Links for 03/27/15 | National Catholic Reporter

Links for 03/27/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Indiana Act is not a small thing.  It is a stupid thing and, like Prop 8, it will be valuable as a vehicle for a court case to serve as a precedent so no similar stupidity becomes law again.  I am not sure whether in principle the Civil Rights Act of 1964 covers public access for gays and lesbians.  I think very soon it might be - and that is good.  I don't see how Silk gives them comfort - he seems to see it the way I do.  Garnett is not correct in letting people call moral spite some kind of religious freedom - I won't dignify what Indiana did as civil rights legislation.  The GOP passed sour grapes and dared the world to crush them.  Time to make some more whine.



The Catholic Herald is probably correct that the infrequency of Mass attendance has nothing to do with Vatican II.  Still, much of what you can read coming from Rome certainly does.  Even the recent change in translations was an attempt to undo the prose of the Vatican II Mass in many countries, including this one - and the bishops did not have the nerve to stand up and say no.  It used to be said that people stopped going when the changed the Mass.  Well, we changed it back and there has been no surge to Church.  The list could go on, as anyone familiar with St. John Paul at the Council (he was an outspoken opponent) and as Pope.  Benedict tried to settle things and Francis is opening the windows again.  Francis has not brought them back either.  Humanae Vitae did not send them away as much as is thought - but it gets the blame a lot.



I suspect most who miss are actually taking a Sabbath seriously - not rushing yet again to get dressed up for another thing.  Of course, they may go to brunch anyway and dress for that - some nice Dockers and a knit shirt.  I have missing a lot because I was definitely missing the Sabbath to.  Indeed, people who have to work in low wage jobs to help people who can afford it have fun are likely the least likely to come to Mass (or any kind of Church).  Mass, like a big wedding, is a bit of luxury for many. Even more evening Masses won't help those who work.  Absent blue laws, I don't see it - maybe more at 2 pm?  The Spanish Masses are held then.  Wise choice - it was the slot no one wants - now everyone needs it - but Latino youth are among those who are most called to work, so it should not be taken from them.