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

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

Capehart Has a Point | National Catholic Reporter

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

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

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

Fr. Dwight vs. Cardinal Oscar | National Catholic Reporter

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

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

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

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

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

"Our Lampedusas of the Heart" | National Catholic Reporter

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