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 ...
Darks. This place is just not HOME without you!
Any particular story....Maybe that was my problem last night..
Nobody read me a story.
It’s been “Unngh!”
I work tonight, then I’m off Thursday night and Friday night.
I’m around, in one form or another.
Either lurking or posting, I’m here.
Especially Little People. Dogs, now...they can wait, but they expect you to gimmegimmegimmeNOW when they figure the “Time Is Up.” The slobbering is payback.
Removing a source of pain can perk you up a little bit.
I KNOW when you lurk. It has even spilled over to when I’m IM-ing with my sister. I figure it’s because we both have FR open as well as the IM window, so it’s like a double dose.
*sheesh*
Talk about ZOT!
True on the Dawg arena.
Mine are pretty dry mouthed except when the aroma’s are savory.
LOL!
I had a dog years ago that thought it was his JOB to slobber on me, especially if I had bare feet!
The worst offender I ever saw was Mastiff. Now THAT is a drooler!
Jackie is a sneaky foot licker..
Solly likes ears...
Both are sweet as a peach...except to each other.
My dog always felt the need to share his after dinner burps with my wife....He would walk up to her in his usual “you better pet me or I will never leave you alone” demeanor, and as she scratched his head he would belch in her face. I swear he thought it was funny, by the grin on his face.
ROTFLMBO!
Some dogs have acute senses of humor!
Dog do have their favorite places to lick, that’s for sure. My daughter’s little nervous rat likes to lick fingers. GAH!
Dogs do grin..not a doubt about it.
The ones with smaller faces show them more.
The foot licking doesn’t bother me but Tazman is ticklish..
The only good thing about this little nervous rat is that when she sees me, she spends about five minutes jumping into my arms, running around in circles, and yipping. That’s quite a show!
Hey Face!
Hey, Jet!
How are things with you? You were on my mind over the weekend.
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