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 ...
Good here. I am back to work after a couple weeks of leave.
JJ
Thank you, gentlemen, for your service to our country!
Y’all are great!
(If I missed anyone, it’s because I didn’t know you were in the service. That goes for the ladies, too!)
LOL!
I bet the leave was much needed and much appreciated!
It’s good to see you back online.
I’m outta here for the night, gang.
HUGS to all!
Sounds like she loves you despite all her rattiness..
Night Face.
G’Nite, ‘Face!
You didn't know I was in the Army for 1100 days?
It could have been longer, I guess. I asked if there was anything else I could do.
"No, you've done enough." He said, straightening up the vase and mopping at the water all over his files, "You can go."
All I could say at that point was, "Goll-lleee!" as I headed East to get to the next time zone so I could be "out" earlier.
It must have been a peacefuller time, except for that little unpleasantness over on the other side of the Pacific. They said I could go back home, and they gave me an award for being there, and another one for leaving.
Get’s messy quick... too bad they don’t include a chainsaw...
I read them some stories about the Red Cross, from the “American Schoolhouse Reader.” The little boys wanted “Where the Wild Things Are,” but their Dad is in charge of that; it’s too violent for me!
Much needed yes. I had a whole lotta stuff around the house that was left wanting.
Anyway, I got caught up.
Good night! And good morning for tomorrow!
Get your mail, so you can see James asleep in the polka-dot shoe box :-).
Dad’s are supposed to be in charge of the “Wild Things”.
Did the story quiet them down?
Uh-oh! I wonder if that’s what happened to all the lemonade mix and the extra pretzels.
Within reason :-). I need to shower, and then put ice on my toe.
LOL!
Yup. Though we (that's the royal "we") are still accepting candidates.
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