Links for 11/30/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Its a universal truth that if Breitbart says it, its a lie. That he is underlying aspects of Faithful Citizenship shows how far some of our bishops have fallen.
On Syrians coming to Texas, which is not so likely, I suspect that DHS will settle the dispute between required consultation and civil rights and the State will lose. Indeed, their funding may be suspended. Hopefully DHS can continue to fund Catholic Charities while bypassing Texas.
In response to MSW's contention that the bishops dance next time the Holy Father visits, I have a video of my own: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOyF4hR5GoE
Monday, November 30, 2015
Puerto Rico's Debt Crisis | National Catholic Reporter
Puerto Rico's Debt Crisis | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Vulture Funds are playing chicken. Puerto Rico should call their bluff and not pay them and let that default work its way through the system. It might just get the attention of Congress. The alternative to bankruptcy is always throwing the bill away and living on cash collected - which is likely less onerous a tax increase than austerity. As for long term issues, like energy and sustainability, this is what control boards are really good at addressing (and getting the funds for). Another instance where default is a good move. If the Vultures get huffy, we can remind them that PR is part of the US and they had better not mess with the US.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
'Yet until brown clay has been rammed down my larynx....' | National Catholic Reporter
'Yet until brown clay has been rammed down my larynx....' | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Michael Sean Winters gives his Church Gratitude List. I agree with everything he said, as well as his contribution to NCR and the opportunity for all of us to comment on his work.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Links for 11/24/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/24/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: My sister's friend Dennis Coyle testifies through Steven Schneck that the Parisians flocked to Notre Dame to pray after the recent attacks like we did after 9-11. Of course, this did not stop France from seeking a military solution, which they have been very successful at, much more than anyone else.
The Vatican Insider shows that Francis is heading into the lion's den. At some point, this wrecklessness may be like throwing yourself off the Temple Heights. I fear for his safety in going to a mosque where Jihadis are active.
Twitter is cashing in on the Pope's visit to the U.S. Fun stuff.
The Vatican Insider shows that Francis is heading into the lion's den. At some point, this wrecklessness may be like throwing yourself off the Temple Heights. I fear for his safety in going to a mosque where Jihadis are active.
Twitter is cashing in on the Pope's visit to the U.S. Fun stuff.
http://ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/whom-trust
http://ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/whom-trust by MSW. MGB: As MSW indicates, we know that at the top of the who not to trust is extraction industries. Their continued politicization of the issue in the wrong direction is a sure indication that they are lying. The state exists, in part, to balance the excesses of capitalism. This is one of those times where balance is necessary.
I trust the scientific community to show that there is a correlation between industry and planetary warming. I trust them less to say with certainty what that warming will do. After all, 1000 years ago the north was warmer than it is now and nobody died of it - although quite a few did die as the Vikings raided because it was warm enough to do so. It may be that they raided because there was a problem with their own agriculture - or it could be that warming allowed population growth and they needed more land - which they found from Iceland to Greenland to what is now Newfoundland. These data lead me to believe that the jury is out on effects.
I trust Pope Francis to talk about the morals of what we must do to deal with an effects that do arise, as well as what we must do to put capitalism in check. Those are more questions. As for climate, I do trust Jorge Bregolio's assessment of the science - as a scientist, not as Pope.
I trust the scientific community to show that there is a correlation between industry and planetary warming. I trust them less to say with certainty what that warming will do. After all, 1000 years ago the north was warmer than it is now and nobody died of it - although quite a few did die as the Vikings raided because it was warm enough to do so. It may be that they raided because there was a problem with their own agriculture - or it could be that warming allowed population growth and they needed more land - which they found from Iceland to Greenland to what is now Newfoundland. These data lead me to believe that the jury is out on effects.
I trust Pope Francis to talk about the morals of what we must do to deal with an effects that do arise, as well as what we must do to put capitalism in check. Those are more questions. As for climate, I do trust Jorge Bregolio's assessment of the science - as a scientist, not as Pope.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Links for 11/23/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/23/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The old saying is that if you can't beat them, join them. Sadly, pro-life Dems still have to buy into the myths that repealing Roe or passing first trimester personhood abortion restrictions are possible or appropriate. Still, its fun watching the GOP sputter that its their movement - which in reality, it is.
There was a lot of de-Judaizing in the nineteenth century. My own family tree backs that one up. Interestingly, if he had been alive at the death of St. John Paul, he would have had a shot at Pope had his background been known, since the Glory of the Olive could have meant Jewishness, rather than a love for St. Benedict.
As for the SNL skit, there is nothing like a good power ballad.
There was a lot of de-Judaizing in the nineteenth century. My own family tree backs that one up. Interestingly, if he had been alive at the death of St. John Paul, he would have had a shot at Pope had his background been known, since the Glory of the Olive could have meant Jewishness, rather than a love for St. Benedict.
As for the SNL skit, there is nothing like a good power ballad.
Francis' Address to the German Bishops | National Catholic Reporter
Francis' Address to the German Bishops | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The current generation was lost because their parents and grand parents were lost. Looking at current conditions does not explain the causes. Consumerism is as strong, if not stronger, in the US than it is in Europe, so that is not the cause. Indeed, capitalism in Europe is everywhere tempered by social democracy that makes sure people's needs are met - and provides the charity without the Catholic on numerous occassions - see the Syrian refugee crisis if you have doubts. So, have they outgrown God, while at the same time doing his will? Under Matthew 25, that is perfectly fine, by the way.
God prescribes worship for our sake, not His. If we can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc, without going to Church, we are still going to Heaven. Still, I don't think German Catholics are staying away secure in the knowledge that living in a social democracy punches their ticket to Heaven. I suspect that the intellectual life of Europe sees God as a vestigal organ, to be cast off once we know better. I am not sure they teach this is primary school, but I am sure the message is loud and clear by university.
It is interesting to see what got Europe to that point. MSW cites the Thirty Years War, intervening wars, all the way to Hitler. Do they blame religion for Hitler? I doubt it. Do they blame themselves for Hitler (at least from when Mass attendence fell off) and the Church for not telling them to stand against him, until it was obvious that Naziism led to ruin, defeat, post-war famine and, more than that, an overwhelming sense of guilt? It is no accident that not only God ignored in school and society, so is the history of the period. I suspect that they feel, or felt, that the judgment of God upon them is great for acceeding to acts so terrible as to be left out of the history books.
What Germany, and Europe, need is forgiveness and reconciliation. Years ago there was a flap about Pius XII collaborating with the Nazis. Perhaps we should admit to the fact that, in some way, he did - or at least did not urge active resistance (which was happening anyway), nor did the bishops - although some priests did, and their heroism is the exception, not the rule. The fear of Hell must be palpable, until you get rid of God, then there is no Hell and you can die, and if in difficulties suicide with medical help, secure in the belief that nothing happens next. The way out is simple, then. Atone publicly for the War - starting with the Church and offering that to the people. Be graphic. Dredge up the horrible crimes upon Jews, Gypsies, enemies and themselves. Forgive the U.S. for atrocities committed from the air, especially is Dresden. Only then is the concept of a God pallatable. Until then, the only mercy from God is to ignore God and the possibility of punishment for crimes of an earlier generation. Sadly, a Church that could do no wrong would not see this as necessary when it could have given comfort to a generation now gone. One hopes it is not too late. Of course, under the Kingship of Christ, all things are possible.
God prescribes worship for our sake, not His. If we can feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc, without going to Church, we are still going to Heaven. Still, I don't think German Catholics are staying away secure in the knowledge that living in a social democracy punches their ticket to Heaven. I suspect that the intellectual life of Europe sees God as a vestigal organ, to be cast off once we know better. I am not sure they teach this is primary school, but I am sure the message is loud and clear by university.
It is interesting to see what got Europe to that point. MSW cites the Thirty Years War, intervening wars, all the way to Hitler. Do they blame religion for Hitler? I doubt it. Do they blame themselves for Hitler (at least from when Mass attendence fell off) and the Church for not telling them to stand against him, until it was obvious that Naziism led to ruin, defeat, post-war famine and, more than that, an overwhelming sense of guilt? It is no accident that not only God ignored in school and society, so is the history of the period. I suspect that they feel, or felt, that the judgment of God upon them is great for acceeding to acts so terrible as to be left out of the history books.
What Germany, and Europe, need is forgiveness and reconciliation. Years ago there was a flap about Pius XII collaborating with the Nazis. Perhaps we should admit to the fact that, in some way, he did - or at least did not urge active resistance (which was happening anyway), nor did the bishops - although some priests did, and their heroism is the exception, not the rule. The fear of Hell must be palpable, until you get rid of God, then there is no Hell and you can die, and if in difficulties suicide with medical help, secure in the belief that nothing happens next. The way out is simple, then. Atone publicly for the War - starting with the Church and offering that to the people. Be graphic. Dredge up the horrible crimes upon Jews, Gypsies, enemies and themselves. Forgive the U.S. for atrocities committed from the air, especially is Dresden. Only then is the concept of a God pallatable. Until then, the only mercy from God is to ignore God and the possibility of punishment for crimes of an earlier generation. Sadly, a Church that could do no wrong would not see this as necessary when it could have given comfort to a generation now gone. One hopes it is not too late. Of course, under the Kingship of Christ, all things are possible.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Links - sort of - for 11/20/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links - sort of - for 11/20/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I also try not to tweet and never look at the e-mail account that I have responses going to. The question is whether St. John Paul did the best he could to subvert the parts of Vatican II he never liked and that Benedict supported him in this, even as Pope. The answer is obvious. Is this Pope departing from the retrenchment? I have not seen the Mass translations to literal word for word forms revoked, so there is continuity. If Francis going back toward the spirit of Vatican II? Probably not - although he will give it actual council the honor due it. What is without question is that he is going foreward with the Joy of the Gospel (which Benedict had a hand in) - which is more dangerous for the reactionaries than anything said in Vatican II or attributed to the spirit of Vatican II.
Paris: The Aftermath | National Catholic Reporter
Paris: The Aftermath | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Sadly, among American voters and polticians, people tend to see what they want to see. This issue is a Rorschack test to determine how people already feel. The results are not pretty. Still, while it is good to take in people in need, it is sad that the Syrian diaspora is so thorough.
On France, the people MSW is calling neo-cons are simply just conservatives (a neocon is a former Marxist, probably Jewish, who has seen the folly of revolution and is now taking a very hard line in support of Israel - there is literally nothing relevant to the neocon ideology in this crisis unless we are talking boots on the ground in Syria and Iraq). That said, there will be and never was a Christian Europe (no matter how many Inquisitions the Church tries), nor is the idea of Christendom going to re-emerge anywhere - and certainly not France, which has mastered anti-clericalism.
As for the left, individuals are tolerant, not multicultural - everyone still has their own culture, both in terms of ethnicity, religiousity and what we call grid-group theory. This also has nothing to do with materialism, which is not a part of capitalism but a reaction to it (capitalists would rather keep all the stuff - materialism happens when they have to lower prices so everyone can buy so they can continue to make profit). France, like Europe at large, has a decent Socialist Party and social democratic movement which insists that we work to live, not live to work.
That this has again emptied the Churches means that the Church must be more humanistic in its message, something the French are not wont to do, although the current Archbishop of Paris is at least sounding the right notes on the tragedy. Just to be clear, the God of Christianity is the God of Israel and Islam - its how we look at Him that is important - mostly on an individual level. He is certainly not some bloodthirsty moralist that wants us to make things perfect by violence, either the violence of terror or the violece of the state (sorry Kim Davis and Cardinal Burke).
There is nothing we can do about the Paris tragedy. It is done and ISIS has made threats that we will respond to with hightened security - as well as heavier bombing and better intelligence. The teaching moment, however, comes from how we respond. That involves leadership. Most Americans, like most people in the world, are not above fear mongering. No one has changed their minds about refugees this past week. Indeed, surveys published again this week show that this has always been the case. It is up to leadership to act rightly, regardless of what the hayseeds back home say. Its called courage and it seems that one of the parties has a bigger deficit in this than the other, although it has been the other way - though mostly among conservatives - no neo required.
On France, the people MSW is calling neo-cons are simply just conservatives (a neocon is a former Marxist, probably Jewish, who has seen the folly of revolution and is now taking a very hard line in support of Israel - there is literally nothing relevant to the neocon ideology in this crisis unless we are talking boots on the ground in Syria and Iraq). That said, there will be and never was a Christian Europe (no matter how many Inquisitions the Church tries), nor is the idea of Christendom going to re-emerge anywhere - and certainly not France, which has mastered anti-clericalism.
As for the left, individuals are tolerant, not multicultural - everyone still has their own culture, both in terms of ethnicity, religiousity and what we call grid-group theory. This also has nothing to do with materialism, which is not a part of capitalism but a reaction to it (capitalists would rather keep all the stuff - materialism happens when they have to lower prices so everyone can buy so they can continue to make profit). France, like Europe at large, has a decent Socialist Party and social democratic movement which insists that we work to live, not live to work.
That this has again emptied the Churches means that the Church must be more humanistic in its message, something the French are not wont to do, although the current Archbishop of Paris is at least sounding the right notes on the tragedy. Just to be clear, the God of Christianity is the God of Israel and Islam - its how we look at Him that is important - mostly on an individual level. He is certainly not some bloodthirsty moralist that wants us to make things perfect by violence, either the violence of terror or the violece of the state (sorry Kim Davis and Cardinal Burke).
There is nothing we can do about the Paris tragedy. It is done and ISIS has made threats that we will respond to with hightened security - as well as heavier bombing and better intelligence. The teaching moment, however, comes from how we respond. That involves leadership. Most Americans, like most people in the world, are not above fear mongering. No one has changed their minds about refugees this past week. Indeed, surveys published again this week show that this has always been the case. It is up to leadership to act rightly, regardless of what the hayseeds back home say. Its called courage and it seems that one of the parties has a bigger deficit in this than the other, although it has been the other way - though mostly among conservatives - no neo required.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Links for 11/19/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/19/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: On Warren's speech, sadly neither logic or emotion can reach through a heart afflicted with hate, fear and xenophobia. People individually will moslty behave themselves, but they are dangerous in groups, especially on the right wing. It used to be that, while our fellow citizens famously have great disdain for the constitutional, human and economic rights of their neighbors, people in the political class usually had a decent respect for them. Of course,as Silk reports, now that we have real estate moguls and neurosurgeons sucking up all the oxygen, the lack of courage by those who should know better are afraid to speak out against the nonsense. At least the Church gets the humanitarian part right - even though it misses some of the constitutional nuance on abortion and gay marriage.:
Reflections on the USCCB Meeting, Part II | National Catholic Reporter
Reflections on the USCCB Meeting, Part II | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I will go in reverse order. The bishops do these meetings for themselves, not for us. It is actually a pity that policy is discussed at all. We would be better off if they just fellowshiped in private. Indeed, I bet there are very few Catholics, even among those who read their diocesan newspapers, who are even aware that the bishops met this week. Perhaps if policy questions were settled with synods on just that issue, we would be less democratic.
On the other hand, they do decide policy. Pity that the Pope could not adjust his schedule to be here for the meeting. I am certain the opponents of hermeneutic of reform would have kept their tongues - and I doubt Faithful Citizenship would have passed. We would get the same result if we had a national patriarch to look too, instead of Rome - to adopt the more Orthodox model. It would certainly have an impact on the careerists, as the spectre of Roman interference always looms large for them - and with our own Patriarch, it would be totally absent. It would also be easier to explain constitutional law to the Patriarch, which would change everything, starting with the translation of the Mass.
On the other hand, they do decide policy. Pity that the Pope could not adjust his schedule to be here for the meeting. I am certain the opponents of hermeneutic of reform would have kept their tongues - and I doubt Faithful Citizenship would have passed. We would get the same result if we had a national patriarch to look too, instead of Rome - to adopt the more Orthodox model. It would certainly have an impact on the careerists, as the spectre of Roman interference always looms large for them - and with our own Patriarch, it would be totally absent. It would also be easier to explain constitutional law to the Patriarch, which would change everything, starting with the translation of the Mass.
Links for 11/18/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/18/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Koch investigative machine is not so efficient. I keep writing that we have a long way to go before we are too warm and I have not yet seen my check from Mr. Koch
I am shocked Stephen King did not endorse Trump, so this gives Cruz some heft in the caucuses - at least among King's network of volunteers. Is this worse than Trump. Probably not, but it might keep the process open until we get a good look at Kasich, who is the best of that bunch.
I think we can assume that Obama has P.R.'s back. The question is whether Ryan and McConnell are willling to play ball, since many of the changes, probably including establishing a control board, require legislation. I tell you, if they do nothing than either statehood or independence need a serious look.
I think the divisions between civil and religious life in France have been improving for a long time, although never entirely to the Church's satisfaction - which is likely a good thing too. The days of religious power in France are long gone and never to return, which is true here as well. As for ISIL, when people stop leaving and start shooting back, or if we force the Saudis to quit sending money (and bomb the wells that are supporting them), it is most likely that the tribal elders will have their fill of the Jihadis and will be the ones shooting at ISIL - as they did the last time they were chased into Syria. We need to realize we cannot cause someone else's revolution, nor can we stop it (as Viet Nam proved well).
I am shocked Stephen King did not endorse Trump, so this gives Cruz some heft in the caucuses - at least among King's network of volunteers. Is this worse than Trump. Probably not, but it might keep the process open until we get a good look at Kasich, who is the best of that bunch.
I think we can assume that Obama has P.R.'s back. The question is whether Ryan and McConnell are willling to play ball, since many of the changes, probably including establishing a control board, require legislation. I tell you, if they do nothing than either statehood or independence need a serious look.
I think the divisions between civil and religious life in France have been improving for a long time, although never entirely to the Church's satisfaction - which is likely a good thing too. The days of religious power in France are long gone and never to return, which is true here as well. As for ISIL, when people stop leaving and start shooting back, or if we force the Saudis to quit sending money (and bomb the wells that are supporting them), it is most likely that the tribal elders will have their fill of the Jihadis and will be the ones shooting at ISIL - as they did the last time they were chased into Syria. We need to realize we cannot cause someone else's revolution, nor can we stop it (as Viet Nam proved well).
Reflections on the USCCB Meeting, Part I | National Catholic Reporter
Reflections on the USCCB Meeting, Part I | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The rudeness of DiNardo and cluelessness of Blair are why I believe in local election for bishops - as if that occured they would not likely be in the conference. I am also not that sanguine with Wuerl, who with Blair and DiNardo essentially blocked any meaningful change in the focus of the USCCB. I agree that McElroy was a bright spot. I hope he gets both a red hat and an elected position in the conference. The reform minded bishops will appreciate him, but may not have the heft to block DiNardo from the Presidency - but Vice President would be lovely.
As to continuity and discontinuity - much of the discontinuity in reform was reversed by both St. John Paul, who fought it at Vatican II, and Benedict, his attack dog - who even in the papacy gave us a translation of the Mass (which is what people mostly notice), that almost word for word reflected the English translation of the Mass of St. John XXIII. Of course, some changes can't be undone, much to the chagri of Bishop Blair. The Sisters have found their own path that is not as dependent on the local Ordinary (and some are very Ordinary) as the bishops would like, taking health care reform as an example and their williness to accept the accommodation on birth control offered by Obama.
This brings me to the heresy of Americanism - which is a feature, not a heresy. It is not a bad thing when doctrine must be bound within our constitutional system. Our legislature will not simply bend its will to Catholic voters, prompted by Catholic prelates on many of the issues of the day - primarily because they are issues of individual rights - like gay marriage, contraception, gay sex and, yes, abortion. Only England and English common law nations put rights over the power of the legislature and the institutions (like the Church) who would dictate otherwise. Its a feature, not a flaw, and until the Vatican and the USCCB come to grips with this, they will be spitting in the wind with such documents as Faithful Citizenship.
St. Pius was also wrong about his Condemnation of Modernism - especially as it pertains to biblical and theological scholarship. At least most of the Church, aside from the CDF and some in the USCCB, have granted that the Modernists have won and its a good thing. Anti-modernism is essentially the stance that doctrine must be protected from the truth as it developed. Francis seems to understand these dynamics, so it is no shock that some of our bishops are confused, although he does not understand American law and I suspect President Obama did not have the time to explain it to him. Mores the pity.
Note that the holding of Modernism or Americanism does not block one from being a faithful Catholic. Indeed, accepting reality is no block to a belief in the Resurrection and all of those doctrines that really matter. We are for the Church, not against it, even when it errs like the bishops did this week. Those of us who are to the left will vote like we always do, without regard to the latest disasterous document.
As to continuity and discontinuity - much of the discontinuity in reform was reversed by both St. John Paul, who fought it at Vatican II, and Benedict, his attack dog - who even in the papacy gave us a translation of the Mass (which is what people mostly notice), that almost word for word reflected the English translation of the Mass of St. John XXIII. Of course, some changes can't be undone, much to the chagri of Bishop Blair. The Sisters have found their own path that is not as dependent on the local Ordinary (and some are very Ordinary) as the bishops would like, taking health care reform as an example and their williness to accept the accommodation on birth control offered by Obama.
This brings me to the heresy of Americanism - which is a feature, not a heresy. It is not a bad thing when doctrine must be bound within our constitutional system. Our legislature will not simply bend its will to Catholic voters, prompted by Catholic prelates on many of the issues of the day - primarily because they are issues of individual rights - like gay marriage, contraception, gay sex and, yes, abortion. Only England and English common law nations put rights over the power of the legislature and the institutions (like the Church) who would dictate otherwise. Its a feature, not a flaw, and until the Vatican and the USCCB come to grips with this, they will be spitting in the wind with such documents as Faithful Citizenship.
St. Pius was also wrong about his Condemnation of Modernism - especially as it pertains to biblical and theological scholarship. At least most of the Church, aside from the CDF and some in the USCCB, have granted that the Modernists have won and its a good thing. Anti-modernism is essentially the stance that doctrine must be protected from the truth as it developed. Francis seems to understand these dynamics, so it is no shock that some of our bishops are confused, although he does not understand American law and I suspect President Obama did not have the time to explain it to him. Mores the pity.
Note that the holding of Modernism or Americanism does not block one from being a faithful Catholic. Indeed, accepting reality is no block to a belief in the Resurrection and all of those doctrines that really matter. We are for the Church, not against it, even when it errs like the bishops did this week. Those of us who are to the left will vote like we always do, without regard to the latest disasterous document.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Faithful Citizenship Debate Continues | National Catholic Reporter
Faithful Citizenship Debate Continues | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: There is nothing like public controversy to put people on the record for how they think and who they stand with. The take-away line is that the Pope is aware of the opposition in the US to his approach. Perhaps that should be enough to withdraw the document - although I think the damage has been done to a few careerists who very much deserve to be outed. With this crowd, I don't expect an exhortation on the joys of Modernism - I suspect the Church will always be a little behind on that front - but it need not stay in place. Still, focusing on both Religious Power (not freedom) and the settled law on gay marriage is enough to reject this quadrenniel guilt tripping of progressives from the altar. Where gay marriage should be a worry is from those who would ask that their marriages be blessed or at least recognized - much in the way that Francis greeted and acknowledged one of his gay friends and his husband when he visited the U.S. Can't wait to hear the vote. Too bad its a secret ballot.
Debate on Faithful Citizenship, Part 1 | National Catholic Reporter
Debate on Faithful Citizenship, Part 1 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Props to Bishop McElroy for telling the truth everyone knew anyway. Lets see if it allows people the freedom to vote no, no matter what DiNardo and Wuerl say about the limited objectives of continued cooperation with the G.O.P., even to the extent that they conflict with what the Pope has been saying. Of course, it is no tragedy. Catholic voters vote in the same partisan share as anyother voters - and those who vote Democrat will simply ignore this document. Of course, if it only pleases those who agree with it, its not authoritative teaching, it is at best propoganda and at worst, waste paper and wasted breath by those pastors who bother to teach on it a year from now.
USCCB Election Results I | National Catholic Reporter
USCCB Election Results I | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: If the election of Fr. Bransfield send the staff who believe that serving Christ is best served by serving the Republican Party, then that may not be a bad thing. Of course, if it chases out the moderates, that would be a bad thing. Upper level jobs are not that easy to come by, so I doubt there will be a rush to the exits by anyone.
USCCB Strategic Priorities | National Catholic Reporter
USCCB Strategic Priorities | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Just a question: Did Jesus have strategic priorities? Would they be any of these?
Day 2 at the USCCB: Strategic Priorities | National Catholic Reporter
Day 2 at the USCCB: Strategic Priorities | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: It is sad that the poor get lip service and not real policy recommendations - but it is sad because the staff who drafted this round of Faithful Citizenship know that if they mention specifics, those specifics will favor Democratic candidates. The powers that be can't have that - it would be bad for their Republican party connections in the anti-equality and anti-abortion movements.
Evangelization as they describe it centers with them, not Jesus and certainly not with evangelization with the poor (the least of His brothers). What they are after is Religious Power, not religious liberty, and no one will be clamoring to join this movement except other bishops and priests who want to be bishops. Of course, as MSW says, they don't seem to realize that the Pope who will promote them, or even retain them, as changed the rules.
The election of General Secretary will demonstrate whether a vote of confidence will occur in how the staff is handling issues - or if someone who is possibly more extreme will get the job. An interesting day that has already played out as I post this.
Evangelization as they describe it centers with them, not Jesus and certainly not with evangelization with the poor (the least of His brothers). What they are after is Religious Power, not religious liberty, and no one will be clamoring to join this movement except other bishops and priests who want to be bishops. Of course, as MSW says, they don't seem to realize that the Pope who will promote them, or even retain them, as changed the rules.
The election of General Secretary will demonstrate whether a vote of confidence will occur in how the staff is handling issues - or if someone who is possibly more extreme will get the job. An interesting day that has already played out as I post this.
Monday, November 16, 2015
USCCB: National Advisory Council Report | National Catholic Reporter
USCCB: National Advisory Council Report | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The question of who appoints the NAC is actually pretty important. Is it staff driven or does it reflect the biases of the appointing President - which would have been Cardinal Dolan and would explain much. To even bother to put porn on the agenda is silly - as its main flaw is the extent to which the actors are exploited, say with drugs or violence, rather than happily going to work. As far as the users, its only harmful if it keeps one from getting into the dating pool and finding their own lover, rather than watching someone else's. I am going to stop, as I am not sure the NAC is a big enough matter to even mention.
USCCB: The Nuncio's Swan Song | National Catholic Reporter
USCCB: The Nuncio's Swan Song | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I hope Francis surprises everyone and rejects the Nuncio's resignation. After all, he gave us Cupich and other notable episcopal appointments, renewals and transfers. As for decline in Catholic numbers, everyone can always call themselves Catholic once baptized, even if they leave. I suspect the drop in Mass attendance has to do with people sleeping in on Sunday - i.e. using the Sabbath as an actual day of rest. As for consumerism, our goods have been getting cheap of late - because we abuse immigrant and off-shore labor. Consumerism, at root, is what happens when there are too many goods produced for too little in wages and the market corrects itself by lowering prices. That is not a bad thing unless you yearn for class warfare. As for Catholic academie, it has always been freer than the hierarchy wants - may it always be so.
USCCB: 'Faithful Citizenship' Trainwreck | National Catholic Reporter
USCCB: 'Faithful Citizenship' Trainwreck | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Roe v. Wade won't be on any ballots either, but I am sure it is mentioned in the document. Sadly, this just demostrates that either bishops or staff are coordinating with the Republican National Committee on message - a message which only gets out the base vote rather than bringing in new voters. The lack of balance in this draft (which was a pipe dream anyway, actually is better for Democrats, who can more easiliy ignore it. I plan to. I never pay attention to error. For instance, Masturbation. Its perfectly healthy. Denouncing it is also the bedrock of Catholic extremism on sexuality. I agree with MSW, that this document is at odds with Francis' teachings in his U.S. trip and that it should be rejected out of hand. Maybe more liberal bishops on the committee let the drafters go all out so as to more easily get rid of this quadrenniel non-event.
Friday, November 13, 2015
The Language
The Language by MSW. MGB: Sadly, Falwell's anti-communism merged nicely with the Tea Party's libertarianism, leading to a shameful moment in the 2012 debates when a crowd, which probably included fundamentalists, cheered the concept of letting someone without insurance simply die. The idea that wealth is a sign of divine favor, found so often in fundamentalism, is very much at odds with actual Christianity and is more like Brahmanism.
Abortion politics was always more like the March of Dimes on birth defects than a real effort to preserve life. The embryo (first trimester) as baby must include the implication that miscarried embryos were also babies - which is fine until you start working out the details - since equal protection means both types of embryos are legally the same - including for the purposes of police power and tort relief. Any political solution to abortion would look a lot like the current status quo - but that would be really awful for Falwell's successors who make big money stoking the fires on this issue. Lots of heat, little light.
The Christian nation thing only works in the hustings and among the New England and Southern congregationalists. While George Washington could bring in Christian imagery, the real guiding force of the revolution was Freemasonry - which the Protestants like the the Catholics will never speak of.
As for Israel, it is not anti-semetic in the slightest to protest what is happening to the Palestinians and it is not pro-Israel to blanch at the fact that the fundamentalist interest in Israel is for cosmic purposes (the conversion of the Jews - a view shared by old time Catholics as well). This unqualified support of Israel has a name, its called Neoconservatism.
Abortion politics was always more like the March of Dimes on birth defects than a real effort to preserve life. The embryo (first trimester) as baby must include the implication that miscarried embryos were also babies - which is fine until you start working out the details - since equal protection means both types of embryos are legally the same - including for the purposes of police power and tort relief. Any political solution to abortion would look a lot like the current status quo - but that would be really awful for Falwell's successors who make big money stoking the fires on this issue. Lots of heat, little light.
The Christian nation thing only works in the hustings and among the New England and Southern congregationalists. While George Washington could bring in Christian imagery, the real guiding force of the revolution was Freemasonry - which the Protestants like the the Catholics will never speak of.
As for Israel, it is not anti-semetic in the slightest to protest what is happening to the Palestinians and it is not pro-Israel to blanch at the fact that the fundamentalist interest in Israel is for cosmic purposes (the conversion of the Jews - a view shared by old time Catholics as well). This unqualified support of Israel has a name, its called Neoconservatism.
Links for 11/12/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/12/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Good for Governor Edgar. If immigration reform is to succeed, it will be because businesses demand it. Of course, it would be a small matter to give every student without documents an education Visa, with a fast track to H-1B and then residency and finally citizenship. Or we could just allow anyone who can prove five years of residence, regardless of status, to petition for citizenship (I am sure they can pass the test).
One of the most corrosive memes in the right wing is to decry political correctness as some form of milqutoast desire to always say the right thing and offend no one. It is not. It is simply referring to people how they say they want to be identified, particularly when the old form was deliberaly offensive (see the name of the Washington football team). I can imagine costumes can be equally offensive. As an aside, I came up with a way to refer to Africans without using the word Black, which has lost favor. Some youth get caught referring to all blacks as African-American, which is ignorant. The term of art should be Continental Africans. It avoids the equally offensive term Native, which smacks of colonialism, and equates their culture with, say Continental Europeans. BTW, Native Americans could very well be referred to as Tribal Nationals.
We were never allowed to bring gizmos, homework or newpapers to the dinner table. Breakfast was another matter - the one who got the paper first could work the crossword. I follow the same practice with my daughter, although in both cases the news might have been on in our line of sight at dinner, but not always. Of course, now my wife and daughter are with my in-laws and I am sure the same rules apply - and now that Cate is almost a teenager she might actually have something to say at dinner.
One of the most corrosive memes in the right wing is to decry political correctness as some form of milqutoast desire to always say the right thing and offend no one. It is not. It is simply referring to people how they say they want to be identified, particularly when the old form was deliberaly offensive (see the name of the Washington football team). I can imagine costumes can be equally offensive. As an aside, I came up with a way to refer to Africans without using the word Black, which has lost favor. Some youth get caught referring to all blacks as African-American, which is ignorant. The term of art should be Continental Africans. It avoids the equally offensive term Native, which smacks of colonialism, and equates their culture with, say Continental Europeans. BTW, Native Americans could very well be referred to as Tribal Nationals.
We were never allowed to bring gizmos, homework or newpapers to the dinner table. Breakfast was another matter - the one who got the paper first could work the crossword. I follow the same practice with my daughter, although in both cases the news might have been on in our line of sight at dinner, but not always. Of course, now my wife and daughter are with my in-laws and I am sure the same rules apply - and now that Cate is almost a teenager she might actually have something to say at dinner.
Synodality & the Spirit | National Catholic Reporter
Synodality & the Spirit | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I suspect that most of the Curia and many bishops don't like to think of subsidiarity (not to mention solidarity and personality) as things they have to consider when governing the Church - which is also a dead give away to how they feel about the faithful. Of course, those who object to democracy in the Church are not far from the same kind of feelings. There are others who get it, like Archbishop Cupich - who even though he was transferred in could likely have been at least re-elected - should we return to ancient norms. It is wonderful how he reminds us that the Spirit (including of prophesy) speaks through the entire Church, not just the clergy or even the theologians. Is this a Hegelian process? Only if the people use a Hegelian dialectic. Still, Hegel was correct in his observations on the evolution of God (or more likely of the idea of God - which is plain to anyone who compares the Tenach and the Gospels).
The Pope's comments on objective norms turn curial reasoning on its head. It is assumed that a logical and traditional moral argument is, in fact, natural law. If by objective, Francis means one based on evidence, not just reason, then this is huge news - and in which case Francis would be correct. This would also sew the seeds for junking Humanae Vitae (at least in part) and the crass statement that gays are disordered (which would depend on who is discerning the natural order).
I had not heard any of our Orthodox brothers express profound pain. I think the correct emotion is pity. Does their version depend on more connection to the Spirit? Probably, since the Spirit is Love and is concerned with people who they are, not how we think they should be based on our own closed loop morality. Of course, reality likely means accepting that divorce may be a good thing in some cases, so remarriage would not be an occassion for penance. I am not sure how Burke's letter is appropriate, since we are talking about sex and relationship here, not Voice of the Faithful finding Cardinal Law and bringing him to le Guillutine. It would apply, of course, to clergy who wish to cut off hope for the long suffering in families (and I would still include gay families).
I would conclude by saying that our young theologians should look at comments like mine, which come with study but without formal training in theology. Sadly, I doubt our young heros will cast that wide a net.
The Pope's comments on objective norms turn curial reasoning on its head. It is assumed that a logical and traditional moral argument is, in fact, natural law. If by objective, Francis means one based on evidence, not just reason, then this is huge news - and in which case Francis would be correct. This would also sew the seeds for junking Humanae Vitae (at least in part) and the crass statement that gays are disordered (which would depend on who is discerning the natural order).
I had not heard any of our Orthodox brothers express profound pain. I think the correct emotion is pity. Does their version depend on more connection to the Spirit? Probably, since the Spirit is Love and is concerned with people who they are, not how we think they should be based on our own closed loop morality. Of course, reality likely means accepting that divorce may be a good thing in some cases, so remarriage would not be an occassion for penance. I am not sure how Burke's letter is appropriate, since we are talking about sex and relationship here, not Voice of the Faithful finding Cardinal Law and bringing him to le Guillutine. It would apply, of course, to clergy who wish to cut off hope for the long suffering in families (and I would still include gay families).
I would conclude by saying that our young theologians should look at comments like mine, which come with study but without formal training in theology. Sadly, I doubt our young heros will cast that wide a net.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Links for 11/11/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/11/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Peggy is a class act, although somewhat smug. Sad she wasted her talents on the Reagan era, which created many of the messes we are still cleaning up after. As for Berkowitz's screed, denouncing democracy using Plato's Republic gets no points from me, considering how he modeled his philosopher kings after Sparta. Robert Heinlein did thought experiment about giving only veterans the vote. It was not well received, even though it was logical.
Politico found Trump was OK on Ike - meeting both facts and Truthiness (as Stephen Colbert would say). Still, Ike's foreign policy could never be run today and probably should not have been run then. Dulles would be considered a war criminal now.
As I said yesterday, I like that Pope is officially endorsing Christian Humanism. We in the Illuminati may make him an honorary member (the Illuminati was no fan of Pelagianism or clericalism). Silk also makes the talk interesting. It is amazing that denial of original sin leads to rigidity - as if acceptance of the concept does not sometimes do the same thing, especially the anti-sexual overtones of it. The challenge is to develop a healthy and modern sexuality that still holds fast to the point that fornication is a sin against the self. Maybe that quote from Paul should be the starting point - that it is not God that is harmed by such sin but the self in all its complexity (also that some things, like a gay marriage, harms no one).
Politico found Trump was OK on Ike - meeting both facts and Truthiness (as Stephen Colbert would say). Still, Ike's foreign policy could never be run today and probably should not have been run then. Dulles would be considered a war criminal now.
As I said yesterday, I like that Pope is officially endorsing Christian Humanism. We in the Illuminati may make him an honorary member (the Illuminati was no fan of Pelagianism or clericalism). Silk also makes the talk interesting. It is amazing that denial of original sin leads to rigidity - as if acceptance of the concept does not sometimes do the same thing, especially the anti-sexual overtones of it. The challenge is to develop a healthy and modern sexuality that still holds fast to the point that fornication is a sin against the self. Maybe that quote from Paul should be the starting point - that it is not God that is harmed by such sin but the self in all its complexity (also that some things, like a gay marriage, harms no one).
Last Night's GOP Debate on Fox Business Channel | National Catholic Reporter
Last Night's GOP Debate on Fox Business Channel | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I don't expect Cruz and Rubio to do anything on immigration, as they have a right-wing base, Cuban and non-Cuban. What I would like to see is their justification for continuing matter of right Cuban residency while everyone else has to wait in line. Now that we have normalized relations, the special residency on arrival no longer makes sense. As for Kasich and Bush and their second class citizenship, lets remember that American Samoans are American Nationals who cannot vote for President, even if they come to the mainland, until they are naturalized.
On taxes, Paul is wrong and Rubio is right, however the topic is not childcare but the Child Tax Credit, which is a subsidy that is refundable over three kids. My preference would be to expand it even more than Rubio wants and distribute it through employers with payroll, rather than through tax refunds.
ISIL is just al Queda in Iraq with a new flag, made possible not by any Obama screw-up but because a Google Billionaire from Egypt thought he could do a velvet revolution via Facebook. The unrest spread and showed that jihadis are better funded and organized. Funny how no Republican mentions the role of the Saudi kingdom in this. We need a regional solution. Where is Wes Clark when we need him?
Ron Paul has the standard libertarian tax plan, but he knows it. Ben Carson cribbed his from Dick Armey and the Tea Party. One wonders whether he will also include repealing withholding so paying taxes is more painful.
As for the horse race, its still too early and because Kasich is probably the sane one, I don't see him going anywhere. This is all about pleasing billionaire funders, so Trump stays in with his own billions and everyone else has to look passable, until we start caucusing and voting.
On taxes, Paul is wrong and Rubio is right, however the topic is not childcare but the Child Tax Credit, which is a subsidy that is refundable over three kids. My preference would be to expand it even more than Rubio wants and distribute it through employers with payroll, rather than through tax refunds.
ISIL is just al Queda in Iraq with a new flag, made possible not by any Obama screw-up but because a Google Billionaire from Egypt thought he could do a velvet revolution via Facebook. The unrest spread and showed that jihadis are better funded and organized. Funny how no Republican mentions the role of the Saudi kingdom in this. We need a regional solution. Where is Wes Clark when we need him?
Ron Paul has the standard libertarian tax plan, but he knows it. Ben Carson cribbed his from Dick Armey and the Tea Party. One wonders whether he will also include repealing withholding so paying taxes is more painful.
As for the horse race, its still too early and because Kasich is probably the sane one, I don't see him going anywhere. This is all about pleasing billionaire funders, so Trump stays in with his own billions and everyone else has to look passable, until we start caucusing and voting.
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Links for 11/10/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/10/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Brava Sr. Alicia on winning Chopped!
It looks like Politico simply printed the FoxBusiness talking points. I won't be watching. Nothing about Louisiana politics surprises me.
It looks like Politico simply printed the FoxBusiness talking points. I won't be watching. Nothing about Louisiana politics surprises me.
In Florence, Francis Re-Boots Evangelii Gaudium | National Catholic Reporter
In Florence, Francis Re-Boots Evangelii Gaudium | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I would have used the term reactionary rather than conservative - but he nailed the idea. He may as well have cited the Spirit of Prophesy, which includes dissent from establishment rules that don't work. What is as radical is this meeting, which in the US would have to be huge or done in regions, with not just theologians but also the laity participating. Imagine that.
Francis and I are on the same page on Christ, emptiness an humanism, because a God that sought emptiness on the cross is one who experienced our lives (rather than paying some imagied bounty), so that what we judge as moral must be for us, not for some desire for some personal spiritual idolatry (Pelagianism and Gnosticism apply here - as our knowledge of natural law must be from experience, not reason, including the experience of Christ on the cross). That cannot but lead to a pastoral response to the people by both bishops and clergy. Let us see if this meeting can evoke that - America needs an example to follow. I doubt that just the talk can move the American bishops - we have to rely on what he said at St. Matthews - they aren't ready for much more.
Francis and I are on the same page on Christ, emptiness an humanism, because a God that sought emptiness on the cross is one who experienced our lives (rather than paying some imagied bounty), so that what we judge as moral must be for us, not for some desire for some personal spiritual idolatry (Pelagianism and Gnosticism apply here - as our knowledge of natural law must be from experience, not reason, including the experience of Christ on the cross). That cannot but lead to a pastoral response to the people by both bishops and clergy. Let us see if this meeting can evoke that - America needs an example to follow. I doubt that just the talk can move the American bishops - we have to rely on what he said at St. Matthews - they aren't ready for much more.
Monday, November 9, 2015
Links for 11/09/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/09/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Gaddy almost nails it. The only thing better would be to call out some reactionaries for their desire, not for religious liberty, but religious power. I'll debate that one anywhere, anytime.
Its not enough to obstruct the Pacific trade deal, the entire regimine of NAFTA era trade must be brought down. We don't need international governmental bodies responsible to corproations and not voters.
Where other popes have desired to keep scandals quiet, this Pope has moved full speed ahead to let the sunshine disinfect the Church. He's not letting one off or trading silence for adoption of his other reforms. He is going for both.
Its not enough to obstruct the Pacific trade deal, the entire regimine of NAFTA era trade must be brought down. We don't need international governmental bodies responsible to corproations and not voters.
Where other popes have desired to keep scandals quiet, this Pope has moved full speed ahead to let the sunshine disinfect the Church. He's not letting one off or trading silence for adoption of his other reforms. He is going for both.
The 2015 USCCB Plenary: A Preview | National Catholic Reporter
The 2015 USCCB Plenary: A Preview | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Neo-conservatism is a term of art having to do with your stance on Israel. MSW is neo-con (a liberal who believes in a strong middle eastern foreign policy coddling Israel). The term of art for these bishops is Reactionary. I have a strong suspicion that some of the reactionary stridency coming out of the conference is sourced by the staff. The fact that there has not been significant staff turnover is troubling indeed.
The fact that poverty did not make the list of current priorities is troubling, unless they are lumping that into human dignity and considering poverty a life issue. Somehow, I think not - I suspect they will be talking about defunding Planned Parenthood - at least in closed sessions. No wonder vocations are off (aside from the visible homophobia). Religious freedom is crypto-fascist for religious power - which they should get honest about (and will in the closed sessions) and sadly, family life is probably about continuing to damn divorced and remarried Catholics and fighting gay marriage - and the inevitable demand that priests bless them.
Faithful Citizenship has always been a tacit agreement to recognize the seemless garment of life - which the reactionaries immediately went back on as anti-abortion screed. The sad fact is that there is no one running this year who could shout down the bishops on abortion politics - how its not a legislative question unless you are talking about agreeing on when life begins and being willing to compromise at 13 weeks, with exceptions for the mother's life or a child who is doomed to die before birth - as well as the impossibility of overturning Roe. If you want to find out who is lying on this issue, see what they say about Roe. The environment, of course, won't make it into the document except tangentially, since the purpose is to deliver Catholic votes to the GOP. The USCCB staff knows this and not recognizing this is to where blinders. Same sex marriage, they will talk about - even though it is entirely out of the political process and therefore a non-issue (save for Catholic families demanding gay weddings for their kids).
On the committee appointments, for marriage and family life, anyone but Chaput. If he is elected then some retirements are in order. I am agnostic about the coin flips, but Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations seems a clear choice - again - no one from Denver - if Tobin is not elected there should also be some early retirements. On the General Secretary, I agree that anything that has conservative staff leave, rather than the moderates, would be a good thing. We need that kind of Francis effect.
While I like this Pope, I would argue that the mother of all Churches was the upper room and the house at Caphernum. All of Christianity is not Latin. We need to remember that the Latin Church is but a slice of Catholicism and the American Church is a smaller slice. Indeed, the best thing the American Church (meaning the people) could insist on is the abily to get rid of reactionary bishops where appropriate. Then you will see reform.
The fact that poverty did not make the list of current priorities is troubling, unless they are lumping that into human dignity and considering poverty a life issue. Somehow, I think not - I suspect they will be talking about defunding Planned Parenthood - at least in closed sessions. No wonder vocations are off (aside from the visible homophobia). Religious freedom is crypto-fascist for religious power - which they should get honest about (and will in the closed sessions) and sadly, family life is probably about continuing to damn divorced and remarried Catholics and fighting gay marriage - and the inevitable demand that priests bless them.
Faithful Citizenship has always been a tacit agreement to recognize the seemless garment of life - which the reactionaries immediately went back on as anti-abortion screed. The sad fact is that there is no one running this year who could shout down the bishops on abortion politics - how its not a legislative question unless you are talking about agreeing on when life begins and being willing to compromise at 13 weeks, with exceptions for the mother's life or a child who is doomed to die before birth - as well as the impossibility of overturning Roe. If you want to find out who is lying on this issue, see what they say about Roe. The environment, of course, won't make it into the document except tangentially, since the purpose is to deliver Catholic votes to the GOP. The USCCB staff knows this and not recognizing this is to where blinders. Same sex marriage, they will talk about - even though it is entirely out of the political process and therefore a non-issue (save for Catholic families demanding gay weddings for their kids).
On the committee appointments, for marriage and family life, anyone but Chaput. If he is elected then some retirements are in order. I am agnostic about the coin flips, but Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations seems a clear choice - again - no one from Denver - if Tobin is not elected there should also be some early retirements. On the General Secretary, I agree that anything that has conservative staff leave, rather than the moderates, would be a good thing. We need that kind of Francis effect.
While I like this Pope, I would argue that the mother of all Churches was the upper room and the house at Caphernum. All of Christianity is not Latin. We need to remember that the Latin Church is but a slice of Catholicism and the American Church is a smaller slice. Indeed, the best thing the American Church (meaning the people) could insist on is the abily to get rid of reactionary bishops where appropriate. Then you will see reform.
Friday, November 6, 2015
Review: 'The Francis Effect' | National Catholic Reporter
Review: 'The Francis Effect' | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: That the left has fewer resources is natural because the status quo is essentailly the established Church, which is playing defense. Emphasizing the interplay between the two is where history happens and it effects the world at large because the Church, even in the United States, is part of the establishment. That St. John Paul II was a defender of the establishment, indeed the pre-Vatican II establishment, is apparent from anyone who knows his history or goes to Mass under the new translation. The role of the reactionary press, like Weigel and Neuhaus, is simply a detail - easy to ignore if you skip their writings - something many on the left find easy to do. Still, St.John Paul priests were also defenders of the status quo, especially about sex (the Church seems obsessed with a sexual revolution no one talks about - mostly because the progessive side one and there is no going back) and proffer the usual counter-revolutionary position - that change will confuse the faithful.
The reality is that the Church's desire to live in the past, while the reality on the ground is something different, is the real problem the Church must face. Francis is unwilling to leave the Church there. While some tenderness with the faithful is necessary, counter-revolutionaries need to be called out since they know what they are doing, especially the bishops, who need to finally put on their big boy pants and quit living in the past. That we now have a Pope that is dealing with reality will force them to equate loyalty with change rather than with defending the status quo. A key point of this book is that he names names about the Conference. Let us hope they are up to it. It would be embarrassing to the Church in America (and themselves) if they are not.
The reality is that the Church's desire to live in the past, while the reality on the ground is something different, is the real problem the Church must face. Francis is unwilling to leave the Church there. While some tenderness with the faithful is necessary, counter-revolutionaries need to be called out since they know what they are doing, especially the bishops, who need to finally put on their big boy pants and quit living in the past. That we now have a Pope that is dealing with reality will force them to equate loyalty with change rather than with defending the status quo. A key point of this book is that he names names about the Conference. Let us hope they are up to it. It would be embarrassing to the Church in America (and themselves) if they are not.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Links for 11/05/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/05/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The Other America that Michael Harrington cast light upon has always been about income (and property). For more information, see Democratic Socialists of America (not all of whom are secular).
Currently the Millenial servers are down. I hope some rapid right to lifers have not launched a denial of service attack. Still, I love the fact that Francis picked up the banner drawn by Cardinal Bernardin, although my opinion is that focusing much on the criminal side is a fools errand, with all the action being on the economic side (and if throwing money at families does not work, throw more at them).
Sunshine laws are fine when business is dealing with government, but there will never be internal sunshine by hedge funds. The best way to get the Puerto Rican situation into the sunshine is to allow the Commonwealth access to the Bankruptcy Courts, where all motions become part of the public record.
On Rubio, most people consider campaign funding to be an amoral affair, as long as they perform. They are wrong of course, but for a right wing fundraiser to have a business exploiting the poor and hiding the money is no shock.
Regarding Fr. Cahill, it is about time some good Labor priests came forward. Attacking right to work laws is always a good idea.
This was another applicable homily for the Mass of the day, which is something that every priest should be hitting on. Morality's purpose is often to set the group apart from the world or the ambient culture. Humanae Vitae was a lame attempt to do so, as well as various other things, among them fighting gay marriage. Inclusion allows none of that - it requires a morality that is a gift to man, that is for man rather than man being for it. It is essentially humanistic. I should check our Roman Illuminati meeting and see if the Pope is attending.
Currently the Millenial servers are down. I hope some rapid right to lifers have not launched a denial of service attack. Still, I love the fact that Francis picked up the banner drawn by Cardinal Bernardin, although my opinion is that focusing much on the criminal side is a fools errand, with all the action being on the economic side (and if throwing money at families does not work, throw more at them).
Sunshine laws are fine when business is dealing with government, but there will never be internal sunshine by hedge funds. The best way to get the Puerto Rican situation into the sunshine is to allow the Commonwealth access to the Bankruptcy Courts, where all motions become part of the public record.
On Rubio, most people consider campaign funding to be an amoral affair, as long as they perform. They are wrong of course, but for a right wing fundraiser to have a business exploiting the poor and hiding the money is no shock.
Regarding Fr. Cahill, it is about time some good Labor priests came forward. Attacking right to work laws is always a good idea.
This was another applicable homily for the Mass of the day, which is something that every priest should be hitting on. Morality's purpose is often to set the group apart from the world or the ambient culture. Humanae Vitae was a lame attempt to do so, as well as various other things, among them fighting gay marriage. Inclusion allows none of that - it requires a morality that is a gift to man, that is for man rather than man being for it. It is essentially humanistic. I should check our Roman Illuminati meeting and see if the Pope is attending.
The 'Nones' and the Areopagus | National Catholic Reporter
The 'Nones' and the Areopagus | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I suspect that the rise of the nones has to do with an end of the belief that you miss the Sunday obligation under pain of mortal sin. Indeed, missing Mass one week, or even multiple weeks does not seem to keep people from the Communion line, nor from experiencing Christ in Communion when that occurs. Every dirty thought is also not confessed with no dire consequences. Of course, there are others who are away from Church because they feel they have broken the rules and it is a mortally sinful matter - and the fact that they stay away is sad. Maybe the debate on Communion by the remarried will resonate with them and they will come back to Christ.
The Spiritual but Not Religious is shorthand for being in recovery, although yogic practitioners have taken up that phrase as well. It refers to the fact that to recover one must find a compassionate rather than a punishing God. See the prior paragraph.
Does this have to do with politics? I suspect that some people hear a particularly skewed homily or bishop's letter on Faithful Citizenship and go away for that reason. The Church should survey that, although I don't think it has the courage to. It should examine the difference between religous freedom and the desire for religous power. Again, I doubt the USCCB has the courage to go there either.
Washington was throwing religious people a bone in his farewell address. He himself was a Mason and that would color his outlook on this question and that of all the founding fathers.
On the other hand, Pope Benedict would of course consider encounter with Christ as the important thing. So should every priest. Hopefully the current pope and the bishops he appoints (I would still prefer the ancient practice of local election) will highlight the more humanistic character of the encounter with Christ, as this makes it possible to be Spiritual AND Religious. Of course, there is a term of art for those who profess such beliefs. Illuminati.
The Spiritual but Not Religious is shorthand for being in recovery, although yogic practitioners have taken up that phrase as well. It refers to the fact that to recover one must find a compassionate rather than a punishing God. See the prior paragraph.
Does this have to do with politics? I suspect that some people hear a particularly skewed homily or bishop's letter on Faithful Citizenship and go away for that reason. The Church should survey that, although I don't think it has the courage to. It should examine the difference between religous freedom and the desire for religous power. Again, I doubt the USCCB has the courage to go there either.
Washington was throwing religious people a bone in his farewell address. He himself was a Mason and that would color his outlook on this question and that of all the founding fathers.
On the other hand, Pope Benedict would of course consider encounter with Christ as the important thing. So should every priest. Hopefully the current pope and the bishops he appoints (I would still prefer the ancient practice of local election) will highlight the more humanistic character of the encounter with Christ, as this makes it possible to be Spiritual AND Religious. Of course, there is a term of art for those who profess such beliefs. Illuminati.
Links for 11/04/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/04/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Peter Cardinal Turkson's thoroughness indicates his likely involvement in putting this encyclical forward. Lets hope he brings spirituality to ecology as well as highlilghting justice for the poor vis-a-vis the monied interests that employ and pollute them.
Shadle is correct that the structures present are not sinful, but the structures themselves can still commit sin. Currently, capitalism is organized on a hierarchical, and in some cases a despotic culture. Cultures are not right or wrong, they are the framework for thinking about life. Employee-ownership or cooperativism (think Mondragon on steroids) are not free of sin by any means, but just because sin is not attached to a culture it does not imply that one might not be superior to another, especially in maintaining the planet.
When Popes were crowned, there was an element of despotism in it (although you could argue for hierarchism - at least among the clergy. Of course, when St. John was crowned, there were no papal states, which freed him from the distraction of leading Italy. Of course, given the ages of the pontiff and the pontiff emeritus, it may be humane to bring back the sedan chairs.
Shadle is correct that the structures present are not sinful, but the structures themselves can still commit sin. Currently, capitalism is organized on a hierarchical, and in some cases a despotic culture. Cultures are not right or wrong, they are the framework for thinking about life. Employee-ownership or cooperativism (think Mondragon on steroids) are not free of sin by any means, but just because sin is not attached to a culture it does not imply that one might not be superior to another, especially in maintaining the planet.
When Popes were crowned, there was an element of despotism in it (although you could argue for hierarchism - at least among the clergy. Of course, when St. John was crowned, there were no papal states, which freed him from the distraction of leading Italy. Of course, given the ages of the pontiff and the pontiff emeritus, it may be humane to bring back the sedan chairs.
Happy Feast & Happy Anniversary | National Catholic Reporter
Happy Feast & Happy Anniversary | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Pole and Cantarini sound like my kind of people. Eventually it has to come to that anyway and truth is eternal, so it can wait. On the marriage decrees of Trent, the change there shows that change is possible with gay marriage. Of course, to discriminate against gay couples in employment is only bigotry, because even though civil marriages are considere invalid sacramentally, we still give the spouse in them insurance.
St. John XXIII was a gift to the Church. Too bad he died before birth control was discussed - the answer might have been saner. On the Mass, the current Roman Canon, or Prayer I, is now a fairly faithful translation of what John put together - with Joseph in and the Archangel Michael out (all through the Mass).
Lets hope that the additional changes John would have made, get made by Francis - and that the spirits of Pole and Cantarini are also heard in the modern Church.
St. John XXIII was a gift to the Church. Too bad he died before birth control was discussed - the answer might have been saner. On the Mass, the current Roman Canon, or Prayer I, is now a fairly faithful translation of what John put together - with Joseph in and the Archangel Michael out (all through the Mass).
Lets hope that the additional changes John would have made, get made by Francis - and that the spirits of Pole and Cantarini are also heard in the modern Church.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Links for 11/03/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/03/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I call what the banks are doing now Potempkin Reform. Their legal advantages and personal privileges have not changed, these moves only make it look like something aside from housekeeping is happening.
Robert Reich points to the problem of monopoly and trust power in the economy. In some cases, outright re-regulation might be useful (although that usually ends up helping established forces, like in cable TV, which is entirely regulated by entry but not by price) and in many others some trust busting is necessary - which requires regulatory and possibly legal change and a willingness to fully fund and empower the Anti-Trust Division at DOJ.
While the Curia was involved in the APSA scandal, this was a private bankster who used his concurrent Vatican office to get rich with the faithful's money. Just once, I would wish that the guilty would come forward, admit their sin, and show some repentant.
Robert Reich points to the problem of monopoly and trust power in the economy. In some cases, outright re-regulation might be useful (although that usually ends up helping established forces, like in cable TV, which is entirely regulated by entry but not by price) and in many others some trust busting is necessary - which requires regulatory and possibly legal change and a willingness to fully fund and empower the Anti-Trust Division at DOJ.
While the Curia was involved in the APSA scandal, this was a private bankster who used his concurrent Vatican office to get rich with the faithful's money. Just once, I would wish that the guilty would come forward, admit their sin, and show some repentant.
First Tuesday After the First Monday | National Catholic Reporter
First Tuesday After the First Monday | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: The reason politicians and political consultants go with tested messages is that they are aimed at the low hanging fruit, the partisan activists. (although you are right about General Clark, who I also supported and who is a faithful Clinton retainer - so he is staying out this time). That is why abortion language is polarizing on both sides - it is successful in driving the base to the polls. As long as teachers fill most of the female delegate slots at the DNC, support for abortion rights (not necessarily abortion itself - and it is a distinction with a difference) will be important to the Democrats - but mostly at conventions. Sadly, Trump probably likes illegal immigration (I doubt most of his workers or contractors who are immigrants are documented), but some focus group said this was good.
As for black lives matter, all lives matter does not get the gist. Young lives matter would be a better substitute if you want a bigger universe. Of course, when there is school shooting, it always seems to be a mentally disturbed white male youth. Still, BLM is a current movement, not something polled. It is also designed for low hanging fruit.
What Presidents really do, aside from drone attacks against brown people and trade treaties, is tax policy (the spending side is mostly inertia). I say that not just because I am a tax geek - the big issues really discussed are all about taxes (even health care reform - how its funded by what is essentially a VAT is all important in the desire to repeal it). If the Church wants to have leadership in politics, it will abandon the inside baseball of abortion politics and really get into tax policy, say by supporting an expanded child tax credit. If unborn black lives matter, that is the best way to show it.
As for black lives matter, all lives matter does not get the gist. Young lives matter would be a better substitute if you want a bigger universe. Of course, when there is school shooting, it always seems to be a mentally disturbed white male youth. Still, BLM is a current movement, not something polled. It is also designed for low hanging fruit.
What Presidents really do, aside from drone attacks against brown people and trade treaties, is tax policy (the spending side is mostly inertia). I say that not just because I am a tax geek - the big issues really discussed are all about taxes (even health care reform - how its funded by what is essentially a VAT is all important in the desire to repeal it). If the Church wants to have leadership in politics, it will abandon the inside baseball of abortion politics and really get into tax policy, say by supporting an expanded child tax credit. If unborn black lives matter, that is the best way to show it.
Links for 11/02/15 | National Catholic Reporter
Links for 11/02/15 | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: Turns out from the Sunday talk shows that Ryan's Catholic problem is the same as Boehner's: immigration. The cuts he proposed before were mainly the standard libertarian attempt to make the states survive without federal aid, thus taking that money off the books. Its misguided federalism and misguided subsidiarity. I suspect he has gotten over that fetish, but that depends on the quality of his staff and whether he allows them to correct him when he is obviously mistaken.
Mark Silk and the theologians (like MSW) need to embrace that fact that the laity of the Church have as much right to offer theological opinions that correct them, provided that we judge what is said by its merits, not by the credentials of the author or speaker. Of course, that means that some of us deserve a little more ink than we are getting. Some, like Donohue, deserve considerably less than they get.
Second reminder for the Restorative Justice confab at Catholic University. I hope that someone talks about more than making victims whole. The perpetrators must also be restored for justice to occur.
Thursday and Friday, Notre Dame Law School is having a confab about Religious Liberty. Sadly, I don't see any explicit discussion on Religious Liberty v. Religious Power, which is they key distinction in seeing this issue clearly.
Mark Silk and the theologians (like MSW) need to embrace that fact that the laity of the Church have as much right to offer theological opinions that correct them, provided that we judge what is said by its merits, not by the credentials of the author or speaker. Of course, that means that some of us deserve a little more ink than we are getting. Some, like Donohue, deserve considerably less than they get.
Second reminder for the Restorative Justice confab at Catholic University. I hope that someone talks about more than making victims whole. The perpetrators must also be restored for justice to occur.
Thursday and Friday, Notre Dame Law School is having a confab about Religious Liberty. Sadly, I don't see any explicit discussion on Religious Liberty v. Religious Power, which is they key distinction in seeing this issue clearly.
The Beatitudes and the Synod Fallout | National Catholic Reporter
The Beatitudes and the Synod Fallout | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: I draw your attention to Todd Lindberg's tome The Political Teachings of Jesus, where he spends quite a bit of time on the Beatitudes, which he treats like a ladder, starting at being poor in spirit - which is akin to being depressed or ambivalent. Also, Pure of heart is not about avoiding dirty thoughts, but instead being without guile in proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom.
The virtue of Francis is that he is an exemplar of what every parish priest and bishop be - a witness to the Gospel - not the badly proof-texted one of Fr. Arroyo, but one that is Good News to all who hear. Canon Law should be part of the Good News - and when it is not - say when it excludes people from Communion whose sin is not really that great or excludes gays from marriage - with the preverse effect of forever infantalizing gay people vis-a-vis their families (which is exactly what the Bible says we should not do to couples in marriage), then the Canon Law must be changed. It must be humanistic at its core - as Francis says, the law is for man, man is not for the law, even eternal law.
This distinction does what Christ said he would do in the Gospel, sew division. Is this creative tension. I somehow doubt it. Rather, its a warning to those of poor spirit who seek law over man, not vice versa. Chaput we can easily peg one way - along with Olmsted, while Cardinals O'Malley and Wuerl are clearly of good spirit. Dolan seems to be trying to decide where he wishes to end up, but at least now he does not take the entire Bishops Conference with him. Of course, we need to be gentle with those bishops who are on the wrong path, but as per Ezekial - we do need to prophesy, lest we be punished for their sin by not having the courage to tell them where they err.
The virtue of Francis is that he is an exemplar of what every parish priest and bishop be - a witness to the Gospel - not the badly proof-texted one of Fr. Arroyo, but one that is Good News to all who hear. Canon Law should be part of the Good News - and when it is not - say when it excludes people from Communion whose sin is not really that great or excludes gays from marriage - with the preverse effect of forever infantalizing gay people vis-a-vis their families (which is exactly what the Bible says we should not do to couples in marriage), then the Canon Law must be changed. It must be humanistic at its core - as Francis says, the law is for man, man is not for the law, even eternal law.
This distinction does what Christ said he would do in the Gospel, sew division. Is this creative tension. I somehow doubt it. Rather, its a warning to those of poor spirit who seek law over man, not vice versa. Chaput we can easily peg one way - along with Olmsted, while Cardinals O'Malley and Wuerl are clearly of good spirit. Dolan seems to be trying to decide where he wishes to end up, but at least now he does not take the entire Bishops Conference with him. Of course, we need to be gentle with those bishops who are on the wrong path, but as per Ezekial - we do need to prophesy, lest we be punished for their sin by not having the courage to tell them where they err.
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