Fall Session of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Day 2

EWTN ^ | November 11, 2003

[NYer]

Discussions pertaining to live coverage of the Fall Session of the USCCB in Dallas, TX

[NYer]

I watched some of the rebroadcast last night. It was interesting to learn that the bishops have several Episcopalian observers from various countries around the world! No mention of any other protestant denomination having been invited to observe. Your thoughts on this?

[livius]

Did it mention any of the names of the Episcopalians/Anglicans? That might indicate whether this is good news or bad. (If Vickie Gene is there, it's bad...)

[NYer]

Raymond Arroyo and Fr. Gould discussed the costs involved in this session. They tossed the number $400,000 out, not including transportation and meals.

They did talk about alternatively using a monastery but none are large enough to house all of the bishops.

[NYer]

*Did it mention any of the names of the Episcopalians/Anglicans?*

Yes .... and, Vicki Gene is NOT there. Some were from Africa, another from Vietnam ... will try to find a list.

Now talking about same sex unions!

[NYer]

URGENT MORAL & PASTORAL QUESTION

Catholic teaching about marriage. Rev. Kevin Boland, Chair of the USCCB Committee on Marriage and Family Life, delivering statement on purpose of marriage. This will be discussed tomorrow, followed by delivery of the final version of the statement. It will then be published in a 'brochure' format.

This topic added to the USCCB agenda, in reaction to heavy lobbying by GLSEN.

[NYer]

Bishop Bruskewitz question: "Why did the committee on page 5 of the Document on Marriage and Family Life, 'paraphrase' the CCC rather than quote it.

Answer: To keep points short and specific.

[hardhead]

Could these be observers from the orthodox arm of the Episcopal church? Those who may not be happy with the ordination of the homosexual bishop? Could a mass exodus of Anglicans be contemplated?

[livius]

Some were from Africa, another from Vietnam ...

Sounds promising!

[franky]

It is 9:50 east coast and the Bishops are discussing same sex marriage. One Bishop mentioned why the word sin is not in their statment.

It looks as if there is going to be quite a dsicussion tomorrow.

[NYer]

Good Questions on this topic:

Rev. Paprocki: points out possible contradiction in phrasing on this issue on two different pages.

Rev. Weinski: Why doesn't the brochure, opposing same sex unions simply state "because it is a sin"? Isnt't that our teaching?

Bishop Gregory recommends they study document, propose amendments to be discussed and voted on tomorrow .

[american colleen]

Just got up *working nights ya know* and turned it on now. I didn't hear anything before now. The Africans put us to shame - full churches, full seminaries, devoted Catholics looking persecution in they eyes everyday.

[american colleen]

Here comes my dad to visit... gotta turn it off lest he think I am nuts!

[old and tired]

Thanks for posting this. I watched some of the rebroadcast last night and it really fried my bacon.

I mean, could these bishops have anything to say about the morality of agriculture and migrant workers when 1)the head bishop on the farming committee didn't even realize that migrant workers were not paid minimum wage and 2)The bishops needed to hold a national meeting last year to realize that priests shouldn't be sodomizing teenage boys?

[trad_anglican]

Could these be observers from the orthodox arm of the Episcopal church?

I know who two of them are. One is from the Anglican Church in America, one of the "continuing Anglican churches" and one is from an Episcopal parish that is part of Forward in Faith - most definitely the orthodox arm of the Episcopal Church. There may be others there of whom I am not aware.

[NYer]

Your guess .... why do you suppose they are there? If invitations were sent out, they would have been extended to ther denominations as well. What do you suppose is their purpose in attending?

[NYer]

*The Africans put us to shame - full churches, full seminaries, devoted Catholics looking persecution in they eyes everyday.*

So true!! People standing in the rain in order to attend mass because the church is overflowing. Did you see the embarrased looks on the faces of some of the US bishops ... hmmmm???

Cardinal McCarrick now proposing the creation of a Committee on Africa and the gradual implementation of voluntary collections in the US parishes to help our brethren in Africa. Very sincere and moving presentation.

[trad_anglican]

What do you suppose is their purpose in attending?

I suppose the purpose is to foster cordial relations between Catholic bishops and other clergy and orthodox Anglicans and Episcopalians in the US. I do know that they were invited. I don't know anything about the non-US Anglicans that are there.

[trad_anglican]

If invitations were sent out, they would have been extended to ther denominations as well.

I believe these were personal invitations. I don't know anything about any other invitations that might have been made.