New Orleans says no to the Johnson and Johnson Covid vaccine. The USCCB’s statement is a bit more nuanced and basically says go for it to protect the greater good.
And then there is this Vatican statement from December:
St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Chico, California was built in 1909 by Fr. Michael Gualco. At the time of its initial construction, he knew it was disproportionately large for the congregation, but anticipated growth and built a church that could be used for generations.
The church was never highly decorated but had architectural integrity that would later inspire the renewal of the space. Working closely with the St. John the Baptist design committee and PWC Architects,
created a design program aimed to develop new, historically sympathetic artwork. The research component consisted of an examination of historic photos (with special attention to the historic pillars, side aisle ceilings), as opposed to an onsite investigation of historic finishes.
Now St. John’s possesses a harmonious liturgical artistry program that links the historic building with new artwork and furnishings, the long-awaited result of their community's dedication to this church.
First of all the official name of the Funeral Mass is a misnomer. For so many souls today, as well as their bodies, there is no burial because of cremation. So let’s change the official name to Requiem Mass. The Latin term is better than the English word “rest” or Rest Mass. Mass of the Dead sounds too macabre and it certainly is not the Mass of the Resurrection unless it is Easter Sunday or its Octave.
Make violet or black the normative color for adult funerals and white for children’s funerals.
Eliminate the Alleluia at any time in the Mass or hymns that are chosen. Specifically use the Lenten Gospel Acclamation not the Alleluia.
Use the traditional endings for the Agnus Dei at Requiem Masses, ...grant them rest; grant them rest, grant them eternal rest.
No lay eulogies after Holy Communion or before the Mass—these to take place at the funeral home before or after the Vigil for the Deceased.
Eliminate having an Old Testament Reading, Psalm and then Epistle. Only have Epistle (or Old Testament reading) Gradual or Responsorial Psalm and Gospel as in a daily Mass.
Vatican News this morning seems to think so by giving this story a lot of prominence. I wonder what that says? Of course the headline perpetuates another conspiracy theory that there is only one pope, but which one?
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: “There are not two Popes”
In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI recalls that his renunciation of the papacy was a “difficult choice” but made “in full conscience,” believing that he did well.
By Vatican News
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s resignation from the papacy, which became effective eight years ago, [28 February 2013] was a “difficult choice,” but made “in full conscience” – one which he has not regretted at all.
Once again, the Pope Emeritus, albeit in a subdued voice, repeats what he has already said several times to dismiss the “somewhat fanatical friends” who continue to see “conspiracy theories” behind his decision to leave the Chair of St. Peter by retiring for reasons of old age.
This was reiterated by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in an interview with Corriere della Sera.
A difficult but correct decision
“It was a difficult decision,” explains the Pope Emeritus, "but I made it in full conscience, and I believe I did well. Some of my friends who are a bit ‘fanatical’ are still angry; they did not want to accept my choice. I am thinking about the conspiracy theories which followed it: those who said it was because of the Vatileaks scandal, those who said it was because of the case of the conservative Lefebvrian theologian, Richard Williamson. They did not want to believe it was a conscious decision, but my conscience is clear.”
Papal visit to Iraq
In the interview, Benedict XVI also spoke about Pope Francis' upcoming Apostolic Journey to Iraq.
“I think it is a very important trip," he said. "Unfortunately, it comes at a very difficult time that also makes it a dangerous trip for security reasons and also because of Covid-19. There is also the unstable Iraqi situation. I will accompany Francis with my prayers.”
Is it OK to reject family members over their religion?
CAROLYN HAX
BY CAROLYN HAX
WASHINGTON POST
Adapted from an online discussion.
Dear Carolyn: Most of my family members belong to the religion I was raised in, which I have come to view as wrong not just theologically, but morally. The religion teaches prejudice and hatred.
I am increasingly wondering whether I can, in good conscience, continue to have a loving relationship with these people. To me, the religion’s teachings are so wrong, so harmful, that acting friendly around them as long as religion doesn’t come up would be like having a friend who’s a member of a neo-Nazi organization and just turning a blind eye to it.
Do you think that, for my own morality, I need to sever ties with my family? -- Religious Differences
Religious Differences: IF you believe this religion’s teachings are as morally reprehensible as neo-Nazism -- if -- then, yes, you need to treat your family members who embrace these teachings as if they were neo-Nazis.
If there’s a moral difference between the two belief systems, then your moral obligation changes as well.
Ultimately only you can determine this.
You also, of course, get to choose which values you prioritize:
Does family take precedence over the morality of individual beliefs, or does the morality trump all?
Do your priorities change whether these beliefs are or aren’t acted upon, or is the belief enough regardless? Does choosing the religion mean choosing its every belief, or are adherents responsible only for the tenets they embrace?
Or does usefulness toward the collective good displace both family and morality altogether, if there’s some chance remaining connected will give you more power over your family’s immorality than you would have if you chose to isolate yourself from them?
It’s a lot. Being torn is almost a given.
And you certainly will find a lot of people in anguish over similar conflicts, if you look, and not even very hard.
It’s also your prerogative to decide, always, that you don’t like the effect certain people have on you and that you don’t want to associate with them anymore for that reason alone. It doesn’t have to be any more cerebral or ethical than that.
About a month or more ago, one of my Burmese parishioners died of cancer. A priest friend from Burma stationed now in Oklahoma, came to St. Anne’s to celebrate his Requiem in our chapel. I had no idea that there is a small Catholic Burmese community in the Savannah area. The chapel was almost full and their participation in the Mass was great. It sounded like they had there own choir but it was congregational singing.
Pope Benedict was and is always precise in his use of language. He called Catholics who reject his resignation “fanatical” Catholics.
Whereas Pope Francis, who isn’t precise in his language and his language always obfuscates the truth or confuses it, would more than likely use the term “fundamentalist” Catholic.
To be clear “fundamentalism” is a Protestant ideology. It was caused by the modernism of Protestantism associated with the “great awakening” of the 1800’s. Liberal Protestantism so aligned itself with secular thought, a reaction developed that led to the Fundamentalist movement of the early 1900’s. Of course Protestantism as it has no vicar of Christ acting as a central authority does what Protestantism does, it fragments and each fragment claims it to be an act of God to get to the real truth.
Martin Luther, the first Protestant, wasn’t a fundamentalist, he was a fanatic.
Catholicism has always had fanatics. What is unique since Vatican II that made the Church more Protestant for an ecumenical ideological purposes is that we are now paying for what it means to be Protestant, fragmentation and each group claiming to be recovering the truth.
Actually fanaticism is extremism. Fundamentalism is extremism too, but extreme in what sense, the true Protestant religion? There is no such thing.
But in Catholicism there is the True religion and extremism is being more true than the True religion but and it’s a big BUT...YOU CAN’T BE MORE TRUE THAN THE TRUE RELIGION. We have the Magisterium which Protestants don’t have. Fanatics forget that in their extremism.
The Second Sunday of lent we pray over our baptized candidates for full communion. It is called a Scrutiny or minor exorcism. The third through 5th Sunday’s of Lent we offer minor exorcisms to the unbaptized Elect. This year we only have one catechumen.
Our
Permanent Deacon at Saint Anne Catholic Church in Richmond Hill, Deacon and Mrs. Ben
Ernst's son, Captain Spencer Ernst, USMC, is deployed on the USS New
Orleans. He is a "Viper" Cobra pilot. But first things first! Sunday
Mass on the USS New Orleans deck. Then he takes off and is the second
person in the Viper Cobra! Keep him and all our deployed and active
military in your prayers! This is just too cool!
Let me offer a disclaimer. Richmond Hill, Georgia has had, for the most part, a very nonchalant reaction to the Pandemic. And yes, our public schools have been in full session since late August. The opposite is true in one county over, Savannah’s county which is Chatham. Ours is Bryan. They still do not have full time public school in person.
Richmond Hill has had no mask mandate the entire pandemic. Chatham has and still has it. Chatham has had far more cases percentage wise and deaths percentage wise than Richmond Hill. Thus far, since the pandemic I have had three deaths resulting directly or indirectly from Covid-19, the latest an 80 year old parishioner whose funeral is today. However, I have had far more funerals this year that had nothing to do with Covid-19 and everything to do with old age or cancer or some other disease.
Our diocese returned to public Mass on Pentecost Sunday, late May. Bishop Stephen Parkes restored the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation (with some exceptions) in early September.
For the last several months, we have been averaging about 350 at our 10:30 AM Sunday High Mass in a church that seats about 1,000. Prior to the pandemic it was about 450.
At our Ash Wednesday 7 PM Mass with Bishop Parkes “presiding” and I the celebrant, we had the most in attendance since the pandemic and on a day that is not a Holy Day of Obligation, about 450 if not more.
While Richmond Hill has no mask mandate and never has, we have highly encouraged it, but many do not wear a mask to Mass but I would say the majority do.
This is from the Facebook page, I’m fed up with ugly churches. The only redeeming thing about this church is that the EF Mass is celebrated at a properly vested EF altar—it makes all the difference in the world in a horrid looking building. However, the servers are lifting the chasuble way too high. As I recall, prior to Vatican II, the lifting of the chasuble was only at a High Mass and it was a very sober lift, more a a stretch than a lift:
Pope Francis and no pope are psychological therapists and we can ignore or receive diagnoses they might make in this realm. Post Vatican II veneration of psychology as a cure all has led to the scandal the Church is still cleaning up and the pain and suffering of so many laity.
Press Crux title for implied insights into this pope and his ethos:
This man is so afraid of the ideology of the Democrat party and its leaders that he simply can't answer any questions on where he would draw the line on abortions. Even his mother prays the Holy Rosary with his aunt each night for his conversion. And you can tell from the sound of his voice he knows he is on the wrong side of God, loves the ideology of the democrat party or fears its leaders more than he loves God or fears God. But a bit of fear is there and thus hope for this apostate's conversion:
Shame on President Biden for nominating someone like this with their pagan demonic ideology. It is beyond shocking. Hopefully victims of this person’s cruel, abusive ideology will sue this confused person for damages. This person is dangerous!
People of confused sexuality are changing their sex from that which was "assigned" to them at birth to something else to include new, unheard of categories. This may well be codified in law by the Biden administration's lobbying efforts.
However, would this, by reason of logic, also apply to race? Certainly, through the art of tattooing a person's pigmentation can be changed to almost any color.
Can a person "assigned at birth" black or white, or red or yellow or any other color, choose to change their race? Isn't this the logic of sexual reassignment legitimately applied to race reassignment?
This man whose patron saint is St.Francis Xavier voted against a ban on partial birth abortion. In other words, he voted to allow doctors and mothers to murder a baby in the most diabolical way as the baby is being born. Shocking is not the term to describe this callousness.
This man is morally bankrupt and a mortal sinner. He needs our prayers for his conversion. Could you imagine a pedophile who voted against banning the sexual exploitation of children saying I think we can find common ground on this, yet, this man says the same about a baby being murdered in the most gruesome way as she is being born. And President Biden, a Catholic, condones this.
I wonder if this man considers himself a devout Catholic as President Biden describes himself?
From the Salt Lake Tribune:
Utah Sen. Mitt Romney tussled Tuesday with Xavier Becerra, President Joe Biden’s nominee as secretary of Health and Human Services, over his stand on abortion and Democratic proposals to expand a nearly bankrupt Medicare system.
During Becerra’s confirmation hearing, Romney asked the nominee — who is the current California attorney general and a former member of Congress — why he once voted against so-called “partial-birth abortion,” but didn’t get a direct answer. It is a form of late-term abortion where a fetus is partially delivered before it is aborted.
“There’s a division in our country with regards to the issue of abortion,” Romney said. “But most people agree that partial birth abortion is awful. You voted against a ban on partial birth abortion. Why?”
Instead of a direct answer, Becerra said he has worked for decades to protect the health of men and women. On abortion, he said, “I understand that people have different deeply held beliefs on this issue and I respect that” — and said he hopes to help seek common ground.
Romney responded, “I think we can reach common ground on many issues, but on partial birth abortion, it sounds like we’re not going to reach common ground there.”
I read on another blog a comment from someone about his joy that Cardinal Sarah had resigned because he was so “pre-Vatican II”. I have said it before and I will write it again, the term pre-Vatican II used by certain Catholics is equal to the “n” word in its derogatory nature. It was and is used to shame people, as though being pre Vatican II is the sign of being less human and less Catholic.
Thus, I hope that the next CDW prefect will be Bishop Vittorio Viola, currently Bishop of Tortona. Look at how His Excellency recently celebrated the Ordinary Form of the Catholic Mass and his vesture in the photo below!
Cardinal Sarah and evidently Bishop Vittorio are not pre-Vatican II, they, unlike some, are post spirit of Vatican II prelates and are showing us the way to be authentically Roman Catholic within the sane approach of Pope Benedict XVI, that of renewal in continuity. That is the only way forward. We don’t need to go backwards to the spirit of Vatican II as the 11970’s types still exerting influence!
An anonymous commenter of Cardinal Sarah’s retirement suggests the next Prefect for the CDW will be:
Anonymous said...
Judging from the list of recent papal audiences, my prediction from last spring is about to come to fruition! The next CDW prefect will be Vittorio Viola, currently Bishop of Tortona.
Like Cardinal Gambetti, who was appointed Archpriest of St Peter's on Saturday, Viola is a Franciscan. I think the original plan must have been to announce the two appointments at the same time, but the announcement of Viola's must have had to be delayed for some reason.
This is a google translation of an Italian biography :
After the university, he entered the Order of Friars Minor; he completed his studies at the Theological Institute of Assisi and later at the Pontifical liturgical institute Sant'Anselmo in Rome, where he obtained a license in liturgy; at the same university in 2000 he obtained a doctorate in sacred liturgy. [1]
On 14 September 1991 he made his solemn vows in the Order of Friars Minor in Santa Maria degli Angeli; he was ordained a deacon on 4 July 1992 and a priest on 3 July 1993 by Bishop Luca Brandolini, auxiliary of Rome. [1]
After ordination, in the Order of Friars Minor he was definitor of the Umbrian seraphic province from 1999 to 2002, from 2003 to 2005 and finally from 2011 to 2014. At the diocesan level he has been responsible for the liturgical office of the Ecclesiastical Region of Umbria since 1997 to 2014, of the diocesan office of Assisi for education, school and university from 2006 to 2008 and then of the diocesan Caritas of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino from 2008 to 2014. [1]
In addition to having been a professor of liturgy at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute Sant'Anselmo in Rome, the Pontifical Liturgical Institute and the Institute of Religious Sciences, both in Assisi, he was a consultant member of the National Liturgical Office. [2]
Episcopal Ministry [edit | edit wikitext]
On October 15, 2014, Pope Francis appointed him bishop of Tortona; received his episcopal ordination on 7 December following in the basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi from Domenico Sorrentino, archbishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino, co-consecrators Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, metropolitan archbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve, and the bishop Martino Canessa, his predecessor in Tortona.
However, Pope Francis also received Blase Cardinal Cupich in a private audience recently. Of course there is speculation he could head the Congregation of Bishops. But Cupich fancies himself a liturgist too, but a progressive sort. He wreckovated the Pontifical College Josephinum Chapel when he was rector there.
Cardinal Cupich is a graduate of the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he received a Licentiate of Sacred Theology in 1979 and Doctorate of Sacred Theology in 1987, both in Sacramental Theology, with his dissertation entitled, “Advent in the Roman Tradition: An Examination and Comparison of the Lectionary Readings as Hermeneutical Units in Three Periods.”
Before and after of Josephinum Seminary Chapel’s wreckovation:
After, after accomplished by our Diocesan Priest and former Rector of the Josephinum, Msgr. Christopher Schreck:
In the post Vatican II Church of the late 60's through the 80's, talk of the devil was seldom heard. Charismatic Catholics, however, kept it alive but in unhealthy, non Catholic, Protestant Pentecostal ways.
As pastor in Augusta throughout the 1990's where there is a large Catholic Charismatic community, I would often engage in severe criticism with them as there was an unfortunate practice of "headship and submission" in the community by some laymen having religious authority over other lay members. And within that context of Pentecostal prayer, they practiced "Deliverance" which in effect was like a major exorcism but a Pentecostal form of it. The leader engaged in a dialogue with the evil spirit or the devil they presumed was in the person being delivered.
Thus it is refreshing that Pope Francis has a wonderful body of teachings on the devil and his influence in our lives. Today's Angelus address in Rome for the First Sunday of Lent is not exception:
Pope Francis at the Sunday Angelus
(Vatican Media)
Pope Francis: With faith, prayer and penance we overcome evil
Speaking
to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus, Pope
Francis explained how the Word of God shows us the path to live
fruitfully the 40 days of Lent we have just embarked upon.
By Vatican News staff writer
The account in Mark’s Gospel (Mk 1:12-15) on this first Sunday of
Lent emphasizes that the “Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert”.
There, the Pope noted, Jesus remained forty days and was tempted by
Satan. The natural and symbolic reality of the desert is the place
“where God speaks to the human heart and prayer is a response”, he
observed, but it is also the place of “trial and temptation” and the
“’duel’ between Jesus and the devil begins, which will end with the
Passion and the Cross.” At the same time, Jesus’ entire existence is
placed under the sign of the Spirit of God, who animates, inspires and
guides him.
The Pope continued that the entire ministry of Christ marks a
struggle against the Evil One - whether healing from illness,
liberating the possessed, and forgiving sins. While it may appear that
the devil has the upper hand when the Son of God is rejected, captured
and condemned to death, in reality, the Pope remarked, “death was the
last ‘desert’ to cross” to finally defeat Satan and free us all from his
power.
The Pope said when we read about the desert and temptations,
Christians are reminded that by following in the Lord’s footsteps, our
lives also are a struggle against the spirit of evil, where the devil
can tempt us. He said we must be fully aware of the presence of this
astute enemy “who seeks our eternal condemnation, our failure, and
prepare to defend ourselves against him and to combat him.” He added
that Jesus never dialogued with the devil. Rather, Jesus always sent him
away or responded with the Word of God. We also, the Pope said, should
never enter into dialogue with the devil and his temptations.
At the same time, the grace of God assures us, that with faith, prayer and penance, we can defeat the enemy.
In conclusion, the Pope said “We are called to walk in God’s
footsteps, renewing our Baptismal promises: renouncing Satan, and all
his works and all his empty promises.”. He then encouraged us to call on
the maternal intercession of the Virgin Mary.
Our Lenten parish mission begins this weekend and runs Sunday through Wednesday at 7 pm each night with Father Jewel Aytona, with the Fathers of Mercy. He preaches his mission within the context of Exposition and Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament and concluding with Benediction. Father also hears Confessions before and after the Mission talks.
After our Ash Wednesday Mass, Bishop Stephen Parkes visited with my parishioners in the narthex. One of my parishioners trains Labs to be dog assistants to people in need. Thus she brings these dogs to church to train them to behave in public settings and gatherings.
But what is not pictured in this great photo, and you will notice that I am in the background to see it happen and react I did in an audible voice, is the fact that as the bishop moves his open palm toward the dog, the dog moves forward toward his hand as in an aggressive way to my eyewitness to the crime, as to bite the hand blessing him. The bishop pulled back in the nick of time!
Nothing like trying to bite the hand of the Bishop who is trying to bless you!
Since Vatican II and the decline of ascetic practices in the Church, bishops and priest during Lent kind of make it up as they go and disregard altogether what fasting is. As an ascetic practice, it has nothing to do with giving up bad habits, but rather giving up certain foods and drinks that one loves for a great cause, that of "sacrificing" something one loves and needs for life without going overboard.
Thus, I cringe when I read this from Pope Francis:
Don't get me wrong, in a way these suggestions are an examination of conscience wisely to be used during lent, but observing these has nothing to do with fasting although I suspect the Holy Father is using fasting in the pejorative sense.
I would much prefer from a Jesuit pope, to reemphasize ascetic practices lost in the Church since about 1966 or so. Why is actual fasting good for the body and soul? Why is giving up something that is good and we love, like sweets, fast food, desserts, steaks, expensive meals, to be recommended.
Fasting is linked to what is good and we love to eat or drink or smoke, if you want to expand it.
You are not to fast from things you despise, like cows' liver, tripe, certain vegetables, etc.
Lent, though, calls us to repent and believe the Good News as we recall that we are dust and unto dust we shall return.
Giving up bad habits or mortal sins is a part of Lent but it is not a part of fasting.
There, I got that off my chest and I'll stop ranting.
Considering the rapidly evolving situation of the Covid-19 pandemic and taking
into account observations which have come from Episcopal Conferences, this
Congregation now offers an update to the general indications and suggestions
already given to Bishops in the preceding decree of 19 March 2020.
Given that the date of Easter cannot be transferred, in the countries which have
been struck by the disease and where restrictions around the assembly and
movement of people have been imposed, Bishops and priests may celebrate the
rites of Holy Week without the presence of the people and in a suitable place,
avoiding concelebration and omitting the sign of peace.
The faithful should be informed of the beginning times of the
celebrations so that they can prayerfully unite themselves in their homes.
Means of live (not recorded) telematic broadcasts can be of help. In any event
it remains important to dedicate an adequate time to prayer, giving importance
above all to the Liturgia Horarum.
The Episcopal Conferences and individual dioceses will see to it
that resources are provided to support family and personal prayer.
1 - Palm Sunday. The Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem is to be celebrated
within sacred buildings; in Cathedral churches the second form given in the
Roman Missal is to be adopted; in parish churches and in other places the third
form is to be used.
2 – The Chrism Mass. Evaluating the concrete situation in different countries, the Episcopal
Conferences will be able to give indications about a possible transfer to
another date.
3 – Holy Thursday. The washing of feet, which is already optional, is to
be omitted. At the end of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper the procession is also
omitted and the Blessed Sacrament is to be kept in the tabernacle. On this day
the faculty to celebrate Mass in a suitable place, without the presence of the
people, is exceptionally granted to all priests.
4 – Good Friday. In the Universal Prayer, Bishops will arrange to have a
special intention prepared for those who find themselves in distress, the sick,
the dead, (cf. Missale Romanum). The adoration of the Cross by kissing
it shall be limited solely to the celebrant.
5 – The Easter Vigil: Is to be celebrated only in Cathedral and parish churches. For the “Baptismal
Liturgy” only the “Renewal of Baptismal Promises” is maintained (cf. Missale
Romanum).
Seminaries, houses of clergy, monasteries and religious communities shall follow the
indications of this decree.
Expressions of popular piety and processions which enrich the days of Holy Week
and the Paschal Triduum can be transferred to other suitable days in the year,
for example 14 and 15 September, according to the judgement of the Diocesan
Bishop.
De mandato Summi Pontificis pro hoc tantum anno 2020.
From the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of
the Sacraments, 25 March 2020, on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord.
