Here’s an oddity... at the conservative Catholic parish I currently attend, under the Eparchy of Parma diocese, a variation of this letter was indeed read aloud by our pastor during this Sunday’s homily (and was applauded). However, at the parish I grew up in (and my parents still attend), there was absolutely no mention of the letter. This parish is under the Archdiocese of Chicago, so their bishop is the “conservative” Cardinal Francis George, former President of USCCB. Does anyone know if Cardinal George sent out such a letter? I checked the Archdiocese of Chicago’s webpage as well as Cardinal George’s personal page and I see no reference to such a letter. I’d like to investigate this one without calling the Archdiocese of Chicago office and telling them I’m snooping around (and while we’re at it, I’d also like to know what happened to the “transition plan” that Fr. Pfleger promised to present to the Archdiocese of Chicago “by the end of the year” in 2011)
George W. Bush probably stole it, just like he did with Barack Obama's proposed FY2010, FY2011, FY2012 and FY2013 budgets...
It was not read at my small South Ga parish. But I have forwarded it to many in the church and emailed my Priest and Deacon if I can expect to hear it next week. I will see our Priest face to face Wednesday and this will be brought up.
Our priests in NC read the letter, but I got the impression it wasn’t a mandated thing - Father decided it was worth spending a homily on, and the congregation applauded when he was finished (those who believe in clapping in church, anyway). Of course it would be up to the individual bishop to require it anyway.
Billy Boy !
There’s a range of actions; this is not a cohesive effort (yet?) thru the USCCB. Some bishops issued press statements and posted on their website. Some went farther and ordered their statements read by the priests in their dioceses at Mass. Some have not done anything yet. From what I can see, Cardinal George is in the last category.
Take a look at this to get a broader view of what’s happening with bishops:
http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/index.php?p=25591