Posted on 04/13/2007 6:54:57 AM PDT by Frank Sheed
Two years into his reign, Pope Benedict XVI is finally poised to make a major mark on American Catholicism with a string of key bishop appointments and important decisions about the future of U.S. seminaries and bishops' involvement in politics.
Benedict's election on April 19, 2005, shook liberals and comforted conservatives who expected a doctrinal hard-liner. So far, they have found an easier hand - and someone who has not made the United States much of a priority.
When Benedict has gained attention, it has mostly been on the world stage, focusing on the re-Christianization of Europe, Islam and mending relations with Orthodox Christians. He also has stressed universal themes of faith and reason.
``The last two years have been much quieter years as far as the papacy is concerned because you have a very different personality'' than John Paul II, said Monsignor Robert Wister, chairman of the church history department at Seton Hall University's School of Theology.
``Many Americans were surprised - some happily, some disappointed - that he did not turn into the pit bull of dogma. He is taking a very pastoral approach, and I think people resonate very positively with that.''
Yet America's turn may be coming. At the top of the list is a looming generational shift among the nation's bishops, whose decisions at the local level greatly affect Catholics in the pews and can carry national weight. For instance, church leaders recently closed parishes in Boston and New York, while the St. Louis archbishop has clashed with a heavily Polish parish over control of its assets.
Key appointments are expected in New York, Baltimore and Detroit, where cardinals have reached retirement age - 75. And retirements or appointments are likely in at least seven other archdioceses...
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Oh, no. Of corse not.
I just used a bunch of rheostats and diodes and stuff. I wanted it to be reliable.
If you want to read some interesting code, check out the softwre for the Thrust Ring Telescope Project.
I’d stay away from those Nathan’s Hot Dogs.....I hear they cause some rather explosive gas just lately....
Oh, good. More trans-uranics for our fuel supply.
If you're into heavy metal.
Were you gone?
</ sarc >
Hi, Bob!!! We sure missed you!
I don’t eat hot dogs. At least, not on a regular basis. I’ve been known to go five years without eating one. Or longer.
The interruption of my internet addiction gave me a little trouble.
I was forced to read some of my own stuff. No one should be punished that way.
LOL!
Once in a great while, when I think I need to be punished, I start to read my journals....I’m always amazed that I got out alive. ;o]
You know us Scots, bred for cold wet weather.
There's an old story of a Highland regiment marching somewhere in Scotland back in the 700s or so, and it got so hot they requested relief from wearing their kilts. (I can tell you from experience that the kilt was made for cold weather; piping in sub-freezing weather in full regalia, my fingers lost all sensation before my first set was done, the rest of me was comfortably warm.) It was granted -- if they tied their shirt-tails.
Some hot dogs might last you 5 years...or longer...
Seeing the tartan fabric at lots of the Games, I believe every word.
(I’ve never been able to afford a set, darnit....)
Welcome back!
I’ve seldom ever had a hotdog that agreed with me. After a few years, I get to the point where I think one would taste good, and then I regret it.
So I just don’t eat them.
Hi Bob!
We missed you!
*HUG*
It’s worse if you eat them with the bun.
:-(
Cardinal Mahoney born February 27, 1936
Add 75 years
His retirement date is February 27, 2011
2007 - 234 days (as of May 8, 2007)
2008 - 365 days
2009 - 365 days
2010 - 365 days
2011 - 56 days
3 years and 7 months left
I've been thankful every time I piped in CA after that.
You get a little better "flip" with the lighter-weight too: the way mine is pleated in the rear it's black with dark red bands and narrow yellow stripes, but the pleats open when walking to show bright red. Women just love it!
My old band kilt, 16-oz (worsted?), dark blue, green and black just didn't have the flair. But it would get really, really heavy after a day of perspiring in it.
It doesn’t seem to matter. They bother me either way. So I avoid them.
(Irish sends you a hug!)
I decided to bring along a new tagline.
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