employer provided insurance (as is contraception).  The Church promised that existing coverage rules would stay in force.  The problem is that some of this employer provided coverage is being replaced by coverage under the exchanges, which is more governmental and more likely to be subject to that Hatch Amendments - or not.



As for the RFRA, the question is always whose?  I would say employee rights are as or more important and any employer objections must deal with those first, as is the case under the ACA.

It's Official: Cardinal Burke is Out | National Catholic Reporter

It's Official: Cardinal Burke is Out | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: This has been an open secret for a while now.  Indeed, all through the Synod, everyone knew this was coming.  I suspect Burke knew he had nothing to lose.  This shall forever answer the question of whether his transfer to Rome as a promotion or an extraction.  I suspect he does not think things can get worse.  Silly of him.  At least he was not sent back here.  Even Philly does not deserve him.  The odd thing is that the Church he wants to see would have silenced him long ago.  Still, only those who like what he has to say, that God is an Ogre, listen to him anyway.

USCCB Tweet - Really? | National Catholic Reporter

USCCB Tweet - Really? | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I originally thought you meant Francis had tweeted, but the conclusion is the same, that someone in the bowels of the communication staff was on deadline to tweet something.  Coming down from the cross is a midwestern expression about ending suffering and getting real - which I think probably applies to the USCCB than Francis on religious liberty. *I think it is a Michigander thing, but I might be mistaken).  As far as offending MSW's sensibilities on this in relation to Iraq, it was not what was meant, I am sure (no USCCB Republican is that crass) and no personnel decisions need be made on that basis.

W(h)ither Catholic Identity at CUA | National Catholic Reporter

W(h)ither Catholic Identity at CUA | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: One wonders about any relationship between this conference and the one earlier this year with the Napa Institute.  As for a concept of negative liberty, one need only examine where Aquinas and Rousseau meet - in free will from the choosing between imperfect alternatives by the will, along with the general will which requires unanimity to act except with police power meet.  You can get something close to Rand from that - but not an atheistic version.

Contra Rusty Reno et al. | National Catholic Reporter

Contra Rusty Reno et al. | National Catholic Reporter MSW.  MGB: Archbishop Lucas and Mr. Reno are entirely wrong. Not even a little bit correct. Unless I am missing something, I do not believe that civilly married heterosexuals are treated in any way differently than religiously married heterosexuals on any college campus - and for that matter any Charities organization, including CCUSA, Catholic Hospital and I suspect even Catholic parishes.  Yet the Church considers these to be non-sacramental, essentially pretend, marriages.  Of course, as an aside, sacramentality is probably more a function of the couple than the officiant.  Unless the Church wishes to go after all civil marriages, period, than what Lucas and Reno are doing, and any of their imitators or exemplars, has nothing to do with Church doctrine and has everything to do with homophobia.  Fortunately, their views are not universal in the Church, as we will find out during the listening period for the Synod on the Family.  As for someone getting married in Notre Dame, I expect it matters whether their parents are major donors.  While there would be no public spectacle, I image there would be a blessing in an out of the way chapel eventually.  Indeed, the latter is how they deal with Catholic couples married civilly who have lasted a few years (divorced and remarried couples as well).

Brittany Maynard's Suffering | National Catholic Reporter

Brittany Maynard's Suffering | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I agree with the salvic value of suffering - not for the state of the soul hereafter as much as an opportunity to surrender to some higher power, in my case, Jesus.  Still, that kind of salvation is as much for life now as it is life hereafter - which has more to do with how we bring charity to others, because doing so elevates the person helped to how we would treat Jesus. We have more lapses there than lapses of suffering. Sadly, I think much of the Church's reaction to this is a lingering belief in the sovereignty of God over death (as if He is not sovereign over everything we do).  Suicide is somehow tampering with what is God's - and no one can tell me that is not the prevailing viewpoint.  Here again we encounter God the Ogre.  Sanity requires that this conception of God be kicked out of the Catholic Church.  It means that Brittany's death not be treated as some event to be explained away, or talked about at all, to reinforce that lingering image. The reality is that her cancer was to destroy her intellectual capacity. She would feel pain (either the cancer or the anesthesia) but she would feel none of herself or God in that pain.  We need to stop wondering about the underlying, unasked question on her decision - whether she is going to Hell - with the stern answer that it and the related arguments are none of the Vatican's business - or of the local bishop either.

EJ & Meyerson on Midterms | National Catholic Reporter

EJ & Meyerson on Midterms | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: They both tried to explain how the election was such a big deal.  I disagree.  Sadly, OFA was either not employed or were not successful in getting minority voters out at midterms.  They need to be - although the story of the emerging Latino and African American voter has as much or more to do with the die off of Tea Party voters, which may take some time but is still moving on rather steadily.  I am not being rude here - as demographers will tell you that 2.5% of the population of any year born who make it tor age 50 die each year until there are none left.



Other losses can be attributed to races that winning was a shock in the first place, like North Carolina, where the right people turned out.  This is the Senate echo to the 2010 House defeats.



As for the governors races, the GOP did not win any states it does not win once in a while.  Voters are more purple that anyone wants to admit, even in Illinois, the President's home state.  Maryland can be written off as the race of the candidate and the existence of those voters who are truly of both ballot and neck.  They will die off eventually, as must this column entry.

Intra-Party GOP Fight: It's on! | National Catholic Reporter

Intra-Party GOP Fight: It's on! | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: My take on Nather's main message is that not much is changed, that everyone things there might be change and they really hope that the government is not shut down or that highway work does not remain un-funded by the usual idiocy from the Tea Party. We will see if the leadership in Majority grows a spine.  Vainglorious attempts to repeal Obamacare will go on as well blocking any action on immigration they can (which cost them nothing in the mid-terms - not gllood news for the Democrats but not good news for the GOP long-term).  The name Harry Reid was not mentioned at all, but I suspect that Harry will be the President's new best friend - which is painfully obvious but bears mention nonetheless.

Advice to Dems from Dems for Life | National Catholic Reporter

Advice to Dems from Dems for Life | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: For DFL, campaigning on abortion is an issue, because it alienates pro-life Democratic voters.  Of course, it is as much the case that the GOP uses abortion as an electoral issue as it is that candidates respond to very real events in terms of legislation - legislation that is eventually overturned under the undue burden test.  I can see their point, however you can guess by my previous comments that simply fighting for reproductive rights isn't enough - and I agree that it would alienate pro-life Democrats, yet if the Republican playbook is to really do nothing on abortion but milk the issue for funds and voters, then perhaps this should be the plan of attack - it would certainly get DFL to justify who it is in bed with. I suspect that there are some in the RTL movement who think any Democrat is on the wrong side - just look at who Susan B. Anthony fund targeted in 2010.

The Midterm Tsunami | National Catholic Reporter

The Midterm Tsunami | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Obama ran away from this election being about him, probably because internal polling - the stuff we don't see - showed that the voters he needed just would not come out this year and that no amount of volunteer support or fundraising would help.  I know that seems defeatist, but I have worked election where the decision was made to put on a good show but know that victory was out of reach.  As for what will happen next, I think it will be an abortion bill, but one to revise the Partial Birth Abortion Act - nothing about fetal pain, sex selection or downs children (unless the GOP wants to pay for supportive care for the parents too).



There probably will be a trade deal, which is payback to the AFL-CIO for not turning out.  Some studies show that trade creates whole new classes of workers - and high wage at that.  I hope this is the case, but it won't go down well for the workers of the trading partner, who likely face worse anti-union pressures than here at home.



As for a business income tax reform bill, unless they are willing to go big and do individual business taxes as well - maybe even a VAT, I don't see it - especially since lowering rates here means higher individual rates for those earners that reap the benefits through capital gains and dividends.  I hope Obama is still enough of a Democrat to not cut taxes on the wealthy.  Social Security income cap removal only makes sense on the employer side - it should go down on the employee side so benefits go down, with no cap on the employer side - with contribution crediting equality and possible consumption tax funding (to get money from profit, not just wages).  Now that would be an accomplishment.

Pro-Life Politics | National Catholic Reporter

Pro-Life Politics | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Let me add a few things after taking a look at Comosy's usual.  My original post stands just fine, including th cravenness of the pro-life movement.  On the four bills Charlile puts up, two should not be bills at all (fetal pain, self selective abortion) but should be projects to get ACOG to agree - I am actually in favor of the fetal pain change but as a practice standard, not a law - and not because the fetus feels pain at that point but because it reacts to negative stimulus in a defensive manner.  That is enough, but convince the doctors before you pass a law and then you need not worry about enforcement mechanisms.  If passed, by the way, Obama would gladly veto some or all of them - but won't have to because Reid and Durbin will never allow them to be brought to the floor, and if so, never voted on.



What will come in is what Obama promised in his second debate with John McCain - that we would take another look at Partial Birth Abortion - expanding it to all late term abortions (I am sure there will be exceptions) but probably also perfecting the law by giving it a floor, say sometime in the second trimester, where such laws regulating procedure do not apply (again, go to ACOG for a total ban - but you won't get it).  Of course, I don't believe for one minute that the pro-life establishment would ever allow something to be submitted that Obama would sign (maybe Clinton) - although mentioning her is going to start a whole new smear campaign from NRLC and certain Catholic bishops.

Francis codifies pope's ability to effectively fire bishops | National Catholic Reporter

Francis codifies pope's ability to effectively fire bishops | National Catholic Reporter by Joshua McElwee.  MGB: Looks like he is getting ready to fire some bishops.  If Burke does not shut his trap now, he is as stupid as he is wrong about who is the final authority in natural law reasoning (the answer is the self - and this is over and above the rights of conscience which work in specific cases).

Pro-Life Politics | National Catholic Reporter

Pro-Life Politics | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The politics of the pro-life movement are to get Republican elected - especially from Catholic votes.  There was never an intention of actually doing anything.  There is no broad consensus to reach because that would end the value of the issue politically.  Know why the March of Dimes funds birth defects?  Because they cured polio and that murdered their fundraising.  The reason for the personhood movement, aside from its consistency with the notion that a fetus or embryo is a person (and to win points from the Catholic hierarchy because it backs Humanae Vitae on when life begins), is because voters were starting to suspect they were being played.  Sad thing is, it worked (and it also got Democrats to realize that they were also in the same endless dance).



It is quite possible to do a compromise, although it would look very much like current law - but a bit harder on those who do elective abortions on children with Downs Syndrome and certain sexual defects.  The radical thing would be to up the ante on the Child Tax Credit - make it say $1000 per month per child, divided between federal and state taxes.  This would mostly end abortion for economic reasons and force most clinics to close, all without violating privacy rights.  It would, however, deeply offend people in the pro-life movement who believe people should be responsible for raising their own kids (and should avoid sex if they can't afford them).

More from Cardinal Burke | National Catholic Reporter

More from Cardinal Burke | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Burke is whistling past the grave yard. While he is correct that one one baptized gay marriage this week or really did anything about how divorce was handled - and that some divorced and remarried Catholics may go ahead and recieve Communion now, rather than the end of the process is declared - gays probably are not confused (and any priest blessing such a union would do so anyway).  Burke is afraid that these will be the results at the end of the process and that this will say something about the infallibility of the Magisterium (as in, it is not).  He is probably also thinking that those who are acting now probably have been doing their own reasoning for themselves anyway - and that scares him deeply - not because these people may be risking their souls but because maybe, just maybe, they are not.  And if not, where does that leave him and the rest of the hierarchy?

Next Week's USCCB Mtg, Part II | National Catholic Reporter

Next Week's USCCB Mtg, Part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: The second piece focuses on  a how the culture warrior mindset arose, focusing on Weigel's First Things piece in February of 2011 which heralded the end of the Bernardine era, which you can read at http://www.firstthings.com/article/2011/02/the-end-of-the-bernardin-era.  Quite interesting points, but with some real gaps, like the roll of Cardinal Rigali of the Curia and then Philadelphia as St. John Paul's enforcer among the American bishops.  That era ended with the death of John Paul and with the discrediting of the Cardinal without his name being mentioned in the investigation of child abuse in his See.  He found no comfort from Pope Benedict, whose real job was not writing theology but making the Dallas Accords world wide and holding bishops to account.  Still Cardinal Dolan, who followed the advice of his lawyers as Archbishop of Milwaukee to transfer property - probably because it belonged to parishes, not the bishop, made it to New York and a red hat, as well as the USCCB Chair (over a member of the Bernardin Mafia) - although now his term is up and more liberal bishops, like the Bishop of Spokane, are on the rise with the election of Pope Francis.



While Bernardin spoke about a Seemless Garment of Life, he did not focus on Birth Control as the current conservative clique has.  However, also did not do what was obvious, which was to denounce the Pro-Life movement as a sham in service to the Republican Party, having no intention to ever end legal abortion (which is almost impossible in an American Constitutional system).  Telling the truth would have meant difficult discussions with Rome, who saw abortion legalization as a series of defeats by parliamentary majorities in circumstances which did not nor could not happen here.  Also, throwing Republican bishops under the bus as frauds would have been profoundly painful, especially given the fact that many Catholics in the pews have bought into the movement's logic of abortion being a matter of personal guilt, while employers or the state could not be forced to provide a high enough wage to raise each new child, as this would end the need for personal economic responsibility by the parent(s).



Now, for MSW's analsys.  he looks at the Church like Francis does, as a field hospital for souls rather than a field of combat for issues - however issues don't arise from the thin air, they come from people with a common view point.  Many of the new leaders have Charities as their viewpoint, starting with the new conference president, Bishop Kurtz (OK, Archbishop, we knew him as a bishop while assigned to CCUSA).  Then there is the new Metropolitan of Chicago, Bishop (probably soon to be Cardinal, wouldn't that cheese Chaput), Blaise Cupich of Spokane.  I am sure there are others - and whether they are tied to Bernardin is not important.  Charity is their purpose - and not just get a pittance from the flock, huge amounts from major donors (hoping none of their kids are gay and in search of a marriage blessing) but also to help in the public sector through government contracts (more than half their budget).  This seems to be a common priority generally, but some bishops do it better than others. Then, flying over the heads of the USCCB is Cardinal Joseph O'Malley, OSF, with his trusted copilot, Bryan Hehir (who you may have noticed was mentioned in the First Things article on his war and piece work, before becoming my wife's boss at Catholic Charties USA and going to Boston to oversee Charities there (coming back after Hurricane Isabel to baptize my daughter).



MSW pronounces the agenda a snoozer.  I suspect that the bishops are bit shell shocked after the Rigali era and the recent spate of opposition to the public, where they served as foils for Valerie Jarrett (not Kattherine Sebelius') war on women.  Even losing Hobby Lobby simply extended the approach to certain closely held firms what is followed by the Church under the law - let someone else fund it but don't stop the women from getting it.  All that work for just this bit? Sad.  Most of the bishops want a good meal in the Inner Harbor, some reports no one will remember and no more coverage. Back at home, their concern with charity is that their Catholic Charities organization works (and does not embarrass them by sending a mirgant for an abortion - luckily that contract is gone), that the Bishops's appeal is successful and that the annual fundraising ball goes off without a hitch and no money.  They hope that this trend to simple living.  I suspect that they want CCUA and CHA to do the heavily lifting on poverty, which does it better anyway - even if they do sometimes go where the bishops don't want them to - indeed, CHA got Obamacare passed, probably much to the relief of anyone left from the Bernardin network.  As for end of life issues, get a panel of aged Monsignori together to talk about end of life medicine and hope none of them are too terribly honest.



The last notable Bernadin network employee is Barack Obama, who began work in Catholic Charities of Chicago under Bernardin (and these are small organizations, they would have had to have me).  Writing in 2011 was probably a hope that Obama was a one term President (oops!) - so some kind of Bernardin era is still existing - one where the President worked with the heads of CCUSA and CHA to devise a workaround (which was likely already drafted) on contraception.  I suspect the presidents of both organizations still have their White House ID Badges.



MSW suggest looking at the final message of the Synod. You can read it here,  http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2014/10/we-stand-at-door-and-knock-synods-last.html.  Turns out, this is a press release!  It even ends with -30-. (They made that mistake with Terri Schaivo). It is designed to smooth over differences and not say anything that anyone can disagree with unless they want to be disagreeable. The real work should be in distributing it to each diocese and eparchy for discussion with the laity (including not accusing parishoners of sin if they think Catholic doctrine needs to change).  Discussion by the USCCB is not necessary and will only allow those who would damn the forces of change to get air time they do not deserve.  The time for the USCCB to act is after it sends comments to Rome for consolidation - and it should be before the second part of the Synod rather than after the Synod meetings.  After the second Synod, there may be no action or there may be great debate.  I suspect it will take months, not weeks.



MSW suspects that Tobin, Chaput, Burke and others will be lightning rods for seeking unity of the anti-Bernardin, and face it, anti-Francis forces.  He hopes the Nuncio would counsel against this and I am sure that will be the case.  I suspect that the appointment in Chicago likely sent the much needed message even more strongly, as well as the removal of Burke from the Conference on Bishops and the Pentitentiary.  Burke was free to speak because he has nowhere to fall - the others should realize that they have more at stake. Sadly, it sometimes takes baser motives to stop base disloyalty.



MSW points out that the Faithful Citizenship document needs updating to include the latest from the Pope, Evangelii Gaudium, which would add more emphasis on charity - and I suspect here that should mean what I have been pushing - a larger child tax cut.  I suspect those who still resist the Seemless Garment would rather not trouble their Republican base with such honesty about the relationship between poverty and abortion and a societal responsiblity for this - not just something for the confessional.  Of course, to be really Medieval, excommunicate Catholic business owners or stockholders who pay worker families too little - of course that may require a public absolution to begin every bishop's conference.



Will the Mass on the border be discussed?  I guess it depends.  If the Latino vote comes out voting strongly Democratic, I suspect that the Conservatives will be incensed, especially Weigel.  We will see that one tonite.



In the last paragraph, MSW actually talks about the Weigel essay.  He states that Wiegel saw accomodation to the culture as Bernardin's problem.  I disagree - because if the culture is reality and speaks truth, accomodation is not what you do, you participate.  What Bernardin did, which sowed a brief period where those who were close to John Paul II ruled, was to actually include respect for the views of the conservative bishops and their flocks (including some parishes in with a liberal bishop).  Bernardin anathematized no one (except SAC - and the President responded by taking cities off the table) and it is likely that they expect Francis to do the same thing.  So far he has.  Even though they came of age with the hardball tactics of Cardinal Rigalli under St. John Paul, they think Francis is a softie. Only so far - just ask Cardinal Burke.  As for the staff, I expect that those who focused on Religious Freedom (OK, Power, lets be honest) will leave soon or sometime after the Obama Administration.  Some will go back to their provinces - either where they were before or to the bishop who brought them.  It will be clear fairly soon, maybe this year, maybe next, that culture warriors on staff will not be the armor that they themselves need.  They need staff that is able to tell them no - just like they ened to be able to hear no from the pews. It would have saved us the depopulation of Humane Vitae.

Affluence, College & Opportunity | National Catholic Reporter

Affluence, College & Opportunity | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: We had and still have in Iowa a better one - both in state rates and an Iowa tuition grant for anyone who goes to private school - eliminating the difference in cost between public and private tuition.  Does it help the rich? Probably - I guess that depends on how you define rich.  It helps middle class and even poor people - from doctors kids on the top to an engineer's kids in the middle.  I think most poor kids, if they went anywhere, went to community college because income and grades really are related for the vast majority.  When my sister bought a house in Maryland, I am sure she was thinking that College Park was a benefit.  Now that my brother-in-law and she are, shall we say, not at all poor, she may want him there, but she may want him in Georgetown or Harvard, etc.  He will probably not be a scholarship student - though may earn one - and financial aid may or may not be a concern.  It likely will be for my daughter, but who knows?  The point is not confessional, it is that these schools should be available so that plane fair need not be a college cost (my daughter likes the arts, so she may go to Charlottesville, probably not to Blacksburg if her math homework is an indication). Of course, because Virginia is big, Charlottesvile may be a plane ride in the winter.  One final point - DC Students get in state tuition everywhere, particularly locally, giving DC kids the right to a good and affordable education as if they were Marylanders.  Fred ignores that.  Shame on Fred.

Dissing the Pope | National Catholic Reporter

Dissing the Pope | National Catholic Reporter by MSW.  MGB: Cardinal Burke is an older Baby Boomer, who unlike the President, my wife and myself, thought that authority was a good thing, as was the War in Viet Nam.  He wants someone to tell him, and even more so all those pesky parishoners, how to think rather than how to think for themselves.  He is pathological and his views are no longer of any consequence accept as a reflection of those who share them - who should be treated with mercy as they become ready to find out whether their belief that God is an Ogre is really true.  (By the way, its not).  As for Pater Franesco, he has certainly had to deal with plenty of the hyper-orthodox in his See in South America.  I will leave the personnel moves regarding Burke and whether he is to be censured to the Holy Father.

Next Week's USCCB Meeting, Part I | National Catholic Reporter

Next Week's USCCB Meeting, Part I | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Staff turnover has been interesting, as well as the lack of turnover - like in the pro-life office that effectively spun opposition to Obamacare as a pro-life issue - when the original position was that the new law would reflect current law.  If that meant outcomes - say that the those who were funded for abortion before by employers and are now funded through the exchanges, then the USCCB lied about its position.  If it meant that the status quo was all federal subsidies have a Hyde Amendment on them, then they should have said so - everyone else would have called foul. Regardless - Richard Doerflinger is still there.



The advance of Gay Marriage and the continuing disputes over birth control, however, are coming to a quick end and were really never political issues at the end anyway.  Gays are clearly being treated as a separate class by denying them marriage and other rights (see Roemer) and marriage has been a right for all since Loving v. Virginia. It is unlikey that any Federal Circuit Court was ever going to support the bishops.  Additionally, Hobby Lobby ends the contraception mandate cases, which has alrways been about a small change in contraception funding by ending deductibles - the coverage itself is and has been a civil right since December 2000.  If I worked on the last two issues I would be affraid for my job, because there was no way to win the job big anyway and even winning meant that insurance companies would cover the copayment for contraception for the staff of Hobby Lobby.  No blastocysts were saved by the case at all and religiously oriented firms simply gained the right to throw a hissy fit.



The only possible use for those whose expertise was fighting a liberal figure head like Obama is to use them to fight a liberal Pope - and that will only happen if Chaput, Pell, Burke (so far from Malta) and Dolan wish to throw the entire Conference into dissent and the Conference lets them.  I don't think Dolan will go with the conservatives on this one - he is either too loyal or too smart politically to be in open rebellion to the Holy Father and the people are hungry for the discussion that is about to take place.  If Dolan sided with political allies - in the crassest meaning of the term - rather than the sheep (forget Francis) then he belongs in Malta with Burke.  As for Weigel, he needs to decide whether his loyalties are with his politics or his Pope and people.  I somehow do not think he will chose well and if so, this may be the start of his last hurrah (as the people who buy his nonsense are also dying off).  For Examiner readers, I will plug this into tomorrow's column.