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 ...
Frank, did you see the article from Time Rag, er, Mag, that Fr. Z. posted on his blog? The wailing and gnashing of teeth is in a crescendo already.
But when I'm in the choir, I'm vested, and so to speak in uniform. Uniforms should be . . . uniform.
Now in our old higher-than-high ECUSA church, the ladies' choir robe included a cute little three-cornered hat. Both men and women wore Elizabethan ruffs. Even the robes had 16th century style sleeves.
Okay...
I love it!
If it were an established custom
It was an established custom for women to cover their heads (how they covered them varied by culture or location) when in a church (which includes the choir loft). As with so many other long-held customs, it was tossed when the "spirit" of the council was implemented; ignoring the fact that the council fathers said nothing about changing the custom.
Our choir doesn't have vestments. The men in the schola wear cassock and surplice on the rare occasions when the schola sings in the sanctuary.
However, if a choir is in vestments prescribed by the church, and those vestments are uniform for men and women, then it makes no sense for some of the women to wear a veil . . . then they're out of uniform.
Sionnsar has decided to make this a Catholic Undead! Great news on Divine Mercy Sunday. Jabber away on all things “appropriate.”
I haven’t seen the article; I’ve been out all day. That TIME magazine is disturbed in any manner is superb news on anything liturgical and Catholic! They know “bupkus” about the Catholic Church or about real Truth for that matter.
Cheers!
F
Technically it's a candidate...
Right - we don’t need a new Undead home until April 31st.
Will I find the extra shower curtains if we move here? I never did find the vacuum cleaner belts, and now it’s academic, since we have the Dyson.
Wow, we're set for a good long time then? *\;-)
At our current rate of UT posts, we’ll make it without clogging the programming.
Given the monthly move, you’re right. What do you think about this as a May home?
So, where is the current Undead?
I think it’s reasonably tasteful. The rent’s low, and neighbors aren’t THAT noisy. Plenty of room for the Tax Table and the 747 ...
And I think Pope Benedict would enjoy the company.
I can be a most hospitable host providing lots of Guinness!
F
You have the true Undead spirit, Frank.
Amen!
True. And maybe we can get the lower levels of the Castle cleared out.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.