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 ...
What skewed the results : I hate Ketchup. I call both lunch and supper “dinner.” Or maybe it is picking up on my active duty years, LOL!
Good news! Hang in there just a few more hours, everyone!
(I’ll probably be asleep by the time it happens, too.)
I'll have our new camera with us, so hopefully I'll get a good shot of Peter to post online.
Wellden...we’ll just have to wait and twiddle our thumbs, won’t we? Is it safe to pass out cigars tomorrow?
No, I got out of dodge before the nonsense began. I lurked around downstairs watching the Angels then the Ducks and/or Marines (Remote control flipper, here) and didn't go upstairs to the computer until late.
I’ve been in Texas since 1983. I’m naturalized!
Since I was a military wife, any place I hang curtains is home. However, I’m a native Nevadan. Have you checked out the map on my bio page? It will show you where I’ve been.
Congrats DC!!!
Wish Zon all the best.
Great news!
Tanks Yo'...
Another member of the family who will respect the Constitution!
Congratulations DC and just remember, Zon doesn’t really mean any of that stuff she says during transition. At least, that is what they tell me.
Uncle Sam brought me here then left me to rot.
Hah! Fooled him. After two and half decades I gotta say”God Bless Texas”.
Lucky you. I’m still in the Peoples’ Soviet of Washington, aka, The Evergreed State. It’s pretty and the climate is wonderful, but it has a nasty infestation of the Left.
Still waiting for your poem ...
Oh. I was waiting for yours. I’ll have to see what I can come up with :-).
Uncle Sam took us all over, and of all the places I’ve ever been, I like the desert best. ;o]
I could probably crank something out on the poetry machine. Don’t want it getting rusty.
Lemme see ... roses, violets ... okay, I’m ready.
Don’t waste your roses and violets on “oftwerk”; save your inspiration for the new little Corpseling, arriving this evening (central time).
Ohyah! A Corpseling! WOO-HOO! (You coined a new word, TC!)
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