Posted on 04/13/2007 6:54:57 AM PDT by 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...
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
I think another viewing of ‘Patton’ is in the works...
You mean where he batch-slapped the whiner?
BOTH barrels???
*ahem*
This IS in the Religion Forum! I had to curb my natural inclination to “say it like it is.!”
I'm jealous. Can't remember when I last did that, though I vaguely recall attempting a LOTR marathon last winter.
Folklife is fun --entertaining music, seeing friends-- even if we aren't performing this year. But the lineup looks a little slim this year, if only in our interest categories. And the amounts they're asking for donations are skyrocketing -- just a very few years ago it was $2 overall, this year it's $10/person/day.
Don't know how much of the increase is due to prior mismanagement and how much to the Seattle Center raking off what they can, but I sense Folklife's days are numbered unless they find another venue, and the only one large enough is the King County Fairgrounds, way the heck out in Enumclaw, and you can forget trying to take PC public transport out there.
Oops. Forgot. Amen.
I’m not feeling all that well, and will do a minimum of “work,” just in case. I don’t want to make it worse, so I figure movies are a safe bet.
I’ve bought several of them from the 2fer bin at Wally World, and have been putting off watching them. I think this weekend is a good time to drag them out.
Too bad about Folklife. Maybe you should ask discreetly why the hugh increase.
I’m sorry, but I really have to go. I’ll see if I can breathe some life into this thread tomorrow...
{{sion}}
In part it's due to prior fiscal mismanagement. But it's also in Seattle, the Center is run by libs, and they've been ripping off Folklife for a LONG time to pay for other programs.
I've printed out their schedule; we'll go at least one day to say we've been there, but their incessantly increasing aggressive fundraising efforts (a different button for sale each day of Folklife, for example, as opposed to the former one button per Folklife) is devaluing the whole thing to where in short order we just might not bother.
(They're taxing vendors pretty heavily too, as we hear from a friend who's much further left than we are right, but we enjoy seeing him here. Though every year he says this is his last -- in business he's a closet conservative.)
G’night, Face!
I think I like it...
Good Night ‘Face!
Dang...killed the thread again...
Yep, killed the thread again...
Yep...
Still no pulse...
*shudder*
WHOA! That’s pretty scary! I like it!
Yep. We need more Pattons and less cowardly whiners.
The pulse is there...you just can’t feel it ‘cause you’re not plugged in.
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