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...

[HKMk23]

...at least, until you “Refresh” the page.

[HKMk23]

Okay, so it DOESN’T work; they actually require you to paste the link into the Address box of your browser before they’ll let you see the image.

Not the first time I’ve seen folks burned by Tripod.

[Dead Corpse]

Not hard enough. We still have Democrats don’t we? ;-)

[Monkey Face]

Where have you been? I’m sorry...I must have missed the memo saying you’d be gone. </ sarc >

[HKMk23]

Did the image post work in “Preview”??

When I posted the images, above, I hit “Preview” two or three times as I was composing the text, then once again, before I hit post, just to make sure that, when the screen refreshed, the images were still there.

If I use the URL for the image you referenced, it bombs the “Preview” test; I get that pesky “Image hosted by...” graphic, instead.

[Monkey Face]

Don’t worry, DC...they keep up with their gay “marriages” and abortions and in another generation, there won’t be enough left to worry about. Which is why they need the illegal aliens.

[Monkey Face]

And what’s wrong with cardinals? (See post #2094...)

[HKMk23]

Well, I ain’t been around these parts since post 631, so...I’d have thought that’d count as “being gone”, either with or without a memo.

[Lady Jag]

[Tax-chick]

Howya! Nice planes!

[HKMk23]

Thanks. I alternately wish I owned one, and then am glad I don’t.

An aircraft is a hole in the sky you toss money into.

Boats are that way, also, but you have the consolation that, in a boat, there’s no risk of getting struck by an oncoming planet.

[Monkey Face]

Wellyahbut...you only post about every other day or so, if that, so an “absence” doesn't necessarily mean you are “gone.”

[Tax-chick]

Certainly it’s a little harder to go “splat” in a boat!

[rottndog]

Democrats that seem to propagate like tribbles....

[sionnsar]

Boats are that way, also, but you have the consolation that, in a boat, there’s no risk of getting struck by an oncoming planet.

Not true. Of course, it's usually only the harder parts of the planet that are a problem...

[HKMk23]

Alright, but I still think there's a technical difference that amounts to more advance warning and the possibility to limit fatalities. Both types of craft are, as you point out, succeptible to ambush by cumulus petrus, but a boat isn't necessarily on its way down if it loses all power. As long as the medium of bouyancy is kept outside, a boat is in relatively little jeopardy. That makes no difference with an aircraft; nobody ever went down in a plane over it taking on too much air.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Nothing is wrong with them I just don’t think they are me.
They are bright. I am more the brown wren type.

[sionnsar]

As long as the medium of bouyancy is kept outside, a boat is in relatively little jeopardy

You might be surprised at what little it can take to compromise bouyancy...

[rottndog]

A few degrees in temperature of the water will make a big difference on a large vessel, especially a submarine.

[rottndog]

Drats.....

Tech talk killed the thread again...