Foreign priests fill void in area pulpits

The Washington Times ^ | January 25, 2004 | Judith Person

[Land of the Irish]

Catholic churches throughout the area are relying on priests from other countries to fill the vacancies created by a large number of men leaving the priesthood.

The Archdiocese of Washington currently has 19 priests on loan from 10 countries, among them Brazil, China and France. The Diocese of Arlington has 13 priests on loan from 10 countries, including Cuba, Ireland and Nigeria.

[GirlShortstop]

Yes, there is a ladies' auxiliary. Hats are required. I bring cucumber sandwiches.

Your last sentence would make for a delightful tagline, ya know.   FReegards.

[Maximilian]

This is an exciting time to be a Catholic in America as Rome FINALLY moves on AmChurch.

From your lips to God's ears. But what could have changed in the past 6 months? Do you have a theory?

[Desdemona]

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper make all the difference in the world. Oh, and Peppridge Farm thin sliced white bread.

[GirlShortstop]

Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper make all the difference in the world. Oh, and Peppridge Farm thin sliced white bread.   Mmmmmmmm!!!

[CatherineSiena]

This is an exciting time to be a Catholic in America as Rome FINALLY moves on AmChurch.

Although I remain skeptical and will withold my celebration until some more concrete steps are taken, I take these to be positive signs that the pendulum is either slowing its leftward or beginning its rightward swing.

[Salvation]

You are aware, aren't you, that there are really two Catholic Churches in China?

One is the above ground -- bowing to the pressures of the Chinese gov.

The second is the true Catholic Church that has gone underground with their congregations. They are the ones who need our prayers.


I've been following this for quite a while and will post some links for you to investigate.

You know I always like to present the other side of the coin, the other side of the issue.

[Salvation]

Chinese Police Proudly Record Their Torture of Christians

Can god Survive in China?

Chinese provincial high court overturns death sentences for Christian group

Chinese Province Loosens Child Policy

CHINA SENTENCES THREE PRIESTS UNDER CULT LAW

From The Desk Of Fr Joseph McLafferty:Bishop Francis X Ford,M.M.[MARTYR IN CHINA]

Let the Son Shine Out [China]

Catholics in China: Back to the Underground

China arrests a dozen Roman Catholic priests, seminarians; demolishes church

Chinese arrest 12 Catholic clerics

Cardinal declares China has "one Church with two faces"

ONLY ONE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CHINA, VATICAN PRELATE SAYS

China Shuts 400 Temples and Churches in Zhejiang Province

125 Christian Meeting Halls in China Shut Down

Declaration by Cardinal Etchegaray on the Church in China

CHINA ARRESTS CHRISTIAN BLOGGER

In China, pews are packed

Foreign priests fill void in area pulpits

[Salvation]

I have found that foreign priests are much more liturgically and reverencially based. I really don't think there is anything wrong with that at all.

In our small hamlet in Oregon, we have three priests who speak Spanish, only one is native Hispanic and one priest who is a native Vietnamese and speaks Viernamese. We just don't find it unusal at all.

Didn't God make us all in His image?

[Land of the Irish]

You are aware, aren't you, that there are really two Catholic Churches in China?

Please don't try to get smart with me. I was the one who posted three of your links.

[Land of the Irish]

You know I always like to present the other side of the coin, the other side of the issue.

Yeah, the problem is you have a two-headed coin.

[Salvation]

OK, why are you attacking me here?

[Arthur McGowan]

The "Springtime" in Arlington is OVER. Bishop Loverde is doing his best to destroy Arlington as a Catholic entity.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

Uh oh, what happened to the "leveling off" that we were promised? Looks like the "Springtime decay function" is going to continue in operation for some time to come.

Leveling off will be in 10-20 years from now Max, barring an increase or decrease in vocations.

[BlackElk]

I have no theory but I think that the fact that Justin Cardnal Rigali is a former vice-chairman of the Curial Congregation for Bishops is pertinment. Retirements from that Congregation may also be relevant which is a mere guess.

I also suspect that the looming civil actions against Roger Cardinal Mahoney alleging a conspiracy in sexual perversion and rape of altar boys for the specific purpose of turning their sexuality and then recruiting them to the LA seminary and to the priesthood to first serve sexually the aging lavender queens and then to become the rewarded next generation of lavender queens may have received some credibility in the Vatican. Look also at Arlington and Bishop Loverde as a secondary but major scandal.

The Vatican may be excruciatingly slow but it is neither blind nor deaf.

[VermiciousKnid]

What the heck happened to Arlington??

I had always heard that this was a pretty orthodox diocese, and am very sorry to hear that this is not so.

Before you know it, Arlington will be as hippy-dippy as Rockville Centre.

I pray for patience,