Pope Set to Make Mark on U.S. Church

Guardian Unlimited ^ | April 12, 2007 | ERIC GORSKI (AP Religion Writer)

[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...

[Monkey Face]

And with that, I’m off for the night! Ta!

[Tax-chick]

Thanks! I’m headed for bed, too.

Last week I came up with “gnoofball” and “dzingbat.” Pat likes them!

[Professional Engineer]

Yee HAW!!!!!!!!

Gotta love springtime in Texas. Severe weather and storm spotting are exhilarating.

[NicknamedBob]

Yeah, but “gnoofball” has two sets of double letters.

I hope you’re not letting him mix Greek letters with English ones — he’ll be sure to turn into a mathematician or a physicist.

(Hmmm. On the other hand ... we do still need a stardrive ...)

[NicknamedBob]

"Gotta love springtime in Texas. Severe weather and storm spotting are exhilarating."

So DC's new kid is gonna be called Ilwind? I thought they were going with the name "Peter".

[sionnsar]

(Hmmm. On the other hand ... we do still need a stardrive ...)

5 will get you 10 (units t.b.d. *\;-) an engineer builds it first.

[NicknamedBob]

" 5 will get you 10 (units t.b.d. ...)"

Oh, please! I already have more Quatloos than I can fit in my Rosie O'Donnell Piñata/Piggy Bank.

[NicknamedBob]

Oftwerk

The problem, as I see it, is the way the day starts out,
I mean, you’re sleeping soundly, and then you hear a shout.
Stupid darn alarm clock! A ghostly presence ... pale ...
Until some inner demon fires up its siren wail.

Oh, what a way to wake up. Who could smile to face the day?
When nerves are jangled at first light, even rainbows turn out gray.
And then you trudge out gamely. You persevere once more,
Go back six times for things that you forgot while at the door.

While gulping coffee madly, and scarfing down a snack,
You’re petting kids and kissing dogs as you keep running back.
To dash out to the driveway, gallumphing like a jerk,
It’s “seeyalater”, “outtahere”, and then it’s oftwerk.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 2, 2007

[tuliptree76]

Dr. Ms. Tulip has brought all her worldly goods in the Big Paper Truck

I think I'm not going to unpack this time, since I'll have to move them again in a little over a week.

[Domestic Church]

” Cardinal O’Connor went to the Vatican twice to plead with JPII not to appoint Egan, but JPII did so anyway...”

Wow. Is this written somewhere? Sometimes I wondered if JPII was hogtied by Vatican politics, was busy frying bigger global fish or just was kept out of the info loop.

[NicknamedBob]

"I think I'm not going to unpack this time, since I'll have to move them again in a little over a week."

There sure are a lot of homeless Undeaders squatting in temporary housing these days ...

.

(On the other hand, my den looks like that, too.)

[stephenjohnbanker]

B R A V O!!

[stephenjohnbanker]

Leave it alone! It might multiply!!

[NicknamedBob]

I hope you had a good shower.

Out all night, running with the big dogs with the spikey collars. I tried to warn you.

[Professional Engineer]

LOL

Iguess 70mph wind counts as Illwind.

[stephenjohnbanker]

I’m in Arizona....2 showers a day for me!

[NicknamedBob]

I can understand that.

The first one evaporates before it can get to your feet.

.

It’s kinda like eating crabs out here. You need to stop once in a while for a sandwich.

[stephenjohnbanker]

LOL!

[Tax-chick]

Great job! I was thinking more of a limerick :-). Maybe I’ll compose one while I run this morning (before it gets too hot!). Lots of things rhyme with “werk.”

[Tax-chick]

A limerick:

The coffee is starting to perk.
The FReepers are rising to lurk.
Five boys in the kitchen,
And three girls, all b*tchin’ ...
I wish I could go oftwerk!