Posted on 09/20/2014 10:33:36 AM PDT by BlatherNaut
As reported by the Associated Press and a growing number of secular media outlets, the appointment of the Bishop of Spokane, Blase Cupich, 65, as the next Archbishop of Chicago is set to be formally announced by Rome.
It is worth noting that the "National Catholic Reporter" is celebrating the appointment of this "good model for how bishops should conduct themselves in the public square" with an article (to which we will not link here) based on the very real actions and tone that he set as Bishop of Spokane -- on the issues of homosexual "marriage", on evangelization, on Obamacare (the system as implemented, with all its anti-faith inclusions), on "lay ministry" and, most importantly, on the upcoming Synod of Bishops.
Others will surely find many articles online about Bishop Cupich's directives regarding (i.e. against) prayer by priests and seminarians outside abortion clinics, directives first made public, then, when exposed, implemented even more strongly in private, on which the "conservative" Catholic media in the USA rightly did not give him any pass or defense in the years of Benedict XVI.
After Bishop Tobin's unusual article surrendering to the Kasperite position (almost a year after he had spoken of his "disappointment" with Pope Francis) and Cardinal Dolan's remark earlier this month that the issue of denying communion to pro-abortion politicians is a thing of the past (in addition to his actions over next year's St. Patrick's Day Parade), the appointment to the Windy City is the strongest indicator yet that the winds of change are indeed blowing through the American Church, in a direction firmly away from that of the previous two pontificates, a change of tone in the major American Sees that had taken so much time and hardship to implement.
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Finally, a note to American Catholic 'neoconservatives', with their endless excuses and inventive ways of telling themselves, and others, that nothing has really changed in the Church's direction since 2013.
Stop pretending that nothing has really changed. You cannot have it both ways. You cannot celebrate the appointment of "conservative" prelates to a handful of mid-level sees as proof that the Franciscan papacy is an extension of that of Benedict XVI, yet pretend that this appointment, the looming defenestration of Cardinal Burke, and many other previous appointments on the same or greater level of influence, mean nothing. It is delusional to celebrate minor appointments and victories as indicators of "continuity", then react to major developments with the attitude that "my faith does not depend on what Pope Francis does." No one's faith should depend on the motions of ecclesiastical politics, but all the same, these actions will have its effect on the faith of millions for years and years to come. You know this: otherwise you would not feel the need for excuses.
"But bishop so-and-so has always been sound and orthodox when necessary!" But as anyone knows, what matters in Catholic pastoral work is not just what one professes to "personally" believe, but how one acts, speaks, and sets his tone in the public square. The reality is that, more than words, actions and tone are a greater indication of what one truly believes, or holds dear and worth defending.
The Church in America suffered terribly (and still does, and still pays for it) due to lousy episcopal appointments to major sees in the 1960s and 1970s -- they caught American Catholics off-guard, afraid to say anything, obedient even to the most absurd decisions. And all know what happened as a consequence of that attitude of sycophantic silence.
If you do not wish to say anything that can be seen or even misinterpreted as critical of Pope Francis, fine. But at least stop fooling yourselves, and others, that there has been no real change in direction in the Church. Shoring up morale and keeping up appearances for the sake of the "culture wars" (or, worse, for preserving one's place of influence at the table of secular party politics or for reasons of cupidity) are not enough reasons to lie about the truth.
As soon as I saw the title I knew it was either Rorate Caeli or the National Catholic Reporter.
Ridiculous to equate the two.
Why not make Francis an offer he can’t refuse? It worked with Benedict.
It’s pretty obvious that Francis was elected because Francis was what they wanted. Despite all the appointments made by JPII and BXVI, the overwhelming majority of the College of Cardinals still craves the “modernity” of Vatican II.
Even if the laity don’t.
So the creation of liberal-leftist and homosexual priests in the 1960s and 1970s still haunts the church.
Just the headline.
Although now a big fan of Cupich the part of the article about him not standing up for real marriage is a LIE!
Bishop Cupich of Spokane: Reflections on Referendum 74
Washington State is one of four states with marriage referendums on the ballot in November. Specifically, Referendum 74 offers voters a chance to repeal the marriage redefinition law signed by Governor Gregoire in February 2012. Bishop Blase J. Cupich wrote an August 3 letter to his parishioners about Referendum 74, including reflections on why the Church urges voter to reject the marriage redefinition law.
Bill Gates’ and other rich leftist’s money is the reason same-sex “marriage” passed in Washington States. By a 10-1 margin the creeps that wanted to destroy marriage outspent sane people.
Meant to say not a big fan.
The article seems to be referring to his tone rather than claiming he openly opposed Church teaching.
He appears to be an oily politician type who leans markedly to the left. IOW, an O'Malley mini-me.
"...Cupich has worked to find common ground with the Obama administration, especially regarding Obamacare. Cupich criticized constant confrontation with the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services and advocated dialogue instead. His invocation of “common ground” was reminiscent of the approach of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, the progressive archbishop of Chicago before Francis George...."
Bill Gates’ and other rich leftist’s money is the reason same-sex “marriage” passed in Washington States. By a 10-1 margin the creeps that wanted to destroy marriage outspent sane people.
And the Gates Foundation also bankrolled Common Core (implemented by Catholic parochial schools as well as public schools).
“implemented by Catholic parochial schools as well as public schools”
Implemented by SOME Catholic and SOME public schools. Dioceses ran by a competent administrator have nothing to do with Common Core. My granddaughter’s Catholic school does not participate.
Just give it time.
The article does not say that he did “not stand up for real marriage”, the article says NATIONAL CATHOLIC REPORTER praises him for several reasons, including “on the issue of homosexual gay marriage”. If you then go to NCR you will see that they DO praise him for not being “obnoxious” about it. So where’s the “lie”? NCR DID praise him on it.
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The article insinuated that Cupich does not stand up for real marriage. I don’t bother reading leftist garbage from National Catholic Reporter.
And does anyone really believe that Benedict did not know what the minds of the Cardinals were when he resigned?
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