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...

[sionnsar]

Afternoon, sionnsar.
Hope it gets better than your suspicions.

Thanks, Tas! I've learned that I'm down to about one month and counting for the determination of where my remaining career might go.

[Aloysius88]

Check the tag

[sionnsar]

"Moving Day approaches"
Shoot, that soon? Shows how much attention I was paying!
I can't say that hanging around here in Religion has been a big help to me ... is there something in General/Chat with some nudity that we could try?

Nudity? on FR? (I'm NOT going to say "post it and I'll link it", because I won't. But if you are... no... won't even go there... *\;-)

I may have just broken my toe.

Ouch. I broke a finger once without realizing it -- and ironically for me it solved every piper's problem: What DO you do with this finger that's always in the way and never used playing pipes? It is out of the way now.

[sionnsar]

A trip to the dentist and you are still glowing.

Tovarrow's muh day! MMMpph!

[sionnsar]

I am out of here for the night. Too much to deal with...

[Aloysius88]

Good morning.

[Tax-chick]

Good morning. I think my toe is just bruised, not broken. It doesn’t hurt as much as it did last night.

[Darksheare]

LOL!
Twisted minds in parallel..

[Darksheare]

Yeah, the chainsaw would have been good.
The lemonade and pretzels were sacrificed, but not in vain.

[Darksheare]

Unfortunately, my typo ability doesn’t have an effect on the trolls.
They’re already messed up beyond all recognition anyway.

[Monkey Face]

Sounds like she loves you despite all her rattiness..

I have a way with dogs....

[Monkey Face]

I’m glad your toe isn’t “broken,” although with toes, especially the smaller ones, it’s often hard to tell.

On my way to the post orifice.

[Tax-chick]

It’s the little toe on my left foot. It’s slightly purple today, but not noticeably swollen, and it aches mildly. I can move it, and it continues to ache mildly. 90% probability that it’s just bruised.

I’ll take some Tylenol for it, just so I don’t limp around all day messing up my ankles :-).

[Aloysius88]

Not twisted, just a little warped.

[Monkey Face]

Great piccies! Thanks!

They all deserve huggy things!

[Tax-chick]

Glad you liked them! They’re having a penguin video, and we’re going to church in a little while.

I feel less positively about this toe now that I put shoes on! At least I don’t have a race scheduled until *next* weekend.

[Monkey Face]

Tape your offending toe to the one next to it. It will help to immobilize it and ease some of the pain when you walk.

Shoes suck.

[Tax-chick]

Believe I will tape.

If I’d had shoes on last night, this wouldn’t have happened.

[sionnsar]

Good morning.

Today is Moving Day, but the event won't happen until this evening.

[Monkey Face]

Well, if it’s not going to happen until this evening, I don’t wanna go...

:crossing arms, pouting: